Jason F. McLennan, LEED AP, CEO, Seattle, WA
Mona Lemoine, LEED AP BD + C, Executive Director of Cascadia, Vancouver, BC
Sandy Allen, Controller, Portland, OR
Thomas C. Bland, Chief Operating Officer, Portland, OR
Gabe Carleton-Barnes, IT Manager, Portland, OR
Murray Cizon, Regional Education & Training Coordinator, Portland, OR
Sarah Costello, LEED AP, Vice President, Development + Communications, Portland, OR
Emily DeWolfe, Office Administrator + Human Resources Coordinator, Portland, OR
Joanna Gangi, LEED AP, Trim Tab Managing Editor, Seattle, WA
Nick Hartrich, Advocacy & Outreach Manager, Portland, OR
April Knudsen, Communications Project Coordinator, Portland, OR
John LaRose, Development Coordinator, Portland, OR
Mark Masteller, Alaska State Director, Palmer, AK
Joel Sisolak, LEED AP, Advocacy & Outreach Director, Seattle, WA
Katie Spataro, LEED AP, Research Director, Codes + Standards, Seattle, WA

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Jason F. McLennan, LEED AP, CEO, Seattle, WA

Considered one of the most influential individuals in the green building movement today, Jason F. McLennan’s work has made a strong impact on the shape and direction of green building in the United States and Canada and he is a much sought after presenter and consultant on a wide variety of green building and sustainability topics around the world.

McLennan serves as the CEO of the International Living Future Institute – a leading NGO that focuses on the transformation to a world that is socially just, culturally rich and ecologically restorative. Under the Living Future Umbrella, Jason operates the Cascadia Green Building Council, the Pacific Northwest’s leading organization in the field of green building and sustainable development.

Jason is the founder and creator of the Living Building Challenge, widely considered the world’s most progressive and stringent green building program. His work in the sustainable design field has been published or reviewed in dozens of journals, magazines conference proceedings and books including Time Magazine, National Geographic, The New York Times, Architecture, Architectural Record, Dwell, Plenty, Metropolis, The Globe and Mail, The World and I, Ecostructure, Greensource, Arcade and Environmental Design and Construction Magazine. He is the author of four books; The Philosophy of Sustainable Design, The Dumb Architect’s Guide to Glazing Selection, The Ecological Engineer and Zugunruhe.  The Philosophy of Sustainable Design has been used as a textbook in over seventy universities and colleges and is distributed widely throughout Europe, North America and Asia.

Mona Lemoine, LEED AP BD + C, Executive Director of Cascadia, Vancouver, BC

Originally from Winnipeg, Mona has lived in Vancouver since 2007 when she joined the organization as British Columbia Director. As Education and Training Director now since 2010, Mona oversees the Institute’s education and training needs, working to inspire educators, engage individuals, professionals and organizations via educational offerings such as Living Future, the organizations annual conference, design competitions, workshops and trainings. Prior to joining the Institute, Mona worked in architectural practice for over 10 years focused on incorporating and promoting social and environmental sustainability in the built environment. She has volunteered for more than 20 years for a broad range of organizations and causes. Mona holds a Bachelor of Environmental Design and Master of Architecture from the University of Manitoba. She is fluent in French, English and Spanish - with elementary (deteriorating!) abilities in Japanese. While she is passionate about her work, her role as mother of three year old Zoé and Zacharie is her most rewarding one yet! They have taught her the importance of a truly Living Future.

Sandy Allen, Controller, Portland, OR

Sandy joined Cascadia in September, 2008 upon relocating to Portland from Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.  She graduated from San Jose State University with a B.S. in Business Administration – Accounting.  Except  for the years she spent raising her family, Sandy has always worked for non-profit organizations including private foundations, education and community centers.  She is enjoying exploring Portland and all the exciting opportunities the city has to offer.  In her spare time, Sandy loves to travel with her family, especially to Zihuatanejo, Mexico.

Thomas C. Bland, Chief Operating Officer, Portland, OR

Mr. Bland is a Certified Public Accountant, with over 24 years experience working with small to mid-sized companies and not for profit organizations.  He has extensive experience in financial operations, board relations, corporate governance, risk management, operational administration, treasury and human resources. As an entrepreneur, he has participated in the creation and building of a number of organizations from the ground up, having been responsible for all administrative functions.  A scientist who became a CPA, he has a BS in Genetics from the University of California, an MS in Genetics from the University of Arizona, and is involved in numerous conservation and botanical organizations. He has traveled extensively worldwide, with a particular interest in World Heritage Sites, and places where he can experience first-hand, the beauty and wonder of the natural world.

Gabe Carleton-Barnes, IT Manager, Portland, OR

Gabe returned to the Northwest and joined Cascadia early in 2011 after 3 years living in New York, where he was the Operations Director for Immigration Equality, an advocacy and legal services organization. Before that, he served as Network Administrator for Ecotrust and later the Wild Salmon Center, and has been helping environmental non-profits in the Cascadia Region make the most of technology since 2000. Gabe has a BA from Oberlin College in Computer Science and Theater.

Murray Cizon, Regional Education & Training Coordinator, Portland, OR

Originally from the Texas Panhandle, Murray has lived in Portland since 1994 and joined Cascadia in 2011. After earning a B.A. in Religious Studies from Lewis & Clark College, Murray experienced the dot-com bubble first hand, wrote arts criticism for local and Web publication, assistant-managed an independent record store, was certified PHR by the HRCI, worked in a graduate school’s dean’s office, coordinated reunions and homecomings for his alma mater, and is occasionally contracted to sing G above C for local choral ensembles. When not playing with his five-year-old daughter, Murray listens to records and hopes to one day be described as “avuncular.”

Sarah Costello, LEED AP, Vice President, Development + Communications, Portland, OR

Sarah joined Cascadia in September 2008 and is focused on expanding our Friends of Cascadia program, deepening our relationships with members, and exploring a wide range of funding opportunities.  As a fundraising consultant specializing in grants, Sarah has worked with a wide variety of non-profits including environmental organizations, colleges and universities, museums, and relief agencies. She was also the Director of Grants at Lewis & Clark College Graduate School of Education and Counseling. Sarah has a B.A. in History from Reed College and an M.A. in History from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

Emily DeWolfe, Office Administrator + Human Resources Coordinator, Portland, OR

Emily came to Cascadia in October 2011 after interning for several months with the organization. As the daughter of an engineer and sister of an architect, "built" and "green" were incorporated into her vocabulary at a very young age. Emily grew up in the mountains of western Montana greatly influenced by members of the Pacific Northwest green building community; factors that fostered her keen appreciation of the environment. Hoping to connect with others sharing her ideals, Emily moved to Portland in August of 2007 to pursue her degree. Starting in 2009, Emily spent nine months in Salzburg, Austria where she was inspired by the community's naturally low-impact, sustainable lifestyle. Returning to Portland in 2010 with a renewed perspective, she dedicated her final year in school studying national and environmental policy issues. In May 2011, Emily earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Portland in Political Science and German. In her free time, Emily enjoys being outside, practicing yoga and snuggling with her cat, Sissi Habsburg.

Joanna Gangi, LEED AP, Trim Tab Managing Editor, Seattle, WA

Joanna comes to Cascadia from both the education field and the residential construction industry.  Originally from the mid-west, she graduated from Ball State University with a B.A. in History and Secondary Education where she focused her studies on multi-cultural and cross-cultural education teaching in Jamaica.  From there, she journeyed to New Zealand where she enjoyed teaching in a multi-grade classroom.  After relocating to Seattle she pursued a career in residential construction where she realized the true importance of changing the building community towards sustainability.  Joanna loves living in the beautiful Pacific Northwest and enjoys anything outdoors, mostly if it involves a mountain and a snowboard.

Nick Hartrich, LEED AP, CSBA, Outreach & Advocacy Manager, Portland, OR 

Nick has 10+ years working in the sustainable design and construction field, most recently collaborating with the leading BALLE affiliate business network, Sustainable Connections, where he developed one of the Pacific Northwest's most successful green building & smart growth programs. He is uniquely talented at facilitating vibrant and valuable educational events, workshops, tours and design charrettes with the ability to creatively engage government, industry and business leaders. He has been intimately involved with the creation and implementation of the Toward Zero Waste Initiative and has helped to transform construction waste recycling in Washington State.  Nick has reshaped public policy in both City and County governments to strengthen public/private partnerships while advancing a niche for creative problem solving to support new urbanism models and sustainable building solutions. Outside Cascadia, Nick runs an independent community supported music venue, facilitates media/marketing for Wildlife Media & BEARTREK, and continues to explore the extensive trail system of the North Cascades.

April Knudsen,  Communications Project Coordinator, Portland, OR

John LaRose, Development Coordinator, Portland, OR

John has been with the Cascadia team since August 2009.  Born and raised on the east coast, John graduated from Binghamton University in 2007 with a B.A. in History.  Prior to his arrival at Cascadia, John worked in operations and development for an international non-profit organization based in New York, NY, and coached the women's soccer team at Bard College.  He is thrilled to be living in the Pacific Northwest, and grateful to be sharing his passion for progressive social change with his friends at Cascadia and with the Portland community.  After work, you can probably find John playing, coaching, or watching soccer (go Liverpool, go Timbers, go USA!).

Mark Masteller, Alaska State Director, Palmer, AK

Mark joined Cascadia in April 2009 after working for 28 years in Alaska as a wildlife biologist and, most recently, as director of the Alaska Center for Appropriate Technology, a group dedicated to sustainable economic development.  In this role he worked in project development and design of the state's first LEED-Gold commercial/industrial building, numerous green building and energy-related workshops and seminars, and was co-founder of the Bioneers in Alaska project.  In the state with the highest energy consumption per capita in the world, and with some of the most visible early impacts of global climate change, Mark is dedicated to expanding Cascadia's Alaska program to help people address the significant challenges found across this geographically and culturally diverse and beautiful state.  Mark graduated from Colorado State University with Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Wildlife Biology.

Joel Sisolak, LEED AP, Advocacy and Outreach Director, Seattle, WA

Joel joined Cascadia in October 2008 where he continues his work of 15 years in the non-profit sector promoting social and environmental sustainability.  Prior to joining us, he directed an environmental organization that partnered with local  public and private agencies to protect King County, Washington’s primary drinking water supply.  He's also served in various consulting and leadership roles with organizations promoting affordable housing, habitat conservation, and the arts.  Joel brings rich experience with and a strong commitment to collaboration with public and private organizations in the stewardship of the region’s natural capital.  Joel holds a masters of urban planning from the University of Washington with an emphasis on sustainable land use and infrastructure.  When he's not working, spending time with his wife and daughter, or off planting trees with some habitat restoration effort, Joel dabbles in acrylic painting and organic gardening.

Katie Spataro, LEED AP, Research Director, Seattle, WA

Katie has over fifteen years of experience working in the building industry as a construction project manager, program manager and green building consultant to support her role at Cascadia where she provides research on code and regulatory pathways in support of green building. Working collaboratively across jurisdictional boundaries, Katie’s efforts to address obstacles and identify solutions to more sustainable development practices has assisted in the creation of policies, programs and code-related curriculum around the region. Katie holds a BS in Construction Engineering and Management from Purdue University, a certificate in permaculture design, and is a certified Sustainable Building Advisor. Nonetheless, she finds that her most critical (and most rewarding) role is her on-the-job training as a mother.