Staff

As Co-Founder and Executive Director, Will oversees the strategy and management of Groundswell. Under his leadership, Groundswell has grown into one of the most innovative social sector organizations in the United States’ emerging clean energy economy.

Will was selected to attend the June 2011 Clinton Global Initiative America conference in Chicago - the first event of its kind focused on creating jobs and driving economic growth in the U.S. President Bill Clinton honored Groundswell's Commitment to Action to deploy nationwide its new market organizing model to advance clean energy economic opportunity in communities across the U.S.

In 2011, in recognition of Groundswell's community-led impact in the clean energy sector, the White House awarded Will the Champions of Change honor, and the World Economic Forum selected him as a member of its Young Global Shapers community.

As Managing Director, Elizabeth is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations and programmatic priorities of Groundswell. Elizabeth also represents the organization with critical local and national partners and leads Groundswell's local fund development efforts.

Before joining Groundswell, Elizabeth served as Policy Advisor in the D.C. Department of Employment Services (DOES), where she spearheaded the agency's efforts to link D.C. residents with careers in emerging industries. While at DOES, Elizabeth developed D.C.’s first on-the-job training program in health care and green jobs and helped to guide the implementation of Capital Health Careers, a program that provides training in allied health fields to hundreds of area residents. From 2007 until 2009, Elizabeth led New Jersey's small, minority and women business development initiatives as the New Jersey Associate Assistant State Treasurer for Economic Development.

Elizabeth is a sought-after speaker and expert on the clean economy and green jobs. She has presented at numerous national and regional conferences, including the national Good Jobs Green Jobs conference, the Campus Progress 2011 National Conference, and the Smithsonian Institution's "Greening Greater Washington" Seminar. Elizabeth also served on the Mid-Atlantic Regional Consortium's Green Labor Market Information Steering Committee.

Elizabeth holds a Master’s Degree in Public Affairs and Urban and Regional Planning from Princeton University as well as a B.A. in French and History from Swarthmore College. She and her husband are proud homeowners in Southwest D.C.

Boris manages Groundswell's financial, operational and human resource needs. He creates the systems necessary to operate a dynamic organization with a rapidly expanding impact. Prior to joining Groundswell, Boris worked on the Obama for America Campaign, mobilizing communities in South Carolina, Ohio and Michigan.

Boris graduated from the University of Michigan with a concentration in Neuropsychology and Political Science. During his college career, Boris worked on a National Science Foundation grant project on the design of international law as well as in laboratory studies on biological components of mental illness. Boris also brings extensive international experience, including work in Bolivia, Kenya, Rwanda and India examining how local organizations build capacity and run effective operations with limited resources amid tremendous domestic and international challenges.

Elizabeth helps the organization conceptualize, develop and execute communications strategies to increase the visibility of Groundswell and its impact. She has worked on three federal election campaigns, served as a legislative staffer in the U.S. House of Representatives and as Director of Policy Communications for then-Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton. Her international field experience includes assignments in Ghana, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bangladesh and Haiti where she worked with local and international organizations and state institutions to promote democratic development and the rule of law.

Elizabeth has a J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law where she served as an Articles Editor for the Law Review. She received a certificate in Facilitative Leadership from the Interaction Institute for Social Change.

Sam leads the strategy and implementation of the Community Power Project. He works to bring together broad-based coalitions and leverage their collective buying power to transform energy markets. Previously, Sam was responsible for directing the organization's training with national partners to equip communities with the tools to drive an equitable green economy. Sam was also the initial developer and implementer of Groundswell's community mobilization model and strategy. Before helping to launch Groundswell, Sam worked for the Obama for America Campaign and traveled the country organizing communities to build volunteer leadership teams.

Sam has also organized around environmental issues with the Carbon Coalition, where he spearheaded a two-year, statewide grassroots effort in New Hampshire that established local energy committees in 90 towns. He is a graduate of Bates College.

Felipe leads the strategic design and implementation of new initiatives at Groundswell. He pioneered Groundswell's first two Community Power Projects in Washington, D.C. He organized 40 faith, community and labor institutions, producing a clean energy effort worth $1.4 million. Prior to joining Groundswell, Felipe led a variety of research and consulting initiatives at IHS Cambridge Energy Research Associates. He specialized in electricity markets, clean energy economics and climate policy with a focus on the implications for large energy companies.

Felipe holds a degree in Energy Studies and Economics from the University of Notre Dame. As a student, he created new energy studies curricula, founded innovative groups GreeND and OpenEconomicsND, and mobilized university leaders to invest millions of dollars in energy efficiency and sustainability.

Kat is instrumental in providing organizational and planning support to the executive management team. Working alongside the development, operations and innovation teams, Kat also helps to design and implement new organizational information systems. Prior to joining Groundswell, Kat published research on Chinese criminal law through her work for an international law firm in Beijing. Her previous experience also includes helping to reorganize a community outreach program for a D.C. advocacy group and assisting a trade association's government affairs office.

A graduate of American University, Kat studied communications, legal studies, government and philosophy.

Brett leads the design of Strong Homes' strategy and oversees its implementation. In his role as lead organizer, Brett builds partnerships, supports and coaches organizers, and develops new tactics to grow the demand for energy efficiency services that invest in workers and reinvest in communities.

Born and raised in the Heartland, Brett has explored the breadths and depths of sustainability. In the Missouri glades, he developed meta-population and habitat models for a threatened plant species. With the support of local businesses and farmers, he co-founded a bike co-op and a bakery. Brett turned to supporting student leaders as field organizer of Missouri PowerShift, a state-wide conference showing the power of youth and clean energy. Having gained a grassroots perspective, he sought to understand the grasstops approach by working for three government agencies, including The White House Council on Environmental Quality.

From these and other experiences, one resounding message became clear to Brett: address people, where their economic prosperity can be met with social justice and environmental soundness. A Truman State University graduate, Brett holds a B.S. in Biology with an Environmental Studies minor.

Ayla builds strategic partnerships with community organizations to enlist their support in community efficiency projects for the Strong Homes Program. Born and raised in a small town in Northern California, Ayla’s family and neighbors taught her that the most effective way to mobilize and inspire individuals is through their communities. Ayla’s background includes Field and Policy work for environmental justice campaigns at 1Sky and Green For All, and Strategic Communications Consulting. She graduated with honors from Smith College with a B.A. in Government and a minor in Spanish Language.

Erica joined Groundswell with a background in youth climate organizing and small business management. As a student, she co-founded and served as the Operations Director for the Maryland Student Climate Coalition, which successfully pushed the University System of Maryland to commit to carbon neutrality. For seven years, she worked with the Sierra Student Coalition to help train and support hundreds of youth leaders working toward clean energy and sustainability goals. As part of her work, Erica served on the Executive, Anti-Oppression and Personnel Committees. Most recently, she worked as the first office manager for a successful start-up makeup artist business in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Erica graduated cum laude with a degree in Sociology and Women's Studies from the University of Maryland.

As an organizing intern, Jessica works to create connections throughout the community. The second of five J’s, Jessica was raised in Massachusetts. She is currently a freshman at Georgetown University's College of Arts and Sciences, and plans to dedicate her studies to social work and Spanish. As a student, Jessica acts as the floor senator for her dorm, is an active marketing committee member for Georgetown Relay for Life, an ambassador for the Georgetown Admissions Ambassadors Program (GAPP), and a cheerleader for football and men’s and women’s basketball.

During her first semester, she served as a tutor and mentor at Smothers Elementary School in Ward 7 through D.C. Reads. Jessica's experience at Smothers sparked her interest in becoming involved with a greater spectrum of communities within D.C. She is excited to work with the Field Team and for the opportunity to pair her love for the environment with her passion for impacting communities worldwide. 

Marcus established and managed national partnerships with energy, climate and workforce development leaders to guide the organization's strategic advancement. Prior to co-founding Groundswell, Marcus mobilized communities for the Obama for America campaign in Texas, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Montana. In that role, he managed eight staff members and approximately 50 neighborhood teams.

Drawing on his diverse experience in sustainable agriculture, grassroots marketing, business ownership and professional video/media production, Max helped co-found Groundswell in 2009. Previously, Max was a member of the Obama Presidential Transition Team and worked for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. A skilled videographer, Max served as a campaign video producer/editor with the Obama 2008 New Media Team and launched a social media consulting company, IB5k.

Serving in several distinct capacities for the organization, Max was frequently at the dynamic and complex interface of multiple organizational departments and programs. Max authored and negotiated the organization’s original Community Workforce Agreement - the first of its kind in the nation. As Innovation Director, Max initiated and helped design enterprise software development. In the early phase of the organization’s development, Max contributed planning, concept, systems thinking as well as fund development support.