Board Members
Board Bios
Abby Driscoll, Chair
Abby has been committed to environmental issues since her first job canvassing for the Sierra Club in 1995. She is passionate about environmental stewardship and believes there is something everyone can do to help preserve our natural resources and prevent the most harmful effects of climate change. With a professional background in communications and public affairs, she is excited about continuing to help promote a more sustainable future for Longmont. She lives in Longmont with her son Sean and also serves on the City of Longmont Transportation Advisory Board.
Abby has been committed to environmental issues since her first job canvassing for the Sierra Club in 1995. She is passionate about environmental stewardship and believes there is something everyone can do to help preserve our natural resources and prevent the most harmful effects of climate change. With a professional background in communications and public affairs, she is excited about continuing to help promote a more sustainable future for Longmont. She lives in Longmont with her son Sean and also serves on the City of Longmont Transportation Advisory Board.
Karen Dike, Vice Chair
Karen retired in 2013 and moved back to Colorado to be near family. Prior to retiring she worked as a Director of Nursing in Lincoln Nebraska. For the last 4 years she has been involved in environmental issues. In 2013 she trained to be a climate leader with Climate Reality. As a long time Sierra Club member, she also is very active with that organization. She served on the Beyond Oil and Gas Team for 3 years working primarily to fight fracking. She is on the Legislative Committee, the Indian Peaks Executive Committee and serves as their representative to the state Executive Committee (Rocky Mountain Chapter). She is currently exploring how the Sierra Club’s Ready for 100 Program, aimed at reducing use of fossil fuel, can be implemented in Longmont. Karen is also a Board member of Our Health, Our Safety, Our Longmont. She previously was a member of the CREED Board of Directors, working on the state ballot initiatives for #75 and #78 aimed at reducing the impact of fracking on neighborhoods.
Karen retired in 2013 and moved back to Colorado to be near family. Prior to retiring she worked as a Director of Nursing in Lincoln Nebraska. For the last 4 years she has been involved in environmental issues. In 2013 she trained to be a climate leader with Climate Reality. As a long time Sierra Club member, she also is very active with that organization. She served on the Beyond Oil and Gas Team for 3 years working primarily to fight fracking. She is on the Legislative Committee, the Indian Peaks Executive Committee and serves as their representative to the state Executive Committee (Rocky Mountain Chapter). She is currently exploring how the Sierra Club’s Ready for 100 Program, aimed at reducing use of fossil fuel, can be implemented in Longmont. Karen is also a Board member of Our Health, Our Safety, Our Longmont. She previously was a member of the CREED Board of Directors, working on the state ballot initiatives for #75 and #78 aimed at reducing the impact of fracking on neighborhoods.
Leland Keller, Secretary
Leland has been engaged in sustainability since leading an Earth Day project in 1992 at the University of Virginia focused on energy and water efficiency. After graduating with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering a month later, he moved west, settling in Boulder, Colorado. Mr. Keller's work in sustainability includes energy, water, xeric landscaping and straw bale construction. His research on energy efficiency technologies, programs, practices and services for electric and gas utilities as well as Fortune 500 energy managers is published through E Source. He is pursuing consulting and project development work in efficiency, solar, wind, and other distributed energy resources to supporting a cleaner and more resilient 21st century energy infrastructure. He is also interested in the energy-water-food nexus, embedded energy in water, and implementing demand-side solutions to resolve water shortages. Leland enjoys leading human-powered adventures in the wilderness: backcountry skiing, hiking and rafting. He lives in Longmont with his wife Darlene and son Rowan.
Leland has been engaged in sustainability since leading an Earth Day project in 1992 at the University of Virginia focused on energy and water efficiency. After graduating with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering a month later, he moved west, settling in Boulder, Colorado. Mr. Keller's work in sustainability includes energy, water, xeric landscaping and straw bale construction. His research on energy efficiency technologies, programs, practices and services for electric and gas utilities as well as Fortune 500 energy managers is published through E Source. He is pursuing consulting and project development work in efficiency, solar, wind, and other distributed energy resources to supporting a cleaner and more resilient 21st century energy infrastructure. He is also interested in the energy-water-food nexus, embedded energy in water, and implementing demand-side solutions to resolve water shortages. Leland enjoys leading human-powered adventures in the wilderness: backcountry skiing, hiking and rafting. He lives in Longmont with his wife Darlene and son Rowan.
Isabel Nuesse, Treasurer
Isabel joined the SRL team as the Treasurer because of her desire to get involved locally and her commitment to sustainability. She currently works for a local non-profit, Natural Capitalism Solutions as the Director of Operations. Coupled with her work at NCS and position at SRL, Isabel is motivated to create positive change in her community. Isabel graduated from Elon University in 2015 with an independent major, "Sustainable Business Development." Her goal was to acquire a skill-set and pair it with her passion; which led her to the world of corporate sustainability. Through her studies, she recognized the dependency that each segment of our current economic system has on the environment and the threat that this poses globally. When she's not working, Isabel enjoys all things outdoors: running, biking, hiking and skiing. She loves to cook, frequents the New York Times crossword and is often reading a book. She is enjoying living so close to nature and being a part of such a welcoming town.
Isabel joined the SRL team as the Treasurer because of her desire to get involved locally and her commitment to sustainability. She currently works for a local non-profit, Natural Capitalism Solutions as the Director of Operations. Coupled with her work at NCS and position at SRL, Isabel is motivated to create positive change in her community. Isabel graduated from Elon University in 2015 with an independent major, "Sustainable Business Development." Her goal was to acquire a skill-set and pair it with her passion; which led her to the world of corporate sustainability. Through her studies, she recognized the dependency that each segment of our current economic system has on the environment and the threat that this poses globally. When she's not working, Isabel enjoys all things outdoors: running, biking, hiking and skiing. She loves to cook, frequents the New York Times crossword and is often reading a book. She is enjoying living so close to nature and being a part of such a welcoming town.
Adam Lawrence
After having an amazing vacation in Colorado, Adam moved to Longmont from Alabama. He received an Environmental Studies degree from the University of Colorado where he also interned with recycling and environmental education organizations. For the past six years, he’s worked his way to Lead Brewer at Left Hand Brewing Company. Adam also chairs the sustainability committee and has helped the brewery achieve success and recognition for their sustainability initiatives focused on waste stream diversion, energy efficiency, and water conservation. Hiking in Colorado is Adam’s favorite pastime and working to preserve these beautiful landscapes is his passion in life. He joined SRL to enhance his efforts to grow and engage the community of Longmont towards a sustainable future.
After having an amazing vacation in Colorado, Adam moved to Longmont from Alabama. He received an Environmental Studies degree from the University of Colorado where he also interned with recycling and environmental education organizations. For the past six years, he’s worked his way to Lead Brewer at Left Hand Brewing Company. Adam also chairs the sustainability committee and has helped the brewery achieve success and recognition for their sustainability initiatives focused on waste stream diversion, energy efficiency, and water conservation. Hiking in Colorado is Adam’s favorite pastime and working to preserve these beautiful landscapes is his passion in life. He joined SRL to enhance his efforts to grow and engage the community of Longmont towards a sustainable future.
Violeta Manoukian
Violeta has collaborated with sustainable development and poverty reduction efforts in more than twenty countries in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. She is a specialist in public participation/community engagement and is fluent in English, Spanish, and French. Foremost among her skills and professional objectives is the participation of stakeholders in partnerships between public sector efforts and those of civil society. She has served as a senior consultant to the World Bank, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), and various multilateral and bilateral international agencies. She holds a B.A. from the University of Colorado, Boulder and an M.A. in International Affairs from Carleton University, Ottawa. She is a member of the Program Committee of the Board of EFAA (Emergency Family Assistance of Boulder Country) and serves as a volunteer in the Civic Engagement Committee of the Boulder Community Foundation Trust. Since 2012 Violeta is a proud resident of Longmont where she and her family cultivate a permaculture garden.
Violeta has collaborated with sustainable development and poverty reduction efforts in more than twenty countries in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. She is a specialist in public participation/community engagement and is fluent in English, Spanish, and French. Foremost among her skills and professional objectives is the participation of stakeholders in partnerships between public sector efforts and those of civil society. She has served as a senior consultant to the World Bank, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), and various multilateral and bilateral international agencies. She holds a B.A. from the University of Colorado, Boulder and an M.A. in International Affairs from Carleton University, Ottawa. She is a member of the Program Committee of the Board of EFAA (Emergency Family Assistance of Boulder Country) and serves as a volunteer in the Civic Engagement Committee of the Boulder Community Foundation Trust. Since 2012 Violeta is a proud resident of Longmont where she and her family cultivate a permaculture garden.
Silvana Munro
Silvana Munro is a Peruvian 35-year-old passionate translator, healthy eater, planet lover, committed wife and mother of two kids. She has an associates degree in Translation and Interpretation from the University of the Sacred Heart (UNIFE) in Lima, Peru. Her work experience as a translator and interpreter in Peru includes the UN, Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), Customs and government biddings, and many years of volunteering work with abused kids in impoverished areas of her country. She joined the Board of SRL with hopes of educating and engaging the Latino community on sustainability issues.
Silvana Munro is a Peruvian 35-year-old passionate translator, healthy eater, planet lover, committed wife and mother of two kids. She has an associates degree in Translation and Interpretation from the University of the Sacred Heart (UNIFE) in Lima, Peru. Her work experience as a translator and interpreter in Peru includes the UN, Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), Customs and government biddings, and many years of volunteering work with abused kids in impoverished areas of her country. She joined the Board of SRL with hopes of educating and engaging the Latino community on sustainability issues.
Michael Schnatzmeyer
Mike holds a degree in Environmental Design from CU-Boulder. As an Eco-friendly designer/builder, he has worked on sustainable projects ranging from an award-winning “net-zero” monolithic-thin-shell dome structure built in the 80’s, to co-housing, affordable multi-family townhome developments and a number of passive-solar single family homes. Now in his 60’s, Mike has co-founded several successful for-profit companies, plus 3 non-profits, including Longmont’s TinkerMill and StartUp Longmont groups. He was actively involved in St. Vrain Corridor flood mitigation well before the 2013 flood, and current interests include supporting the City of Longmont with re-envisioning of the St. Vrain River recovery efforts.
Mike holds a degree in Environmental Design from CU-Boulder. As an Eco-friendly designer/builder, he has worked on sustainable projects ranging from an award-winning “net-zero” monolithic-thin-shell dome structure built in the 80’s, to co-housing, affordable multi-family townhome developments and a number of passive-solar single family homes. Now in his 60’s, Mike has co-founded several successful for-profit companies, plus 3 non-profits, including Longmont’s TinkerMill and StartUp Longmont groups. He was actively involved in St. Vrain Corridor flood mitigation well before the 2013 flood, and current interests include supporting the City of Longmont with re-envisioning of the St. Vrain River recovery efforts.
Kathleen Thurmes
Kathleen Thurmes grew up in Minnesota, where she had easy access to beautiful natural spaces. She completed an undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering and a master’s degree in Environmental Engineering at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Environmental issues have always been her passion, but she didn’t start working directly in an advocacy role until 2015, when she joined Friends of the Earth’s canvassing team to push for pollinator-friendly policies at a federal level. Since then, she has dedicated herself to working for a more sustainable and just world. She currently works at Eco-Cycle as their East Boulder County Campaigns Coordinator, where she gets to spend her energy talking to folks about recycling, composting, and reducing waste. Kathleen joined the SRL board in January of 2018.
Kathleen Thurmes grew up in Minnesota, where she had easy access to beautiful natural spaces. She completed an undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering and a master’s degree in Environmental Engineering at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Environmental issues have always been her passion, but she didn’t start working directly in an advocacy role until 2015, when she joined Friends of the Earth’s canvassing team to push for pollinator-friendly policies at a federal level. Since then, she has dedicated herself to working for a more sustainable and just world. She currently works at Eco-Cycle as their East Boulder County Campaigns Coordinator, where she gets to spend her energy talking to folks about recycling, composting, and reducing waste. Kathleen joined the SRL board in January of 2018.
Advisors
David Fridland, Past President and founding Board Member
David is a longtime Boulder County resident who is interested in working towards a variety of ways to make our community and our state more sustainable and ready for the future. Currently, he works at Eco Products helping to ensure sustainable business practices. Formerly he was Eco-Cycle’s East County Campaigns Coordinator working towards a Zero Waste future for all cities in Boulder County. When not working on sustainability issues, you can find David out playing Ultimate Frisbee or bounding through the trees at Winter Park Ski Resort. David is proud to be pursuing a Master's degree in Public Policy at the University of Denver's Institute for Public Policy Studies.
David is a longtime Boulder County resident who is interested in working towards a variety of ways to make our community and our state more sustainable and ready for the future. Currently, he works at Eco Products helping to ensure sustainable business practices. Formerly he was Eco-Cycle’s East County Campaigns Coordinator working towards a Zero Waste future for all cities in Boulder County. When not working on sustainability issues, you can find David out playing Ultimate Frisbee or bounding through the trees at Winter Park Ski Resort. David is proud to be pursuing a Master's degree in Public Policy at the University of Denver's Institute for Public Policy Studies.
Joan Gregerson, Founder
Joan was our inspiration and our original spark. She got Longmont residents together to create SRL and organized the first Youth of the Earth Festival in 2015. While she has moved on to other passions and projects, Joan will always have a place in our hearts and in our organization.
Joan was our inspiration and our original spark. She got Longmont residents together to create SRL and organized the first Youth of the Earth Festival in 2015. While she has moved on to other passions and projects, Joan will always have a place in our hearts and in our organization.