President

HEC Initiatives Committee

Ankur is the Executive Director of PlanetSapling, utilizing satellite data for economic and climate resilience. He assists with product development, data analysis, and environmental research. Ankur serves on the Huntsville Sustainability Commission, advising the Mayor on sustainability policies. He is also the Director of Operations at Mycelium, promoting open-source solutions for the circular economy. Previously, Ankur collaborated with NASA on Earth observation projects. He holds degrees in physics and Earth science and creates educational YouTube videos on environmental topics. His hobbies include ping pong, hiking, reading, and foraging.

Vice President

HEC Operations Committee

Vanesa is a Research Scientist for SERVIR, a joint NASA and USAID program that connects satellite data with environmental decision-makers around the world. Her interests include using satellite data analysis for forestry and crop-type mapping in Latin America and Africa. She is also part of the Huntsville Environmental Coalition and is passionate about sustainable urban development. She holds BAs in Geography/Environmental Studies and Political Science from UCLA, and an MA in Public Affairs and Policy from the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Outside of environmental research and advocacy, she loves ghost towns and adobe architecture.

Treasurer

HEC Education Committee

Taylor McKee graduated Cum Laude from the University of Alabama in Huntsville with a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences and a minor in chemistry. He has always had a deep fascination with the natural world and the plethora of organisms we share it with. Being an avid backpacker and hiker, he wishes nothing more than to immerse himself in all that the wilderness of Alabama has to offer. In this regard, it is his life’s mission to preserve and protect our natural world for future generations.

Secretary

Alex “Mitchell” Grisham has a bachelor’s degree in Earth System Science from the University of Alabama in Huntsville. He is a data scientist by trade and musician by passion. Since his youth while in the Boy Scouts, Mitchell developed a love for the environment that fueled his motivation to make Eagle Scout and to help make his resident city more sustainable. Mitchell is the singer and guitarist for local folk-fusion band Browns Ferry Meltdown. In addition, he enjoys a variety of recreational games and outdoor activities.

Social Media & Communications

HEC Initiatives Committee

Lauren Wibe is an Associate Director of Sustainability Programs at The Green Building Initiative. She was previously a civil servant at NASA managing the sustainability and air quality programs for the Ames Research Center. She has been a member of HEC since 2022. She received her bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Iowa State University in 2019. She was awarded the NASA Ames Graduate Fellowship in 2020 and completed her master’s in environmental engineering at Stanford in 2021. In 2023 she received her Professional Engineer’s License and an Agency Honor Award Early Career Achievement medal.

Advisory Board Member

Martha serves as the Director of Community Partnerships at the Alabama Rivers Alliance, where she utilizes her extensive experience in river conservation throughout the Southeast. Her roles have included river guide, business manager for Wildwater, and executive director of Friends of the Locust Fork River, all contributing to her expertise in supporting over 100 partner groups. A graduate of Auburn University, Martha lives off-grid in north Alabama with her husband, Stephen, on a permaculture homestead featuring solar energy, organic gardens, and diverse livestock, highlighting her commitment to sustainable living.

HEC Education Committee

Debbie Chang is a world traveler who has settled in Triana, Alabama. She is a climate activist and community organizer and leads the Huntsville chapter of Citizens' Climate Lobby. Debbie is passionate about building collective and political power, environmental justice, and bipartisanship. She studied environmental policy at Cornell and worked as a stagehand for Crystal Cruises and is currently with IATSE Local 900.

HEC Education Committee

Emily Canfield is a seasoned Alabama public school educator with over a decade of experience in special education, spanning kindergarten through 12th grade. Beyond the classroom, she serves as Assistant Manager at Mid City Farmers Market, passionately advocating for local produce and goods to bolster the community's economy. Committed to inclusive education, Emily extends her expertise as a babysitter and tutor, specializing in supporting children with learning disabilities. Her multifaceted roles reflect a deep-seated dedication to fostering both academic growth and community resilience.

HEC Fundraising Committee

Cathy Reisenwitz writes a newsletter called Sex and the State. She founded and co-leads HSV YIMBY and Advance Huntsville. Her writing has appeared in the Daily Beast, VICE Motherboard, Reason magazine, Liberal Currents, and other fine publications. She’s spoken at numerous conferences including at Lewis & Clark, Georgetown University, CPAC, and SXSW. She’s been quoted by the New York Times Magazine. Her television appearances include Fox News and Al Jazeera America.

HEC Policy Committee

Andy is a motivated engineer with diverse experience, ranging from laboratory research for the Air Force and Los Alamos National Laboratory to safety officer roles at Cargill and FarmAFields. Skilled in coding, statistical software, and additive manufacturing, he has developed components for various technical systems. A Nebraska native with a background in chemical engineering, geology, and material science, he is deeply passionate about environmental sustainability. His work is driven by a commitment to reduce waste, utilize sustainable resources, and ensure safety, drawing inspiration from nature and cultural diversity.

HEC Fundraising Committee

Sara is a Conservation Biologist and Communications lead for the North American Land Trust, a national land trust with a focus in the Southeast, that aims to permanently conserve and steward natural and cultural resources through innovative land preservation partnerships. Sara holds a M.S. in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences from the University of Illinois: Urbana-Champaign and a B.S. in Biology from Niagara University. Sara has a particular interest in botany and ecology and enjoys hiking, kayaking, and gardening. Sara is passionate about sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm for conservation and sustainability in all of her endeavors, but particularly in helping Huntsville grow in a way that preserves its exceptional biodiversity. 

HEC Initiatives Committee

Moriah is a native Oregonian, where she developed a deep appreciation for the natural world and the importance of protecting it. She earned her Bachelor of Business Administration from Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, Tennessee. After spending several years working in Nashville, Moriah relocated to Huntsville, Alabama, where she pursued a passion for science education by becoming a Space Camp Counselor. Her career then took her through various roles in HR recruiting, marketing, and communications in the U.S. Space & Rocket Center.

In 2020, Moriah recognized a gap in the community for glass recycling services in Madison County. Driven by a desire to meet this need, she founded Phoenix Glass Recycling. By the beginning of 2025, Phoenix has successfully recycled over 550,000 pounds of glass from both residents and businesses.

Katie Saxon is an environmental educator with a degree in sustainability from the University of North Alabama in Florence, Alabama. She is an educator with the Land Trust of North Alabama and is dedicated to fostering a deeper connection between people and nature. Her leadership extends to being a founding member and former secretary of the Lawrence County Master Gardener Chapter and secretary of the Lawrence County Lion’s Club, where she initiated community gardening projects to promote sustainable food systems, community outreach, and environmental education. Passionate about native plants and sustainable landscaping, Katie continues to raise awareness about conservation.

HEC Policy Committee

Mark LaRoux, a native Huntsvillian, is current president of the Flint River Conservation Association and the North Alabama liaison to Congress for Citizens Climate Lobby. Mark retired from Delta Airlines as a safety and disability coordinator, enjoys outdoor activities and reading about evolutionary biology and how to grow tropical plants in microclimates.