Staff Bio

Lauren Sprowl joined the Illinois Environmental Council at the beginning of 2024 and is our HR & Operations Manager. She supports the well-being of all of our staff and our beloved Chicago office plants. Lauren holds a degree in Human Development and Social Relations from Kalamazoo College. Prior to working with IEC, Lauren worked for […]

Aly Mejia has been working at IEC since May of 2021 as the Office Administrator at the Springfield office. Her responsibilities are managing the day-to-day operations of the office, organizing the workflow and providing an efficient and organized office environment. She is dedicated to providing support for staff and enjoys the administrative challenges of supporting

Meredith Lukow joined the Illinois Environmental Council as Grants Manager in summer 2023. In this position, she is responsible for managing, strategizing, and tracking IEC’s robust grant portfolio—which totals more than $3 million annually and spans 25 active funders—and seeking new funding opportunities. Before coming to IEC, Meredith honed her project management and communications expertise

Hannah Flath joined the Illinois Environmental Council in May of 2024 and serves as the Climate Communications Manager. She has seen firsthand how traditional and digital media can be used to make bold progress in the clean energy transition and is excited to work to ensure Illinois remains a national leader in equitable climate policy

Danny Collins joined the Illinois Environmental Council in early 2023 as the Development Associate, where they help develop, streamline, and maintain key fundraising practices. Danny is passionate about ensuring our dedicated community of supporters receive the highest-quality experience in their partnership with IEC. Prior to coming to IEC, Danny served as the Database & Development

Paloma Campillo serves as a Digital Engagement Manager at IEC after having entered as an intern and Special Events Coordinator in October 2019. Alongside strategic communications and educational work, Paloma oversees and coordinates IEC’s community council, a collective of community-based organizations from across the state. Paloma knows that political participation, education and advocacy are essential

Sam Bower joined IEC in December 2021 as the Social Media Manager where he oversees the organization’s long-term social media strategy and day-to-day content creation. The Illinois environmental landscape changes rapidly, making social media the perfect tool to build power for people and the environment. Government and the legislative process are fascinating to Sam. Prior

Tucker Barry has served as the Communications Director for the Illinois Environmental Council since early 2019, where he directs the organization’s traditional and digital communications strategy. Tucker knows that, like the sound of a falling tree in an old wood forest, people can’t know about the good work nonprofits do if they don’t hear about

Angela Xu joined the Illinois Environmental Council as the Municipal Engagement Manager in the Fall of 2023. She works on policy issues surrounding clean energy and water. While advancing IEC’s efforts to implement the Inflation Reduction Act, Angela engages with Illinois’ communities, grassroots coalitions, nonprofits, groups, and leaders in government. In her short time at

Chad Wallace currently serves as the Rural Affairs Director at the Illinois Environmental Council. In this role, he meets and strategizes with rural landowners and residents throughout Illinois who are impacted by the adverse effects of industrialized agriculture. In addition, he works closely with the Illinois Stewardship Alliance and currently serves as their Executive Board

Chicagoland Conservation Manager Sergio Vargas joined the Illinois Environmental Council in the Summer of 2022. He develops and maintains partnerships with volunteers, individual supporters, affiliate organizations, partners, and ally organizations to further IEC’s climate and conservation goals in Chicagoland. In 2022, Sergio joined the massively successful Vote Yes Campaign that resulted in an annual increase

Iyana currently serves as the City Programs Director at the Illinois Environmental Council, where she oversees advocacy, coalition building, aldermanic relationships and organizing related to environmental issues before the City of Chicago. In this role, she led a successful two-year campaign to re-establish the City of Chicago’s Department of Environment and also supported the 2023

Dany started as the Illinois Environmental Council’s Legislative Relations Director in the Spring of 2024, previously serving as IEC’s Climate Policy Director and Chicago Energy Policy Coordinator. In this role, Dany serves as IEC’s point of contact for Illinois decision-makers while also leading the organization’s work on green workforce and sustainable transportation issues. Additionally, he

Francisco Lopez Zavala started as the Illinois Environmental Council’s (IEC) Climate Policy Program Associate in the Summer of 2024, having previously served as IEC’s Climate Policy Intern in the Spring of 2024. In their current position, Francisco is responsible for assisting with climate policy education and workforce development initiatives, as well as leading the Jobs

Liz joined the Illinois Environmental Council as its first Zero Waste Policy Manager in May 2023. She oversees IEC’s advocacy, coalition-building, relationships, and organizing efforts related to zero waste issues throughout the state and helps IEC advance equitable legislation that reduces the use of natural resources and wasted material. Liz promotes innovation and action on

Lindsay Keeney has served as the Conservation Director for the Illinois Environmental Council since 2017, where she serves as lead staff on IEC’s conservation, open space, and river issues. In addition, she supports IEC’s sustainable agriculture and local food programming. Lindsay believes that getting our decision-makers out of their offices and into the field where

Samira joined the Illinois Environmental Council as the Energy Policy Director in the Spring of 2022, where she serves as IEC’s staff lead on energy, power sector, and decarbonization issues, as well as the implementation of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act. In addition, she supports IEC’s zero-waste and water programming. Samira holds various appointments

Ariel (ah·ree·ELLE) is the Illinois Environmental Council’s State Government Affairs Director. She previously served as the Legal and Governmental Affairs Manager and the Legal and Policy Researcher. In this position, she oversees policy development and IEC’s lobbying efforts on the state level. She believes in bridging the gaps between the science community and policymakers and

Eliot Clay has served as the Illinois Environmental Council’s Land Use Programs Director since July 2023, having previously served as the State Programs Director from 2021 to 2023 and the Agriculture & Water Programs Director from 2018 to 2020. Eliot provides leadership and guidance for IEC’s policy agenda on agriculture, conservation, and other matters related