Our Staff
From our talented and hardworking staff, to our dedicated board and passionate volunteers, the Iowa Environmental Council’s greatest asset is its people.
Board of Directors
IEC is grateful for the vision and passion our board members bring to IEC's work.
IEC Staff
Noah Daniel, Renewable Energy Siting Associate
Phone: (515) 809-9608
Email: daniel@iaenvironment.org
Noah Daniel is the Renewable Energy Siting Associate at the IEC, where he supports responsible renewable energy development to advance Iowa’s clean energy goals. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Grinnell College and a Master of Public Policy from the University of Chicago’s Harris School of Public Policy, with a focus on energy and environmental policy.
Before joining IEC, Noah served a Paralegal Specialist in the Technology and Digital Platforms Section of the Antitrust Division at the U.S. Department of Justice, where he gained valuable experience in regulatory analysis and policy research.
Sarah Green, Executive Director
Phone: (515) 809-9233
Email: green@iaenvironment.org
Sarah Green is the Executive Director of IEC, bringing her experience and expertise to oversee IEC's staff and board.
Sarah has served a variety of nonprofits, local and abroad, including: Lutheran Services in Iowa, Blessman International, Children's Cancer Connection, Volunteer Center of the Cedar Valley, and McElroy Trust.
Sarah holds a Bachelor’s degree in Leisure, Youth and Human Services with an emphasis on Nonprofit Management and minor in Public Relations from the University of Northern Iowa, and a Master of Public Administration with emphasis in Executive Leadership Development from Drake University. She received her Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP) credential from the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance, certificate in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion from NCBIDT, and certificate in Principles and Practices for Nonprofit Excellence from the Larned A. Waterman Iowa Nonprofit Resource Center.
Sarah is a West Des Moines Native and lives there today with her husband, Brent, and 2 year-old son, Cameron. When she's not working, Sarah can be found riding her bike on the great Central Iowa trail system, traveling to National Parks, and cheering on the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
Steve Guyer, Senior Energy Policy Counsel
Phone: (515) 809-9372
Email: guyer@iaenvironment.org
Steve Guyer joins IEC as the Energy Policy Counsel, bringing years of experience and leadership in the energy field. Since 2008 Steve has owned and lead GWA International, a solar installation company based in Altoona that has designed and installed solar systems on the federal courthouse in Cedar Rapids, Iowa DNR facilities, and homes and businesses. Prior to operating his own company, Steve held several key environmental positions with Iowa utilities, analyzing environmental laws and impacts, providing counsel on environmental compliance, conducted due diligence, and other critical environmental duties.
Steve is an Iowa native and holds a J.D. from the University of Iowa, a B.A. in Physics from the University of Northern Iowa, and an A.A. in Electronics Engineering from Hawkeye Institute of Technology in Waterloo. He now resides in Altoona and in his spare time enjoys biking and traveling.
Read blog posts by Steve.
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Lexi McKee-Hemenway, Campaign Organizer
Phone: (515) 809-9506
Email: mckee-hemenway@iaenvironment.org
Lexi McKee-Hemenway joined IEC in 2024 as a Sioux City based Campaign Organizer for the Clean Up MidAm campaign. She is a recent 2024 college graduate where she was a campus and local community organizer for intersectional women's health issues. She worked with local, state, and regional nonprofits and agencies to educate and provide resources to her community. Lexi holds a B.A. in political science from the University of South Dakota. Lexi spends her free time reading, baking, and traveling.
Sarah Howe, Water and Climate Resiliency Specialist
Phone: (515) 809-9467
Email: howe@iaenvironment.org
Sarah Howe joins IEC from her most recent position as a Planning Consultant for The Land Conservancy of New Jersey, where she authored municipal open space, recreation, farmland, flood acquisition, and environmental resource inventory plans.
Previously, she served as a Research Assistant for Chicago’s Metropolitan Planning Council, focusing on Chicago’s lakefront climate adaptation and equitable water utilities. Sarah holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Illinois at Chicago in Urban Planning & Policy. Currently living in Iowa City, Sarah is an avid reader, runner, and rock climber.
Read blog posts by Sarah.
Kitty Jacobson, Finance and Operations Administrator
Phone: (515) 809-9173
Email: jacobson@iaenvironment.org
Kitty joined the Council in October 2016 and oversees the organization’s financial accounting and reporting, including budgets, grants, and payroll. Her position also includes the management of human resource functions and processes, benefits administration, and monthly analysis reports.
Prior to joining the Council, Kitty was vice president of sales and administration at a book publishing company. Her career has mainly focused on independently owned and small business finance.
Marshall James, Communications and Advocacy Associate
Phone: (515) 809-9490
Email: mjames@iaenvironment.org
Marshall James joined the Iowa Environmental Council in 2023 after more than a decade spent working in television and film production. Before joining IEC, he organized with several environmental organizations, such as Food & Water Watch and the Sunrise Movement. Marshall holds B.A.s in Journalism and Film & Television Production. Marshall enjoys spending his free time gardening, dancing to live music, and hiking the great outdoors.
Kerri Johannsen, Senior Director of Policy and Programs
Phone: (515) 809-9380
Email: johannsen@iaenvironment.org
Kerri Johannsen is the Senior Director of Policy and Programs with the Iowa Environmental Council, providing strategic oversight and advocacy strategy across the Council’s Energy, Climate Initiatives, and Water Programs. She has two decades of experience in energy and environmental policy and has previously served as the Council’s Energy Program Director as well as Manager of Government Affairs. Kerri previously served as professional staff with the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee, administered the Iowa Power Fund for innovative clean energy projects, and worked as an analyst and Legislative Liaison with the Iowa Utilities Commission before joining the Council in 2016. Kerri was a visiting researcher with the Florence School of Regulation in Florence, Italy, in the summer of 2024. She has a B.A. from Gustavus Adolphus College and a Master’s in Public Policy from the Humphrey Institute at the University of Minnesota. .
Read blog posts by Kerri.
Bethany Kohoutek, Marketing & Communications Director
Phone: (515) 809-9525
Email: kohoutek@iaenvironment.org
Bethany Kohoutek joined IEC in 2024 as Director of Marketing and Communications. She brings two decades of communications experience to the role, including work as a journalist on Colorado’s Front Range and a national magazine editor. Most recently, she worked as an advocacy and marketing executive for Iowa-based nonprofit organizations focusing on mental health and human services, including disability services, juvenile justice, and refugee and immigrant support. She is a believer in the power of lived experience and storytelling to impact positive change. In her free time, Bethany loves hiking, camping, bird watching, and enjoying live music with her family.
Lauren Luerkens, Program Manager, Environmental Justice Capacity Building
Phone: (515) 809-9276
Email: luerkens@iaenvironment.org
Lauren graduated from the University of Iowa in 2023 with a B.S. in environmental planning and policy. Over the past three years, she has worked in various AmeriCorps roles across Iowa, from a focus on healthy futures to environmental stewardship. She has experience working as an environmental educator, doing social media and marketing for a local nonprofit, and conducting rural housing policy research.
Currently she is working toward her Master of Public Policy at the University of Northern Iowa and plans to finish in 2026.
Jordan Oster, Energy Program Director
Phone: (515) 809-9384
Email: oster@iaenvironment.org
Jordan Oster is IEC’s Energy Program Associate Director. He joined the Council in 2019 after previously consulting for the organization. Jordan is an experienced issue advocate who grew up in the Des Moines area.
Prior to joining IEC, he worked with numerous state and national issue organizing efforts, political campaigns, nonprofits, and businesses and brands. Jordan develops, implements and manages education and advocacy campaigns, while building relationships on behalf of the Council that advance Iowa’s clean energy transition. Jordan holds a B.A. and a Master’s in Public Administration from Drake University.
Read blog posts by Jordan.
Raihan Rashidi, Energy Policy Manager
Phone: (515) 809-9456
Email: rashidi@iaenvironment.org
Raihan now serves as the Energy Policy Manager at the Iowa Environmental Council, leveraging experiences in energy advocacy and policy, consulting research, and renewables development. In May 2024, she earned a Master of Public Administration with a focus on energy and environment from Columbia University. Prior to her graduate studies, Raihan contributed to IEC's efforts to advance 24/7 carbon-free electricity initiatives across Iowa. She is deeply committed to expanding access to clean energy and ensuring that energy investments deliver meaningful benefits to communities across the state and beyond.
Michael Schmidt, General Counsel
Phone: (515) 809-9524
Email: schmidt@iaenvironment.org
Michael Schmidt joined the Council in 2019 and works across IEC's program areas. He most recently worked as a staff attorney for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, where he focused on clean water and mining issues through enforcement, permitting, and rulemaking actions. He previously worked for the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, a state-based nonprofit, where he engaged in legal, legislative, and policy advocacy on water quality issues. He has a law degree from the University of Minnesota and a B.A. in political science from the University of Iowa.
Read blog posts by Michael.
Cody Smith, Director of Climate Initiatives
Phone: (515) 809-9369
Email: smith@iaenvironment.org
Cody Smith is a climate policy professional with substantive experience in the energy, agriculture, and water sectors. Earning a Bachelor of Science from Iowa State University in agricultural communications and political science and a Master of Public Affairs in natural resources, energy, and climate change policy from Indiana University, Smith has spent much of his professional career advising local, state, federal, and foreign governments on adopting policies that build climate resilience. As an advocate for climate action, Cody is committed to helping Iowans and the communities they call home adapt to the impacts of climate change.
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Nan Strutzenberg, Director of Development
Phone: (515) 809-9277
Email: Strutzenberg@iaenvironment.org
Nan joined IEC in 2024 as the Director of Development with over 15 years of experience in community building and fundraising. Nan has supported a variety of organizations in deepening community impact and donor relations including: Drake University, Goodwill Industries of Central Iowa, Animal Rescue League, and Lutheran Services in Iowa. Nan was the first person in Iowa to hold the Certified Special Event Professional Accreditation. She has also received her CASE VI Bronze Award for Excellence in Fundraising and Special Events.
Nan lives in Ankeny, with her husband Doug. Together they have one son and grandchild. In her free time, Nan enjoys woodworking and singing.
Josh Ventling, Environmental Justice and Health Equity Program Manager
Phone: (515) 809-9776
Email: ventling@iaenvironment.org
Josh recently joined IEC as the Environmental Justice and Health Equity Program Manager. Josh joins us from the East Central Iowa Council of Governments where he guided disaster recovery grants and waste diversion efforts for government, non-profit, and private entities. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Physiology with a minor in Global Health Studies from the University of Iowa. Josh also has a Master of Public Health degree from the University of Iowa College of Public Health in Occupational and Environmental Health.
Passionate about protecting Iowa’s environment? Check here for opportunities to join our team.