Sustainable Neighborhood Network

The Sustainable Neighborhood Network was formed as a nonprofit in 2020 to manage the successful adoption, implementation and maintenance of the Sustainable Neighborhoods Program in participating communities.

The Network aims to:

1. Identify opportunities to expand membership and reach of the network through capacity planning, fundraising, grant-writing and networking,
   
   
2. Maintain and improve upon the existing web infrastructure for the network, and
   
   
3. Sponsor, host and participate in events and activities that promote network-wide connection building and educational opportunities.

Kayla Betzold

Sustainability Manager, City of Louisville

Kayla is the Sustainability Manager for the City of Louisville, leading development and implementation of the City’s environmental sustainability programs, projects and policy iniativies for residents, businesses and the municipality. Kayla is the staff liaison to the Sustainability Advisory Board and works with the board to develop and implement projects that support the City’s Sustainability Action Plan goals. Kayla earned a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and has been working in municipal government on the Front Range for the past 9 years implementing sustainability programs and policy for residents and businesses in Boulder, Larimer, and Jefferson Counties.

Christy Cerrone

Sustainable Neighborhoods Program Coordinator, City of Lakewood

Christy is the City of Lakewood’s Sustainable Neighborhoods Program Coordinator, and started out with the Sustainable Neighborhoods as a volunteer in her own neighborhood. Christy is a gardener, a bicycle rider, and believes that everyone can make a difference and every little bit helps. She is on a mission to help neighbors and kids throughout Lakewood find fun, creative, and meaningful ways to save the earth.

Mary Hester

Sustainability Coordinator, City of Wheat Ridge

Mary is the Sustainability Coordinator for the City of Wheat Ridge, where she works to implement sustainability policies and programs for the community, businesses, and municipal operations. She is also the staff liaison to the Sustainable Wheat Ridge resident committee, working to engage with community members, complete sustainability projects, and advise the City on environmental sustainability matters. Mary received a Bachelor of Science degree in Meteorology from North Carolina State University, and moved to Colorado where she graduated with a Master's of the Environment Degree in Urban Resilience and Sustainability from CU Boulder in 2018.

Lynn Jemison

Sustainability Planner, Brendle Group

Lynn is a sustainability planner with Brendle Group, where she works with communities to accelerate the adoption of sustainable practices through equitable planning and program implementation, recognizing that community involvement, expertise, and ownership is critical to the success of any sustainable plan or program.

In her previous role with the City of Lakewood Sustainability Division, she supported the growth of the Sustainable Neighborhood Program and Network and is committed to seeing this successful model replicated in communities across the nation.

Lynn received her Masters of Urban and Regional Planning from Arizona State University and moved to Colorado in 2014. She owes her love of biking to local community members who she had the privilege of engaging and working alongside in her early career.

Andrea Nelson

Owner/President, Emphasis Marketing, LLC

Andrea is a strategic thinker with a passion for making resilient practices accessible and approachable for communities and citizens. She is an entrepreneur, small-business owner, and community advocate. Andrea is deeply dedicated to her home state of Colorado and is an active, engaged citizen, neighborhood leader, and advocate for local organizations.

Andrea has been involved with the Sustainable Neighborhoods Network since 2019 as a neighborhood volunteer, and as a neighborhood leader since 2020 with Sustainable Eiber, one of Lakewood, Colorado’s 10 Sustainable Neighborhoods. She has been instrumental in expanding her neighborhood program’s reach through developing and growing collaborative partnerships as well community outreach strategies. Andrea has also helped develop numerous structured processes and tools for program management and community engagement. As a Master Composter, she teaches neighbors on effective composting strategies and helps lead annual recycling events.

In addition to the Sustainable Neighborhood Network, Andrea also serves on the board of directors for the Economic Restoration Institute, a new nonprofit focused on restoring regional economies to a sustainable state, where industrial, social, and environmental needs are in balance.

 

Taylor Moellers

Engagement Manager, Denver’s Office of Climate Action, Sustainability & Resiliency

Taylor Moellers is advancing local climate action and sustainability by working side-by-side with community members to elevate their ideas and ambitions. She believes the best solutions are created collaboratively and we all have a part to play. Taylor is honored to have launched Denver's Sustainable Neighborhoods program back in 2014 and is committed to guiding the program to meet the changing needs of passionate Denverites. She is excited to see the continued growth of the Sustainable Neighborhood Network to support more cities, municipalities, and community members. Taylor received a Bachelor of Science in Integrated Science and Technology from James Madison University and a Master of Applied Science in Environmental Policy and Management from the University of Denver.

Zach Schwarz

Sustainability Coordinator, City of Sedona

Zach Schwarz was born and raised just outside of Philadelphia, PA. In his youth, Zach spent his free time backpacking, camping, and going on family vacations to different national parks out west. Before graduating from high school, Zach was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout through Boy Scouts of America and became a certified EMT in the state of Pennsylvania where he volunteered at his local ambulance company for two years. Zach attended West Chester University of Pennsylvania and graduated with a B.S. in Geology and a minor in Geography. He then went on to work for a large consulting firm for two years traveling up and down the northeast coast helping to clean up highly polluted industrial sites. One of his largest projects was overseeing the air monitoring program for an EPA Superfund site in rural Maryland. After consulting, Zach moved out west to Colorado to be closer to the outdoors and to go back to school. Zach attended the University of Colorado Boulder where he graduated with his master’s in urban Sustainability and Resiliency. During his time in Boulder, Zach was hired by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to conduct research focused on how land use planners consider and plan for drought throughout the southwest. Currently Zach is a Sustainability Coordinator for the City of Sedona, AZ and has worked closely with the Sustainable Neighborhoods Network to bring their amazing program to Sedona.

Jonathan Wachtel

Deputy Executive Director, Denver’s Office of Climate Action, Sustainability & Resiliency

Jonathan is the Deputy Executive Director of the City and County of Denver’s Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency. Jonathan previously served as the Sustainability Manager for the City of Lakewood, Colorado where, in 2012, he developed the Sustainable Neighborhoods Program with the goal of leveraging the collective intelligence and expertise of community members to address the growing need for local climate action. He had no idea just how many caring and passionate community members were ready to roll up their sleeves and donate their time and expertise. Turns out, there were thousands. Fearless leaders, subject matter experts, dreamers, doers, problem-solvers, community connectors, artists, engineers, activists, writers, designers, gardeners, school-age kids, young professionals, seniors, and so many more. Jonathan continues to be amazed and inspired by theses community climate champions and is grateful to have the opportunity to continue to support the Sustainable Neighborhoods Network (SNN) in his current professional role and as a member of the SNN Board of Directors.