Live Green! Leadership Team

We are excited to introduce the 2017-18 Live Green! Leadership Team. Together, we are committed to providing education, engagement and empowerment opportunities to make Iowa State University as green and sustainable as possible for all students, faculty and staff. Please contact us with your ideas and questions, or sign up for our e-mail list to stay in the loop with announcements, volunteer opportunities and more. We look forward to working with you!

E-mail: livegreen@iastate.edu

Director of Sustainability

Merry Rankin

Alumna Class of 1987 and 1998
Hometown: Attica, IA
"I live green by 'sustainable consideration' to all the decisions I have before me each day – decisions such as what I purchase, what I put into my garbage can and volunteering my time to give back and pay forward."

Contact:

Merry Rankin, Director of Sustainability
Iowa State University
700 Wallace Road
108 General Services Building
Ames, IA 50011-4013
515-294-5052 Office
515-294-4593 Fax
mrankin@iastate.edu

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Student Team Members

Madeleine Blandin

10-Year Anniversary Intern
Junior
Studies: Marketing, Event Management
Hometown: DeWitt, IA
Email: mblandin@iastate.edu
 

"I live green by choosing the sustainable option in my day-to-day life."

Molly Breen

10-Year Anniversary Intern
Junior
Studies: Finance, Marketing
Hometown: Lakeville, MN
Email: mkbreen@iastate.edu
 

"I live green by making positive choices
every day to help my world and community."

Caitlin Deaver

Marketing Special Projects Intern
Senior
Studies: Public Relations, Marketing
Hometown: Knoxville, IA
Email: cmdeaver@iastate.edu
 

"I live green by creating a budget for my expenses. Personal economic sustainability has helped me manage my finances and has provided opportunities for me to practice social sustainability -- my well-being is benefited because I don't worry about my bank account so often, and I can better plan opportunities to spend time with loved ones."

McClane Gill

Marketing and Communications Intern
Senior
Studies: Advertising, Design Studies
Hometown: Elkhart, IA
Email: mgill@iastate.edu
 

"I live green by trying to incorporate as many little sustainability efforts into my daily life as possible. I love to support local businesses by buying local produce and shopping at smaller local businesses, while always trying to bring along my Live Green! reusable shopping bag
and mug with me!"

RJ Green

Sustainability Strategic Planning Intern
Senior
Studies: Biology, Sustainability
Hometown: Underwood, IA
Email: rjgreen@iastate.edu
 

"I live green with my studies, which have been geared toward understanding, conserving and co-existing with our environment in a mindful and sustainable way. We only have one planet, and it is important to me that we preserve its biodiversity and beauty for future generations."

Heidi Kalb

Campus and Community Engagement Intern
Senior
Studies: Global Resource Systems, Nutrition
Hometown: Aurora, IA
Email: kalbh@iastate.edu
 

"I live green by doing the little things in my everyday life to address all three facets of sustainability, like using reusable containers, bulk shopping, eating vegan, making social connections and being involved in clubs."

Steve Kohtz

Sustainability Coordinator
Ph.D. Student in Human Computer Interaction
Hometown: West Des Moines, IA
Email: sakohtz@iastate.edu
 

"I live green by practicing small steps
and educating my two boys on ways we
can live green. Through the small steps
we can make major advances. It's all
about the journey."

Paige Myers

Campus and Community Engagement Intern
Senior
Studies: Global Resource Systems, Agriculture and Society, Spanish
Hometown: Boone, IA
Email: pmeyers@iastate.edu
 

"I live green by trying to be a 'conscious consumer.' I'm constantly trying to figure out how my everyday actions and purchases affect both people and the planet."

Scott Nemec

Smart Business Challenge Intern
Sophomore
Studies: Marketing, Environmental Studies
Hometown: Tinley Park, IL
Email: snemec@iastate.edu
 

"I live green by doing small things, such as using a reusable water bottle, minimizing my waste and eating a sustainable diet."

Taylor Silvestrini

Smart Business Challenge Intern
Junior
Studies: Marketing, Supply Chain Management
Hometown: Des Moines, IA
Email: tws@iastate.edu
 

"I live green by doing all of the little things that end up making a big difference, like using my water bottle everyday and making sure to
always recycle."

Morgan Thompson

Marketing and Communications Intern
Senior
Studies: Advertising, Sustainability
Hometown: Omaha, NE
Email: morgant@iastate.edu
 

"I live green by always being conscious of
the world around me and realizing I'm not
the only one living in it. Plus, I like turning
lights off."