Leadership

Founders

Leah Allen and Michelle Wyman co-founded MobilizeGreen in late 2010. Passionate about young people, the environment, and community sustainability, the co-founders have been on the frontline in finding solutions for these issues for the past 15 years.

Leah is an attorney and advocate who has helped shape public policy related to youth, the environment, and economic development issues at both the federal and state level. Michelle, currently the Executive Director of Applied Solutions and a MobilizeGreen board member, is a global expert and innovator on climate change strategy, energy policy and sustainable cities. Michelle also recently served as the Executive Director of ICLEI USA – Local Governments for Sustainability.

MobilizeGreen’s theory of change is simple: if you want to protect the planet for future generations, young people must be part of the solutions in helping to shape and implement environmental and sustainability decisions in the government and private sector. And these young people must reflect America’s rapidly changing, rich demographic mix.

The Team

Leah Allen, President and Co-Founder
Prior to MobilizeGreen, Leah served as chief of staff and legal counsel to a member of Congress, acting as the lead policy authority on economic development, civil rights, and nonprofit issues. Leah also served as chief of staff to a State Delegate in the Maryland Legislature, and served as director of government relations for the largest youth service conservation nonprofit in the country. She was an equity partner in the Washington office of a large New York-based law firm where she litigated commercial matters. Leah currently serves on the advisory board of the Center for American Progress’ Leadership Institute, a national initiative advancing a new generation of progressive policy leaders of color.

Sandra Deacon, Online Communications Director
Sandra brings extensive communications experience to MobilizeGreen. She has spent the past six years directing online outreach for the Student Conservation Association. Prior to that she was the Communications Director for the Native American Preparatory School in Pecos, New Mexico, and for the Putney School in Putney, Vermont.

Shelley L. Smith, Director, Community Outreach & Education
Shelley has a passion for working with at-risk youth in rural and urban communities in the United States and internationally. Over the past 10 years, Shelly has held a variety of teaching, development, and management positions in schools, corporations, and non-profits working on issues related to youth, education, and policy. Shelley received an Ed.M. in Education, with a specialization in Early Childhood Risk and Resilience, from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Senior Advisors

Naomi Freedman, Senior Advisor
Naomi is a sustainable community development expert. She recently served as the Deputy and Project Director at National Association of Regional Councils and Assistant Executive Director at Metropolitan Washington Council of Government.

Ashley Hansen, Senior Advisor
Ashley is a Director of Nonprofit Services at Care2.com. She works with nonprofits to win advocacy campaigns, build lists of supporters and drive traffic to their website or cause. Prior to joining Care2, Ashley spent 10 years at the Student Conservation Association where she helped young people start their careers in conservation.