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The Team Behind Live Green
Steve Ma, Board President and GEO (Green Executive Officer). Over the past 20 years, Steve has been devoted to public interest and advocacy work. A founding Board Member of Live Green, he previously worked for the PIRGs, Free the Planet, AARP, and founded the Walk for Reform.
Steve's activism on environmental issues began soon after he graduated from high school. Working with the Public Interest Research Groups and Free the Planet, he spearheaded campaigns to strengthen water pollution protections and reduce the use of toxic chemicals, and co-coordinated a national petition drive that generated 1,200,000 signatures in defense of the Clean Air Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the Clean Water Act. Steve founded the Indiana Public Interest Research Group, which continues to be an effective state voice for consumer and environmental protections.
In 2001, Steve walked 1,523 miles through the Garden State in support of campaign finance reform. AsianWeek named Steve their 2001 Asian-American of the Year in recognition of his walk and his efforts led to the passage of a landmark Clean Elections law.
At AARP, the nation's largest membership organization, Steve organized a grassroots campaign for the passage of the country's strongest telemarketing do-not-call law, fought to maintain full-funding for the nation's most generous prescription drug program, and developed innovative, market-based approaches to helping people with lower incomes build and protect assets.
In addition to his work with Live Green, he serves on the Board of Directors for Investors Without Borders, Tabby's Place, a sanctuary for cats, and is an advisor to One Common Unity and the United States Hispanic Advocacy Association. Steve earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Ecology from Rutgers University and an MPA from Indiana University. He is an expert in the art of thrift store shopping, is thrilled about the ever-growing list of randomly-vegan foods, and looking for new members to join his merry band of jugglers.
Juliana Stein, Vice-President and Treasurer. A native North Carolinian, Juliana is Communications Manager at Oceana, the largest international marine conservation organization. Previously, she was a Program Manager at the Center for Food Safety, a non-profit that works on sustainable agriculture initiatives. Juliana has also been a consultant at M&R Strategic Services, where she worked on behalf of clients such as U.S. PIRG, Susan G. Koman for the Cure, National Direct StudentLoan Coalition, the U.S. Organic Trade Association, and over twenty organic food and fiber companies. Juliana has spent time in Costa Rica studying with the School for Field Studies and as an intern with an Ohio Congressman, working on environmental issues. She grew up in Durham, NC, playing in the surrounding undeveloped woodlands that fostered her connection to nature.
Juliana graduated from Denison University with an undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies. She is an imperfect vegetarian who tries her best and loves following the fashion trends. Interested in eco-friendly, reconstructed vintage clothes? Juliana can point the way to the best boutiques in DC.
Kristen Argenio (Ideal Design, Co.), Board Secretary. An award-winning graphic designer who focuses on socially and environmentally conscious communications, Kristen is originally from western New York. Since moving to DC in 2001, she has served at renowned area design firms, managing creative projects for non-profits large and small. Throughout her career, Kristen has been active with the environmental, human, and animal rights movements, which inspired her to found Ideal Design in 2006. As principal of the firm, she consults on environmentally responsible printing and design, and develops cost-effective solutions for socially conscious organizations. As a member of the American Institute of Graphic Arts and the Graphic Alliance, Kristen continues to advance the cause of "greener" thinking within the professional design community.
Kristen graduated summa cum laude from Rochester Institute of Technology with degrees in graphic design and illustration. She is a junk food vegan who bakes as much as humanly possible in her tiny apartment. In her spare time she loves learning languages, reading, traveling, and photography (mainly taking pictures of food or animals.)
DJ Kim, Strategic Advisor. DJ Kim is the caretaker and owner of Java Green, an eco-friendly cafe in downtown DC and the inspiration of Live Green. As a green-business owner, DJ knows firsthand what it takes to run a profitable enterprise that is also good to its people and the planet. DJ was a keystone figure in the founding of Live Green and continues to be an integral part of our on-going success.
Megan Barrett, DC Community Director. Megan is originally from the DC area and after graduation from Kenyon College with a BA in Political Science, moved back to DC. Megan joined the Live Green team in June, and is now the full-time, DC Community Director. Megan is also a LEED AP and is pursuing her master’s in Global Environmental Policy at American University. So far, her favorite part of working with Live Green is making any excuse to eat at our wonderful Spots!
Sarah Gelb, Outreach Coordinator and Events Planner. Sarah is from Houston, TX and is currently a senior at Georgetown University. She’s double majoring in Finance and International Business, and recently returned from studying for a year in London. Sarah loves finding great new vegan recipes and restaurants, and is thrilled to help Live Green promote green business and living in DC and beyond!
Priya Saha, DC Community Organizer. Priya recently returned to the DC area after living in LA for a few years. She is excited to help Live Green expand and grow as their newly appointed, full-time DC Community Organizer. Enthusiastic and innovative, this former Oncology R.N. has taken her true passion of environmentalism and eco-friendly living back to the DC community she knows and loves. Priya can’t wait to promote easy, fun and affordable green living in the DC Metro Area!
Tim Taylor, Marketing Coordinator. Tim recently returned from teaching English for a year in Korea, and is very excited to boost planet-friendly practices in DC! Tim can’t wait to develop Live Green’s new iPhone App, membership projects and special deals. When he’s not working for Live Green, he spends time setting up concerts and other promotions as a freelance project manager all over DC. Liz Leon, Marketing Coordinator. Liz is from Atlanta, Georgia and is currently a junior at Bowdoin College. She is double majoring in Government and Environmental Studies and plans on studying abroad in Argentina this coming fall. Liz is excited about living in DC and working with Live Green to promote easy and fun sustainable living! She is also excited about playing DC ultimate frisbee this summer.
Claire Lafave, Lead Writer and Outreach Coordinator. Claire is a rising junior at Williams College, an English major interested in creative writing as well as the local green movement and sustainable community development. Claire grew up in DC, loves it, and is glad to be here for the summer.
Brittany Smith, Marketing Coordinator. Brittany, our most recent addition to the team, just graduated from Penn State University with a Bachelor of Science in Energy, Business, and Finance. She is from West Chester, Pennsylvania and loves her new life living in the city. As a recent vegetarian, she enjoys working for Live Green and learning about all the eco-friendly restaurants around DC!
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