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Meet the People Behind the Mission

Our staff

Amanda Sturgeon, FAIA

she/her

CEO

Sydney, Australia & Washington State, USA

As CEO of The Biomimicry Institute, Amanda fosters a thriving eco-system of innovators, educators and change-makers to bring about a world that works in harmony with nature and natural systems.

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Andrew Howley

he/him

Chief Editor, AskNature

Williamsburg, Virginia

Andrew is your guide through the vast collection of materials on AskNature, commissioning and curating an ever-growing body of stories of life’s innovations and adaptations. As a science communicator, he…

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Angela Klinefelter

she/her

Director of Finance and Administration

Shepherdstown, West Virginia

Angela manages the financial details of the Biomimicry Institute’s amazing projects and is also the assistant to the executive director. Before the Biomimicry Institute, Angela managed the finances for several…

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CK Unsworth “Collin”

she/her

Biomimicry Integrationist

Denver, Colorado

Collin believes that reconnection to nature can serve as a vehicle for human empathy and a catalyst for conservation. She is passionate about equity and waste reduction so that we…

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Crista Good

she/her

Executive Assistant

Ocean Park, Washington

Crista brings over 20 years of Executive Assistant experience to The Biomimicry Institute and a steadfast belief that the success of those who are the innovators and creators of the…

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Dave Hutchins

he/him

Launchpad Program Manager

Butte, Montana

Dave manages the Biomimicry Institute’s Launchpad Program, supporting scientists and researchers as they take their nature-inspired solutions from the lab to the market. He has a background in environmental engineering…

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Gretchen Hooker

she/her

Visual Science Communications Manager

Missoula, Montana

A designer by training and nature nerd at heart, Gretchen manages visual communication on AskNature, working to reveal the mechanisms behind nature’s strategies with powerful illustrations and diagrams. Gretchen also…

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Jared Yarnall-Schane

he/him

Director of Innovation

State College, Pennsylvania

Jared brings his entrepreneurial background and startup coaching experience to the Biomimicry Institute, where he supports startups as they commercialize biomimetic innovations that are addressing major climate and environmental issues….

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Jen Fredette

she/her

Website & Visual Design Manager

Western Montana

Jen is the Visual Design Manager for The Biomimicry Institute and its initiatives. She is a web and graphic designer with deep roots in communications and storytelling. Her work began…

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Kat Sitnikova

she/her

Development Assistant

Santa Cruz Area, California

Kat enjoys fostering connections with individuals who share her profound enthusiasm for the convergence of biomimicry and design, recognizing their collective potential to drive sustainable systemic change. She plays a…

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Kelli Young

she/her

HR Generalist

Bozeman Area, Montana

Kelli brings over 15 years of Human Resources experience to the Biomimicry Institute, where she works directly with the Director of Finance and Administration. She earned her BA in Psychology…

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Maëlys Renaud

she/her

Program Assistant, Innovation

Los Angeles, California

Maëlys is a chemist, open-innovation enthusiast and former Science Diplomat. She joined the Biomimicry Institute Innovation team to identify, support and accelerate nature-inspired startups. Maëlys draws from her roles at…

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Megan Dwyer

she/her

Partnership and Brand Strategy Director, AskNature

Brooklyn, New York

Megan Dwyer brings a rigorous approach to research, insights, design, and communication to set the strategic plan for the AskNature platform. She also looks to create partnerships with like-minded organizations…

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Miranda Berger

she/her

Development Director

Seattle, Washington

Miranda seeks to align a career forwarding powerful solutions for global climate change with a personal life fostering a sustainable and inspired world. She manages the development work of the…

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Sarah McInerney

she/her

Ray of Hope Prize Program Manager

Cleveland, Ohio

Sarah manages the Biomimicry Institute’s Ray of Hope Prize Program, identifying, supporting, and accelerating the world’s most promising nature inspired startups to address humanity biggest environmental and social challenges. Traditionally…

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Our board

Angela Nahikian

Angela Nahikian heads a cross-company effort to ensure that Steelcase achieves its global sustainability goals. As the world leader in contract furnishings, the company is committed to leadership in environmental…

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Daniel Kinzer

Pacific Blue Studios

Daniel is at home in Hawai’i – inspired by the Polynesian Voyaging Society (as well as other indigenous movements around the world); their traditional Polynesian wa’a, or voyaging canoes; and…

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Erin Rovalo

Treasurer / Certified Biomimicry Professional

Erin Rovalo, Ph.D. is a Certified Biomimicry Professional since 2010 and was among the inaugural graduates from the MSc Biomimicry program at ASU in 2016. She is an experienced scholar…

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Evelyn Arce Erickson

Founder and CEO of Indigenous Resilience Consulting

A descendant of the Muisca people of Colombia, Evelyn is passionate about Indigenous self-determination and Indigenous-led philanthropy. She is the Founder and CEO of Indigenous Resilience Consulting (IRC), with the…

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Janine Benyus

Co-founder

Janine Benyus is a natural sciences writer, innovation consultant, and author of six books, including her latest − Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature. She co-founded Biomimicry 3.8 – the world’s…

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Jim Bunch

Jim is passionate about investing in businesses that drive social and environmental benefit, while generating attractive returns for investors. Over the last decade, he has worked for two family office…

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Kent Snyder

President

Kent is an attorney, consultant, and CEO who has devoted much of his public service career working on collaborative solutions to complex problems. He served 10 years on the Sustainable…

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Mary Davidge

Secretary / LEED® Fellow

Mary is a leader in design strategy and the creation of places that foster the health of the occupants and the environment. In 2021, she retired from her position as…

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Michael Painter

Managing Director of Impact and Learning, Nia Tero

Michael is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation. He came to Nia Tero from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation where he was a senior program officer from 2005-2020. In addition,…

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