Our Story
Minneapolis Climate Action is a 501c(3) nonprofit founded in 2007 by a group of dedicated individuals committed to addressing climate change in their community. After almost 10 years of working at the neighborhood level and piloting the city curbside organics recycling program, the organization expanded to promote action on climate change in greater Minneapolis. Minneapolis Climate Action holds a unique place in our environmental landscape, focusing on action, policy and culture shift in Minneapolis, while partnering and collaborating with regional, culturally specific, and national organizations.
Who We Are
Minneapolis citizens dedicated to ensuring a sustainable future for our communities.
We believe in the strength of our communities, but understand that many complex issues face our city, state, region, and world. We fight for a Minneapolis in which future generations will be able to be able to prosper and thrive.
Through piloting, innovating, and bringing established best-practices to our city, we ensure that Minneapolis will be at the forefront of the climate movement. Among our ranks are community leaders, engineers, lawyers, non-profit professionals, students, fathers, mothers, and many loyal citizens committed to a better future for our city.
Minneapolis citizens dedicated to ensuring a sustainable future for our communities.
We believe in the strength of our communities, but understand that many complex issues face our city, state, region, and world. We fight for a Minneapolis in which future generations will be able to be able to prosper and thrive.
Through piloting, innovating, and bringing established best-practices to our city, we ensure that Minneapolis will be at the forefront of the climate movement. Among our ranks are community leaders, engineers, lawyers, non-profit professionals, students, fathers, mothers, and many loyal citizens committed to a better future for our city.
Why We're Here
The reasons are many. Mothers, fathers, and grandparents want to leave a legacy of hope to their children and grandchildren. Youth are standing up for their rights to a healthy future. Conservationists fight to protect our Minneapolis parks, lakes, rivers, and greater ecosystems with coming climatic changes. Activists fight for climate equity and a regenerative economy based on reciprocity. Innovators strive for renewable energy independence and to reach zero waste. We believe that empowering local action is the most effective way to drive change. At the individual, neighborhood, and city level, our actions have real impact and powerful influence. |
Our Board Members and Staff
To contact any of our board members, please email info@mplsclimate.org
Akisha Everett
Executive Director
The amazing Minneapolis Climate Action team and Board of Directors has welcomed me, Akisha Everett, as Executive Director as of July 2023. Before joining MCA, I served as a Project Manager for an Energy Storage Pilot Project at the University of Minnesota’s Institute on the Environment and as an Independent Clean Energy Workforce Development Consultant. I bring 20+ years of executive leadership, project management and community engagement experience to MCA.
My professional experience includes launching new health, environmental & public policy initiatives, revitalizing operations, administrative leadership, fiscal management & crisis control abilities and professional development facilitation.
In my spare time, I enjoy gathering with family and friends, traveling & experiencing new cultures, gardening, cycling, swimming and attending my children’s athletic events.
I look forward to facing the challenges of addressing systemic injustices in the environmental space here at Minneapolis Climate Action and celebrating successes with the community.
We all do better, when we all do better.-Paul Wellstone
Contact akisha@mplsclimate.org for collaborative conversations
Executive Director
The amazing Minneapolis Climate Action team and Board of Directors has welcomed me, Akisha Everett, as Executive Director as of July 2023. Before joining MCA, I served as a Project Manager for an Energy Storage Pilot Project at the University of Minnesota’s Institute on the Environment and as an Independent Clean Energy Workforce Development Consultant. I bring 20+ years of executive leadership, project management and community engagement experience to MCA.
My professional experience includes launching new health, environmental & public policy initiatives, revitalizing operations, administrative leadership, fiscal management & crisis control abilities and professional development facilitation.
In my spare time, I enjoy gathering with family and friends, traveling & experiencing new cultures, gardening, cycling, swimming and attending my children’s athletic events.
I look forward to facing the challenges of addressing systemic injustices in the environmental space here at Minneapolis Climate Action and celebrating successes with the community.
We all do better, when we all do better.-Paul Wellstone
Contact akisha@mplsclimate.org for collaborative conversations
Kyle Samejima
Executive Program and Engagement Director
I transitioned in July 2023 to Executive Program and Engagement Director as Minneapolis Climate Action welcomes Akisha Everett as our executive director! I spent the last five years at MCA building collaborative partnerships across our city to build energy democracy and create deep, healing systemic change as we address our climate crisis. We use community solar garden development as a tool for energy equity, green job development, community wealth building and connection. I am deeply honored to deepen the impact of Minneapolis Climate Action with Akisha, Marie, our amazing MCA board, and future team members.
Reach out to Kyle anytime at kyle@mplsclimate.org
Executive Program and Engagement Director
I transitioned in July 2023 to Executive Program and Engagement Director as Minneapolis Climate Action welcomes Akisha Everett as our executive director! I spent the last five years at MCA building collaborative partnerships across our city to build energy democracy and create deep, healing systemic change as we address our climate crisis. We use community solar garden development as a tool for energy equity, green job development, community wealth building and connection. I am deeply honored to deepen the impact of Minneapolis Climate Action with Akisha, Marie, our amazing MCA board, and future team members.
Reach out to Kyle anytime at kyle@mplsclimate.org
Marie Kills Warrior
Community Solar Subscriber and Project Manager
I'm Marie and am an enrolled member of the Oglala Lakota Nation located on the Pine Ridge Reservation. My journey for renewables began at Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation during an Earth Day Event on my Reservation. From there I remained in the Solar PV field and continue to expand my knowledge on various topics. I was also a part of the first Tribal Train The Trainer cohort at Red Cloud Renewable. Then I had joined Grid Alternatives Tribal program, which took me to different reservations to teach and assist in the installation of PV systems. One main focus of mine is workforce development for women, indigenous and BIPOC communities. I currently have my North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) Associates and will eventually become a certified designer. I enjoy being outside in nature with my furbaby, Titan.
My favorite pasttimes are Fishing is my favorite pastime, attending drag shows with my friends, star gazing, swimming. Cooking for my friends and family, and anything that has to do with turtles and bees.
Community Solar Subscriber and Project Manager
I'm Marie and am an enrolled member of the Oglala Lakota Nation located on the Pine Ridge Reservation. My journey for renewables began at Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation during an Earth Day Event on my Reservation. From there I remained in the Solar PV field and continue to expand my knowledge on various topics. I was also a part of the first Tribal Train The Trainer cohort at Red Cloud Renewable. Then I had joined Grid Alternatives Tribal program, which took me to different reservations to teach and assist in the installation of PV systems. One main focus of mine is workforce development for women, indigenous and BIPOC communities. I currently have my North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) Associates and will eventually become a certified designer. I enjoy being outside in nature with my furbaby, Titan.
My favorite pasttimes are Fishing is my favorite pastime, attending drag shows with my friends, star gazing, swimming. Cooking for my friends and family, and anything that has to do with turtles and bees.
Honorary Minneapolis Climate Action member, Titan, with Marie Kills Warrior
Kelsey King
Board President
Kelsey may be a transplant to Minneapolis, but she has dived into building relationships in the community through leadership and volunteerism within Global Shapers, Minnesota International NGO Network, Comunidades Latinas Unidas en Servicio, and Impact Hub. She loves the outdoors, social enterprises, listening to podcasts, scuba diving, and meandering through farmers markets. Her passion for sustainable food and agricultural value chains fuels her career at Land O'Lakes in on-farm sustainability. She is also committed to bringing a justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion lens to her work and being a bold advocate for environmental justice in our community.
Board President
Kelsey may be a transplant to Minneapolis, but she has dived into building relationships in the community through leadership and volunteerism within Global Shapers, Minnesota International NGO Network, Comunidades Latinas Unidas en Servicio, and Impact Hub. She loves the outdoors, social enterprises, listening to podcasts, scuba diving, and meandering through farmers markets. Her passion for sustainable food and agricultural value chains fuels her career at Land O'Lakes in on-farm sustainability. She is also committed to bringing a justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion lens to her work and being a bold advocate for environmental justice in our community.
Jeff Stites
Board Treasurer
Jeff is an active and informed advocate for local environmental issues. Jeff is a lawyer by day and a sustainability enthusiast by night. Among Jeff's most important values are active civic participation and renewable energy. He also sits on the environment committee of his local neighborhood organization.
Board Treasurer
Jeff is an active and informed advocate for local environmental issues. Jeff is a lawyer by day and a sustainability enthusiast by night. Among Jeff's most important values are active civic participation and renewable energy. He also sits on the environment committee of his local neighborhood organization.
Ukasha Dakane
Board Member
Ukasha is the executive director of FRAYEO (Fortune Relief and Youth Empowerment Organization) FRAYEO is the leading immigrant and refugee-led organization focused on stabilizing the lives of East African families in Minnesota by providing free community service and civic philanthropy. In doing so it advocates ease of access to basic human services and community engagement, including youth and family health, parenting education, women empowerment, housing, employment services, youth socio-emotional mentor-ship and fathers support, conflict resolution, leadership, financial management, family counseling, teen-parenting education and legal support.
Board Member
Ukasha is the executive director of FRAYEO (Fortune Relief and Youth Empowerment Organization) FRAYEO is the leading immigrant and refugee-led organization focused on stabilizing the lives of East African families in Minnesota by providing free community service and civic philanthropy. In doing so it advocates ease of access to basic human services and community engagement, including youth and family health, parenting education, women empowerment, housing, employment services, youth socio-emotional mentor-ship and fathers support, conflict resolution, leadership, financial management, family counseling, teen-parenting education and legal support.
Daniela Mejia
Board Member
Daniela studied Political Science at the College of St. Benedict and St. John's University and graduated in 2018. After college, she worked for the Minnesota Attorney General. She served as a mediator for Minnesota constituents, resolving disputes regarding utilities, housing, scams, transportation and environmental issues. She moved into the financial world, working as a Financial Professional at StateFarm and Western and Southern Financial. She is currently taking a sabbatical until the end of the year and preparing for her Masters in Public Policy. She serves as a Board Member for Minneapolis Climate Action where she continues to advocate for Environmental Justice and Sustainability concerns around the Metro Area and across the Globe. She enjoys self-development books, yoga and the ocean. She is also an aspiring model and enjoys staying active.
Board Member
Daniela studied Political Science at the College of St. Benedict and St. John's University and graduated in 2018. After college, she worked for the Minnesota Attorney General. She served as a mediator for Minnesota constituents, resolving disputes regarding utilities, housing, scams, transportation and environmental issues. She moved into the financial world, working as a Financial Professional at StateFarm and Western and Southern Financial. She is currently taking a sabbatical until the end of the year and preparing for her Masters in Public Policy. She serves as a Board Member for Minneapolis Climate Action where she continues to advocate for Environmental Justice and Sustainability concerns around the Metro Area and across the Globe. She enjoys self-development books, yoga and the ocean. She is also an aspiring model and enjoys staying active.
Rahma Elmoge
Board Member
I am happy to become a member of your board as a committed Environmentalist. I always focus on projects that bring awareness on climate change. I am a highly motivated and a progress focused person. I worked with the Immigrant Resource Center and Awjama Cultural Center. Throughout the course of my career I have perfected my ability to provide innovative solutions and creativity as well as great communication skills. In my previous role, I contributed collaboration, critical thinking and analyzing toward team efforts and project improvements as well as proven leadership skills.
I am a progressive minded and in tune with new developments in my field. I have proven to be effective and collaborative with strong leadership talents. I enjoy collective brainstorming sessions which all allow me to coordinate activities to achieve a common goal.
I enjoy advocating sustainability and climate justice, cooking, baking, Bikram Yoga, reading, physical fitness and community events. I am a first year student at Augsburg University working to pursue an Environmental Science Degree. I am very happy to join Minneapolis Climate Action and inspire our youth to be involved in climate action issues.
Board Member
I am happy to become a member of your board as a committed Environmentalist. I always focus on projects that bring awareness on climate change. I am a highly motivated and a progress focused person. I worked with the Immigrant Resource Center and Awjama Cultural Center. Throughout the course of my career I have perfected my ability to provide innovative solutions and creativity as well as great communication skills. In my previous role, I contributed collaboration, critical thinking and analyzing toward team efforts and project improvements as well as proven leadership skills.
I am a progressive minded and in tune with new developments in my field. I have proven to be effective and collaborative with strong leadership talents. I enjoy collective brainstorming sessions which all allow me to coordinate activities to achieve a common goal.
I enjoy advocating sustainability and climate justice, cooking, baking, Bikram Yoga, reading, physical fitness and community events. I am a first year student at Augsburg University working to pursue an Environmental Science Degree. I am very happy to join Minneapolis Climate Action and inspire our youth to be involved in climate action issues.
Chris Torres
Board Member
Chris is pursuing his Masters in Advocacy and Political Leadership (MAPL) at Metro State. He is hoping to use that to build a career in climate justice, conservation, and energy policy. His bachelors is in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Minnesota, where he was an active member of the University of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project – a team that designs, builds, and races fully functioning solar-electric cars that can hold multiple passengers and travel at highway speeds. Chris is also a big advocate of bicycling as a primary form of transportation and works at Free Bikes 4 Kidz MN.
Board Member
Chris is pursuing his Masters in Advocacy and Political Leadership (MAPL) at Metro State. He is hoping to use that to build a career in climate justice, conservation, and energy policy. His bachelors is in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Minnesota, where he was an active member of the University of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project – a team that designs, builds, and races fully functioning solar-electric cars that can hold multiple passengers and travel at highway speeds. Chris is also a big advocate of bicycling as a primary form of transportation and works at Free Bikes 4 Kidz MN.
Minneapolis Climate Action is actively seeking board members. For more information, please email info@mplsclimate.org and we will send a board application!
We are a member-driven organization that relies on the work of our dedicated volunteers. These are only a portion of the passionate individuals who make our work possible. If you are interested in driving climate progress in Minneapolis, please reach out and tell us how you would like to join our movement.