Director
Brian G. Henning, Ph.D.
Dr. Henning (he/him/his) is Professor of Philosophy and of Environmental Studies & Science at Gonzaga University and is the inaugural director and founder of the Gonzaga Institute for Climate, Water, and the Environment. Originally from Boise, Idaho, Dr. Henning joined Gonzaga’s faculty in 2008. He earned a B.A. summa cum laude from Seattle University and an M.A., M.Phil., and Ph.D. from Fordham University. An award-winning author, Dr. Henning has written or edited 17 books and 45 articles, chapters, and reports, including Riders in the Storm: Ethics in an Age of Climate Change (Anselm 2015), Climate Change Ethics and the Non-human World (Routledge 2020), and Value, Beauty, and Nature (SUNY 2023). He has delivered more than 200 talks to general and academic audiences in North America, Europe, and Asia.
Director Henning can be reached at henning@gonzaga.edu.
For more on his work, visit https://connect.gonzaga.edu/henning.
Climate Resilience Program Manager
Dante Jester, M.S.
Dante (they/them/ella) grew up in an apple orchard in Orondo, WA. They have a BA in Peace Studies, MSc in Climate Change and Development, and Professional Certificate in Climate Action Planning. They are a registered Adaptation Practitioner with the Climate Smart Communities Initiative and a certified Electric Coach through Rewiring America. Their commitment to climate justice was born from their experiences growing up close neighbors with migrant farmworkers, serving in Peace Corps Paraguay, researching drought impacts in small-scale agroforestry systems, and navigating housing instability as a queer/trans person. Dante speaks English, Spanish, and Guarani. They enjoy spending their free time reading sci-fi novels, thrifting at local shops, and soaking up all the sunshine they can.
Dante can be reached at jester@gonzaga.edu
Climate Literacy Program Coordinator
Lindsay Wolfanger
Lindsay (she/her/hers) grew up in Oneonta, New York. She received her BA in environmental studies with a concentration in ecosystems at Binghamton University. After adapting her skill set to work in covid response after graduation, Lindsay had the privilege of completing a through-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail. After being reconnected to her passions during the hike, Lindsay worked as a Sustainability Assistant at the State University of New York at Oneonta. Through this work, Lindsay further focused her interests within the field, learning that her biggest aspirations lay in increasing climate literacy among the general public and decreasing the nature gap. Outside of work, Lindsay loves spending time outside with her beloved partner and dog, backpacking, yoga, rock climbing, embroidery, and cultivating whimsy in all she does.
Lindsay can be reached at wolfanger@gonzaga.edu
Instructor, Climate Action Planning Certificate
Kara Odegard
Kara (she/her/hers) is the instructor for Gonzaga’s professional certificate in Climate Action Planning. Born and raised in Spokane, Kara is considered a boomeranger who returned home after spending time living in Seattle and Singapore. Kara has a Master’s in Leadership for Sustainability from the University of Vermont and a Bachelor’s in English from the University of Washington. She is a practiced communicator and community leader with over 25 years of experience working with multinational, national and local organizations across multiple industries and sectors. Kara spent four years using a collaborative leadership model to guide climate action planning for the City of Spokane. Spokane’s plan and the process they developed now serves as a template for other municipalities developing their own climate action plans. Kara can be reached at odegard@gonzaga.edu
Kara can be reached at odegard@gonzaga.edu
Senior Legal Fellows
Vanessa Waldref
Vanessa (she/her/hers) is a Spokane native, community and environmental advocate, and legal educator with deep roots in Eastern Washington. After serving in the Department of Justice for eight years, she was presidentially appointed as United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, where she was the first woman to hold the role. During her tenure, she co-launched the region’s Environmental Task Force, led national efforts on environmental justice, built strong partnerships with federal, state, local, and Tribal law enforcement to make communities safer and more resilient. She is a partner and founding member of Singleton Schreiber’s Washington office, where she leads litigation on behalf of plaintiffs, focused on environmental protection, protecting whistleblowers, wildfire recovery, and civil rights. Vanessa earned both her B.A. and J.D., magna cum laude, from Georgetown University. After law school, she clerked for The Honorable John D. Bates in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Passionate about mentoring the next generation of lawyers, she has taught Environmental Law, Labor and Employment Law, and Conflict of Laws at Gonzaga University School of Law.
Dan Fruchter
Dan (he/him/his) is a longtime public servant with a passion for using the law to advance justice and public health. Originally from the Northeast, Dan holds a B.A. in Environmental Studies from Tulane University and a J.D. with honors from the University of Maryland, with a special concentration in Environmental Law. Dan began his legal career at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and spent more than two decades there and at the U.S. Department of Justice, where he prosecuted criminal and civil fraud and led major cases involving radioactive waste disposal and treatment, food and drug safety, hazardous air pollutants, public lands, safe drinking water, and renewable energy. While serving as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Eastern Washington, Dan co-founded the region’s first Environmental Crimes Task Force and mentored dozens of Gonzaga law students through hands-on litigation experience. Dan now works as one of two founding partners in Singleton Schreiber’s Spokane office, where he continues to advocate for building safer and stronger communities and to protect public health and safety in the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
Climate Resilience Program Coordinator
Mary Condon
Mary (she/her/hers) was born and raised in Spokane, WA and attended All Saints Primary and Gonzaga Preparatory School. She played Division I soccer and completed a triple-major at the University of Idaho with a BS in Psychology, BA in Spanish, and BA in Philosophy. Mary spent 3 years volunteering in rural Panama as an Agricultural Extension Agent for the United States Peace Corps before completing her Masters in International Affairs at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies in Bologna, Italy. Before joining the Climate Institute, she worked as a research consultant and freelance writer for Columbia University, the EAT-Lancet Commission 2.0, Inspiratia , the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, as well as Johns Hopkins University. Mary speaks English, Spanish, and Italian. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, throwing dinner parties, alpine skiing, and playing cribbage.
Mary can be reached at condonm@gonzaga.edu
Event and Communication Assistants
Ella Kaness
Ella (she/her/hers) is a sophomore majoring in Environmental Science. She is from Maple Valley, Washington and enjoys reading, listening to music, playing water polo, and spending time with her friends. She is passionate about marine biology and developing sustainable agriculture.
Nina Quinton
Nina (she/her/hers) is a junior majoring in Communication Studies and minoring in Environmental Studies. She is from Spokane Valley, Washington and enjoys creating and listening to music, being outdoors, reading and spending time with friends and family. She is passionate about marine biology and environmental conservation and is eager to be able to work towards a more sustainable future.
Climate Literacy Fellows
Learn more about the Climate Literacy Fellows Program
Climate Literacy Fellow Mentor
Leah Gulick
Leah (she/her/hers) is a junior majoring in Environmental Science with minors in Biology and Leadership studies. She's from Portland, Oregon and loves hiking, yoga, running, and writing. She aims to work in conservation, finding purpose in reworking human impact on the environment.
Bethany Chisolm
Bethany (she/her/hers) is an Environmental Studies major with minors in Sustainable Business and Promotion. Born and raised in Spokane, Bethany cares deeply about the Inland Northwest and is excited to bring climate education to the classrooms she grew up in. Her favorite hobbies are hiking, hammocking, searching for the best caramel latte, and performing in The Kennel with the Gonzaga Dance Team.
Moses O'Connor
Moses (he/him/his) is a junior majoring in Journalism with a minor in Criminology. He is from Yakima, Washington, and enjoys basketball, writing, and seeing new places. He hopes to help educate the Spokane community about environmental justice and attend law school after his time at Gonzaga.
Kara MerMerkert
Kara (she/her/hers) is a sophomore studying psychology and elementary education. She grew up in the Bay Area, California, where she fell in love with the beach and spending time outdoors in the sun. She is so excited to combine her love for education with her love for environmental activism.
Evie Aitkin
Evie (she/her/hers) is a junior studying Community, Culture, and Language with a minor in Leadership Studies and earning her elementary education certification. She is from Bellevue, Washington and loves to play bananagrams, participate on intramural teams, and meeting new people. She is passionate about incorporating place based and environmental education into the general education classroom.
Natalie Geppert
Natalie (she/her/hers) is a junior majoring in Biology with a concentration in Ecology and Conservation with a minor in Environmental Studies. She is from Lynnwood, Washington and loves traveling, camping, baking, and caring for her many house plants. She is passionate about mitigating the effects of climate change and in her future, Natalie would love to study ecology and conserve endangered wildlife species!
Emma Milczuk
Emma (she/her/hers) is a current junior pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies with minors in Spanish, sustainable business, and political science. She is from just outside of Boulder, Colorado, which is where her love and passion for the outdoors comes from. Her favorite outdoor activities include hiking, camping, skiing, and swimming in any natural body of water. She also finds joy in playing piano, journaling, and spending time with friends and family. She is especially passionate about the intersections of environmentalism, politics, and social justice, and is curious about pursuing a degree in environmental law.
Sean Mullins
Sean (he/him/his) is a junior majoring in Community, Culture, and Language, minoring in Leadership Studies, and earning his elementary teaching certification. He is from Bothell, Washington, and you can find him dancing with the Bomb Squad hip hop team, playing the drums with the band flirt, reading, or working out in his free time. He sees education as a key to social change toward a more sustainable and just world, and he is excited to practice incorporating these values into his work now and in the future.
Ginna Owens
Ginna (she/her/hers) is double majoring in Environmental Studies and Sociology with a minor in Social Justice. She is from Seattle, Washington and loves being outside but especially being near any body of water. She finds appreciation in nature through hiking, camping, and swimming alongside her friends and family. When not outside she loves to play both cards and lacrosse, as well as read. Finding her passion for bridging the gap between our social issues and how they correlate with environmental justice solutions. With a belief that education is one of the first steps in creating change for the greater good. Whether she will pursue something within sustainable agriculture or fight against salmon extinction, she hopes to make a positive impact on our community and world.
Community Outreach and Research Assistants
Sara Weaver
Sara (she/her/hers) is a current junior pursuing a BS in Environmental Science with minors in Sustainable Business and Music. She grew up in Littleton, Colorado learning to love the great outdoors through running, hiking, and backpacking. Her work as an outdoor educator in the Colorado Rockies, and a freshwater biology researcher in the Bancroft Lab, gives her passion for climate justice. Sara hopes to pursue continuing education that will allow her to advocate for people, or species, most impacted by changing climate conditions. In her free time, she is the lead singer of her band flirt, a member of two Gonzaga choirs, an occasional songwriter, and a hot yoga enthusiast.
Avery Hacker
Avery Hacker (she/her/hers) is a sophomore majoring in Criminology and Sociology. She was born and raised in Spokane and loves the nice weather, beautiful parks, and amazing people. She grew up loving cats, hiking, traveling and going to National Parks. She is excited to expand her knowledge of the environment and make an impact on her community through work that she is passionate about.
SaraJane Fraunfelder
SaraJane (she/her/hers) is a junior at Gonzaga, majoring in Biology with a concentration in Ecology and Conservation, and a minor in Psychology. She is from Columbia, Missouri and in her free time she enjoys hiking, reading, and cooking. She aims to pursue a career in researching biodiversity and how it can be applied to conservation. She is excited to apply her biological knowledge to local communities with the Climate Institute.
Nermin Omar
Nermin Omar (she/her/hers) is a Public Health major with a minor in Leadership Studies based in Spokane, Washington. She is passionate about healthcare and hopes to return to her home country to support underserved communities, including camps. Nermin speaks 5–6 languages, allowing her to connect with and advocate for people who may not speak English. She enjoys road trips, stargazing, painting, baking, and playing badminton. She is excited to be working with the Climate Institute and contributing to meaningful community impact. Nermin is eager to stay involved and continue giving back to her community.
Rowan Smith
Rowan (he/him/his) is a junior majoring in Environmental Studies and Philosophy with a minor in Music. He is from Kirkland Washington and loves to play music with friends, sew clothes, cook, and read. His favorite outdoor activities are skiing, swimming in high mountain lakes, and backpacking the Washington coast. Rowan is passionate about creating more sustainable cities and communities.
G. Kai Crouch
Gabriel (he/him/his) is a junior currently majoring in Environmental Studies with a minor in Spanish. He is from Portland, Oregon, and has a profound interest in anything nature related, be it camping and hiking or learning about different ecosystems and organisms. Gabriel's love for the environment started with swimming and camping as a kid, and he now aims to broaden others view of the environment through building a stronger community where everyone can enjoy the same things he’s passionate about.
Climate Project Assistant
Shehroz Khan
Shehroz Khan (he/him) is a graduate student at Gonzaga University pursuing a Master’s in TESOL, with an interest in communication, technology, and community engagement. Originally from Lahore, Pakistan, he brings a cross-cultural perspective shaped by his academic and professional experiences. Shehroz is interested in how communication and education can support community-based responses to global challenges like climate change. In his free time, he enjoys playing soccer and pickleball, and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds.
Affiliated Faculty
John Traynor, Ph.D.
Dr. John Traynor (he/him/his) is Associate Professor at Gonzaga University in the Department of Teacher Education where he specializes in the Foundations of Education, Teaching in the Middle School, and Community and Place-Based Education. John received his B.A. from the University of Washington in Political Science, went on to receive his Masters in Teaching in Secondary Social Studies from Seattle University, and finally received his PhD in Culture Studies and Social Thought in Education from Washington State University. Prior to coming to Gonzaga, John taught for nine years as a high school social studies teacher. John's current work involves partnership efforts with local K-12 schools throughout the region. John is an avid outdoorsman with passions for skiing, biking and fly fishing.
John is a key contributor to the Institute's Climate Literacy Project
Marc Maumgardner, Ph.D.
Dr. Baumgardner (he/him/his) is an Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, where he joined the faculty in the fall of 2015. He received dual B.S. degrees in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering from the University of West Georgia and the Georgia Institute of Technology, respectively in 2005. After his undergraduate studies he worked for UOP, a Honeywell Company (a petrochemical technology firm) as a Process Specialist and Technical Expert in Gasoline Refining Technology. In 2014 he received his Ph.D. from Colorado State University specializing in the thermal sciences with a focus on renewable fuels and advanced internal combustion engines. He teaches courses in Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, and Heat Transfer. Current research interests include fundamental combustion studies, internal combustion engines, advanced engine strategies, chemical kinetics, fuel reactivity metrics, alternative/renewable fuels, biofuels, CFD and modeling of combustion systems, and biomass cookstoves.
Marc is a key contributor to the Institute's Climate Resilience Project
Alana Inlow, Ph.D.
Dr. Alana Inlow (they/them/theirs) is an Assistant Professor in the Sociology & Criminology Department at Gonzaga University. Alana received their B.A. at University of Portland, and their M.A. and Ph.D. in Sociology at Washington State University. They joined the faculty at Gonzaga in 2024. Alana teaches courses including Criminological Theories, Radical Criminology, and Crime Mapping. Their research and teaching interests generally include crime & inequality, gentrification & neighborhood change, spatial analysis & Geographic Information Systems (GIS), graffiti & perceived disorder, and green criminology. Much of Alana's community and applied work includes using spatial methods & GIS to create maps for data analysis and public use.
Alana is a key contributor to the Institute's Climate Resilience Project
Sarah Bliss Matousek, Ph.D., MPH
Sarah Bliss Matousek (she/her/hers) is a public health professional, research scientist, and health systems transformation specialist with over 20 years of experience in healthcare, research, and teaching. Her work focuses on health equity, environmental health, and community-based interventions that build resilience to climate-related hazards. At Gonzaga, she partners with the Climate Institute to advance research and programming that address extreme weather impacts in Spokane’s underserved neighborhoods, including projects on wildfire smoke, extreme heat, and community disaster preparedness. She also teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in public health, integrating experiential learning and local partnerships into the classroom. Sarah holds a PhD in Neurobiology & Anatomy from the University of Rochester and a Master of Public Health from Boston University.
Sarah is a key contributor to the Institute's Climate Resilience Project
Jonathan Isacoff, Ph.D.
Dr. Isacoff (he/him/his) is Professor of Political Science and Environmental Studies at Gonzaga University. Dr. Isacoff was the founding chair of the Environmental Studies Department at Gonzaga and served in that role from 2006 till 2015. He received his B.A. and M.P.A. from Cornell University and his M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania. He co-teaches a class, “Climate Change Science and Politics,” with Dr. Hugh Lefcort of the Biology Department.
Jonathan is a key contributor to the Institute's Climate Resilience Project
Internal Advisory Board
The Institute's Internal Advisory Board provides support and advice to the Director in advancing the Institute's mission and ensuring the Institute's alignment with the University mission and strategic priorities.