We’re fighting important fights across the region this spring – from creating the largest clean energy jobs plan in Maryland to capping carbon in Virginia to putting a price on it in DC. We’re lucky enough to be joined, as we are every year, by a talented group of spring fellows and interns who will be working alongside our field organizers and volunteers over the next several weeks and months to build the people-powered movement it’s going to take to win.
Please join us in welcoming these talented young people to the CCAN team!
Caleb Drake, No New Pipelines
Caleb is working with CCAN’s Virginia Field Organizer, Drew Gallahger, to stop an unprecedented expansion of natural gas infrastructure in Virginia, from Dominion’s proposed 564-mile, $5.1 billion Atlantic Coast Pipeline through central Virginia, to a new gas plant in Greensville County to a new compressor station in Fairfax. Caleb attends J. Sargeant Reynolds in Richmond and plans to major in Environmental Science and Policy.
Caleb is a Richmond native, and loves living between the beach and the mountains, with the James in his backyard.
Darien Pusey and Nicholas (Cole) McCarren, Don’t Frack Maryland
Darien and Cole are working with CCAN’s Field Director, Monique Sullivan, to keep the dangerous practice of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, out of Maryland. This spring, this team is focused on banning the practice in Prince George’s County.
Cole is a junior at the University of Maryland-College Park, majoring in Geographic Sciences, and an active member of the school’s Student Sustainability Coalition. Cole is a native Marylander and Eagle Scout.
Darien recently graduated from UMD with a double major in Environmental Science and Policy. He has worked with the U.S. Climate Action Network and the American Council on Renewable Energy and is looking forward to a long career in environmental and public policy.
Shanna Fricklas, Maryland and DC Policy Fellow
Shanna is working with CCAN’s Maryland and DC Policy Director, James McGary, to research and develop policy positions, draft white papers and other advocacy materials, and support our lobbying efforts in Annapolis. She graduated from Lewis & Clark Law School in 2015 with a Certification in Environment & Natural Resources Law, and came to CCAN in search of an opportunity to chase her passion for tackling climate change. Shanna has worked with Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, Sustainable Northwest, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, and the legal team at the Climate Reality Project. In her spare time she enjoys gardening, camping, hiking, and the company of her energetic guinea pig named Gizmo.
Yashodhara Varma, Safe Coast Virginia
Yashodhara is working with CCAN’s Statewide Organizer, Charlie Spatz, to protect vulnerable communities across Virginia from the impacts of climate change, and put the first ever cap on carbon emissions in the state. Yashodhara is a freshman at Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School, and enjoys graphic design and photography. She is the Editor-in-chief of the Virginia Junior Academy of Science Voice, and a Richmond Peace Education Center Youth Leader.
Zack Kelleher, Forward with Clean Energy
Zack is working with CCAN’s Maryland Outreach Coordinator, Brooke Harper, to put Maryland on track to double its commitment to clean energy this year while creating the state’s largest clean energy jobs plan. Zack is a senior at UMD-College Park, studying Psychology and Sustainability. A native Marylander, his passion for protecting the environment began with the Chesapeake Bay. Zack is pursuing a career in environmental policy and research, and has worked with Environment America, PIRG, the Fund for the Public Interest, Blue Raven Solar and the Chesapeake Bay Trust. Zack is an avid musician.
Zachary Grzywacz, No Oil Trains in Baltimore
Zachary is working with CCAN’s Healthy Communities Organizer, Jon Kenney, to protect communities like Baltimore City from the dangers of explosive crude oil trains. Zachary is double majoring in Environmental Science and Biological Sciences and UMD-Baltimore City, and is a member of the school’s Environmental Task Force. Zachary is originally from St. Mary’s County, and is an avid kayaker basketball player.
We at CCAN feel honored, this year as we do every year, to have the opportunity to work alongside such passionate and talented young people as we take on these and other big fights this spring and work to build a bigger movement together. Welcome to the team!
