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Ready to take action? GreenStep staff, GreenStep Best Practice Advisors, and representatives of the GreenStep partnership are here to help.
For general questions related to the GreenStep programs, email us at GreenStep@state.mn.us. Join us for Virtual Open Office Hours every Tuesday from 8:30-9:30 to ask a few questions, find a time to schedule a visit or one-on-one appointment with us, or share feedback. |
Who can help? Talk to best practice advisors.
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Kristin Mroz (she/her) After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point with a degree in Natural Resource Management, Kristin provided environmental education in Nicaragua as a Peace Corps volunteer before working as the Environmental Coordinator at the City of Elk River and the Local Government Coordinator (and GreenStep Cities co-director) at the Environmental Quality Board. Today, Kristin is the GreenStep Cities and Tribal Nations Coordinator with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), supporting Minnesota communities with assistance and recognition in the GreenStep program. Kristin is also a member of the GreenStep Schools (K-12) steering committee and the Sustainable States Network. |
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Lola Schoenrich Lola is the vice president of communities at the Great Plains Institute (GPI), working on sustainable communities and energy efficiency, providing strategic direction, fundraising, and facilitation. Lola has over 35 years of experience in energy policy and community energy initiatives. She has extensive background in bringing diverse groups of people together to craft energy policy and implement projects in networks, coalitions, and working teams. For example, she was one of the founders of the Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) and of the GreenStep Cities program. She is one of the founders of the Sustainable States Network, of which GreenStep Cities is a partner, and has managed the network since 2019. Previous to joining GPI, she was the Energy Program Director at the Minnesota Project, where she led the energy policy and coalition work and numerous other projects, including community sustainability, waste management, recycling, household hazardous waste management and waste reduction. Previous to her work with the Minnesota Project, she was the Executive Director of the Self-Reliance Center (now the Sustainable Resources Center), running community-based energy efficiency and conservation programs in Minneapolis neighborhoods. Lola has a BA in biology from Hampshire College. |
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Erica Bjelland (she/her) GreenStep Program Associate Coordinator 520 Lafayette Rd. N., 4th Floor St. Paul, MN 55155-4194 651/757-2406 erica.bjelland@state.mn.us Erica graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN and then spent most of her career in the beautiful Brainerd Lakes Area in central Minnesota. Erica provided program development and education outreach at a small nonprofit focused on solar equity and then as a Regional Planner with the Region Five Development Commission (R5DC), working with small cities on the creation and implementation of Energy and Environment Plans. Most recently, Erica worked as a Land Use Planner with Boulder County, Colorado. |
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Nicole Smiley (she/her) Nicole Smiley is a GreenCorps Member serving with the GreenStep Cities and Tribal Nations program. During her service she will be exploring opportunities to deepen engagement with leading Step 5 participants, strengthen program challenges, and better align with other local sustainability programs and certifications. Before GreenCorps, Nicole worked at the University of MN for 18 years. While at the UMN she supported the Law Clinic, in the Law School, and then the Dept of Soil, Water and Climate, in CFANS. She has a BA in Political Science and a Master’s in Public Affairs. A few of her favorite things to do are travel, camp, hike, watch re-runs of shows she's already seen and eat at restaurants. The places that Nicole returns to the most are any shores along Lake Superior, Voyageurs National Park, and Alaska. |