Office of Sustainability Staff
Erik Nielsen, NAU Chief Sustainability Officer
Dr. Erik Nielsen is NAU’s inaugural Chief Sustainability Officer and Professor of Environmental Science and Policy at Northern Arizona University. He has bachelor’s degrees in Environmental Economics and Political Science from UC San Diego, a M.S. in Public Policy (Sustainable Development) from Rutgers University and a PhD in Natural Resources from the University of Idaho.
Prior to his PhD research in Guatemala and Honduras, Erik served as a natural resource Peace Corps Volunteer in Honduras working on sustainability challenges with Indigenous communities in the Rio Platano World Heritage Site and later as an environmental consultant working on Salmon restoration. Growing up in the deserts of New Mexico and the landscapes of the Pacific Northwest inspired Erik to a career in conservation and sustainable development. He continues to draw inspiration from the people and ecosystems of the Colorado Plateau and the passion of NAU students and staff who are committed to a just, sustainable world.
Avi Henn, Manager of Sustainability
Avi was born and raised in Israel where he was deeply influenced by the environmental damage his hometown experienced from heavy industrialization and poor planning. He became interested in sustainability, climate mitigation, and wildland preservation and traveled to the United States in 2001 to obtain his higher education. His most recent degree was with NAU in the Climate Science and Solutions (CSS) program. Avi has over 20 years of experience and has been involved with sustainability at NAU and in Flagstaff for over ten years. He is excited to help NAU become a leader in all aspects of sustainability and to advance our institution’s carbon neutrality.
Dayna McKay, Sustainability Data Analyst
Dayna was born and raised here in Flagstaff, Arizona. She loves the high desert of the Colorado Plateau and always desired to attend NAU for higher education, amongst the one-of-a-kind ecosystem, recreation, and community of loved ones. She obtained her degree in Environmental Science, with an emphasis in Applied Statistics, and is now pursuing her masters degree in Climate Science and Solutions at NAU. She desires to effectively communicate climate science and solutions using the universal language of statistical analysis and reporting accountability. She is grateful to be applying her passion for sustainability in such a pivotal time for NAU in its pursuit of carbon neutrality.
Danielle Linthicum, Conservation Programs Coordinator
Danielle holds an M.A. in Sustainability from Arizona State University and a B.A. in International Relations and Global Studies (with a focus on Environmental Policy) from the University of the Pacific. She spent 3 years working as a graduate research assistant at Decision Center for a Desert City, where she focused on the human and social dimensions of urban water management in the Colorado River basin. Danielle has also worked in science and environmental education at Zoo Atlanta, Arizona Science Center, Phoenix Zoo, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Arizona Project WET, and the Girl Scouts. Her areas of expertise are behavior change for sustainability, environmental & STEM education, and communication about environmental issues. Danielle is excited to work with NAU students, staff, and faculty to build a culture of sustainability on campus.
Mia Chavez, Environmental Caucus Manager
Mia was born in Aurora, Illinois. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Environmental and Sustainability Studies and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish, with minors in Anthropology, Geology, and Italian, along with certificates in Innovation Thinking and Problem Solving and the Peace Corps Prep Program. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Climate Science and Solutions with certificates in Greenhouse Gas Accounting and Science Communication while working as the Environmental Caucus Manager at the Office of Sustainability. Mia loves to travel, hike, and find creative ways to promote sustainability.
Interdepartmental Support Staff
Erin McAnally-Trejo, Energy and Water Conservation Manager
Erin holds an M.S. in Environmental Engineering from Northern Arizona University. After graduating, she spent 2 years working as a Water Resources Engineer in Salt Lake City, Utah before returning to Flagstaff and working for the City as a Project Manager. During her studies at NAU, Erin spent a year abroad in South America where she witnessed firsthand the effects of inadequate resource management and her passion for sustainability and climate mitigation took root. She is excited to apply her experiences and knowledge to help NAU enact positive change through its pursuit of carbon neutrality.
Jacob Vanetsky – Campus Dining Sustainability Specialist
Jacob was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico and has always held a deep respect for the environment. He earned his degree in Environmental Sustainability from Northern Arizona University (NAU), with a minor in Law & Society. Jacob is passionate about driving meaningful change in both NAU’s food systems and the broader sustainability efforts in Flagstaff. He believes that through collective action and collaboration with students, significant progress can be made in creating a more sustainable future. Jacob is excited to apply his education and experience to help NAU continue advancing toward a culture of sustainability.
Also, meet the 2023-2024 Green Fund Committee
