Office of Sustainability Staff
Green Team of 2020-2021
Matthew Muchna, Manager
Matthew has his M.A. in Applied Sociology from NAU with a focus on Documentary Studies and Environmental Planning. His Graduate research was looking at social vulnerabilities faced by longtime residents in the Southside neighborhood through the Rio “de Flag” Project. Matthew’s past experiences span the spectrum of User Experience (UX) Design Research, Community Outreach and Facilitation, and Restaurant Management. These experiences help him craft creative solutions to solve many complex problems. His focus is on empowering students, strengthening the culture of sustainability at NAU, and creating a road-map to carbon neutrality . He is a long-distance trail runner and an average ping-pong player.
Alanna Massman, Conservation Manager
Alanna is in her third year at NAU, pursuing a degree in Environmental and Sustainability Studies with a Minor in Spanish. Some of Alanna’s biggest passions in life include traveling, learning about different cultures, and protecting the planet! More specifically, some areas within sustainability that she’s interested in are sustainable food and agriculture systems, outdoor education, and waste reduction. Alanna has been working with Green NAU since her Freshman year, and as she takes on the position of Conservation Manager for the Fall 2020 – Spring 2021 academic year, she is excited to bring new ideas and initiatives to life to help cultivate and enhance sustainability in our community.
Bryce Beck, Environmental Caucus Manager
Bio coming soon
Xulia Suero, Environmental Caucus Assistant Manager
Breanna Fimbres, Green Jacks Chair
Breanna Fimbres is part of the graduating class 2021 with a major in
Geographical Science and Community Planning and a minor in Business Economics. She currently operates within the Green Jack as the Chair. Her passion stemmed from her experience with ill food choices and not staying up on her daily nutrition during freshman year dorm living. The focus on healthy eating over the 2018 summer grew towards sustainable living. With a few articles later her composting bin was birthed! Her start with the Green Jacks began spring semester of 2019 with a new mind and aim to spread resilient positivity. As a part of the Green Jacks, Breanna strives to bring knowledge on sustainability to students with active learning and valuable resources at all corners of campus.
Xaló Martinez, Green Jacks Vice Chair
Xaló Martinez, also known as Paloma Martinez, is a first-year student at NAU. Xaló is majoring in Environmental and Sustainability Studies with an emphasis in Global Studies and a Minor in Spanish. Her main interests lie in the social aspects of sustainability, including exploration of how and why we have the mindsets that we do, as well as the ways in which social and environmental exploitation and degradation go hand in hand. Growing up in many different communities and environments has given Xaló a particularly mindful view of the environment and its people. From a young age she has been involved in many socially and environmentally oriented organizations and movements. Some of these organizations include Sustainable Nations, where she worked with renewable energy, installed rainwater catchment systems and adobe construction, as well as the Alliance for Global Justice, where she participated in creating short films about various social justice issues and assisted in organizing events within the community. She is passionate about strengthening communities, in both social and ecological aspects.
Kassidy Sanders, PR and Outreach Specialist
Kassidy Sanders is a junior studying journalism and political science with a minor in women’s and gender studies. She has spent her past four semesters at NAU working with both Coconino County and the city of Flagstaff to keep the community well informed on decision-making, emergency awareness and current events. She is excited to collaborate with these organizations as well as student groups and community members to keep people “in-the-know” about the Office of Sustainability’s Climate Action Plan, as well as its many other big ideas for a greener NAU and a greener Flagstaff!
Grace Booher, SNAIL Garden Coordinator
Grace is an elementary education major and parks and recreational management minor, and is the volunteer coordinator for the SNAIL Garden on campus. Grace enjoys thru hiking, painting, climbing, gardening, learning, and hanging out with her pets. Grace is passionate about making positive radical social change that will benefit our earth and all that share it!
Bridgette Brados, SSLUG Garden Coordinator
Bio coming soon
Summer Peltzer, Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator
Summer is a double major in history and anthropology with an emphasis on archaeology and a minor in Arabic. She is expecting to graduate May 2021. A little fun fact about Summer is that she’s an immigrant from the Middle East. Summer loves hiking and camping around Flagstaff and when she’s not in the outdoors she spends time reading and drawing. Summer is passionate about social and political justice and is hoping to provide a diverse and inclusive environment to NAU.
Darren Bingham, Waste Minimization Manager
Darren is a masters candidate in the sustainable communities program at NAU, where he studies waste and food systems for resilient communities. His undergraduate and career choices have given Darren first-hand experience and knowledge in the waste industry, environmental consulting, and farm to consumer methodology. His passion for the sanctity of all life has generated a strong commitment to improve people’s relationship with the planet in all facets of their lives. He enjoys Dr. Seuss, gardening, baking bread, and the occasional trip to the mountains.
Julia Smith, Waste Minimization Aide
Julia is an environmental studies major at NAU. She is originally from Corvallis, Oregon; a small, rainy town tucked into the Willamette valley. Julia loves to rock climb, snowboard, and backpack, and is so excited to explore more of the Southwest!
Taryn Bell, Waste-minimization Aide
Taryn Bell is a junior studying environmental science with a minor in biology. Growing up in Phoenix, one of the least sustainable cities in the World, provided her with an attentiveness to both the local and global environment from an early age. Taryn’s strong belief in direct action drives her passion for working with the Office of Sustainability at NAU to improve sustainability efforts in the Flagstaff community. In her free time she can be found roller skating, doing yoga, or experimenting in the kitchen.