Office of Sustainability Staff
Green Team of 2019-2020
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.
Abigail Harman, Conservation Manager
I am a Junior pursuing a degree in Environmental Science with an emphasis in Environmental Management and a minor in Spanish. I am currently the Conservation Manager of the Office of Sustainability, passionately helping to teach students, faculty, and staff about sustainability and climate change. I can also be found at Coffee and Bagels on South Campus where I passionately feed hungry college students while contributing to Campus Dining’s sustainability efforts. I grew up in a small town in Colorado where recycling and living sustainably was a foreign concept, so I am grateful to study at NAU because it has provided me with so many opportunities to pursue my passion in sustainability. This last summer, I spent my days, and often nights, out protecting the Coconino National Forest as a Wildland Firefighter with the Flagstaff Ranger District. My future career is still up in the air, but I enjoy finding opportunities to experience new aspects of environmental science and sustainability.
Bryce Beck, Environmental Caucus Manager
Bio coming soon
Xulia Suero, Environmental Caucus Assistant Manager
Bio coming soon
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
Hi! My name is Grace, an elementary education major and parks and recreational management minor. I am the volunteer coordinator for the SNAIL Garden on campus. I enjoy thru hiking, painting, climbing, gardening, learning, and hanging out with my pets. I’m 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
Hi! My name is Summer. I am a double major in history and anthropology with an emphasis on archaeology and a minor in Arabic. I am expecting to graduate May 2021. A little fun fact about me is I am an immigrant from the Middle East. I love hiking and camping around flagstaff and when I’m not in the outdoors I spend my time reading and drawing. I am passionate about social and political justice and am hoping to provide a diverse and inclusive environment to NAU.
Darren Bingham, Waste Minimization Specialist
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.
Alanna Massama, Conservation & Waste Minimization Aide
I’m currently a sophomore at NAU double-majoring in Environmental Sustainability with a global emphasis and Spanish. My biggest passions in life include traveling, learning about different cultures around the world, and finding ways to help protect the environment. Most weekends you can find me hiking, camping, or at a coffee shop downtown.
Julia Smith, Waste Minimization Aide
Hi! My name is Julia and I am an environmental studies major at NAU. I am originally from Corvallis, Oregon; a small, rainy town tucked into the Willamette valley. I love to rock climb, snowboard, and backpack, and I am so excited to explore more of the Southwest!
