We are pleased to announce the addition of three full-time team members who have taken on the day-to-day management and operations of the Great Lakes TCTAC.
All three bring with them passion for environmental justice and a wealth of diverse skills and experiences to the Great Lakes TCTAC. A common commitment unites them to create positive change in our communities and address pressing environmental issues impacting our world. Their dedication to sustainability, social responsibility, and equitable solutions aligns seamlessly with our mission.
Their enthusiasm is poised to catalyze innovative and collaborative approaches to meaningfully impact communities across Region 5. This infusion of passion and expertise marks a promising chapter in our collective journey toward a more sustainable and just future.
Sara Rummel - Program Director
Sara Rummel joined the Great Lakes TCTAC in September 2023 as Program Director. Sara works closely with our partners, leadership and staff to develop and implement the strategic direction of the TCTAC.
Throughout her career, Sara has been a vigorous advocate for environmental justice. She specializes in building coalitions and networks that are pursuing systemic change for just, sustainable, and healthy communities. Working on a variety of issues including sustainable agriculture, affordable healthcare, worker safety, and Minnesota’s OG Renewable Electricity Standard passed in 2007, Sara has seen the power of cross-sector collaboration.
Fun Fact: Outside of the office, Sara can be found in her neighborhood pottery studio where she finds a deep sense of inner quiet while throwing pots, that is as long as the clay cooperates.
Urszula Parfieniuk - Grants Navigator
Urszula Parfieniuk joined the Great Lakes TCTAC in November 2023 as the Grants Navigator. Urszula helps community organizations find and apply for the funding they need to lead climate and environmental work. This ranges from navigating the application process, developing grant budgets, to post-award set-up.
Urszula brings a wealth of experience preparing grant applications for federal funding from her time at the UMN Medical School. She deepened her interest in environmental health, and how different policies affect individual and community health through her master’s degree in Public Health, including developing a toolkit to assess wildfire smoke in Minnesota. Urszula has been involved in local environmental justice work in South Minneapolis for a number of years. Most recently, she has been volunteering with the East Phillips Neighborhood Institute to reclaim and save the Roof Depot building. Since then she has been co-chairing the East Phillips Health Team whose mission is to improve the health of East Phillips residents, a historically low-income and BIPOC community.
Fun Fact: One fun fact about Urszula is that she is an avid indoor and outdoor gardener. She even has a master gardener certificate from her local county and volunteers in community gardens across Minneapolis.
Jen Fuller - Technical Assistance Specialist
Jen Fuller joined the Great Lakes TCTAC as a Technical Assistance Specialist in January 2024. She connects communities with resources and grant opportunities. She’ll be keeping track of state and federal policies that can assist the networks we serve.
In 2023, Jen advocated for the environment at the Minnesota Legislature. She fought for environmental safeguards to regulate chemicals forever, better evaluation of the cumulative impacts of pollution in environmental justice areas, a green bank, climate justice education, and the 100% carbon free standard. As an apartment dweller, she sees first-hand how energy efficiency and renewable energy could reduce energy costs for families who need it most. Jen’s interest in environmental justice carries through her PhD research, where she investigated solar power and energy democracy–a concept where people have more of a say in, and ownership over what energy they consume.
Fun Fact: Jen loves thrift shopping and sidewalk scores. 90% of her wardrobe is pre-owned! A lifelong (only half-joking) dream of hers is to open a thrift store called “Treasure Alley.”