Look who's hopping on Board!Thank you to all of you that participated in our vote, watched intro videos, attended the Annual Meeting and nominated candidates. Your participation helps us get the best of the best, who will help to represent our members and your interests, on our board. Read up on our new board members and send them their congratulations. These 5 will be welcomed in at our board retreat and will start their important duties in 2025.
Melissa Kirr | Jennifer Richardson | Clinton T. Sander | Bill Schenk | Nina Waysdorf Board Candidate Introduction VideosBoard Question Panel at Annual Meeting
Melissa Kirr has spent the past 20 years working in the non-profit sector, specifically the environmental and sustainability realms. As Senior Director of Sustainability at Walking Mountains Science Center in Avon, CO, she works at a local, regional, and global level on various sustainability initiatives that include Energy, Climate Action, Sustainable Business Training and Certification, Waste Diversion and Zero Waste programs, and Mountain IDEAL Sustainable Destinations. Melissa passion lies within the realm of Materials Management & Circularity. She is currently a Vice President of the Board for Recycle Colorado, Board Chair Emeritus of Cloud City Conservation Center. She served on the CDPHE’s Pollution Prevention Advisory Board (‘20-’24) and Assistance Committee (‘16-’20). She holds degrees in Forest Resource Management from Pennsylvania State University and the University of Montana. Melissa lives in Leadville, CO with her husband and two daughters.
Jennifer Richardson is the Solid Waste and Sustainability Division Director for Mesa County. She is responsible for the management and leadership of Mesa County’s complex solid waste management system, including strategic planning, development, and implementation of existing and new programs at the Solid Waste Management Campus. Jennifer received her Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science from Mesa State College and her Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership and Environmental Policy from the University of Denver. She is a certified Wetland Scientist, Stormwater Management Supervisor, Integrated Solid Waste Manager, and Manager of Landfill Operations. Jennifer prides herself on being a community resource and values collaborating with diverse public and private partners. She enjoys educating the community on proper solid waste disposal and waste diversion. She understands that the decisions made by the Recycle Colorado Board potentially affect the environmental health and welfare of Colorado, and she aims to ensure Recycle Colorado remains an active and effective voice for sustainable waste management practices throughout the state.
In his role at A1 Organics, Clinton focuses on developing marketing initiatives and communication strategies that highlight the environmental benefits of compost application and organics recycling. He is deeply passionate about the regenerative potential of compost application and recognizes the interconnectedness of soil health, food quality, and human well-being. Additionally, Clinton serves on the Colorado Producer Responsibility Advisory Board, representing the compost manufacturing sector. He also co-chairs the Market Development Committee for the US Composting Council, on leadership/policy team for the CO Composting Council, and speaks regularly on healthy soil practices, the circularity benefits of organics recycling, and challenges with contamination in the stream. Bill is the Assistant Director at the Summit County Resource Allocation Park (SCRAP), where he oversees recycling and composting programs, as well as landfill operations. Bill is passionate about waste diversion and creating circular economies in Colorado. He is an active member of Summit County’s Zero Waste Task Force and served on the state of Colorado’s Pollution Prevention Advisory Board Assistance Committee for 7 years. Bill is a Colorado native from Colorado Springs and holds a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from Colorado State University. He enjoys spending time with his family, mountain biking and downhill skiing.
Nina Waysdorf is the Waste Diversion and Outreach Manager for the City and County of Denver’s Solid Waste Division. Nina oversees the division’s diversion, and education and outreach initiatives, focusing on increasing the City’s diversion rates and supporting the City’s operational and sustainability goals. Prior to her role with Denver, Nina worked at Walking Mountains in Avon running the waste reduction and diversion programs. She has a BA from The George Washington University in International Affairs and a Masters of the Environment degree from University of Colorado, Boulder, completing a capstone project with Vail Resorts working on the Zero Waste to Landfill goal. She has been a member of Recycle Colorado for six years, participating in a variety of councils and working groups. Nina served on the Front Range Waste Diversion Board since 2023, and was recently appointed to the board of the Colorado Circular Communities Enterprise (C3). Nina grew up in Denver and loves the typical Colorado things – mountain activities, patios, parks, and sunshine. Additionally, Nina got a puppy over the summer and would be happy to show you pictures, if you’d like. |
