Fresh Energy’s deep bench of staff members is driving bold, equitable solutions to the climate crisis to achieve a clean energy future that works for all who call Minnesota home. And we’re thrilled to be welcoming three new team members! Join us in welcoming Christine, Craig, and Susan and get to know a bit about them and what brought them to Fresh Energy.
Introducing Christine McCormick
As digital communications associate on the Communications team, Christine McCormick supports Fresh Energy’s programmatic and policy priorities all while keeping tabs on trends in online and social media communications, which includes creating lots of fresh new digital content using graphics, video, and text. Christine is a graduate of Macalester College and majored in Environmental Studies with a minor in Geographic Information Systems. Christine is passionate about climate and energy justice and found her passion in using design to make climate change solutions accessible and easily communicated. In her free time, Christine enjoys playing with her cat, cooking delicious vegetarian food, and roller-skating.
Introducing Craig McDonnell
Craig McDonnell is managing director of Fresh Energy’s new Industry department and brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to this work from his time as Assistant Commissioner for Air and Climate Policy at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and Director of Government Relations at the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.
Under Craig’s leadership, the Industry department is continuing to advance Fresh Energy’s existing work on innovative, high-leverage opportunities in industrial decarbonization, focusing on early opportunities in “green fertilizer” and clean steel. Outside of work and family, Craig enjoys downhill skiing, backpacking, traveling, and attending concerts.
Introducing Susan Hellstrom
In her role as program associate, Susan Hellstrom supports Fresh Energy’s Energy Transition and Development teams with everything from meeting coordination to grant and proposal logistics. Susan brings years of small business experience and degrees in nonprofit management to the team.
Susan is a graduate of Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota and holds a Master of Fine Arts, Non-Profit Management from Brooklyn College. Susan is excited to focus on urgent climate work in her role at Fresh Energy. Susan is a long-time Minneapolitan and mother of three young adult children, Gracey, Hank, and Sam. When she isn’t spending time with family and friends, Susan enjoys cross-country skiing, and walking the family dogs.
Fresh Energy’s staff are the most important asset when it comes to achieving our ambitious decarbonization goals. We’re expanding our organizational capacity so that we can meet this crucial moment and continue building an equitable and just clean energy and climate movement in Minnesota and across the Midwest. Stay tuned for updates from Christine, Craig, and Susan!