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Staff

Analyst
Andrew Hug

Andrew began his career at the Center for Resource Economics, which later became EWG. He went on to work at the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture and Environment/Iowa, and he launched a computer security software startup. He returned to EWG to focus primarily on lessening agriculture’s environmental impact. He earned a B.A. in journalism and a Master’s in urban and regional planning at the University of Iowa. He enjoys hiking, canoeing, photography and raising fruit.

Director of Online Fundraising and Engagement
Colleen Hutchings

Colleen graduated from George Mason University in 2004 with a BFA in Dance and a Minor in Women's Studies. After time working for the Democratic Party and multiple pro-choice organizations, Colleen is proud to be a part of the Environmental Working Group. When not using the internet and email to change the world, she pursues her other passion: professional modern dance performance and composition.

Director of Strategic Partnerships
Emily Ion Kosuge

Emily joined EWG in 2010, specializing in social media, online development and community outreach. A Los Angeles native, she spent two years on the communications team of the non-profit Healthy Child Healthy World and then led outreach and media efforts for author and pediatrician Dr. Harvey Karp. Emily has a Bachelor’s degree in international communications from The American University of Paris, France. She speaks French and Italian and is passionate about music, fashion and modern art.

Deputy Director of Research
Nneka Leiba

Nneka has a passion for the environment and environmental issues. This passion led her to earn several related degrees, including a Master of Philosophy in zoology from the University of the West Indies and a Master of Public Health from Johns Hopkins University. She joined the EWG team in 2006 and works on many toxics issues, including cosmetics and water quality. In 2009 she was named a “Green Game Changer” by O Magazine for her unique contributions to EWG.

Mississippi River Project Coordinator
Brett Lorenzen

Brett joins the EWG agriculture and natural resources team after two decades as a consultant to non-profits and foundations specializing in internet communications, law, program development, fundraising and management. His clients ranged from small non-profits to major foundations to the United Nations. Being a farm boy at heart, he returned to the Midwest in 2002 to work on clean water and agricultural/land-use reform issues. He also serves as the voluntary chair of the Iowa Council of Trout Unlimited and sits on the organization’s National Leadership Council. Brett holds an undergraduate degree, a J.D. and an LL.M. in international environmental law from the University of Iowa. In his "spare" time you'll find Brett reading, fly fishing, hunting or roaming the prairies and hills of the Driftless region with his dog.

Senior Analyst
Sonya Lunder

Sonya holds a Masters of Public Health in environmental health sciences from UC-Berkeley. Prior to joining EWG in 2002, Sonya managed a community health intervention at a Superfund site and worked on epidemiology studies at California's Environmental Health Investigations Branch. Sonya's research at EWG focuses on toxic chemicals in food, water, air and consumer products. During her tenure at EWG Sonya has personally field-tested dozens of EWG-rated sunscreens on herself and two sons.

Environmental Health Outreach Coordinator
Bobbie Manning

Bobbie is a grass roots and community outreach organizer. As an advocate for children with neurodevelopmental disorders for 15 years, Bobbie's successful coalition building and grass roots activities has lead to the passage of legislation in multiple states including New York, Iowa, and California. Prior to her political advocacy work, Bobbie was an applied behavior analysis therapist for children with developmental disorders and attended the University of Illinois-Chicago.

Special Assistant to the President
Ashley McCormack

Ashley graduated from the University of Virginia with a Master’s in Public Policy and a Bachelor’s degree in psychology, with a minor in environmental science. Prior to joining EWG's California office, Ashley worked for the BlueGreen Alliance as a communications and program assistant. She loves hiking, photography, painting and trying every ice cream shop in the Bay Area.

Administrative Assistant
Rachel Niemerski

Rachel graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.S. in Environmental Sciences, specializing in Environmental Behavior Change. She moved from Michigan to Washington DC to intern at the Alaska Wilderness League and most recently the ONE Campaign. Rachel enjoys good food, good company and cheering on the University of Michigan Wolverines.

Foundation Coordinator
Nicole Oliver

Nicole has an eclectic professional background, most recently as the Search Engine Marketing Director for a web design firm in Portland. She is also the co-founder of a regional parenting magazine, has spent countless hours as a freelance writer and worked for several years as a counselor for at-risk youth. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology and a Masters of Business Administration degree in marketing. Nicole has been an avid EWG supporter since stumbling upon the Skin Deep database in 2004.

Research Analyst
Paul Pestano

A native of the Philippines, Paul emigrated to California at the age of 14. He joined the EWG’s research team after earning a B.S. in biochemistry and an M.S. in physiology at Georgetown University. He is a huge Hoyas fan and enjoys hiking, running, and snowboarding.

Senior Communications and Policy Advisor; Agriculture and Natural Resources
Don Peterson Carr

Don came to EWG from the Democratic National Committee, where he served as a Communications Director. Before moving into the public policy world, Don worked in the food industry. He managed the kitchen for  a hunting and fishing resort on South Dakota's Lake Oahe and co-owned a a catering business specializing in music and film festivals that provided meals for parties at the Sundance Film Festival. Don has written about music and film for the Washington (DC) City Paper and published his first novel in 2009. 

Director of Government Affairs
Jason Rano

Jason joined EWG after working in Baltimore city government and on Capitol Hill as a legislative aide to Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg of New Jersey. He represents EWG on Capitol Hill and before executive agencies and state and local governments on chemicals policy, including TSCA and personal care products, bottled water, agriculture and other issues. Jason holds an undergraduate degree from American University and a Masters in Public Policy from Johns Hopkins University. When he's not at work you can find Jason reading, cooking, enjoying a new restaurant or cheering on his hometown New York Mets and Giants.

Policy Associate
Alex Rindler

As a member of EWG's government affairs team, Alex works on issues related to environmental health, energy and agriculture. Most recently, he helped lead successful efforts to pass legislation that provides health benefits to veterans and their families made ill by toxic drinking water. A graduate of Skidmore College, Alex moved to Washington, D.C. to serve on the staff of Senator John Kerry. He is a native of Newton, Massachusetts.

Landscape and Remote Sensing Analyst.
Soren Rundquist

Soren grew up in northwest Iowa. While attending the University of Iowa, he worked for the U.S. Geological Survey as a hydrologic technician. After graduating in 2004 he became a park ranger with the U.S. National Park Service and was stationed in Iowa, South Dakota and New Mexico. He began using geographic information system technology in the National Park Service and did graduate work in this field at Penn State University. He became a project analyst in the Finance and Markets Division of Thomson Reuters, using GIS data to assess risks in the agriculture and forestry sector. Most recently Soren was a GIS specialist for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. At EWG, Soren uses GIS and remote sensing data better to understand how agricultural landscapes interact with environmental issues throughout the Midwest. Soren enjoys watching college football, backpacking and spending time with his wife Inga, a public relations counselor, and dog Finn.

Director of Communications
Sara Sciammacco

After eight years working as a broadcast journalist, Sara left reporting for EWG because she wanted to use the power of communication to create positive change through advocacy. Sara is responsible for shaping messages that resonate with the public around federal food and agriculture policy reform and right-to-know campaigns. She also manages EWG's Twitter feed @EWGFoodNews and was recently named one of the Top 10 DC Foodies to Follow. Prior to EWG, Sara was a political reporter for Capitol News Connection, covering 30 congressional delegations for public radio stations across  the U.S. While on Capitol Hill, her reporting focused mainly on the 2008 farm bill and the 2010 health care law. Earlier in her career, Sara held television reporting positions in Boston, Mass., Providence, R.I., and Rapid City, S.D. She is a former National Press Foundation Paul Miller fellow and holds a bachelors degree in government and politics from the University of Maryland-College Park.

Nutritionist
Dawn Undurraga

Dawn has witnessed first-hand how our current food system affects people's lives, and she is committed to shaping policies for a more sustainable and healthful future, informed by research. She came to EWG from a community health center in Boston, where she proudly served as an Albert Schweitzer fellow. Previously she interned at the USDA's Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion during the formulation of the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, helped prepare and promote healthy school meals at D.C. Central Kitchen and worked on both clinical and epidemiological cancer studies in California. She holds an M.S. in nutrition communication from Tufts University and a B.S. in nutritional sciences and toxicology from UC Berkeley. After hours, Dawn can be found chasing after her son or teaching nutrition or kids "cooking" classes.  

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