Marty Cobenais
Bagley, MN
Boohzoo, (Hello) I have been a part of the North Star Chapter Ex-Comm for the past 7 years. Prior to being appointed to the Ex-Comm, I worked with the Indigenous Environmental Network (IEN) as their Pipeline Organizer.
During my work at IEN, I worked on Enbridge’s Alberta Clipper (Line 67 & 13), the Heavy Haul in Montana and the Keystone XL pipeline. I have conducted several pipeline tours in the Bemidji area for various groups and organizations. I also helped organize the direct action in Bemidji, Mn over the Line 3 replacement that Enbridge is currently seeking permits in the MN Public Utilities Commission (PUC).
I currently am a co-caretaker, with my significant other (Dawn) at The Farm By The Lake, a environmental retreat center in Bagley, MN. I am also a substitute rural mail carrier.
Between the two of us, Dawn and I have 5 grown children, and 4 grandchildren.
I believe that the Sierra Club is moving in a diverse direction and I was encouraged to join the Ex-Comm at the beginning of it, and I see that there is still more work to be done on that issue, so this is why I am seeking to be re-elected, Miigwich (Thank you).
Katie Eukel
Minneapolis, MN
I've been an active volunteer with the Sierra Club for nearly a decade, and I've been honored to serve as Chapter Chair for the past two years. It's a deeply meaningful experience, especially as our dangerous political climate threatens everything that the Sierra Club values.
In my professional life, I'm a principal at Seiche, which is a strategy and communications consultancy focused on social impact. Every day, I work with clients committed to addressing climate change, advancing clean energy and protecting our wild places, among other issues. I work in Minnesota, and I work across the country. It's work that I carry with me when I serve on the Executive Committee; the Sierra Club is not alone in our fight to achieve just climate solutions.
We need a Sierra Club, now more than ever. I'm especially excited about the Chapter's work to build our political power and advance equity, which is necessary to explore, enjoy and protect the planet. I'm committed to ensuring that the Chapter grows and diversifies our membership to achieve our ambitious goals, and I would appreciate your support in continuing to serve on the Executive Committee.
Bruce Goff
Eagan, MN
I have been a member of the Sierra Club for over 20 years and have participated off-and-on with the CARE Committee (Clean Air and Renewable Energy). I have also authored some short articles in the North Star Journal. Professionally, I am a licensed attorney currently focused on IT-related issues as well as healthcare compliance. I have also served as secretary to the board of a small for-profit company. I am a veteran having served over 20 years in the active Army & National Guard. While helping to raise our children in Eagan and Rochester, I have found time to serve on multiple city advisory commissions and a homeowner association board. I enjoy fitness in many forms including trail running, gardening, and healthy cooking.
The North Star Chapter and most advocacy organizations find themselves beset with a growing list of interdependent issues. I strongly support the alliances the Chapter is building so that we can mutually support each other’s causes and effectively bring more voices to action. As we Sierrans focus directly on environmental issues, together with our allies we should continue to advocate for better and more transparent governance so that our public and business institutions work for all.
Sam Murphy
Minneapolis, MN
I am currently the treasurer of our chapter of the Sierra Club, and am excited to become more involved in the management of the organization.
I have an MBA, and my work career was focused on finance, business and investing. Starting 15-20 years ago, I began volunteering and joining the boards of non-profits as a balance to my career. I have been on the board (often as treasurer) of a number of organizations, and value the opportunity to work with people who are passionate about leaving the world a better place.
My undergraduate education was in Environmental Science, and I have always had a deep connection to the environment. I was on the board of the Minnesota Chapter of the Nature Conservancy for six years and have been a long time donor to the Sierra Club. I never really thought of myself as an activist, but the recent political shift at both the national and regional level pushed me to become more involved with the Sierra Club last year.
I believe my financial and non-profit management experience is a good match for the North Star Chapter. Our organization is playing an important role in countering the rise of corporate influence in our political system, and I look forward to keeping us vibrant and focused on the important tasks at hand.
Siri Simons
Minneapolis, MN
siriasimons@gmail.com
My aspiration to reduce carbon emissions in an equitable way drives my interest in serving on ExComm. My desire to mitigate climate change has taken me from leading a successful campaign to transition the University of Minnesota off of coal as a Sierra Club volunteer in 2011 to my current role as a Sustainability Planner at the Minnesota Department of Transportation. I have worked for the Sierra Club as a staff member in Alaska and on the 2015 Tar Sands Resistance March, as well as in various volunteer positions in the last seven years. In addition to serving on the ExCom for the last 2 years, I bring experience community organizing, event planning, budgeting and administration, program evaluation, facilitation, and knowledge of climate, energy, and equity issues.
I am passionate about enhancing systems that engage a diverse range of volunteers and support the North Star Chapter's mission to protect Minnesota's people and environment. As a State employee, I promote a statewide lens on our work as a Chapter by bringing what I see and hear in Greater Minnesota to our meetings. Finally, as a current Masters in Urban and Regional Planning student at the University of Minnesota, I would work to strengthen the Sierra Club's relationship with the UMN if elected for another term on the Committee.
Sarah Wovcha
St. Paul, MN
swovcha@post.harvard.edu
My first experience in environmental activism was in 1971 as a 4 year old in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where my siblings and I tabled to raise awareness about Gray Wolves. My family, originally from the Iron Range of Minnesota, has spent part of every summer of my life at an old log cabin along the Canadian border. When Voyageur’s National Park was established in the region we recognized it as a critical factor in saving the wild character of the land. As I visit there with my own children now we face new threats begging renewed activism, including proposed copper/nickel mining that would impact the region’s watershed. As a lawyer with a masters degree in public health, I will bring to the Executive Committee a life long passion for Minnesota’s wild places as well as expertise in evidence-based advocacy. As the director of a non-profit serving low-income children for the past 18 years and a past long-time director of the Wedge Community Coop, I will bring twenty-three years of experience in successfully serving mission-driven organizations. I am most excited to support the North Star Chapter in improving sustained access to outdoor opportunities for disadvantaged children and families.