Kris Acuña
Climate and Clean Energy Organizer, Rochester
Kristoffer Acuña joined the Sierra Club in 2022 as the Climate and Clean Energy Organizer in Rochester, Minnesota. Prior to joining the North Star Chapter, Kris was on the communities team at the Great Plains Institute as part of the Metro Clean Energy Resource Team (Metro CERT), working with cities, small businesses, schools, and community groups to achieve their clean energy goals. Kris believes that those who have been historically left out need to be at the center of a just and clean energy transition and brings several years of experience trying to make that happen. He received a Bachelor of Science in Astrophysics from Yale University. In his free time, you can find Kris training for marathons, talking about walkable communities, or playing the newest Pokemon game. He lives with his partner Stephanie and their cat, Momo.
Email: Kris Acuña
Mary Blitzer
Deputy Director
Mary is proud to rejoin the Sierra Club as Deputy Director of the North Star Chapter at this critical time. Her leadership responsibilities include communications, supporting outdoor programming, volunteer and partner development, and fundraising. She has a background in grassroots advocacy, fundraising and outdoor leadership. Previous experiences include serving as a National Park Service Park Ranger along the Mississippi River bringing thousands of youth outdoors and in bicycle advocacy in Houston Texas, where she was honored by then Houston Mayor Turner proclaiming June 8th 2017 “Mary Blitzer Day” in recognition of her service to the people of Houston.
Email: Mary Blitzer
Jessi Eidbo
Senior Strategist, Beyond Coal Campaign
Jessi Eidbo (she/her) is a Senior Strategist for the Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign, working to advance a just and equitable clean energy transition. She leads advocacy within the regional transmission organizations and at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), focusing on clean energy access to wholesale markets and accelerating retirement of uneconomic fossil fuel generation. Jessi is also a University of Minnesota alum -- Go Gophers!
Email: Jessi Eidbo
Mariana Glitsos
Chapter Coordinator
Mariana is the Chapter Coordinator for Sierra Club’s North Star Chapter, bringing a background in grassroots organizing and volunteer coordination. With an education in environmental anthropology, Mariana believes deeply in the connection between thriving communities and a healthy environment. She is passionate about bringing people together and guiding others to discover their unique strengths. Outside of work, she is often digging in the dirt, getting lost in the woods, biking around town, or catching local music.
Email: Mariana Glitsos
Joshua Houdek
Senior Program Manager, Land Use and Transportation
Joshua began at the Sierra Club as a conservation organizer in 2005. He currently manages the Chapter’s work on land use and transportation. Joshua is passionate about transit equity and ensuring that everyone has access to safe, convenient, and affordable clean transportation options and housing.
Email: Joshua Houdek
JR Hunte
Outdoor Program Coordinator - BIPOC and MilVet Programs
JR joined the North Star Chapter as the Outdoor Programs Coordinator in June 2022. His role is focused on supporting outdoor programming for military, veteran and BIPOC communities.
JR has spent his career serving communities, which began in the US Air Force as a Medic during Operation Desert Shield / Desert Storm. He currently shares his time as an EMT with M Health Fairview Minnesota Immunization Network Initiative (MINI) providing no cost health services to Twin Cities Metro underserved communities (homeless, BIPOC), as a Wilderness Search and Rescue Instructor / Evaluator with The National Association of Search and Rescue (NASAR), running his company Wilder-Med Professionals, a Set Medic for TV and Movies, and volunteers as a Wilderness K-9 Search and Rescue Technician with K9 SAR Services. JR is also a Board Member for the Diverse Media Institute.
When JR is not working he spends his time on a host of outdoor activities with his partner, Annie and his Bloodhound (Daisy).
Email: JR Hunte
Margaret Levin
State Director
Margaret has served as State Director of the Sierra Club North Star Chapter since 2008. Her passion is supporting people to organize for a clean, equitable and sustainable future. Each day the Sierra Club's volunteer leaders inspire her with their dedication to protecting Minnesota's communities, environment and our planet.
Email: Margaret Levin
Peter Wagenius
Legislative and Political Director
Peter brings broad experience in public policy, political campaigns and community organizing. He served over a decade at the City of Minneapolis including as Policy Director. He played a lead role in major environmental and climate justice initiatives such as establishing the Clean Energy Partnership, closing the Upper Saint Anthony Falls Lock & Dam, stopping the burning of coal at the Riverside Power Plant, and championing critical transportation projects such as the 20-year plan for rebuilding parks and streets, Green Line LRT, Orange Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) along 35W, and the C-Line and D-Line arterial BRT projects. One sad assignment was to write a tribute to his favorite composer. Peter previously worked for the State Senate Democrats as a writer/researcher, specializing in housing, jobs, energy, community development and transportation. He has also managed political campaigns full time and volunteered for countless others. For two years, Peter worked at an educational theater company teaching social skills, including to children with behavioral challenges. He graduated from Carleton College with a degree in Political Science. Peter and his wife have two young daughters who love being chauffeured around town by their Dad on a longtail cargo bike.
Email: Peter Wagenius
Jenna Yeakle
Beyond Coal Campaign - Central Region Campaign Manager (MN | ND | WI | IA | MO | NE)
Jenna Yeakle is the Central Region Campaign Manager with the Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign, based in Duluth, Minnesota. She applies her community organizing experience, public health expertise and passion for social justice to building the movement for a just transition to clean, equitable energy.
Email: Jenna Yeakle