Contact

Sierra Club - Wisconsin Chapter

754 Williamson St., Madison, WI  53703
Phone: (608) 256-0565
wisconsin.chapter@sierraclub.org

Elizabeth Ward - Chapter Director

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As the Chapter Director, Elizabeth works with the Chapter's Executive Committee to ensure the Chapter is making progress on our goals to ensure everyone has access to clean air, clean water, and our public lands. Elizabeth has the pleasure of working with hundreds of volunteers and leaders across the state. Prior to assuming the role of Chapter Director in December of 2020, Elizabeth directed the Chapter's conservation programs since 2010. She enjoys hiking and biking in Wisconsin's beautiful places.

Jacinda Tessmann - Chapter Coordinator

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In her role as Chapter Coordinator, Jacinda Tessmann oversees operational aspects of the Wisconsin Chapter. In this role, she also contributes to the fundraising, finance, membership development and volunteer programs. Jacinda has a degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in marketing from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. Over the course of her career she has worked in the private and non-profit sectors but has always been drawn back to the non-profit world. Her interest in pairing her business background with an environmental career was sparked during her time with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources-Forestry Division. She has been with the Wisconsin Chapter since October 2010 and is pleased to use her business experience in support of the Sierra Club, its volunteers and Wisconsin’s air, water, and wild places.

Cassie Steiner-Bouxa - Senior Campaign Coordinator 

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In their role as the Campaign Coordinator for the Chapter, Cassie Steiner-Bouxa coordinates online and print communications and serves on priority issue campaigns including public lands access, equitable transportation and the beyond coal campaign. They supports volunteers and members of the public in engaging in decision-making processes and grassroots activism. Cassie has a degree in International Studies with an emphasis in Public Diplomacy and minors in Spanish and Peace and Social Justice from the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater. In their free time, Cassie enjoys reading, crafting and foraging.

Jadine Sonoda - Campaign Coordinator

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Jadine works most closely with our Tar Sands Team fighting Line 5, our Water Team, and our Electric Sector work.

Heather Wittrock - Volunteer Coordinator

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Heather started as a volunteer in 2016 and was hired as the Volunteer Coordinator in 2023. In her role, Heather contributes to the strength and success of the Chapter by maintaining a strong volunteer program to support the various campaigns, committees, and groups with the Chapter. Heather also provides administrative support and performs duties to support the day-to-day operations of the Wisconsin Chapter

Sierra Club - National Headquarters     

2101 Webster St, Suite 1300, Oakland, CA 94612
Phone: (415) 977-5500 
www.sierraclub.org

• Membership questions: membership.services@sierraclub.org
• Changes of address: address.changes@sierraclub.org

Wisconsin Chapter Executive Committee Members

Leadership of the WisconsinChapter of the Sierra Club is entrusted to a 15 member volunteer Executive Committee, selected by and representing our membership. Nine Executive Committee members are elected by the Chapter membership at large and serve staggered 3-year terms. Each of our six Local Groups annually appoints a delegate to represent them on the Chapter Executive Committee. Elections are held annually. Details and schedule can be found here.
 

Gail Syverud - Co-Chair

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Gail joined the Sierra Club because she is against oil and gas projects in ANWR. Locally, she is a member of organizations that advocate for sustainability, natural resources, wildlife, and national carbon fee and dividend legislation

Don Ferber - Co-Chair

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Don is an avid outdoors person with an appreciation for nature. As a fan and advocate of Aldo Leopold and his Land Ethic, he believes we need to live in an ethical manner as a member of the land community and in concert with nature and other people. He believes that currently, much of what we are doing is either unwise or unsustainable, it doesn't bring us happiness, and we need to take a different direction. Climate change and energy policy are key areas in determining our future direction and that of the planet. He works actively on climate and energy to set us on a different course. He also enjoys outreach and communications to engage people and educate them about the environment. Since there is no planet B, he figures we have to figure out how to explore, enjoy and protect this one. Committees: Fundraising, Legislative, Personnel 

Linda Frank - Great Waters Group Delegate

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Linda’s deep concern about climate change and rapid species extinction prompted her to engage on these issues as a community activist. As a core member of the Milwaukee Equity & Climate Alliance, Linda and her colleagues have successfully advocated for the newly passed resolution committing the city and county to 100% carbon neutrality, along with strong action on racial economic disparity. In this effort, she saw the value of persistent local advocacy and collaboration. In addition to this community work, she serves as president of the Milwaukee Area Land Conservancy, ensuring the preservation and restoration of precious natural landscapes acquired through fee title or conservation easement. She is also a lawyer and member of the American Bar Association. Linda also serves as a member of our Water Team, advocating for stronger factory farm protections. Committees: Executive, Nominating

Peter Skopec

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Peter has been a member of the Chapter's Executive Committee since the start of 2024. For a decade before that, he worked closely with the Chapter’s outstanding staff, leaders and volunteers on a number of issue campaigns while at a partner nonprofit organization. Peter is particularly passionate about supporting the Chapter's Moving Beyond Coal and advancing Clean Transportation because our continued use of fossil fuels in the energy and transportation sectors is detrimental to public health, the global climate, and current and future quality of life in Wisconsin. Peter lives in Madison and, during his time off, enjoys the city's wonderful lakes, parks and bike trails (and Madison's great food scene!).

Peter Jobe

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After learning about ground water contamination from CAFOs in Kewaunee County, Peter became motivated to get more involved in environmental issues. He and his wife installed and operate their own solar panels in addition to having a “farmette” for raising chickens and their own organically grown food. Peter has been a member of the Sierra Club since 2017 and active in the Fox Valley Group since 2022. For fun he enjoys motorcycle camping trips and is developing an interest in kayaking. 

Amy Mueller

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Sarah Marie Streed

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Sarah attributes her roles as a wife, mother and grandmother to her passion for sustainability and environmental pursuits. Over the decades she has worked to this end, in both paid and volunteer positions, while raising five children – all of whom are now contributing in their own ways to protecting the planet. Sarah was a journalist writing Family and Consumer news, taught journalism at the UW-Madison and has published fiction and nonfiction in journals and magazines. In addition, she is the author of a book of creative nonfiction, Leaving the House of Ghosts: Cambodian Refugees in the American Midwest, published by McFarland & Co. Currently, and once again after 20 years, Sarah serves on the chapter Executive Committee. Sarah has been involved in communities of faith for all of her life and works toward environmental justice both in her home city of Milwaukee and throughout the Midwest. 

Gloria Randall-Hewitt - Southeast Gateway Co-Chair, Group Delegate

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Gloria currently serves as co-chair of the Southeast Gateway Group and group delegate to the chapter Executive Committee. Her husband, David Hewitt, was instrumental in establishing that very same group in Southeast Wisconsin over 40 years ago. With an MBA and business background, Gloria is now happily retired and devoting more time to causes that are important to her. Causes such as defending nature, helping her neighbors to understand the critical nature of the current environmental crisis and the inequities of the impacts, and empowering them to be involved in meaningful ways wherever they are. Gloria enjoys gardening, and in addition to tending to their vegetable garden, is systematically converting their yard to native plants. She also loves hiking, especially in our national and state parks and has recently picked back up drawing and painting with nature as her favorite subject.

Caryn Treiber - Chippewa Valley Group Chair, Group Delegate

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Caryn Treiber has been a member of the Sierra Club since 1982. In addition to serving on the Executive Committee, she is active with her local Chippewa Valley Group, and she serves on the Fundraising Committee of the Wisconsin Chapter. In her role as a member of the Fundraising Committee, she was instrumental in planning an event to highlight our work for renewable energy at a house party held in 2011. Caryn is also a passionate supporter of progressive politics, and she has helped the Sierra Club make the difference to elect environmental candidates for years on the Chapter's Political Committee. Committees: Fundraising, Political

Angie Hougas 

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Angie grew up along the shores of Lake Michigan where clean water and maintained natural areas were part of her childhood and teenage years. She has extensive governance experience and served two terms on the Amnesty International USA Board of Directors.  Angie has supported the Sierra Club for many years and is pleased to be able to contribute to the Executive Committee and the Finance Committee. Angie enjoys birding and knows we must have natural areas with native plants and clean water for all wildlife to not only survive – but thrive. Committees: Finance 

Leland Pan 

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Leland is deeply passionate about the intersection of environmental issues and racism and classism, such as the proposed I-94 expansion, which threatens multiple majority non-white working-class neighborhoods for the supposed benefit of middle- and upper-class white suburbs. Leland got involved against the I-94 expansion as a resident of the Piggsville neighborhood in Milwaukee and as the then-president of Friends of Valley Park neighborhood group, which joined the Fix at Six Coalition alongside Sierra Club Wisconsin. Currently, Leland serves on the chapter Executive Committee. Outside of the Sierra Club, Leland is also a school social worker in the Madison Metropolitan School District and enjoys trying new foods and utilizing public transportation.

Schedule & Nomination information

Watch the October Sierran for your ballot and candidate information for the Chapter Executive Committee!  The Nominations Committee will produce its slate of candidates from the names previously submitted for consideration. Please note that candidates can also run for election as petition candidates, on written petition of at least 15 Chapter members. Candidate petitions are due by September 3.  Members can also submit ballot petitions by September 3 with the signatures of at least 15 Chapter members.