Staff
Elizabeth Appelt
Title: CESP Student Coordinator
Education: BA, UW-Madison-International Studies, Managing the Global Commons
Something Few People Know About You: I am a huge Russian history and literature buff
What Inspired your Interest in the Environment? My environmental focus tends to be on food and creating a sustainable and manageable balance between the growing population and our resources. I trace this interest back to my childhood where I spent most of my time outdoors in a northern suburb of Columbus, Ohio. My father was an avid self-proclaimed horticulturalist who managed to grow over 200 rose bushes and a vegetable patch bursting with squash, tomatoes, corn, onions, and herbs on our small plot of land. After moving to Wisconsin, I took a class with the great urban farmer, Will Allen who showed me how to have my childhood garden while living in the city.
Anything to Add to your Bio? I have worked with the Nelson Institute and the Center for Sustainability and the Global Environment (SAGE) since 2007.
Rob Beattie
Title: CESP Co-Director
Education: BS, UW-Madison - Communication Arts (Radio, TV, Film); MS, SUNY-ESF - Environmental Science; PhD, MIT - Environmental Planning
Something Few People Know About You: I'm an expert downhill skier and a great cook.
What Inspired your Interest in the Environment? I grew up in the suburbs of NY City, but both of my grandparents had houses in more remote, natural environments (one in New Hampshire in the woods, one in northern New York state on a large lake). I spent my childhood summers wandering in the woods and swimming, snorkeling, and fishing in various lakes. That love for nature was my first inspiration to study environmental science. But when I was in college, major environmental disasters around the world solidified my sense that the environment was not just "bees & trees," it included humans too. Helping people stay healthy and happy where they live, work, and play became my primary environmental concern.
Anything to Add to your Bio? My first real environmental job was developing a public involvement plan for the siting of new wastewater treatment facilities in the Boston metro area.
Carmela Diosana
Title: CESP Co-Director
Education: BA in Theater, MBA in Project Management
Something Few People Know About You: I like to re-upholster furniture that I find on the curb (I usually find my favorite stuff from the yearly move out in August).
What Inspired your Interest in the Environment? My father had an amazing garden where I grew up in Irvington, New Jersey. The garden had a series of two story trellis which is unheard of in an urban setting. The garden gave us great food and connected our family to our neighborhood because the vegetables were also sold at a few local corner markets. Everyone knew my father because of his garden. I would spend hours helping him tend the garden and enjoyed the benefits of sun warmed tomatoes off of the vine.
Anything to Add to your Bio? I will try any outdoor activity at least once.
Tristin Marotz
Title: CESP Co-Director
Education: BA, UW-Madison - Languages and Cultures of Asia; MA, UW-Madison - Languages and Cultures of Asia
Something Few People Know About You: I am scared to death of fish.
What Inspired your Interest in the Environment? I grew up in Glenwood Springs, Colorado and Eugene, Oregon- needless to say the environment has always been a big part of my life. I can't think of a better day than driving to the Oregon Coast through the Coastal Mountain range- walking on the beach and having some fish and chips! My favorite things, the ocean and the mountains. I have been lucky enough to see some of the world's tallest mountains- the Himalayas and the Annapurna's. I hope to explore more.
Anything to Add to your Bio? I love pizza, Roman Candle is my favorite.
Molly Schwebach
Title: CESP Outreach Coordinator
Education: B.A. Global Studies, International Development. M.S. Land Resources
Something Few People Know About You: I was a huge fan of Miami Sound Machine.
What Inspired your Interest in the Environment? I have met many incredibly talented, motivated people in my life who have experienced far too many closed doors and far too few open arms. Their gifts go unused. Everyone has a stake in the environment and everyone has something to contribute to environmental work. I enjoy finding creative ways to connect people towards a more sustainable future.