About
The Mountains and Plains Thriving Community Collaborative is one of 17 centers in the EPA’s Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center (EJ TCTAC) Program,serving Region 8. We support local and tribal governments, organizations, and communities in creating sustainable, healthy environments while addressing place-based environmental justice concerns. Our focus is on building capacity to navigate federal grant systems, develop strong proposals, and effectively manage funding.
MaPTCC helps organizations access funding for projects in:
- Community and economic development
- Environmental remediation, protection, and health
- Energy security and clean energy development
Our Team
Our strength lies in a powerful collaboration led by Montana State University in partnership with the Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy, the Center for Environmental Justice at Colorado State University, the Center for Social Creativity, and land grant institutions and USDA Extension networks, including North Dakota University, South Dakota State University, Utah State University, and the University of Wyoming. View all partners and their contact information.
Our logofeaturesthe official state flowers ofRegion 8'ssix states:Rocky Mountain Columbine (Colorado), Bitterroot (Montana), Wild Prairie Rose (North Dakota), Pasque Flower (South Dakota), Sego Lily (Utah), and Indian Paintbrush (Wyoming).Meet our staff and explore their bios to discover their favorite regional wildflowers!
Staff
Email: ben.williamson2@montana.edu
Ben Williamson is the Project Manager for the MaPTCC, where he is responsible for the implementation and assessment of collaborative initiatives, strategies, capacity-building efforts, and programs throughout EPA's Region 8. His work is dedicated to working with diverse stakeholders to further energy and environmental justice and foster thriving communities across the region.
Before joining MaPTCC, Ben served as the Executive Director of a non-profit dedicated to supporting research, leadership, and education in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. He has also directed an environmental education center in northwest Montana and conducted community-based research on land use and governance in western Ghana, bringing diverse experiences to his current role.
Ben holds a B.S. in Ecology from the University of Montana and a Master of Environmental
Management with a specialization in People, Equity, and the Environment from the Yale
School of the Environment. Having lived in Colorado, Utah, Montana, and Wyoming, he
has developed a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities facing
communities in the region.
Ben's favorite Region 8 wildflower is the Fairy Slipper.
Email: blallen@montana.edu
Barb Allen has been with MSU Extension for 24 years and has done extensive program
management, development and delivery in various aspects of health and environmental
issues focused on underserved rural and Tribal communities.
Barb's favorite Region 8 wildflower is Wild Lupine.
Leigha Bradford
Tribal Community Resource Engagement Specialist
based at: Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy
Email: leigha@tribalcleanenergy.org
Leigha's favorite Region 8 wildflower is the Paintbrush.
Austin Holmes
Utah Community Resource Engagement Specialist
based at: Utah State University Extension
Email: austin.holmes@usu.edu
Austin Holmes grew up near Salt Lake City, UT. He graduated from the University of Utah with Bachelor of Science degrees in Environmental Studies and International Studies with a minor in Anthropology. His previous experience includes project management, environmental justice, ecological data collection, community outreach, coordination and leadership, and more. He currently lives in Apple Valley, UT, and enjoys hiking, camping, reading, and spending time with his family.
Email: Sarah.Hirnyck@colostate.edu
Sarah has been a member of the MaPTCC team since November 2024. Prior to this role, she was a Pesticide Outreach Specialist with Colorado State University. In that role, she provided statewide continuing education workshops for licensed pesticide applicators and provided bilingual Worker Protection Standard (WPS) trainings for pesticide handlers and fieldworkers. She also assisted in the planning and development of the Pesticide Regulatory Education Program (PREP), an EPA-funded professional development program for pesticide regulators.
She previously spent two years in Panamá as a Peace Corps volunteer. In this role, Sarah partnered with community members and government agencies to develop and implement community-led conservation programs. This experience led to her interest in community development.
Sarah is currently pursuing an M.S. in Horticulture and Human Health from CSU. She is passionate about ensuring our food systems protect agricultural workers and support consumer health, and is engaged in developing solutions that enhance food access for low-income consumers.
Languages spoken: English, Spanish
Sarah’s favorite Region 8 Wildflower: Columbine
Email: elizabeth.lee7@montana.edu
Elizabeth's role in MaPTCC involves supporting communications and project administration.
Elizabeth a second year master's student in Geography working with Dr. Julia Haggerty
as a part of the Resources & Communities Research Group. Her research focuses on philanthropy's
impact on rural communities in Central Montana.
Elizabeth's favorite Region 8 wildflower is the Paintbrush.
Megan Galaviz
Funding and Organizational Development Training (FODT) Trainer
based at: Center for Social Creativity
Megan is committed to strengthening systems and empowering non-profits to break barriers
and execute high level services through sustainable means and is excited for the opportunity
to work with such diverse entities striving toward the development of just and equitable
programs. She brings experience in Fund Development, Grant writing and Award Management,
Strategic Planning, and Coaching. In addition to her work with CfSC, she is an instructor
at Regis University working to develop equity-minded future leaders.
Megan's favorite Region 8 wildflower is the Columbine
Melissa Bosworth
Funding and Organizational Development Training (FODT) Program Director
based at: Center for Social Creativity
Melissa is a consultant and professor of health equity. She is the founder of Vertical Strategies, and its nonprofit arm, The Center for Social Creativity. She is also a professor and chair of health administration at Regis University.
Melissa's favorite Region 8 wildflower is the Columbine
Email: mindy.hill@colostate.edu
My 30 years of experience as an educator and administrator in the public school sector, higher education institutions, and non-profit organizations has strengthened my resolve to build more equitable, just, and nature-connected collaborations. I'm inspired by the MaPTCC partners and communities, and will work hard to coordinate resources through engagement, training, and support for clean energy and Environmental Justice projects.
Mindy's favorite Region 8 wildflower is the Silvery Lupine
Miranda Margetts
CAIRHE Liaison
based at: MSU's Center for American Indian & Rural Health Equity (CAIRHE)
Email: miranda.margetts@montana.edu
I have a faculty role with the Center for American Indian and Rural Health Equity at MSU conducting research related to rural and women's health, and serve on the community engagement core assisting on Montana and Mountain West based projects with our health system partners. I am also an instructor with the Department of Land Resources and Environmental Science MSU, and have an adjust assistant research professor appointment with the Division of Public Health at the University of Utah.
Miranda's favorite Region 8 wildflower is the Paintbrush
Sue Higgins
CAIRHE Liaison
based at: MSU's Center for American Indian & Rural Health Equity (CAIRHE)
Email: susan.higgins@montana.edu
Sue is engaged at CAIRHE where she links health researchers with rural and tribal communities, and assesses the profound effects of climate change on human health. A water resource manager by trade, her interests extend to her tenure as Montana’s state water planner, and later as the program director for The Tributary Fund fostering collaborations in Mongolia, Bhutan, and Montana. She also directed research communications at the MSU Water Center. Sue is a trained facilitator for natural resource and other community-based initiatives. For the Society for Conservation Biology, she co-developed best practices for scientists conducting research internationally in faith and indigenous communities. Sue holds a degrees in Biology (BS) and Natural Resources Management (MS).
Email: caleb@tribalcleanenergy.org
Caleb is an accomplished leader offering over twenty years of experience in community building and collaboration, is adept at developing solid partnerships, cementing public support, and building strong teams. His personal mission is to co-create a world of peace and healing through communication and creativity. After receiving his Masters degrees in Social Work and Public Health, most of Caleb’s work has been in the non-profit sector: managing permanent housing programs for chronically unhoused people, marshaling community resources to keep people with serious and chronic mental illness stabilized in their homes and out of the hospital by designing and conducting community and professional health education programs, particularly focused on the underserved populations. Caleb joined the Economic Development Administration during the pandemic years, where he managed federal grants for the Denver Region, reinvigorating EDA’s work with the Tribal nations in the region, for which he received an individual leadership award and a silver leadership award from the Assistant Secretary of the Department of Commerce. He moved back into the nonprofit sector and is delighted to serve the Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy.
Caleb's favorite Region 8 wildflower is the Wolfsbane
Executive Steering Committee
Julia Haggerty
Co-Founder, Executive Steering Committee Member, Subject Matter & Technical Expert
based at: MSU's Department of Earth Sciences
Email: julia.haggerty@montana.edu
Phone: (406) 600-1766
Geographer and Policy Analyst. Development, justice, and infrastructure in remote rural and tribal areas. Ambassador of Applied Compassion, Stanford CCARE '23.
Julia's favorite Region 8 wildflower is the Glacier Lily
Stephanie Malin
Co-Founder, Executive Steering Committee Member, Subject Matter & Technical Expert
based at: Colorado State University's Center for Environmental Justice
Stephanie A. Malin, PhD, is a public sociologist studying environmental justice, health, and governance in extractive systems—and communities building distributive and regenerative systems. She utilizes mixed methods, community-based participatory research, and works with community partners. Stephanie has written two books, Building Something Better: Environmental Crises and the Promise of Community Change, with Meghan Elizabeth Kallman, and The Price of Nuclear Power: Uranium Communities and Environmental Justice. Stephanie is founding Co-Director of the Center for Environmental Justice at Colorado State University, where she is an award-winning teacher of courses on environmental justice, water and social justice, environmental sociology, climate grief and hope, and qualitative methods.
Stephanie's favorite Region 8 wildflower is the Columbine
Dimitris Stevis
Co-Founder, Executive Steering Committee Member, Subject Matter & Technical Expert
based at: Colorado State University's Center for Environmental Justice
Demitris is a professor of Politics at Colorado State University and a founder and co-director of its Center for Environmental Justice. I am serving on the worker subcommittee of the Colorado Office of Just Transition and pursuing research on Critical Minerals and Metals, funded by the Sloan Foundation.
Dimitris' favorite Region 8 wildflower is the Colorado Blue Columbine
Wendolyn Holland
Co-Founder, Executive Steering Committee Member, Subject Matter & Technical Expert
based at: Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy
Wendolyn Holland serves as Senior Advisor for Policy, Tax & Government Relations at the Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy. In this role, Wendolyn supports tribes, tribal organizations, and Native Americans in their quest for renewable energy deployment as a means to improve sovereignty and enhance sustainable economic development.
Wendolyn served as Senior Advisor for Commercialization in the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, a role that supported the movement of national laboratory technologies into the market. She then served as a member of the senior leadership team at Savannah River National Laboratory.
Wendolyn advises at the nexus of finance, technology, and policy, focusing on clean energy technologies. With a particular expertise in tax strategy and policy, her projects focus on the very essence of our social and environmental problems. With the background of a historian, she models her projects for the long-range view to bend the arc of history. She also leads the teams for federal grant application submissions. She is among the nation’s experts on Section 48C, the Advanced Energy Project Tax Credit. Beyond 48C, Wendolyn has supported dozens of successful submissions for competitive federal funding opportunities, focused mostly but not exclusively on DOE solicitations.
Wendolyn received her JD and LLM in Taxation from Georgetown Law in 2017, her MBA in Finance and Strategy from Kellogg School of Management in 2001, and her BA in History and Studies in the Environment from Yale in 1991. She is a frequent lecturer on U.S. renewable energy policy and Western Americana.
Favorite Region 8 wildflower: Sego Lily
Email: tara.mastel@montana.edu
Tara Mastel is Associate Specialist and Program Lead for Community Development at MSU Extension where she works to support rural community vitality and local leaders. She served nearly ten years as a Community and Economic Development Extension Agent in Jefferson County where she led a range of projects including historic building renovations, industrial park development, farmer’s markets and local community foundations. Tara grew up in a rural Northeast Montana and has a Masters Degree in Urban and Regional Planning.
Tara's favorite Region 8 wildflower is Lupine.
Email: Coupal@uwyo.edu
Roger Coupal is a regional economist and a State Community Development Specialist with Extension in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, University of Wyoming. He received his PhD from Washington State University and his MS from the University of Arizona. His area of focus is in the nexus of issues between community development and natural resource policy. He works on local economic development and public finance issues. His current area of research and outreach includes regional economics of development and legacy issues around energy and natural resource development. More specifically in this area he has been involved in assessing impacts, environmental costs of energy development, local government finance analysis, and environmental remediation cost analysis and bonding strategies. He was part of a group to build a science-based ecosystem service exchange system for credit buyers and credit sellers of measurable ecosystem services. More recently he finished an analysis of a potential water demand management program in the Upper Colorado River in the case of a lower basin call for upper basin water due to lower basin drought.
Dr. Coupal has worked with communities of cultural significance, including economic development issues with Indian Reservations including in Wyoming and indigenous communities in other states and internationally. He has experience working with traditional communities starting with Peace Corps Guatemala in the 1980s and more recent Mayan community work with Guatemalan University collaborators in 2015. He also worked with North American tribes on natural resource management and economic development, three in Arizona, three in Arizona, two in Wyoming, one in Washington State. He continues to focus on underserved communities as well as energy impacted communities in general.
Email: paul.hill@usu.edu
Dr. Paul Hill is a tenured Extension Professor for Utah State University where he designs community, workforce, and economic development programs through the Remote Online Initiative (ROI) that he founded in 2018. His research interest on the adoption of remote work as a modern workplace practice has led to state and federal funding that have allowed the ROI program to expand across all Utah counties and 10 other states, helping rural residents connect to remote work opportunities.
Paul's favorite Region 8 wildflower is Sego Lily (Calochortus nuttallii)
Patti Schmitt is the Community Development Director for the Office of Engagement and Extension at Colorado State University. CSU Extension has offices in almost every county in Colorado. In this role, she works closely with Colorado communities, especially rural areas, to address complex social, health, economic and safety challenges. Patti is also the Director of a unique leadership program called the Family Leadership Training Institute (FLTI) of Colorado at CSU Extension. FLTI is a community-based leadership program that utilizes an evidence-based curriculum to build community member capacity to be leaders in addressing local challenges in collaboration with content experts and decision makers. Her work builds, supports, and strengthens communities to be resilient in the face of complex challenges to places where more people feel a sense of community and belonging.
Subject Matter & Technical Experts
David MacPhee
Subject Matter & Technical Expert
Email: david.macphee@colostate.edu
As Community-University Partnerships Director in CSU’s Prevention Research Center, I collaborate with Extension, school personnel, public health staff, community leaders, and nonprofits in capacity-building endeavors that are grounded in community-based participatory research: needs assessments, coalition building, best practices in program planning and implementation, and especially program evaluations that involve mixed methods. I have collaborated with Extension specialists for 35 years, and a current grant entails providing training and technical assistance related to prevention science to Extension staff throughout Colorado. This includes support for grant writing, which also is one of the graduate courses I teach along with the department’s four-course sequence on prevention science (e.g., program planning, organizational readiness, implementation, evaluation). Finally, most of my community collaborations are with diverse populations, the courses I teach use an infusion model to address DEIJ issues, and I have co-led four high-impact campus initiatives that focus on diversity training.
David's favorite Region 8 wildflower is the Colorado blue columbine
Suzanne Tegen
Subject Matter & Technical Expert (equitable coal transition in the West)
based at: CSU's Center for the New Energy Economy
Email: suzanne.tegen@colostate.edu
Suzanne Tegen is the Deputy Director of the Center for the New Energy Economy at CSU. She leads and International Energy Agency task on energy siting and community engagement, and has expertise in workforce, economic impact, and energy transition research. She was at the National Renewable Energy Lab for 14 years prior to joining CSU in 2018.
Suzanne's favorite Region 8 wildflower is the Castilleja (Paintbrush)
Dr. Ramon Sanchez is the Chief Knowledge and Innovation Officer at the Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy; he is indigenous to the Mayo and Yaqui people of the coastal regions of Northwestern Mexico. Ramon fosters community partnership development, driving change through innovation, education, and workforce training using the best available technological and didactic tools. He is the instructor of the course "Design of Renewable Energy Projects," taught in the Sustainability and Global Development Practice Graduate Program at the Extension School at Harvard University. Dr. Sanchez Ramon was the Principal Investigator at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health for international research projects aiming to estimate the health and environmental impacts of renewable energy projects and sustainable investment portfolios. He was the founding Director of the Sustainable Technologies and Health Program at Harvard University.
Ramon's favorite Region 8 wildflower is Sticky Geranium.
Tribal Advisory Council
The MaPTCC Tribal Advisory Council (TAC) plays a critical role in ensuring our project meets the needs of the 28 federally recognized tribes and their members living in EPA Region 8. The desired TAC brings an understanding of traditional knowledge and environmental justice issues faced by Tribal Nations and their landscapes based on their professional, cultural, and lived experiences. The TAC will provide guidance to MaPTCC's Executive Steering Committee and staff on environmental and energy justice initiatives.
TAC Ambassador Qualifications: We seek Tribal leaders and Tribal community members within Region 8 (Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming) who have a stake in issues related to the environment, energy, health, and community development.
Expectations: TAC members will meet virtually four times a year to provide project leadership feedback and advice. There is potential for a yearly in-person meeting. Members are generally expected to serve for a full 2 years, with the option to extend service for the full duration of the five-year MaPTCC project.
Support and Compensation: Stipends and honoraria for participation are available. Please ask for what you need.
If you or someone you know would be an excellent addition to the TAC, please submit the nomination form by Friday, December 13, 2024. Self-nominations are welcome.
For questions about TAC participation, please contact: Leigha Bradford, MaPTCC Tribal Community Resource Engagement Specialist Email: leigha@tribalcleanenergy.org
Nomination Process
- Submit your nomination here by Friday, December 13, 2024.
- The Executive Steering Committee will establish the roster for the Tribal Advisory Council by December 16, 2024.
- The TAC will convene early in 2025.
