Board of Directors
We are looking for more members of the board, particularly from faith groups not now represented on the committee. If you have yourself or someone else to nominate, please contact info@wicec.org.
Members of our steering committee:
- Professor Huda Alkaff graduated from the Universityof Georgia in Conservation Ecology and Sustainable Development / Science Education, and teaches undergraduate courses in the Environmental Studies program at the University of Wisconsin. She is involved in interfaith dialogues and activities, especially those regarding Islam, Peace, and the Environment.
- Dr. Peter Bakken, ELCA, received his PhD in theology from the University of Chicago. His dissertation focused on theological and ecological assumptions of Aldo Leopold and Joseph Sittler. He currently works for the Au Sable Institute, an organization which mission is the integration of the knowledge of Creation and biblical principles for the purpose of bringing the Christian community and the general public to a better understanding of the Creator and the stewardship of God's Creation.
- Dr. Joseph Bachman, M.D. United Methodist, is a retired physician who lives in Neenah, Wisconsin. The WICEC relies on Dr. Bachman to provide medical research concerning the effects of green house gases and related pollutants on human health.
- Rev. Richard Blomker has served as a pastor at Lake Edge Lutheran Church in Madison Wisconsin. He is a graduate of the University of Iowa majoring in Religion and Luther Theological Seminary in St. Paul Minnesota. He is Co-chair of the Interfaith Coalition for Worker Justice in Madison, serves on the Synod Global Connections Environmental Committee and on the Synod Council of the South Central Synod of Wisconsin.
- Richard Bogovich (Catholic) From 1998 to 2004 Rich worked for the National Environmental Trust and Wisconsin environmental groups. He was environmental aide to State Senator Robert Cowles (R-Green Bay) from 1988 to 1995 and was clerk for the Senate’s Committee on Environment and Energy during the 1993-94 session. Rich has an M.A. in Communication Studies, a B.S. in Mathematics, and a B.A. in Political Science from Northern Illinois University.
- The Rev. Sue Moline Larson (Lutheran) has been Director of the Lutheran Office for Public Policy in Wisconsin for more than ten years. She is a lobbyist who presents the positions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America on various issues to state officials and Wisconsin's congressional delegation. The environment is one of her office's top three priority issues.
- The Rev. Dr. Dave Steffenson is a retired United Methodist minister. He has a BA from the U. of Denver in social sciences and journalism; Th.M from Iliff School of Theology, Denver; STM in political social ethics from Yale University Divinity School; and the Ph.D. in "Ecological Social Ethics" from The Union Institute and University, a national program based in Cincinnati, OH. He directed the WICEC on his retirement for three years and is still active in the program and other environmental activities.
- Sarah Streed has a B.A. from Wheaton College in Literature and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from the University of Arizona. She was the volunteer chair for WICEC before assuming the position of Executive Director. Her book Leaving the House of Ghosts was published by McFarland & Company and other work has been published in journals and magazines. She lives in Stoughton and has been active in campaigns to protect local wetlands and to block a Wal-Mart Supercenter. See her monthly column “The Faithful Consumer.”
- Wayne Stroessner, United Church of Christ, is a retired science teacher. He has served on numerous committees for environmental groups including: the Sierra Club, RENEW Wisconsin, Clean Wisconsin (formerly Wisconsin Environmental Decade), the WDNR's Citizens Advisory Committee on Mercury Regulations, the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) to Implement the Recommendations of the Governor's Task Force on Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Coordinator of Monroe Area Recycling Committee for seven years, presently serves as Random Lake's Water Monitor for the Adopt-A-Lake and Self-Help Programs and he is a hydrogen economy promoter.
- Janet Weyker, OP - (Catholic) recently completed graduate studies in Earth Literacy at St. Mary-of-the-Woods College in Indiana and currently serves as Director of "Rooted in Hope", the Racine Dominican Eco-Justice Center. She earned masters degrees from UW-Madison and UW-Platteville in art education and counseling; her prior ministry experience includes teaching, administration, and campus ministry.