ERI Staff
Elissa Booras
Resilient Food Systems Data Analyst
Booras conducts data analysis and other research activities for projects that build and maintain resilient food systems in Indiana.
ebooras@iu.edu
She/Her
Cheyenne Brenton
Administrative Assistant
Brenton serves as a primary point of contact for incoming inquiries, handles scheduling requests and provides general administrative support to the team.
clbrento@iu.edu
812-855-8539
They/Them
Bill Brown
Assistant Director for Strategy and Engagement
Brown leads institute and program planning, working alongside ERI’s leadership to advance strategic initiatives and strengthen stakeholder relationships. In a previous role at IU, he helped create the student internship program now known as the McKinney Climate Fellows, which ERI administers.
brownwm@iu.edu
812-855-0115
He/Him
Therese Dorau
Assistant Director for Policy and Implementation
Dorau directs ERI’s policy and implementation portfolio, including the McKinney Midwest Climate Project. She works alongside ERI’s leadership to deliver programming and support to local government climate initiatives. Previously, Dorau served as inaugural Director of the Office of Sustainability for the City of South Bend.
tdorau@iu.edu
812-855-3728
She/Her
Stephanie (Steph) Freeman-Day
Resilience Programs Coordinator
Freeman-Day coordinates the Resilience Cohort program's urban green infrastructure track. She supports Indiana local governments and McKinney Climate Fellows as they work to co-produce tree planting and maintenance plans. The plans will identify priority areas for tree canopy expansion in each community, including sites for 100 trees planted and maintained through the program.
stjfreem@iu.edu
812-856-7076
She/her
Gabriel Filippelli
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
A Chancellor’s Professor of Earth Sciences at IUI, Filippelli works on climate and environmental health, particularly in cities.
gfilippe@iu.edu
317-274-3795
He/Him
Anagha Gore
Resilience Programs Coordinator
Gore supports ERI resilience programs, providing guidance on climate mitigation and adaptation solutions to local governments. She coordinates with partner organizations to ensure that local government officials have the resources they need for successful project implementation.
anagore@iu.edu
812-856-3543
She/Her
Elspeth Hayden
McKinney Climate Fellows Program Manager
Hayden coordinate the McKinney Climate Fellows program, focusing on student engagement and partnerships with nonprofits and businesses across the state. She also serves as the Associate Director of IUB’S Integrated Program in the Environment, supporting environmental academic programs, sustainability-related co-curriculars, and climate education outreach.
haydene@iu.edu
812-855-8742
She/Her
Abby Henkel Roman
Assistant Director of Advancement
Henkel Roman directs ERI’s grant proposals and awards, fundraising initiatives, and event planning. She collaborates with funders, donors, and corporate partners to ensure lasting financial support for the institute.
ahenkel@iu.edu
812-855-2469
She/Her
Jonathan Hines
Communications & Outreach Manager
Hines supports ERI's communication and outreach initiatives by promoting awareness of ERI's mission and activities within the university and among the public. He serves as a liaison to faculty and staff, media, and the general public.
johines@iu.edu
812-856-3610
He/Him
Julie McLenachen
ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR
McLenachen serves as a primary point of contact for general inquiries, provides administrative support to the team, handles initial fiscal document processing, and assists with maintaining and expanding ERI's online presence.
jmclenac@iu.edu
812-855-8539
She/Her
Sarah Mincey
MANAGING DIRECTOR
A clinical associate professor at the O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Mincey studies urban forest management and environmental governance.
skmincey@iu.edu
812-855-8745
She/Her
Stephanie Odaffer
Manager for Finance and Operations
Odaffer oversees administration and operations for ERI, working closely with the Office of the Vice President for Research at Indiana University and her fellow members of ERI's leadership.
sodaffer@iu.edu
812-855-0684
She/Her
Jodee Smith
Resilient Food Systems Manager
Smith manages the resilient food systems projects that focus on values-based food supply chains and the policies and infrastructure to support a food secure Indiana. By aligning efforts in the public, private and nonprofit sectors, Smith works through networks and individual outreach to build a foundation for change.
ellett@iu.edu
812-855-8539
She/Her
Student Staff
Brianna Christensen
Community Resilience Local Government Engagement Coordinator
Christensen supports the management, development, and administration of ERI's Resilience Cohort program and Indiana Resilience Funding Hub. She is a senior Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs student majoring in environmental management and minoring in environmental science through IU's O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs.
chrisbre@iu.edu
She/Her
Lucas Giese
Community Resilience Implementation Coordinator
Giese supports ERI’s Policy and Implementation team to guide climate resilience programming for local communities. He attends IU’s O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, studying energy policy in the Master of Public Affairs program.
lugiese@iu.edu
He/Him
Genevieve Zilmer
Community Resilience Outreach Coordinator
Zilmer supports ERI's Communications and Indiana Resilience Funding Hub teams. She attends IU's O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs pursuing a Master of Public Affairs and MS in Environmental Science.
gzilmer@iu.edu
She/Her
