Winter 2008
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Archive

Staff Profiles

February/March Issue, 2006

Patrick McLean

By Carolyn Segalini

“I have always been drawn todoing something that would make a difference in people’s lives,” says Patrick McLean, Grants Manager for the Ecology Center since last July.

An avid Nordic skier raised in Cincinnati, Patrick has a keen interest in government and social policy. He specialized in Political Science in his undergraduate and graduate years, earning a master’s degree from Miami University of Ohio. While teaching and pursuing a doctorate in Political Science and International Policy at Ohio State University, he began working in the state legislature, subsequently serving in the posts of Legislative Director and Chief of Staff for the Ohio Senate Democrats from 1995-2003. After earning a Fundraising Certificate from New York University, he relocated to Michigan and began his search for nonprofit sector work.

At the EcologyCenter, Patrick is working part time securingprivate grants and meeting all foundation reporting requirements for what constitutes over 50% of the organization’s funding.

Along with his invaluable knowledge and experience of the political process,Patrick will strengthen the Center’s mission with his long-terminterest in environ-mental policy work and helping nonprofit organizations in the areas of financing and strategic planning.

Patrick also works part-time as Executive Director of the Washtenaw Area Council for Children. He says he gains inspiration by helping organizations that are “always working toward something that is bigger than themselves.”

Mae Stevens

By Carolyn Segalini

Mae Stevens is the Ecology Center’s newest Community Organizer, charged with launching the Neighborhood Action Network. She was hired in November 2004.

A Birmingham, Michigan, native and former nationally competitive figure skater, Mae earned a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science at George Washington University, and spent a year working for the Missouri Public Interest Research Group before coming to the Center.

Mae first became inspired to work on environmental issues when her fourth-grade teacher, then a board member of the Eastern Michigan Environmental Council, organized compost activities and an Environmental Club at her school. In high school Mae was drawn to an Advanced Environmental Science class and in college a course in EnvironmentalLaw sealed her career decision.

Mae is excited about her workat the Ecology Center. She enjoys interacting with people, organizing lobbying efforts, and generally reaching out to average citizens to educate them on environmental issues. “You can’t be shy in this role!” she declares.

The Neighborhood Action Network is geared toward engaging residents in local environmental action. One of its first initiatives involves enhancing recycling participation. Future campaigns may include educating the community on household toxins and working with businesses to improve workplace environmental impact.

Enthusiastic, energetic, and well versed in local and national environmental issues, Mae doesn’t let the current pro-business anti-regulatory administration get her down. “You’ve got to be an optimist in this field,” she says. At some point Mae hopes to return to graduate school for an Environmental Law degree.

Carolyn Segalini is an Ecology Center student intern.

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