Board & Staff

Teresa Bradley is CEO and Founder of Race to Zero Waste, an environmental non-profit that focuses on community-centered education. In support of its mission, Race to Zero Waste works to build local, national, and global campaigns through a network of community coalition leaders who are delivering the message of the circular economy through a variety of pop-up events, webinars, and workshops. Teresa is a Missouri native and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Geography and Environmental Studies from the University of Missouri and a Master of Science in Environmental Management from the University of San Francisco. Teresa has worked in resource recovery for 20 years in both local government and the non-profit sector across the U.S. Additionally, she is the co-founder of CircularSTL, a reuse coalition led by other passionate environmentalists to realize a circular economy for the St. Louis Region. Lastly, she is an adjunct Professor at the University of San Francisco and is a TRUE Advisor. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling for weeks at a time in her RV, hanging out with her daughter Chloe, partner Jeff and cat Luna.

Principal
Strategy Zero Waste Solutions 

Jeremy Drake is a Zero Waste consultant with over 10 years of experience in community Zero Waste planning, project management, program design and implementation, collection system procurement, stakeholder engagement, technical assistance, and education. He holds a MA in Urban Sustainability from Antioch University Los Angeles and is a Zero Waste USA-certified Zero Waste Associate. After a decade in the nonprofit sector supporting youth musical development and building materials reuse—as well as a brief stint driving a compost collection truck—Jeremy is now principal of Strategy Zero Waste Solutions, a Montana-based firm specializing in optimizing systems to reduce waste.

Recycling Specialist II
City of Chula Vista (CA)

I have 30 years in the waste management industry. Seven years working for a hauler and twenty-three years with the City of Chula Vista’s Environmental Services Division. I have associate degrees in environmental safety and environmental management. I assisted with the implementation of the City’s PAYT program in 2002 and managed Chula Vista’s Multi-Family conversion to single stream in 2006-2007.

Chair- Board of Directors

Jay Bassett is a systems connector, coalition builder, and regenerative leader dedicated to rethinking humanity’s relationship with waste, resources, and community. With nearly four decades of public service as a U.S. Naval Officer and program leader and advisor with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Jay has championed a paradigm shift—from linear systems of extraction and disposal toward circular, equitable, and life-centered approaches that mirror nature’s principles. A recognized expert in sustainable materials management and a pioneer in lifecycle-based policy design, Jay helped guide the transformation of EPA’s national waste and materials strategy into one rooted in regeneration, community empowerment, and environmental justice. He served as EPA’s Southeast regional program manager and later as national advisor for Sustainable Materials Management (SMM), where he fostered collaborations that bridged federal goals with grassroots solutions. Deeply embedded in the Southeast, Jay now works across national, state, and local levels to build capacity in disproportionately impacted communities, empowering them to access federal climate, decarbonization, and circular economy funding. His work with Breaking Barriers and RebuildATL, recipient of a DOE Community Clean Energy prize, exemplifies his commitment to place-based innovation and building community wealth through material reuse and climate resiliency. Jay’s philosophy reflects aligning systems with the intelligence of nature, restoring dignity to all communities, and enabling regenerative cycles that uplift people and planet together.

With over 20 years advancing reuse, recycling and circular economy strategies across nonprofit, government and corporate sectors, I bring deep experience in stakeholder engagement, program development and systems thinking.

As the founder of Reuse Alliance, creator of ReuseConex and Women in Circularity, and a co-developer of the TRUE Zero Waste certification, I have led initiatives that bridge policy, practice and public engagement. In my current role as a Director at USGBC, I work to advance green building and zero waste strategies.

I am excited by the prospect of supporting NRC’s mission and contributing to a stronger, more equitable circular economy.

Impact Entrepreneur
Professional Engineer (NY) 

BioSue graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1984 with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering. She has been a licensed Professional Engineer in NYS since 1991. She worked for 5 years in manufacturing and consulting in the food and chemical industries, followed by a 30-year career in all aspects of solid and hazardous waste management at NYSDEC.

Her NYSDEC experience and accomplishments include policy, guidance, and regulation development and program implementation, oversight, and enforcement in all across the state in all solid and hazardous materials management programs managed by the state.

Upon retiring from NYSDEC in August 2018, Sue is providing various engineering consulting services focused on innovative organics recycling technologies and PFAS mitigation. As an impact entrepreneur, she is also founding her own company to develop innovative, collaborative solutions for generating more and cleaner streams of collected recyclables and reusables, with a prime focus on social, economic, and environmental/climate impacts, to further promote R3 as is a genuine passion and way of life for her.

Sue is a past local chapter president of AIChe and president of her college alumni class. She is Chair for the Training Committee for the SMM Tech Division of SWANA; and is beginning her third term as an at-large member of the NYSAR3 board. She is also the founder and chair of NYSAR3’s Reuse and Governance Committees and active member of the W4R and Conference Planning committees and was a founding member of the membership and DEI committee.

She also plans industry conference sessions, and moderates or speaks on areas of expertise at various industry conferences in the northeast.

She’s happy to be able to pursue her passion for protecting the environment while also being able to enjoy a semi-retirement which allows her to see the practices around the world as an avid traveler who loves to meet new people and immerse in new cultures.

Executive Director
Recycling Certification Institute (CA) 

Stephen M Bantillo has been involved in the recycling and resource management industry for over four decades. He assisted the Construction and Demolition Recycling Association (CDRA) in developing the National Standard Protocol (CORR) to provide third-party certification of C&D facilities. Subsequently, he launched the Recycling Certification Institute (RCI) where he now serves as its Executive Director in overseeing implementation of the Corr Protocol.

He created the nation’s first program to document and certify C&D material recycling in the late 1990’s for the City of San Jose. While there, he created and managed numerous innovative resource programs on materials management, economic modeling, and the flow of materials and finances.  He is co-founder and past Chair of California Resource Recovery Association’s Construction & Demolition Council, and also served several years as CRRA’s Executive Director.

Governor Schwarzenegger appointed Bantillo in 2007 to oversee California’s beverage container recycling program, which included management of the program’s $1.2 Billion annual budget and oversight of the certification and monitoring of thousands of recyclers.

Mr. Bantillo continues to work with public and private organizations as well as assist the building community applying an emphasis on increasing achievable material recovery performance with effective policy, practice, and regulation. Stephen is now serving his seventh term as a National Recycling Coalition board member, including Vice President, and has been a leader on NRC’s policy issues since 2004.

Senior Analyst
Skumatz Economic Research Associates (SERA)

Ann manages SERA’s national survey database, database of commercial programs, MRF model, compost facility model, and curbside collection models. She conducts and manages solid waste surveys and has conducted oops tags work and analyses. She has collected data on program design, costs, infrastructure, and diversion on the wide variety of recycling and solid waste programs across the US and Canada. Ms. Gibbs also serves on the board of the Rocky Mountain Chapter of SWANA.

Executive Director
Recycle Hawaii (HI)

Kristine adds to this expertise as someone with direct experience across a broad range of social and political roles, serving as a grassroots organizer, a volunteer, the executive director a legacy recycling organization and as chief aide to a Hawaii state senator. She is eager to continue working with NRC to fulfill its mission and elevate its influence.  

Kristine Kubat was born and raised in Southeast Pennsylvania and has lived in Hawaii for the past 44 years, in close proximity to her two children and five grandchildren. Kristine brings a lifetime of experience as an environmental and social justice activist to her current position as executive director of Recycle Hawaii. She is the founder of the Play Without Plastics movement, a member of the National Recycling Coalition Board of Directors and a Civil Society participant in the United Nations INC process aimed at negotiating a global treaty to end plastic pollution. She spends her downtime making art, gardening and practicing Bikram Yoga.

Christine M. Kiourtsis, President and Founder of Renewable Recycling, Inc. (RRI), is a leader in the Recycle/Reuse Industry, with proven methodologies utilizing textiles recycled from mattresses, and various products containing textiles of the like. 

Christine has been recognized as a leader in the Mattress Recycling Industry from such prestigious organizations as, International Sleep Products Association, NYS and NJ Solid Waste Federations and NYS Association of Reduce, Recycle & Reuse. 

She is an active Board Member of National Recycling Coalition. 

Through relationships with certified agencies and synergies with organizations that offer innovative Reuse technologies, Christine has contrived landfill diversion formulas for textiles and has introduced proven Reuse products for a true Circular Economy Success story. 

Senior Associate
HF&H Consultants (CA)

Experienced professional with over 20 years in zero waste programming, planning, and policy with a focus on supporting local government in achieving their climate action, waste, recycling, organics, sustainable food systems, and extended producer responsibility goals, funding needs, and regulatory compliance.

Gena McKinley is the Assistant Director for Austin Resource Recovery, the City department charged with the implementation of the City of Austin's Zero Waste Plan. She has spent nearly 20 years working in the local government. Prior to joining the City of Austin, Gena worked in community and environmental planning at a regional council of government, where she worked on hazard mitigation, natural disaster recovery, nonpoint source pollution and solid waste. Her leadership, commitment and advocacy for zero waste earned national recognition as she was chosen to be included in Waste360s 40 Under 40 list of rising stars in the industry.

Gena holds a Masters of Public Health from the University of Texas School of Health and a Bachelor of Arts from Southwestern University in Biology and Sociology. During her academic career, she focused on behavioral science with a focus on the impacts of the built environment on human health. Gena is Congress for the New Urbanism Accredited and a member of several professional organizations. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Texas Land Conservancy and the National Recycling Coalition.
Gena lives in Austin with her wife, son and two dogs. They can often be found on a hiking trail or listening to live music. She also spends time serving as a Guardian ad litem for children in the foster care system through CASA of Travis County and helping Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM) raise money to fund its efforts to provide healthcare for Austin musicians.

Executive Director
Coalición de Reciclaje de Puerto Rico (CORE)

Antonio Ríos is a leader in waste management and sustainability, serving as a special assistant to the Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment. His leadership positions, including being the President and CEO of the Board of Directors of the Coalición de Reciclaje de Puerto Rico, Inc., an organization that promotes solid waste management through sustainable material management promoting circular economy.

He is a member and Board member of the National Recycling Coalition, Inc., and was the Executive Director of Puerto Rico Solid Waste Authority, demonstrate his ability to lead and manage effectively. He is also a professor at the Universidad Ana G. Méndez, a member of the Solid Waste Association of North America, and a member of the Climate Reality Corps. 

In 2012, he was part of the Puerto Rico Task Force at the White House (Solid Waste). In 2018, he was part of a task force created by the Environmental Protection Agency Administrator in Washington, DC., on America Recycles Day. Antonio Ríos's career in environmental sustainability began in the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources within the Scientific Research Division (1983–1988). In 1988, he transitioned to the Solid Waste Authority's Operations and Engineering Division, where he directed several projects, including the tuna fish Sludge Injection Project at Lajas. He also served as the Director of the Recycling and Education Program for 10 years, during which he demonstrated his leadership as Chairman of the Bid Board, a Member of the Economic Assistance Program Evaluation Committee, and the Recycling Markets Investment Committee. His extensive experience also includes overseeing community educational outreach related to the island's solid waste infrastructure policy, among other responsibilities. 

Throughout his professional career, Biologist Ríos has been a dedicated member of several professional organizations. He has actively participated in multiple working committees related to solid waste management, sustainability, and Climate Change, demonstrating his commitment to the field and his continuous learning.

Celeste McMickle is the Director for TRUE Zero Waste certification with the USGBC. Celeste has a background in architecture and is a TRUE Advisor, LEED AP and LEED Green Rater. She worked as a LEED consultant for many years before her passion for recycling and composting led her to the world of zero waste and the circular economy.  She serves on the board of NYSAR3 and the NRC and is a certified Master Composter and Permaculture Designer. She is a 2021 recipient for the 40 under 40 award by Waste360. Celeste holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Syracuse University and a Master of Science in Sustainable Design from the San Francisco Institute of Architecture.

Deputy Director
Pennsylvania Resources Council (PA) 

Sarah Alessio Shea serves as the Deputy Director at Pennsylvania Resources Council (PRC), a statewide environmental non-profit dedicated to creating a PA where nothing is wasted. During her nearly two decades with PRC she has overseen programs that have diverted more than 15 million pounds from PA landfills. Sarah sits on the Professional Recyclers of Pennsylvania board of directors and is a Certified Professional Recycler of Pennsylvania.

Kim is the Executive Director at the Nebraska Recycling Council. She brings an extensive expertise in natural resources and environmental education. She holds a doctoral degree in natural resources from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, a master’s degree in forestry, and a bachelor’s degree in wildlife, fisheries, and aquaculture, both from Mississippi State University. Kim’s work focuses at the intersection of environment, education, and environmental justice. She is dedicated to advancing sustainable materials management, promoting recycling and waste reduction initiatives, and ensuring equitable access to environmental resources and education for all communities. In her role at NRC, she oversees strategic direction, organizational operations, and overall management. An avid outdoor enthusiast, Kim enjoys gardening, archery, hiking, and other outdoor activities in her free time.

Mehreen Chowdhury is a dynamic sustainability executive with more than a decade of global leadership advancing ESG, circular economy, and responsible business growth across financial services, chemicals manufacturing, and nonprofit sectors. 

As Sustainability Manager at Goodwill Omaha, Mehreen architects community-focused programs that maximize reuse, recycling, and measurable impact for local stakeholders.​ Previously, Mehreen led Citi Foundation and Corporate Affairs at Citibank Bangladesh, where she drove impactful microfinance, social investment, and CSR initiatives partnering with NGOs, USAID, UN, and IFC. 

She has held Chief Sustainability Officer roles in the chemical industry, establishing pioneering projects including one of the first caustic soda plants in Bangladesh, and championed responsible operations and circular strategies in manufacturing.​
Mehreen holds an MPS in Wealth Management from Columbia University and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, with a focus on management science, fintech, and sustainability. 

She is recognized for translating complex ESG and sustainability data into actionable strategies, advising senior leadership, and speaking internationally on climate innovation, textile recycling, and circular business models.​ Currently she is also doing a PhD at University of Nebraska Lincoln (UNL) in Textile Merchandizing, Fashion & Design focusing on textile circularity and sustainability.
 

Her commitment to stakeholder engagement, brand development aligned with
environmental goals, and the advancement of sustainability best practices makes
Mehreen a passionate advocate for collaborative change. She continues to inspire
audiences at global conferences, driving scalable solutions for communities, industry, and the broader recycling ecosystem.​

Lisa is passionate about teaching people how to grow and prepare nutrient-rich foods for themselves and their loved ones while encouraging sustainable lifestyles in their households. She first received certifications in both Urban Farming and Holistic Nutrition while working in the beauty industry, which led her to culinary school at Dallas College’s El Centro campus. Lisa received degrees in both Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management, which she pairs with the farming and nutrition certifications to help people grow, cook, understand the nutritional value of plants, and how to compost anything remaining from that process. Being zero-waste since 2015 helps Lisa to be mindful of preserving resources in the garden, the kitchen, and every area of her life. Now the Resource Recovery Manager at Fertile Ground Cooperative in Oklahoma City, Lisa is exercising her passions where her love for food and regeneration collides beautifully.

Lisa Puckett is a nationally recognized compliance and sustainability leader with more than two decades of experience spanning regulated waste management, environmental health and safety, and recycling systems. She is the Founder and CEO of BayArea Compliance, a woman-owned firm delivering end-to-end regulatory compliance for healthcare and industrial facilities across OSHA, DOT, EPA, HIPAA, and state environmental requirements, serving clients nationwide. Under her leadership, BayArea Compliance launched NETZERO360™ Sustainable Waste Solutions, a closed-loop, compliant pathway designed to divert regulated medical and laboratory waste into verified circular streams. NETZERO360™ addresses contaminated lab plastics, PPE, hybrid waste, and complex healthcare materials, pairing FDA- and OSHA-compliant handling with measurable diversion outcomes and defensible ESG reporting. Lisa’s work sits at the intersection of recycling infrastructure, compliance risk reduction, and operational reality. She is known for translating regulatory complexity into practical, audit-resilient systems that align with evolving state and federal policy, including Extended Producer Responsibility and emerging ESG disclosure requirements. An active leader within the national recycling community, she brings a practitioner’s lens to policy and market development, with a consistent focus on advancing recycling solutions that are credible, scalable, and accountable while protecting public health and strengthening the circular economy.

What I value most about being part of the National Recycling Coalition is that it brings together people who are serious about outcomes, not optics. NRC is one of the few places where policy, recycling infrastructure, and on-the-ground operations are discussed in the same room, allowing real constraints and real solutions to surface. From my work leading BayArea Compliance and NETZERO360™ Sustainable Waste Solutions, I see daily how regulatory intent, market forces, and operational realities collide at the facility level. NRC creates a credible forum to align those forces, strengthen system integrity, and move recycling forward in ways that protect public health, support a circular economy, and stand up to regulatory and public scrutiny.

Principal
Zero Waste Associates (CA)

Gary Liss has over 50 years of experience in recycling and waste management, is a leading advocate of Zero Waste, and is a founder, past President and Lifetime Honorary Board Member of the National Recycling Coalition. He is a principal of Zero Waste Associates, which specializes in developing Zero Waste Plans. He is Vice-President of Zero Waste USA and Chair of the Certifications Committee of the Zero Waste International Alliance. He helped write the USEPA website “Managing and Transforming Waste Streams” with over 100 policies and programs that could help communities achieve Zero Waste.

Executive Director
NRC
Email Charles

Charles is the Executive Director for the NRC managing all aspects of the organization.  Charles brings over 20 years of professional solid waste management to the NRC focused in waste, recycling and organics operations, business management, program and policy development. His experience in the municipal sector gives him a unique perspective of both government processes and goals as well as field operations, private sector waste and recycling companies and customer service/ outreach and education objectives. 

His accomplishments include achieving high diversion goals, creating municipal resolutions, developing PAYT rate structures, every-other-week trash collection programs, curbside organics programs, community recycling centers, and working with city councils, state recycling organizations, local recycling organizations, regional boards and commissions. 

Taking resource management one step further, Charles was instrumental in the design and construction of a Renewable Natural Gas fueling system, in which methane gas from the city’s wastewater treatment plant is captured and made into fuel for the solid waste collection vehicles. This system reduces the reliance and costs associated with carbon fuels and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

Charles became the Executive Director for the National Recycling Coalition in 2025 and had been an active member, Board of Director and Vice President of the NRC since 2020. He is responsible for all aspects of the organization including; business administration and management, State Recycling Organization engagement, Strategic Partnership development, fund development, membership, committees, councils, and the National Recycling Congress. 

Charles is based in beautiful Colorado and has been married 33 years, has two children and their dog, Korra. His interests include music, cycling and travel.

Independent Contractor

Lori has boasted a 20+ year career in the nonprofit industry as an Executive Assistant working at People Inc. to more recently in the role as Administrative Coordinator at NYSAR3.  Previously, she completed an Associates Degree in Office Technology at Hilbert College (Hamburg, NY) and a Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Studies (SUNY Buffalo, NY).  In addition to a 10+year career working in the agricultural industry, Lori's leisure activities include; gardening, being in nature and creating recycled art.