Staff

Senior Management

Alberto B. Mendoza is president and CEO of the Coalition for Clean Air (CCA) and works from the Los Angeles office. The first Latino leader to run a statewide environmental organization, he was named a “Leader of the Future” by La Opinion and the “Champion of Clean Air” by Latino Leaders. In 2009, United States Senator Barbara Boxer honored Mendoza with the first ever Environmental Leadership Award. Prior to joining CCA in 2007, Alberto had more than 13 years of nonprofit experience, including directing programs for the Drug Policy Alliance, Girl Scouts USA, Public Counsel and AIDS Project Los Angeles. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in behavioral sciences at California Polytechnic University, Pomona.

Stephanie Milano is the COO and has worked with CCA in the Los Angeles office since October 2007. Stephanie has more than 13 years of non-profit fundraising experience with organizations such as the Muscular Dystrophy Association, American Red Cross and Girls Scouts of America. She graduated from California State University Fullerton with a bachelor's in communications/public relations and a minor in theatre. Stephanie is a certified meeting planner, a graduate of The Grantsmanship Center and a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

Policy and Research

Nidia Bautista, policy director, has been with CCA since 2003. Currently based in Sacramento, she is responsible for managing the organization’s advocacy and outreach efforts in California’s inland valleys. Previously, Nidia served as field representative for Congresswoman Hilda L. Solis, worked on several progressive campaigns throughout Los Angeles County and helped produce an environmental directory for the East San Gabriel Valley. She majored in political science at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.

Shankar B. Prasad, M.B.B.S. is an executive fellow in the Sacramento office, where he has been since February 2008. He has more than 21 years of experience in environmental health research and policy development and has served on various federal and state scientific review panels, as well as the National Environmental Justice Advisory Committee. He studied medicine at the University of Bangalore, India and completed a fellowship with a focus on air pollution at the UC Irvine Department of Community Medicine.

Mario Guerrero is the deputy policy and research director and has been based in Sacramento since July 2009. Previously, he worked with the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials Educational Fund, as well as BIENESTAR Human Services. Mario is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and a board member of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. After studying Spanish at the University of La Verne, he attended Cornell University, where he earned a master’s degree in public administration with a focus on government, politics and policy.

Campaigns

Martin Schlageter is the campaign director and guides our campaign work across the state from the Los Angeles office. He joined CCA in 2002 to help steer California, especially Los Angeles, toward a greater transition to renewable energy. Martin previously worked as a conservation coordinator for the Sierra Club and as executive director of Friends of the Los Angeles River. He graduated from USC with a bachelor's degree in international relations.

Candice Kim is senior campaign associate, working primarily on stemming toxic air pollution coming from ports and freight transportation in the state of California. Based in Los Angeles, she is also the co-chair of the Green Los Angeles Port Work Group. Prior to joining CCA in 2005, Candice spent many years engaged in public health, immigrants’ rights and community and labor organizing, with a focus on organizing health professionals. She has bachelor’s degrees in art and sociology from the University of California at Santa Barbara.

Luis R. Cabrales is the senior campaign and outreach associate in the Los Angeles office. Before coming to CCA in 2006, he served as California Organizer at the National Environmental Trust. Additionally, Luis is a co-founder of Residents of Pico Rivera for Environmental Justice and co-creator of "Nuestra Voz" (Our Voice), a roundtable talk show on KPFK. Luis received a bachelor’s degree in cultural anthropology at Cal State L.A.

Laura Fultz Stout is the San Joaquin Valley campaign and outreach associate and has worked in the Fresno office since January 2008. Laura has worked in the clean energy and air quality sectors for four years, creating key relationships within the community. Laura is focused on moving the Valley toward cleaner air through developing business partnerships and providing them with resources for clean air practices. Laura graduated from California State University Fresno with a bachelor's degree in sociology with an emphasis in conflict studies.

Development

Liz Ernst is CCA's development director. Based in the Los Angeles office since 2007, she works to grow the organization's base of members and major donors. Liz's previous work includes development and fundraising for the Autry National Center in Los Angeles, Chicago's Society for Contemporary Art and the Art Institute of Chicago. She studied art history and business at Skidmore College in New York.

Vanessa Briones is the development associate and has worked in the Los Angeles office since October 2007. As chair of CCA's Walk the Talk committee, she helps steer the organization toward green practices in its daily operations. Vanessa previously worked for Los Angeles County Board Supervisor Gloria Molina and the Los Angeles Unified School District. She received her bachelor's degree in business administration from Cal State L.A.

Communications

Lisa Warshaw is CCA's deputy communications director and has worked in the Los Angeles office since February 2008. A former World Partners Fellow with American Jewish World Service, she has worked both internationally and domestically in journalism, communications, sustainable international development and human rights advocacy. Lisa earned her bachelor's degree in international studies from the University of Oregon.

Monica Howe has been the communications associate since March 2008 and works in the Los Angeles office. Formerly a bicycle advocate with the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition and the Bicycle Kitchen, she has been featured in news media and documentary works across the country and abroad. Monica has also worked as a singer and freelance photographer. She attended Art Center College of Design, where she earned her bachelor's degree in photography and fine art.

Administration

Michael A. Michner, CPA, is the controller and has worked in the Los Angeles office since July 2007. Michael has more than 20 years of nonprofit accounting experience and currently controls the accounting departments for Public Counsel, California Women's Law Center, Greater Los Angeles Agency on Deafness, Deaf West Theatre and numerous other small organizations and businesses. He attended California State University Northridge, where he received a bachelor's degree in business administration: accounting theory and practice.

Lena Tong is the administrative and community engagement assistant for the Sacramento office and has worked for CCA since 2006. She previously organized local fundraisers and walk-a-thons in the Bay Area, earning recognition from Congresswoman Barbara Lee and former State Assembly Majority Leader Wilma Chan for her service to the community. Lena received bachelor's degrees in sociology and psychology from University California at Davis.