Sustain Dane: 25 Community Members Nominated as “Badger Bioneers” Will be Celebrated by Sustain Dane

September 11, 2017 | Madison, WI

Community members across the Madison Region identified 25 local sustainability heroes — individuals and teams who are working to create a happier, healthier future — by nominating their colleagues, neighbors, friends, and family for Sustain Dane’s 2017 Badger Bioneer Awards.

Badger Bioneer nominees are people who, in their professional or personal lives, are actively making change happen. They don’t need to be famous, or work in a specific field, or have a fancy title. They are people who care, who take action, and who are making a difference.

Sustain Dane looks forward to honoring and celebrating all of the nominees at the Badger Bioneers Cocktail Party on Monday, September 25 from 6-8pm at Fresh Madison Market.

“We are honored to celebrate such talent, passion and commitment from all our Badger Bioneers, awardees and nominees, this year, as they are a true example of what sustainability is all about,” says Gloria Castillo, Director of Sustain Dane’s Sustainable Neighborhoods Initiative. “By looking at their stories, journeys and accomplishments, we get a glimpse of our rich and diverse humanity and our endless capacity for transformation. It is not possible to have a sustainable future without strong communities, just and inclusive economies and a healthy planet. That is what I love about our champions this year; they are all contributing to make our Madison region a better and more inclusive place for all where we can all thrive.”

Sustain Dane is pleased to announce the 2017 Badger Bioneer Nominees:

Alex Lindenmeyer, Short Stack Eatery
Amanda (Mandy) Mott, Wisconsin Department of Administration
Brandi Grayson, Young, Gifted & Black Coalition
Corinda Rainey-Moore, NAMI Dane County
Emily Steinwehe, Emily Plants
Erik Lincoln, Ho-Chunk Gaming Madison
Eugenia (Gina) Podesta, Synergy Coworking
Erika Jones, Carrie Sedlak, Claire Strader, Fairshare CSA Coalition
Gregg Potter, Project Kinect
Jeff Jaeckels, Madison Gas & Electric
Jim Birkemeier, Timbergreen Forestry
Kara O’Connor, Wisconsin Farmers Union
Karin Wolf, City of Madison Arts Commission
Kathy Leifer, Alliant Energy
Lindsay Leno, UpShift Swap Shop
Lorrie Hurckes Dwyer, Dane County Time Bank
Lou Host-Jablonski, Design Coalition, Inc.
Mary Evers Statz, University of Wisconsin Medical Foundation, Inc.
Matt Eberly & Lauren Kieliszewski, DaneNET
Dr. Nicole Andersen, Artisan Dental
Rebecca Nelson & John Pade, Nelson & Pade, Inc.
Winnie Karanja, Maydm

Three awardees were chosen by a Selection Committee comprised of local community leaders.

Read the full bio’s of the Badger Bioneer Nominees.
Read the full bio’s of the Badger Bioneer Awardees.
Meet the 2017 Badger Bioneers Selection Committee.

About Sustain Dane

Sustain Dane aims to achieve Big ‘S’ Sustainability, encompassing a just economy, a strong community, and a healthy planet. We work with individuals in businesses, schools, and neighborhoods to inspire, connect, and support sustainability champions. To learn more about our current programs and initiatives, please visit www.sustaindane.org. Sustain Dane is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.