Team
Staff
Melinda Cheel (Executive Director)
Melinda Cheel has seven years of sustainable business experience in a variety of fields including building and design, brand development, event planning and business consulting. She received her MBA in Sustainable Enterprise from Dominican University of California where she worked collaboratively with local companies such as Traditional Medicinals and E. & J. Gallo Winery to implement measurable sustainability initiatives. Prior to joining the Green Chamber of Commerce, Melinda worked as a designer and account manager for Jodi Riviera, Inc., assisting with an environmentally responsible bedding & bath brand. She also worked for four years at Environmental Home Center in Seattle and served as marketing manager on the Northwest EcoBuilding Guild’s Steering Committee. Her dynamic and successful background complemented with her entrepreneurial spirit and relentless passion for sustainability offers a strong foundation for furthering the Green Chamber of Commerce’s mission. As Executive Director, she will promote and support members, strengthen the green business community and actively engage in public policy to create a healthy and sustainable future.
Board of Directors
Janet Pomeroy (President)
Janet Pomeroy is a green business communications strategist and public relations professional. She is currently involved with public policy issues surrounding California’s clean energy future. As one of the first graduates in the country to acquire a Green MBA, Janet has used her degree and 20 years of media expertise to help the green economy grow. She was a former Marketing Director of West Coast Green, the first premier residential green building expositions in North America, and a consultant for dozens of green businesses, ranging from organic food to green building. Janet holds an MBA in Sustainable Enterprise from the Green MBA program at Dominican University of California, and BA in History from Alfred University.
Alexia Marcous (Vice President)
Alexia is Vice President and co-founder of Dharma Merchant Services, a sustainable and socially responsible credit card processing company based in San Mateo, CA. Dharma MS is certified as a green business by San Mateo County, is a member of Green America (formerly Co-op America) and Sustainable Silicon Valley, and is recognized as a B Corporation. Alexia is also an Ambassador for the Silicon Valley Chapter of EcoTuesday.
Phoebe Higgins (Secretary)
Phoebe Higgins is Project Manager and Loan Officer at the California Fisheries Fund . She assists borrowers throughout the lending process and manages the Fund’s everyday operations. Before joining CFF, Phoebe served as the Sustainable Programs Director at Community Bank of the Bay in Oakland, where she was responsible for making loans to green businesses and environmental nonprofit organizations through the bank’s Bay Area Green Fund. Phoebe also has several years’ experience as a community organizer with ACORN and other groups focused on social justice issues such as affordable housing, equity in education and voter participation. Phoebe holds a BA in Russian Studies from Carleton College and an MBA in Sustainable Enterprise from the Green MBA program at Dominican University of California.
Scott Barrett
Scott Barrett is Founder and CEO of The Green Marketing Consulting Group, which helps environmentally and socially responsible businesses improve their marketing and thrive in the new economy. Before founding GMCG, Scott held various roles in a variety of green businesses, including: the Vice President of Marketing for Vetrazzo, a green business that transforms recycled glass into stunning countertop material; co-founder and principal consultant at Elemental Solutions, a recycling and waste management consulting firm; and management roles at both the California League of Conservation Voters and the California Public Interest Research Group. When he’s not working, Scott enjoys playing fiddle and mandolin, and can often be found hiking or running the trails on Mount Tamalpais in Marin County.
Gregory L. Chan
Gregory L. Chan is the Senior Community Affairs Officer for the East Bay Municipal Utility District. Mr. Chan has more than 30 years’ experience in the field of public affairs and has represented the Bay Area Rapid Transit District, the New Jersey Council of Churches, the Presbyterian Church as well as several organizations in San Francisco and in Asia. Mr. Chan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Welfare and Community Organizing from California State University at San Diego, a Master’s in Divinity and Communications from Princeton and San Francisco Theological Seminaries and a Master’s in Business Administration from Golden Gate University. Greg currently sits on the Boards of the Alameda County Taxpayers’ Association, the West Contra Costa County Council of Industries and the Oakland Chinatown Chamber of Commerce. He previously sat on the Boards of the International Association of Public Participation, the Berkeley Chamber of Commerce and the served as the Chairman of the Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce. He is an avid lover of fine dining, jazz, baseball and political history.
Josh Levine
Joshua Levine is a member of the SRI Wealth Management Group, a full service financial advisory group that helps individual investors, small businesses, and nonprofits to address their short- and long-term financial needs. In addition to providing a complete range of financial services, the Group develops customized Socially Responsible Investing strategies for all clients to align their ethical belief system with their investments. Previously, Joshua worked in the investment banking division of Bear Stearns and Scotia Capital. He received his Bachelor’s of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering from UCLA and his Master’s degree in Environmental Science and Management from the Donald Bren School of Environmental Science & Management at UCSB.
Marcello Fregulia
Marcello Fregulia is co-founder of Dogwood Communications, a marketing and communications firm dedicated to working with sustainable organizations. In this leadership role he applies both strategic planning skills and technical know-how. Drawing inspiration from a key tenet of sustainability, he recognizes that everything—including business operations—has a complete lifecycle. Marcello has spent 15 years in the advertising and communications industries, working for both startup enterprises and storied firms. He directed a variety of finance and operations activities for companies that include Publicis & Hal Riney, Goldberg Moser O’Neill, and OutCast Communications. Marcello holds a bachelor’s degree in business economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara. He is currently completing an evening MBA program at San Francisco State University, as well as an executive certificate in sustainable enterprise from Dominican University.
Karla Kingsley
Karla Kingsley’s commitment to sustainability started at an early age when her parents installed solar panels on their house in Michigan, allowing them to disconnect from the grid. Karla went on to pursue a degree in environmental studies at Dartmouth College before moving to Minneapolis to work in the environmental non-profit world. She soon decided that her real interest lie in promoting environmental sustainability through for-profit business and took a job with Blue Sky Guide (sister publication to EcoMetro Guide). A year later, she moved to the Bay Area to start the East Bay edition of EcoMetro Guide, where she works with the local team to form and maintain relationships with over 300 local sustainable businesses. When she’s not working, Karla is out riding or racing her bikes for Team SugarCRM.
Stacie Shepp
Stacie Shepp is a graduate of the Green MBA program at Dominican University of CA. She is the Co-founder of Earthsite, LLC a New Media Agency for Sustainable Brands. Clients include: The Green Festival, San Francisco Dept of the Environment and Real Goods Solar. Stacie’s primary responsibility is business development. Stacie served on the board of Sustainable Fairfax (local non-profit) for three years as the Marketing/Communications and Policy Chair.
