Staff

Peter Bahouth, Executive Director

peterb@climatenetwork.org | 202-341-3310

Prior to USCAN, Peter was executive director for Ted Turner's family foundation for 9 years and managed the growth of that philanthropic organization from less than $1 million to over $50 million in grants per year. Prior to the Turner Foundation, Peter served as executive director and chairman of Greenpeace USA.

Peter is President of Art Papers and also serves on the board of Atlanta Celebrates Photography. Peter is an accomplished stereoscopic photographer represented by Marcia Wood Gallery in Atlanta Georgia.

Ryan Patterson, Operations Director

rpatterson[at]climatenetwork[dot]org

Ryan Patterson has been involved in nonprofit and international work his entire career. Previous to joining USCAN, Ryan worked with Greenpeace's Global Warming Campaign in Washington, DC, as a global warming field organizer in Georgia, and promoting clean energy and sustainable transportation for the University of Colorado.

Ryan has also worked in various governmental and non-profit institutions such as the Montana State Senate Sergeant-at-Arms office, the International Exchange Bureau in Regensburg, Germany, and as a volunteer in the Fouta-Djallon region of Guinea. Additionally, he has served as a Social Justice Coordinator with United Ministries in Higher Education and as Youth Advocate in Colorado.

Passionate for travel, Ryan has traveled to over 40 countries and nearly 50 US States. He has lived and worked for extended periods in France, Germany, Guinea and the United States and is trilingual. He holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Colorado in Germanic Studies and minors in French Language and Literature and Political Science.

Lara Levison, Program Director/Domestic Policy Director

llevison@climatenetwork.org | 202-957-9010

Lara brings extensive experience in climate change issues, nonprofit advocacy, and federal policy-making to USCAN.

As a policy advisor for Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Lara was deeply involved in the passage of clean energy legislation in 2007 (Energy Independence and Security Act) and comprehensive global warming legislation in 2009. Having joined Rep. Pelosi’s staff in 2001, her experience spanned Rep. Pelosi’s positions as Appropriations Committee member, Whip, and Leader, as well as Speaker of the House. Her eleven years of experience as a congressional staffer also include two years handling energy and environment issues for Rep. Sherrod Brown, a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Leaving Capitol Hill in 2009, she gained executive branch experience in the U.S. Department of the Interior.

As an organizer and advocate with the Union of Concerned Scientists for seven years, Lara participated in campaigns on renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and nuclear arms control. She played a leadership role in a successful 1995-96 campaign to save Iowa’s renewable energy mandate from repeal; as a result, Iowa is a national leader in wind energy production. Lara worked for several other advocacy organizations as well.

Lara grew up primarily in the Midwest and earned her bachelor’s degree in Government with a concentration in International Relations from Smith College in Massachusetts.

Marie Risalvato, Communications Director

mrisalvato@climatenetwork.org | 352-514-3217

Marie received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida in political science with an emphasis in environmental politics and sustainability. Before joining USCAN she gained experience as Web Content Manager and Assistant Office Administrator for several online businesses. Her passion for the environment and determination to work towards a sustainable future led her to Washington D.C. where she has been working to improve USCAN’s online resources, social media presence and other communications work.

Meg Boyle, Network Development Director

mboyle@climatenetwork.org |207 -504-6166

Meg Boyle coordinates network strategy for USCAN’s members and allies.

Prior to joining USCAN, Meg managed climate operations as program officer at the Connect U.S. Fund. Previously, she was a co-founder of the Energy Action Coalition, an organizer with Oil Change International, and an international climate policy specialist with Greenpeace. Meg has devoted much of her career to working in coalitions and in cross-cultural contexts. She has been quoted in print, radio, and television media domestically and abroad, including NPR, the New York Times, CNN, BBC, Bloomberg, and USA Today.

Meg is currently completing a master’s degree at the Evans School of Public Affairs and holds a degree in biology and environmental studies from Bowdoin College.

Jennifer Perron, International Policy Coordinator/Adaptation Coordinator

Jperron[at]climatenetwork[dot]org | 802-730-2373


Jennifer brings deep expertise in international and domestic climate change issues to USCAN. Her primary responsibility as International Policy Coordinator is to work with USCAN members and allies on international climate-related policy and strategy, and to promote strong U.S. leadership and global ambition. As Adaptation Coordinator, Jennifer will greatly enhance USCAN’s ability to engage with network members and allies on adaptation and resiliency issues.


As International Policy Coordinator/Adaptation Coordinator, Jennifer focuses on tracking the latest developments in international climate policy, the nexus of climate change and international development, on climate finance, and on adaptation and resilience issues (both domestic and international).


Jennifer holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Policy from the University of Michigan’s School of Natural Resources and the Environment, and a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science.