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.

Kellyn Garrison, Southeast Regional Coordinator

kgarrison@climatenetwork.org | 321-794-0155

Kellyn directs the Southeast Climate and Energy Network (SCEN), a diverse group of advocates representing over 80 organizations across ten states. SCEN’s mission is simple one: to provide strategic coordination among organizations in the Southeast to secure fair, just and science-based climate and energy policies.

Kellyn came to USCAN from Environmental Defense Fund, where she focused on state and federal climate policy. There she worked extensively with businesses, the agriculture industry and local government to promote climate, renewable energy and energy efficiency legislation. While at EDF, Kellyn coordinated a media campaign promoting green businesses, entrepreneurs and investors preparing for a low-carbon economy in Florida. This campaign, called The Faces of Climate Change in Florida, resulted in an Emmy award from the Suncoast Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Science.

Kellyn has always called the South her home: growing up in Alabama, starting her career in Florida and currently residing and working in North Carolina. She received her Bachelor’s degree from Flagler College and holds a Juris Doctorate from Florida Coastal School of Law.

Ryan Patterson, Administrative Director

rpatterson@climatenetwork.org | 202-609-9846

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, 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.

J.P. Leous, Outreach Director

jpleous@climatenetwork.org | 202-360-6305

J.P. has extensive experience with community organizing, climate policy and non-profit management. J.P. comes to USCAN from The Wilderness Society where he covered a range of climate-related policy issues.

A graduate of Allegheny College with a degree in Art History and Economics, J.P. started his career in commercial banking and joined the board of directors for several local community-based non-governmental organizations.

Seeking additional challenges and a more purpose-driven life, J.P. joined the U.S. Peace Corps. Stationed on the island nation of Grenada, W.I., he worked with local cooperatives as a sustainable business development volunteer. Additionally, he spearheaded several environment-focused initiatives including the establishment of the country’s first environmental conservation NGO, outreach efforts for the establishment of the region’s first Marine Protected Area, and several community projects centered on natural resource usage patterns. During the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan, he assisted communities across the island work with various international aid agencies.

Upon returning from Grenada, J.P. attended Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, where he won Journal of International Affairs’ annual Andrew Wellington Cordier competition. He used the prize money to co-establish the School’s first graduation award dedicated to promoting cross-disciplinary solutions to environmental issues: the Award for Progressive Sustainability.

Post graduate school, J.P. managed lead-agency Environmental Impact Statements for the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Additionally, J.P. joined the faculty of The George Washington University’s School of Public Health and Health Services where he lectures on public health and environmental policy, before joining The Wilderness Society.

Susan Tambi Matambo, International Policy Coordinator

stmatambo@climatenetwork.org | 202-609-9846

Susan has been engaged in efforts to curb global warming and other international policy issues throughout her career. Her work on environmental policy issues began ten years ago in Southern Africa as the partnership specialist for Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). In this role she worked with government, civil society and the private sector serving as an outspoken advocate for better environmental policies in Zambia.

Susan has a Master’s degree in environmental management from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental studies with a concentration in global change science and policy. She focused her Masters research study on the influence global institutions have on domestic environmental policy, including the international policy agreement process. During her time at Yale, she led a delegation of young professionals to a major international conference in Durban, South Africa where she advocated for a more meaningful participation of young people in environmental discussions at the global level. Susan also worked as a program officer and consultant for the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Secretariat in Washington DC, for six years.

Susan has an extensive research background. Her latest publications include co-authoring two papers on climate change adaptation in Nepal and Namibia for the World Resources Institute (WRI).

Marie Risalvato, Communications Coordinator

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.