 
Our Mission
ReThink Energy Florida’s mission is to educate, engage, and empower Floridians to take action and achieve a just transition to clean energy for a healthier, more sustainable environment through youth education, adult engagement, and community organizing.
Who We Are
The ReThink Energy Florida family is comprised of two distinct but connected organizations – ReThink Energy Florida, our 501(c)(3) educational charity founded in 2010, and ReThink Energy Action Fund, our 501(c)(4) social welfare advocacy organization founded in 2016.
After the Deepwater Horizon disaster on April 20, 2010, many Floridians were left feeling hopeless and helpless, and wanting to take action to help ensure that Florida’s environment and economy were protected from the adverse effects of risky fossil fuel development. Founders Kim Ross and Brian Lee, operating as Crude Awakening Tallahassee, organized letter writing parties to engage citizens in demanding that then Governor Charlie Crist call a special session of the Florida legislature to place a referendum for constitutionally banning offshore drilling on the ballot. Although we did not get the legislative results we set out for, we did connect people from all over Florida with their legislators and began building a network of citizens willing to educate and engage on energy and environmental issues.
Our Values
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Empowerment through deliberative democracy
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Evidence-based information
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Solutions-based problem solving
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Education-driven, particularly youth-focused
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Engagement with local, state, national, & world communities
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Grassroots organizing, education, & action
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Earth restoration
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Inclusion and Diversity
- Equity and Environmental Justice
Vision
We envision a world where communities are motivated and empowered to combat the effects of climate change, and where 100% of clean and renewable energy is available and affordable to all. Florida communities will unite in protecting and preserving their environment and lead the nation in developing more sustainable and energy independent communities.
ReThink Energy Florida will:
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Support Floridians in their efforts to affect climate change Â
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Educate young people about clean energy and motivate them to help in the transition towards global energy independence
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Help create healthy and sustainable communitiesÂ
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Promote policies making Florida a leader in renewable energy
2020 Annual Report
Directors
Co-founder Kim Ross serves as Executive Director of Rethink Energy Florida. When she was an owner/member of EarthSTEPS, an environmental consulting firm, Kim also worked as the Operations Consultant and Project Manager on energy efficiency and Demand-Side Management projects. Kim was recognized as one of Tallahassee’s ’25 Women to Know’ in 2014.
Kim Ross
Executive Director
asdfghjk asdfghjk asdfghjk asdfghjk asdfghjk asdfghjk asdfghjk asdfghjk Ben Collins has spent his career founding and fundraising for innovative spiritual communities. As a self-described “brand evangelist,” Ben advocates for responsive fundraising that enriches both the donor and the non-profit. asdfghjk asdfghjk asdfghjk asdfghjk asdfghjk asdfghjk asdfghjk asdfghjkÂ
Ben Collins
Development Director
As a co-founder, Brian Lee has engaged in progressive and environmental campaign organizing for over fifteen years. He currently serves as the Campaign Director. Brian also served as a Leon Soil & Water Conservation District Supervisor from 2014 – 2022. asdfghjk asdfghjk asdfghjk asdfghjk asdfghjk asdfghjk asdfghjk asdfghjk
Brian Lee spacefillers
Campaigns Director
Dr. Hairston has a Ph.D. in Public Health and over 36 years as a strategist, researcher, facilitator, educator, and analyst. She is Founder/CEO of Project S.W.A.N, President of J.M. Hairston Consulting, and Community Health Initiative Advocate for the Greater Frenchtown Revitalization Council.
Dr. Jacquelynn Hairston
Volunteer Manager
Joey Lamar has experience as a sports broadcaster.
Joey Lamar
Associate Communications Director
Lachanthia Hall is a Pastor at Fresh Wind Ministry, disability advocate for families in Florida, and a Medicaid provider with more than 10 years of experience. She has worked in the healthcare field for more than 20 years.
Lachanthia Hall
Education Team Director-In-Training
Te’Rel Bowman attended Florida A&M University, for twenty years at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center, and now serves as Operations Manager for Big Bend Habitat for Humanity, Inc.
Te’Rel Bowman
S.E.E.D. Project Manager
Staff
Joan Leggitt has been a typesetter, proofreader, graphic artist, manager of an educational materials distribution facility, and freelance editor. In 2013, she founded Twisted Road Publications, an independent press with a mission of publishing marginalized voices.Â
Joan Leggitt
Executive Assistant
Lauren Chrisien is a Senior at USF St. Petersburg pursuing a bachelor’s in sustainability studies and a minor in environmental health. Lauren loves the outdoors, cooking, meeting new people, and trying new things! She is eager to encourage and inspire communities to protect our environment.
Lauren Chrisien
Associate Volunteer Manager
Talethia O. Edwards is a grassroots organizer, advocate for equity, coalition builder and speaker. She is the Founder and President of the Greater Bond Neighborhood Association, executive director of The H.A.N.D, Up Project, and CEO of her own Community Development consulting firm.
Shelia Morris
S.E.E.D. Neighborhood Leader
Shelia is a native of Tallahassee and a graduate of Florida A & M University. She has worked in health care for 30 years. In Shelia’s spare time, she gives back to the community by volunteering, spending time with her family, shopping, reading, and meditating. ebebeb ebebeb ebebeb ebebeb
Talethia Edwards
S.E.E.D. Neighborhood Leader
Interns
Anya Johnson is studying for a bachelor of science in sustainability at the Florida Institute of Technology. They completed the Climate Reality Leadership Training in July 2020 before founding the Florida Tech chapter of the Climate Reality Project. ebebeb ebebeb ebebeb ebebeb ebebeb ebebeb ebebeb ebebeb
Anya Johnson
Communications Coordinator
Autumn Goffigan is a second year Psychology Scholar and Computer Science minor at Florida A&M University. Autumn is from Panama city, Florida but loves Tallahassee! In her free time, Autumn plays basketball and crochets. She is propelled by a passion for doing good work in the community.
Autumn Goffigan
Youth Education Coordinator
Florida. International Affairs from St. Kyleigh Hazelwood is a Junior at Florida State University, majoring in Political Science and International Affairs from St. Petersburg, Florida. Petersburg,  International Affairs from St. Petersburg, Florida. International Affairs from St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg,Â
Kyleigh Hazelwood
Political Advocacy Coordinator
Board
Eva Armstrong has been on the board of ReThink Energy Florida since May 2017 and has been President since January 2018. She is also a member of the Leon County Water Resources Advisory Committee and the Tallahassee Board of Realtors. ebebeb ebebeb ebebeb
Eva Armstrong
Board President
Cynthia Ebben started with ReThink Energy Florida in May 2017. She has a bachelor’s in psychology and a master’s in counselor education. For 33 years she served New York’s and Florida’s healthcare delivery systems as a government operations consultant.
Cynthia Ebben
Board Secretary
Dr. Bruce Strouble is the Senior Manager of Equitable Climate Resilience Projects at GroundWork USA and an adjunct professor at Florida A&M University. He has been on ReThink’s board since January 2019.
Bruce Strouble aaaaaÂ
Board Member
Rachel Christensen has a Ph.D. in Public and International Affairs from Virginia Tech and a wide range of experiences working with institutions of higher education and community-based nonprofits.
Rachel Christensen
Board Member
Ronald Ebben is a retired broadcaster from WFSU. He has been on the board of ReThink Energy Florida since January 2019.
Ronald Ebben
Board Member
Walter Liebrich has studied the science behind renewable energy since 1997. Walter has worked to create renewable energy policy and is now with IGT Solar to transition Tallahassee to 100% renewable energy.