Our Mission
ReThink Energy Florida’s Mission is to Educate, Engage, and Empower Floridians to Take Action and Achieve Energy Independence for a Healthier, More Sustainable Environment Through Youth Education, Adult Outreach 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
- Empowerment through deliberative democracy
- Evidence-based information
- Solutions-based problem solving
- Education-driven, particularly youth-focused
- Engagement with local, state, national, & world communities
- Grassroots organizing, education, & action
- Earth restoration
- Inclusion and Diversity
- Equity and Environmental Justice
Program Staff
Kim Ross
Executive Director
Brian Lee
Campaigns Director
Christina Mbuya
Director of Education
Lauren Corey
Associate Director of Campaigns / ReThink Energy’s Tally 100% Together Coalition Coordinator
Interns
Developmental Coordinator of Grants: Miriam Spada
Miriam Spada is a second-year student at Florida State University studying Creative Writing and Business Management. Through previous volunteer experience and mission work, Miriam has a passion for developing sustainable living practices in her community. She is excited to be on Rethink Energy Florida’s team as a Development Coordinator of Grants where she is able to use her writing for a cause close to her heart. Outside of school and work, Miriam choreographs community theatre shows and performances in the Tampa and Tallahassee areas.
Political Advocacy Coordinator: Brianna Blastick
Brianna Blastick is the Political Advocacy Coordinator at Rethink Energy Florida. She is a Senior at Florida State University studying Political Science and International Affairs.Brianna is a member of the Delta Zeta Sorority and also serves on the Executive Board for Relay For Life FSU. She works as a Facility Supervisor through FSU Campus Recreation. In her free time, she enjoys playing with her dogs and hanging out with friends.
Research and Policy Coordinator: Sabrina Hu
Sabrina Hu is an IB student at Rickards High School. She saw the need for action after learning and experiencing the effects of fossil fuels on the environment. She became interested in renewable energy and storage technology through her internship with Rethink Energy. Under the mentorship of the YEL program, she is working on an educational outreach project to educate students on fuel cell technology and climate change with the aid of miniature hydrogen fuel cell cars.
Communications Coordinator: Danielle Zamanillo
Danielle Zamanillo is a junior at Florida State University from Miami, Florida. She is pursuing her bachelors degree in Psychology with a minor in communications. Danielle is the Communications Coordinator at ReThink Energy and hopes to use her passion and knowledge about the environment to communicate the importance of making a change. In her free time, Danielle enjoys spending time with friends, going to concerts and doing yoga.
