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
- 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
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:
- Support Floridians in their efforts to affect climate change Â
- Educate young people about clean energy and motivate them to help in the transition towards global energy independence
- Help create healthy and sustainable communitiesÂ
- Promote policies making Florida a leader in renewable energy
2020 Annual Report
Program Staff
Kim Ross
Executive Director
Brian Lee
Campaigns Director
Hannah Curry
Director
of Communications
Mia Sadler
Assistant Director
of Education
Dara Wilson
Director of Education
Macey Markowitz
Development Director
Interns
Communications Coordinator: Taylor Pratt
Taylor is the Communications Coordinator with ReThink Energy Florida. She is currently a senior at Florida State University majoring in Public Relations with a minor in Psychology.
Executive Assistant: Jonathan Muehlgay
Grants Development Coordinator: Paula Mello
Paula is the Grants Development Coordinator here at ReThink Energy Florida. She is currently a fourth-year student at the University of Florida working towards a double major in Sustainability Studies and English with a minor in Nonprofit Organizational Leadership. Paula is passionate about protecting the environment and hopes to create a career out of it.
Hollywood 100 Organizer: Jenique Gray
Jenique is currently the Hollywood 100 coordinator, a graduate of the University of Hartford with a Bachelors of Arts. Jenique plans on attending law school where she intends on pursuing a career in Constitutional and Environmental law.In her free time she enjoys various activities such as hiking, camping, hanging with friends or cuddling up at home watching a good show . Jenique also reigns from the beautiful Island of Jamaica which is the reason she is extremely passionate about the environment.
Political Advocacy Coordinator: Victoria Rogers-Rivera
Political Advocacy Coordinator: Marion Knowles
Youth Outreach Coordinator: Gabby Mahoney
Board Members
Rachel Christensen has recently joined the ReThink Energy board. She has a PhD in Public and International Affairs from Virginia Tech and has a wide range of experiences working with institutions of higher education and community-based nonprofit organizations. Rachel has been a homeschooling parent for five years, enjoys time in nature and, most recently, learning about birding with her son, loves reading, and if not currently traveling or living internationally, is dreaming of her next travel possibility. She is always up for a cup of coffee and a good conversation.