Sr. Director, Development & Partnerships

Caroline leads the Foundation’s development strategy and fundraising, creating mission-aligned opportunities to grow the organization. Prior to joining the Foundation in May 2021, she spent eight years building and leading marketing, communications, and sales strategy teams at a search advertising company. A lifelong New Yorker, Caroline is also a longtime volunteer and supporter of several NYC civic organizations and parks. She holds a B.A. in Psychology from Middlebury College.

Director, Volunteer Programs

Halima works with communities to make positive change. She leads the Foundation’s volunteer programs with a human-centered lens, using design methodology to craft innovative models for change and mobilize her fellow New Yorkers to take action. She has over 10 years of experience in design education leadership—at the Smithsonian and Pratt Institute—guiding communities across the country to design collaborative solutions for a better future. She holds a BFA from Rhode Island School of Design and an MPS from Pratt Institute.

Senior Manager, Education

David supports the Foundation’s educational programming. Given his background in K-12 education and journalism, he is particularly focused on storytelling, and advancing educational programs related to recycling and sustainability, such as the Foundation’s Follow Your Waste game and curriculum. He holds a B.A. in Journalism from Ithaca College and an M.S. in Sustainability in the Urban Environment from the City College of New York.

Community Engagement Manager

Born and raised in Brooklyn, Johari "Nova" James is a Youth Mentor, business owner, community activist, hip-hop artist & artist manager. Through his company Str8OuttaBklyn Media LLC, he creates employment opportunities for youth, as well as youth and community initiatives such as art programs, neighborhood cleanups, and youth resume workshops. Creating safe and sustainable spaces in the black community, controlled by community residents, is at the core of what Johari is all about.

Development & Partnerships Manager

Michele supports development & fundraising, partnerships and communication at the Sanitation Foundation. She’s passionate about meaningfully engaging the community around waste diversion and creating a more sustainable NYC. Prior to joining the Foundation, she spent twelve years building and leading the Programming and Events Department at Brooklyn Grange. She holds a B.A. in Environmental Studies from Pitzer College.

AmeriCorps Service Member

Brimari Guante is an AmeriCorps service member at the Sanitation Foundation. She will be joining the Community Engagement team to help reach New Yorkers digitally to make sure they play their part in making NYC a clean city. She is an Afro-Latina born and raised in the Bronx. She loves to travel and learn about different cultures. She graduated from CUNY Lehman College with a B.A. in International Business and Marketing. 

AmeriCorps Service Member

Lynx Zacarias, born and raised 1st gen queer Mexican artist and environmental steward. Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY their work and art centers around finding and building sustainable communities. Their work has been shown in the Sweet Flypaper Gallery and the Brooklyn Art Cave. They dabble in all sorts of greening projects around NYC including being a 2026 Trash Academy grad, and current Brooklyn Urban Gardener with the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Their current focus is on educating and engaging the public on waste management and resource reclaim as one of two AmeriCorps Service Members at The Sanitation Foundation.

Our Circular Economy Research Assistants are currently supporting the organization's work on sustainable waste management across four key streams: textile, organic, electronic, and construction & demolition waste. In this role, they are meeting with industry leaders to gather insights, visiting active work sites to observe processes firsthand, and conducting individual research projects tracing the full lifecycle of each waste stream. Alongside this work, they are completing their True Advisor Credentials, developing the expertise needed to advise on circular economy practices.

This work is made possible through the generous support of the Pinkerton Foundation, PENCIL Inc., the Hyde & Watson Foundation, and the North American Association of Environmental Education.