Office of Sustainability Welcomes Several New Staff Members and Student Employees

Over the past nine months, the Office of Sustainability (OS) has hired several new staff members and student employees to work on a variety of sustainability initiatives and programming at UW-Madison. Learn more about these fine folks below!

Ally Burg

Ally Burg
What is your role at the Office of Sustainability?

Currently, I am the Student Programs Assistant working with the Student Programs Director. I support the intern program by helping with their projects and organizing various functions.

I am very excited about the growth of the OS. It’s a pleasure to work with our newer staff, and I look forward to welcoming new undergraduate interns this summer! Our office is expanding and reaching all areas of campus to really integrate sustainability into everything the UW does.

Tell us a little about yourself!

I received a B.S. in Geography with a certificate in Environmental Studies from UW-Madison last May. I was an intern for the Office of Sustainability while in school, and then two days after graduation I joined the OS team as staff!

Most of my free time is spent with my dog Murphy. We love going to the dog park and exploring Madison on walks. My second favorite thing is going to breweries and to brew my own beer! And of course, once a Badger always a Badger: I enjoy attending UW sporting events.

Alex Frank

Alex Frank

What is your role at the Office of Sustainability?

I am an analyst for the OS, focusing primarily on the STARS report. This includes both data collection and analysis.

I’m very excited to complete the STARS report. I’m a data nerd and it’s exciting to establish a baseline for the university that we can use to compare ourselves to peer institutions. Following this benchmarking, we can improve sustainability performance in various areas of campus, whether that be resource use, student engagement, or better learning environments.

Tell us a little about yourself!

I received my B.A. in Biology from the University of Boston where I focused on ecology and conservation biology. After 5 years doing environmental consulting with CH2M Hill (an engineering firm now called Jacob’s) I went back to school to pursue a Master’s degree in environmental science and policy from the University of Chicago.

After graduate school I joined a consulting company, West Monroe partners, where I worked with utility companies on renewable energy and energy conservation projects. My favorite project during this time was an effort I led to help the Shedd Aquarium to reduce their energy use and improve facility resiliency.

Before joining the OS team I was working with a non-profit in Chicago, City Tech Collaborative. In that role I helped the city test new technologies to promote sustainability, ranging from managing rainwater to expanding public transportation.

Outside of work, the majority of my “downtime” is centered around spending time with my family, including a very energetic toddler. Inspired by The Great British Bake Off, my family and I have gotten into baking and we recently made an excellent spicy olive bread.

Tracy Harvey

Tracy Harvey

What is your role at the Office of Sustainability?

Currently, I am serving as a graduate research assistant for the Office of Sustainability. This semester I am looking at the relationship between sustainability practices in higher education, specifically STARS ratings, and other institutional performance metrics.

I am most excited to collaborate with people from different departments, backgrounds, and locations on campus. The Office of Sustainability brings people together for a common goal, something that is really amazing to witness.

Tell us a little about yourself!

I received my B.S. in Conservation and Environmental Resources from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee where I studied water quality in the Great Lakes. After that, I went on to receive my M.S. in Marine Science from University of Texas-Austin where I studied the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. I am now pursuing my Ph.D. at the Nelson Institute of Environmental Studies, focusing on sustainability.

In between my graduate programs I worked as an environmental scientist at Green Seal, a third-party eco-labeling organization. At Green Seal, I worked with manufacturers to ensure they were meeting sustainability standards in all areas of their business. Working here I realized my passion for sustainability.  I have previously worked for the Clean Lakes Alliance in Madison and served as a member of the City of Madison Sustainability Committee.

In my free time, I enjoy canoeing, hiking, and painting.

Jake McCulloch

Jake McCulloch
What is your role at the Office of Sustainability?

I am working as a project specialist for the OS, serving in various roles. As a jack of all trades, I am currently developing UW-Madison’s sustainability guidelines, helping with the STARS report, developing a comprehensive communication plan, analyzing policy and legislation, and much more.

I am excited to expand the OS in order to incorporate sustainability in every decision that is made on campus. Sustainability isn’t just about the environment. It’s about economics, society, well-being, and so much more. I’m anxious to show people what that means.

Tell us a little about yourself!

I received my B.A. in Environmental Politics from UW-Eau Claire. There, I served as an intern and director for the Student Office of Sustainability which managed the University’s Green Fund. In my free time, I enjoy spending time outdoors—hiking, biking, backpacking, or whatever new fad I’m ambitiously attempting.

Ben Zacher

Ben Zacher
What is your role at the Office of Sustainability?

I will be working with the STARS group as a student analyst, gathering data on greenhouse gas emissions. I am also using statistics to see how UW-Madison sustainability matches up to peer institutions by comparing various characteristics.

I am excited about all the different aspects of this study. On the one hand, I am filling out the GHG inventory with Alex Frank; on the other, I am working on my own individual research project with Cathy Middlecamp. I am also collaborating with Tracy Harvey and Jake McCulloch on a research project that we will present at a national sustainability conference, AASHE. This is my first role in any sort of professional development and it’s great to be able to get out of the classroom and use my knowledge to work on something I care about.

Tell us a little about yourself!

I am a senior here at UW-Madison pursuing a degree in statistics with a concentration in environmental studies. In my free time, I enjoy listening to music, traveling, and practicing a healthy lifestyle.