Clean and Prosperous America
About Us
Clean & Prosperous America believes in the power of hyper-local, grassroots community organizations. Small, passionate, and often youth-led, community-rooted groups are much better able to connect with, persuade, and mobilize voters than impersonal and inefficient television advertising.
We do the work to discover and vet the groups that can make the biggest impact in the most strategically important districts.
Too much funding goes to TV ads every political cycle while grassroots groups doing the truly impactful direct voter engagement work go underfunded. We also recognize there is a massive quantity of organizations, small and large, who’s primary mission is not to turn-out voters and thus don’t receive national electorally focused donors support, but none-the-less are well positioned through their membership and volunteer bases to make big impact in elections with relatively small financial support to run electoral programs. Finally we see the pace of climate action hinges on expanding commitment from legislators representing non-urban areas and in these suburban, small town and rural constituents areas young voters, 18-29, and specifically young minority voters are the most moveable voters.
We developed, launched, and validated the program that blossomed into the Rural Youth Voter Fund (RYVF), a major initiative now led by The Rural Democracy Initiative and supported by the Movement Voter Project. Recognizing that our electoral system is structurally biased in favor of rural areas, and that young voters of color are underrepresented, the RYVF supports grassroots organizations to register and mobilize young voters of color in non-urban areas.
Our new Strategic Grassroots Empowerment Fund (SGEF) supports community organizations in strategically-targeted districts that are working critical races up and down the ballot.
CaPA Board of Directors
Bill McClain (he/him)
Bill has led domestic and international marketing for several major brands, including Clarisonic (acquired by L’Oreal) and Sonicare (acquired by Philips). Bill currently teaches Global Business Strategy and Marketing, as well as New Capitalism: Leading ESG in a Changing World at the University of Washington. Bill also leads marketing communications at Clean & Prosperous Washington. He earned his B.S. at West Virginia Wesleyan College and his MBA at the University of Pittsburgh.
Ning Mosberger-Tang (she/her)
Ning has a background in computer science and has worked for a number of years in the tech industry, including a few years developing Google’s early advertising platforms. Since 2006, she has focused on conservation and environmental education, climate change mitigation, community organizing, and policy advocacy. She does her work through a private foundation, a social welfare non-profit, and as a private investor in cleantech startups. She also serves on multiple environmental boards including the board of League of Conservation Voters. Ning received her B.S. in Computer Science and Engineering from Tsinghua University and M.S. in Computer Science from the University of Arizona.
Valerie Hill Rawls (she/her)
Valerie Hill Rawls, MAPT, is Co-Founder of the EcoWomanist Institute (EWI) and Managing Director of Hill Eco, Inc. With expertise in social entrepreneurship, marketing, and climate justice leadership, she has spearheaded sustainability initiatives in the southeast US. Recently, she coordinated Clean and Prosperous America’s Georgia Partners Coalition for Youth Voter Outreach. Valerie is also a seasoned marketing expert, having managed multinational clients like Visa and FedEx. She serves on boards supporting affordable housing and women’s leadership and holds a BA in Marketing Communications and a Master of Arts in Public Theology.
Joel Kanter (he/him)
Joel has over four decades of political and business experience, which began in 1978 as a legislative assistant to Congressman Abner Mikva, where Joel focused on federal criminal code reform. Joel has also worked as the Special Assistant to the National Association of Attorneys General, Staff Director of House Rules Committee’s Subcommittee on Legislative Process Chaired by Congressman Long, and President and Chief Executive Officer of Walnut Financial Services. Inc. Currently, Joel sits on several private company boards and the Board of Voices for Progress. Joel is the Board Chair of the Black Student Fund, and the Coalition To Stop Gun Violence. Joel received a B.S. in Psychology and B.A. in Political Science with honors from Tulane University.
CaPA Staff
Bill McClain (he/him) – Research and Marketing Director
Greg Rock (he/him) – Executive Director
Greg has a background in clean energy policies. He served for three years as the public buildings energy efficiency lead for the Washington State Energy Office. He also founded the Green Car Company which imported the first Smart Cars to the U.S. and delivered the first municipal PHEV conversion. Greg campaigned for the nation’s first carbon tax initiative, lobbied the WA State legislature since 2015, and authored theWA Sustainable Farms and Fields Act which contributed to the development of the $1 Billion USDA Climate Smart Commodities program. Greg received a M.Sc. in sustainable energy engineering from Chalmers University in Sweden, and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Cal Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo. Greg also serves as the Executive Director of 1.5°Climate Strategies Group.
Page Atcheson (she/her) – Grant Program Director
Page Atcheson has been advancing solutions to mitigate the climate crisis for over a decade. She currently works with several organizations around funding priorities at the intersection of climate and politics while supporting nonprofit leadership. In her role at the Global Warming Mitigation Project, Page connects projects that are effectively reducing greenhouse gas emissions with funding opportunities through the organization’s Climate Impact Conduit program. Page manages the grant program at Clean & Prosperous America and consults for their affiliated donor collaborative, the 1.5° Climate Strategies Group. Previously, Page served as the Executive Director of Our Climate. Under her leadership, Our Climate engaged thousands of youth leaders in efforts to win state-level climate and clean energy policies across the country. Page got her start organizing at Northern Plains Resource Council, working to organize farmers and ranchers to help keep coal in the ground. Page earned a B.S. in Environmental Studies from University of Vermont, where she designed a concentration in Community Responses to Climate Change.
Ariana McKisic (she/her) – Communications Manager
Ariana’s journey has been marked by a passion for driving positive change. With a rich background in nonprofit work and a flair for data analytics, Ariana has been a guiding force in creating meaningful impacts. She has dedicated more than 2 years to the nonprofit sector, where she served as a Program Assistant for Atlanta GLOW, a former CaPA grantee committed to community betterment for minority groups, mostly young women of color. Her roles included supporting the implementation of various programs, collaborating with stakeholders, and ensuring the smooth execution of initiatives aimed at making a difference. Her passion for equity and justice has been the driving force behind her efforts to empower those in need and actively work to uplift marginalized communities.
Emilia Jones (she/her) – Grantee Services Manager
Dominic Canterbury (he/him) – Technology Director
With over 20 years of experience, Dominic has led successful technology projects for startups, nonprofits, regional businesses, and international clients including Microsoft, Intel, AT&T, Target, and Staples. Areas of expertise include IT operations, web development, technology implementation, and analytics.
Grant Review Team
Ashlie James
Reyna Davila-Day
Reyna Davila-Day, an enrolled member of Bois Forte with a lineage steeped in Mexica-Toltekatl ancestral wisdom, has dedicated her career to serving Native communities. Armed with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Hamline University, she brings a wealth of experience as a youth mentor, project manager, administrative assistant, and cultural consultant. Currently, as the Development and Membership Coordinator at Native Americans in Philanthropy, Reyna plays a vital role in advancing the organization’s mission. Beyond her professional endeavors, she treasures moments with her family—her son and husband. Reyna’s passion for indigenous empowerment, combined with her rich cultural heritage, positions her as a dynamic force in philanthropy and community development.
Nick Guthman
Nick Guthman is a progressive political organizer, trainer and leadership coach based in his hometown of Los Angeles. Nick brings 10 years of youth organizing and leadership development experience, getting his start as an organizer for Organizing For Action in 2014. Nick graduated Magna Cum Laude from American University where he earned a Certificate in Advanced Leadership Studies and Campaign Management and organized around racial, climate and electoral justice. After graduating, Nick organized around healthcare and economic justice in DC.
In 2018, Nick Co-Founded Blue Future and the Progressive Leadership Initiative, youth-led organizations dedicated to expanding equitable opportunities for civic engagement and developing the next generation of movement leaders. Nick has experience with fundraising, program management, digital and social media organizing, cultural organizing & creative advocacy, policy research and communications, community outreach and coalition building and talent/staff recruitment.
Mariella Villacorta
Mariella comes from the civic engagement and youth organizing space. With 7+ years of experience at the local and national level, she has a track record of leveraging resources to help movements organizations and leaders create meaningful change. An organizer at heart, she has worn many hats in grassroots organizing from grant writing to canvassing.
Mariella is the former Development & Individual Giving Manager at Alliance for Youth Action, where she diversified fundraising streams by building a monthly donor program, crafting persuasive proposals, improving internal systems, and amplifying digital fundraising campaigns. Previously, she worked in an electoral digital and fundraising firm, helping execute successful progressive political campaigns through fundraising and field strategy. Mariella is a proud immigrant from El Salvador.
Bambie Hayes-Brown
Nicole Crescimanno
Nicole Crescimanno is a leader who has dedicated her career to addressing the root causes of the climate crisis. She holds a M.A. in Climate & Society from Columbia University, a B.A. in Environmental Studies from Stonehill College, and has over 11 years of experience in the climate space. Most recently, she served as the Director of Strategic Relationships and Programs at Our Climate where she was responsible for fundraising, program management, annual planning and reporting, and metrics collection and analysis. Previously, she managed Our Climate’s NY program, empowering young people to meet with their elected officials to advocate for science-based and equitable climate solutions and supporting Our Climate’s youth voter registration program during the 2020 election cycle. Before working with Our Climate, Nicole served as the program coordinator for Dr. James Hansen’s Program on Climate Science, Awareness and Solutions at the Earth Institute. She is a Young Climate Leaders Network Fellow, a StartingBloc Social Innovation Fellow, a Women’s Impact Alliance Fellow, and an inaugural member of Climate Vine.
Tre Gallon
Tre serves as the youngest board member of Keep Empowering YourSelf, Inc, a non profit organization dedicated to uplifting women and girls in rural areas through holistic health, mentorship, and economic empowerment strategies. With a fervent dedication to community service and social impact, Tre plays a pivotal role on the project review team, meticulously assessing proposals, employing predetermined metrics to assign scores, and actively participating in deliberations to finalize selections. Beyond board responsibilities, from 2011 to 2015, Tre spearheaded impactful annual food drives for Second Harvest, exemplifying a steadfast dedication to fostering sustainable change within communities.
Marcia Baker
Marcia Baker was a professor of Atmospheric Sciences and Earth and Space Sciences at the University of Washington. She worked on problems of atmospheric physics, collaborating with colleagues from the UK, Switzerland and the USSR during extended research visits to scientific institutes in those countries. Since retirement, she has taught in the Osher Lifelong Learning program, contributed to reports by Sightline and The Nature Conservancy, volunteered with Carbon Washington to work on the Carbon tax Initiative I-732 and done extensive tutoring in upper level mathematics, physics and chemistry for local high school students.
Susan Labandibar
As a co-leader at Swing Blue Alliance, Susan Labandibar helps volunteers take the most effective actions to protect our democracy, strengthen the Democratic party at the grassroots level and elect Democrats up and down the ballot. Since the 2016 presidential election, Susan has helped found a number of ongoing grassroots groups, including the Grassroots Fundraising Network, the Field Leaders Research Network, Activist Afternoons and The Collaboration Project. She was the Swing Left Regional Organizing Coordinator for New England from 2018 to 2021 and most recently, a field organizer for the Pennsylvania Democratic Party during the 2022 midterm election.
Susan Labandibar is also the founder of Tech Networks of Boston, an information technology company that serves nonprofit organizations. Over the course of two decades, Susan grew the company from a startup vision to a “Best for the World” B-Corp employing 40 IT professionals serving local nonprofit organizations. In 2012, Susan co-founded the Climate Action Business Association, a membership organization that elevates the voice of small businesses in the fight against climate change. Susan has also served on many nonprofit boards over the years to further her goals of sustainable small businesses development and protection of our environment for a healthy and secure future.
CaPA Founder
David Giuliani (he/him) – Founder: In Memoriam
The late David Giuliani was best known as the co-inventor of the Sonicare toothbrush and the Clarisonic skin care system, and as co-founder and CEO of both companies. David was a featured speaker at the White House Conference on Corporate Responsibility, was honored as the “United States Small Business Person of the Year” by President Clinton, and was selected as the “National Entrepreneur of the Year for Manufacturing” by Ernst & Young.
But his recent achievements may have been his most lasting and impactful. Over the last 10 years, David turned his attention to solving the problem of climate change. He worked hard to bring together expertise from all perspectives, regardless of political orientation, to identify, quantify, and address key issues. As an entrepreneur he always looked for “win-win” solutions to address climate change and improve economic and societal health.
Through Clean & Prosperous America, David galvanized funders to invest in community organizations to help unite our country in support of economic growth policies that enhance the health and safety of our citizens and the environment.