Our Team
Waste-Free Advocates is run by an elected Board of Directors comprised of environmental professionals, policy activists, and dedicated volunteers who are passionate about creating a zero-waste Oregon.
Adrienne Wallace
President
Adrienne is the Sustainability Coordinator for a local construction company in Portland, Oregon with a primary focus on waste reduction and material recovery. She is extremely passionate about reducing overconsumption and finding creative ways of repairing, repurposing and upcycling goods. Adrienne recently completed her Master’s Degree in Environmental Science and is enthusiastic about moving toward a more circular economy that prioritizes collective wellbeing and de-growth. When not working you can usually find Adrienne at a local recycling event, reading for her online Environmental Book Club, or creating homemade beauty and personal products.
Email:
president[at]wastefreeadvocates.org
Tara Knierim
Treasurer
Brings over 10 years of experience as a policy analyst for the U.S. Department of Labor, as well as experience as a green entrepreneur, to her position of Vice-President for WFA. Passionate about environmental issues and frustrated by the current state of waste and recycling in this country, Tara is particularly excited about partnering with other organizations to further Waste-Free Advocate's mission.
Email: treasurer[at]wastefreeadvocates.org
Alaina Labak
Vice President
Alaina is a Quincenturion Master Recycler (Class 64) with over 500 volunteer hours logged, Eco-Schools Network parent and PTO volunteer, Milwaukie Environmental Stewards Group volunteer and classroom reading parent at Seth Lewelling Elementary. She loves to help Oregonians on their waste-reduction journey no matter how far along by connecting them with the resources they need, by way of social media communities and in-person resource events.
Email:
vp[at]wastefreeadvocates.org
Jessica Zahn
Secretary
Jessica brings 18 years of sustainability and communications experience, plus a lifetime of love for the natural world. She is a certified Master Recycler and has been a board member with WFA since 2020. She is also a Commissioner for the City of Portland's Sustainability & Climate Commission. Jessica is passionate about food systems, creative reuse, and equitable access to waste systems.
Julia Bonnheim
Director of Community Development
Julia is passionate about strengthening the connections between WFA's community members and Portland's innovative businesses, nonprofits and city government. She sees enormous potential in what's possible when each of us becomes a waste-free advocate, however that might personally look. Please reach out to her with questions or ideas at director[at]wastefreeadvocates.org.
Join Our Board!
We're always looking for new waste-free enthusiasts to join our team. It's a great opportunity to get support for a project that you have, and have monthly accountability on our collective waste-free goals. Elected positions are two years long. Together, we can make an impact. Reach out to director@wastefreeadvocates.org to learn more.