Board of Directors

Kevin Currie [President]
kevin (at) urbanambassadors (dot) org
Kevin is a graduate of Iowa State University’s Construction Engineering program and the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute. Living in Minnesota and California, he gained an appreciation for Iowa and moved back to start a family. With twenty years in their home in Beaverdale, Kevin was Chair of their Revitalization Design Committee, leading the effort to produce the Beaverdale Revitalization Master Plan. He has also been a President of Rebuilding Together-Greater Des Moines and a mentor for the Big Brother-Big Sister program. Kevin is a LEED Accredited Professional with specific interests in clean energy systems for residential use, and the planning and construction of off-grid, self-sufficient farms and communities.

Lee Wagner [Vice President]
lee (at) urbanambassadors (dot) org
Lee graduated from Purdue University with a BS in Ecology with a specialization in Environmental Science. Lee has worked in Colorado and Iowa in aquatic toxicology, water quality testing, permitting, and regulation. Through his education and work experiences he has developed a healthy understanding of the complex relationship that people have with the natural world, and the current imbalance that exists. Lee seeks to help restore the balance with nature through championing sustainable development, environmental education, and changing social ideology.

Suzet Nelson [Secretary]
suzet (at) urbanambassadors (dot) org
Suzet grew up on a farm within the Omaha Indian Nation in Nebraska. This experience nurtured her desire for preparing and eating fresh, local, and simple food. The landscape informed her childhood and continues to do so in all her work today. As a teacher, Suzet created classes such as Neighborhood Revival, to encourage teens to honor and renew the communities in which they live. In addition, she hosts a local TV show called “Your Home in Iowa”, highlighting local businesses in central Iowa. Suzet hopes to educate and inspire others to live simply and generously. Suzet holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from Briar Cliff University and a Family and Consumer Science Degree from Iowa State University.

Jay Agard [Treasurer]
jay (at) urbanambassadors (dot) org
Jay is a Financial Auditor at Deloitte & Touche LLP and holds a Certified Public Accountant license. He earned his BA from Iowa State University in Accounting and Management Information Systems with a minor in Finance. Growing up in the Des Moines area, he is passionate about positively impacting the community and is also active on several other local committees. Jay seeks to further emphasize the importance of making socially informed decisions in an effort to produce a more sustainable community.

Catherine Tone [BoardMember]
catherine (at) urbanambassadors (dot) org
Catherine grew up in Iowa. She earned her BFA in Interior Design from Iowa State University and is the owner of CTone Designs. An advocate for sustainable art, interiors and design, she is a programming committee member and Certified Sustainable Professional of Center on Sustainable Communities and on the programming and education committee of the US Green Building Council – Iowa Chapter. Her passion for greening the interior is evident in her volunteer work, continuing education in sustainable design workshops, participation in the annual USGBC Greenbuild Conference, and study towards attaining her LEED Green Associate.

Drew Matthew Maifeld [Board Member]
drew (at) urbanambassadors (dot) org
Drew joined RDG Planning & Design as a land architect & public artist following his graduation from Iowa State University in 2007 with a BA of Landscape Architecture & Minor in Digital Media. He is a passionate designer, intrigued by socially informed decision-making and ecologically responsible design. High levels of enthusiasm and curiosity drive the outcome of his individual and collaborative design works. The priority goal is to continually find meaninful and expressive ways of merging human and environmental concerns. Whatever the media, Drew’s desire is to transform everyday ideas into meaningful memories, places, and thoughts that influence people to “do their part well.”

Derek Nelson [Board Member]
derek (at) urbanambassadors (dot) org
Derek grew up on a farm in northern Iowa, thinking about the environment and land conservation. He moved to Des Moines in 2002, where he received his BSBA in International Business and Management from Drake University and his MBA with a Marketing concentration from the University of Iowa. His passion for sustainability has led him to become the Sustainability Coordinator at Pioneer Hi-Bred, and he started his own green consulting business, Creative Footprints. He hopes his influence will continue to drive people to ‘do the right thing’ when it comes preserving our natural resources and being environmental stewards.

Andrea Otteman [Board Member]
andrea (at) urbanambassadors (dot) org
Andrea is from Iowa and earned her BA from St. Olaf College. While in school, she took several ecology courses and organized a campus-wide “Greener Move-Out Day,” encouraging students to re-use dorm room furniture to keep it out of the landfill. Andrea has moved around the country for various jobs, and always kept ties with her passion for the environment, joining various community groups, like the Adams County Green Coalition in Quincy, IL. Recently returning to Des Moines in 2010, Andrea hopes to bring energy and enthusiasm to the sustainability movement in the metro community and takes great pride in her work.

Adam Hammes [Board Member]
adam (at) urbanambassadors (dot) org
Adam moved back to Iowa in 2007. Adam earned his MBA (with BA in Human Services and minor in Environmental Studies) and is a certified LEED Accredited, and COSC Green Building, professional. With 7 years of international experience in environmental education and leadership development, Adam worked for two years at the Cousteau’s pilot education program on Catalina Island, Ambassadors of the Environment. He hosts the Friday morning Green City segment on KFMG 99.1 in Des Moines and loves urban agriculture.

greater des moines

Board of Directors

Greening 80/35 : 2011 SEED Project

Solar Generator : 2011 SEED Project

Scavo Urban Garden : 2011 SEED Project

2011 SEED PROJECTS

Grameen Bank : 2012 SEED Project

Sustainability Summer Camp : 2012 SEED Project

2012 SEED PROJECTS