We’re passionate about helping you Transition Local Communities
The Team
Co-Founder & CEO
In 2016, after spending 20+ years in the software industry, Dean made a personal decision to shift his focus to sustainability. Specifically, he wanted to focus on inspiring people to take action—showing them how to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle. After studying a variety of residential engagement models and approaches, Dean and team developed the core of the Green Community Catalysts model that we have today. In 2020, Dean led two fairly significant citizen engagement projects. One was the development of a 4 year, 5M Euro, 14 member team EU Green Deal proposal to pilot citizen engagement across 6 diverse cities and regions in Europe and the second was a 4 town, residential engagement sustainability program located in the Upper Valley of NH/VT. In 2021, Dean was asked to deploy the model in his hometown, Beverly MA, and has led to what Green Beverly has become today.
Dean believes that taking a systems based approach to residential sustainability engages the broadest spectrum of individuals and yields the greatest impact. Dean also believes that it's not only important but critical to engage the community in an equitable and inclusive manner. We can not solve this climate crisis with 10% of the population, it requires 100% of the population.
In addition to spending time with family and friends, Dean enjoys working on their 1888 home, staying in shape at the local CrossFit, and periodically exploring the underwater world with some scuba diving friends.
Christina leads design and development of user-focused solutions at Green Community Catalysts (GCC). With a robust background in digital marketing communications and user experience design, Christina offers innovative insights that allow our team to connect with the GCC community most effectively. Previously, Christina has designed projects such as the EcoAction App and numerous websites; enhancing reach and tailoring messaging and delivery for her clients.
An interest in environmental advocacy began for Christina in 2005 while renovating her historic home; attempting to enhance energy efficiency without compromising architectural integrity. This experience prompted her to research beyond basic environmental health concerns for air, water, and food quality. Ultimately creating a strong knowledge base about sustainable living that she now applies personally and professionally.
Christina's involvement extends well beyond product strategy. She is actively engaged in community initiatives, including connecting with the community for a locally grown food research project. She is an avid supporter of the cumulative impact of everyday actions and advocates for a spectrum of sustainable living options; from small everyday changes to larger, innovative solutions.
At GCC, Christina champions the design of user-centric experiences that empower individuals and organizations to make informed, environmentally conscious decisions. Her leadership underscores GCC's mission to catalyze sustainable practices and inspire positive change within communities worldwide.
Joanna Nadeau, AICP
Project Lead for Community Implementations
Christina Olson-Berg
Co-Founder, Product & Communication Strategist
Joanna loves to assist motivated community leaders and residents in reducing their environmental impact. She tailors solutions to their unique situations and creates spaces for learning along the way. To guide projects from vision through implementation, Joanna draws on her experience with sustainability planning, public engagement, program development, environmental education, natural resource management, and policy analysis. She co-facilitated the launch of SNAPP in Lebanon, NH, and has assisted with development of educational modules and refinement of the app to make it more user-friendly and functional.
Joanna has spent two decades working with technical experts, government officials, resource managers, and the public to help communities implement resiliency and sustainability projects. Joanna is an AICP-certified planner, with degrees in biology, Environmental and Healthy City Planning, and water policy. She is happiest when she is outdoors, hiking, biking, or playing in the water, or discovering new things about people and the world through travel and reading.
Nate Davis
Technology Architect
Nate Davis is a technologist, composer, and artist based in Rockland, Maine. He is a co-founder of Steel House, a collaborative workspace in Rockland recognized by the World Bank as one of 13 "creative community spaces" globally that are "transforming cities into innovation hubs". He has deep experience across a variety of technological domains, including web and app development, mathematical finance, machine learning, and algorithmic art. Davis holds a Ph.D. in music composition and theory from the University of California, Davis and an M.A. in mathematics from Brandeis University. He is serving his second term on the Rockland City Council and volunteers his time writing legislative testimony for Sierra Club Maine.
Daniel Mello Guimarães
Advisor
Daniel Mello Guimarães is a seasoned business executive with extensive experience in the solar energy and financial services industries. As the CEO and Co-Founder of Boston Solar, he led the company to become a premier residential and commercial solar installer in Massachusetts. His tenure saw the successful execution of high-profile community focused campaigns and the development of robust sales, marketing and leadership teams. Prior to his work in solar energy, Daniel held significant roles at Lloyds Banking Group across London, Buenos Aires, and Brussels, specializing in loan syndication, restructuring and acquisition finance. He holds an MSc in International Securities, Investment and Banking from the ISMA Centre, University of Reading, and a double BA in Economics and French from Davidson College. Fluent in English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish, Daniel is also an active board member of SEBANE, currently serving as Vice-President.
Thomas Sommerfield (“Dr. Tom”) has been working in CT since 2006. He works for the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services as a Supervising Clinician for a Community Support Program. He also trains colleagues in Psychological First Aid, helps debrief/defuse teams who have experienced trauma, and is co-chair of the family initiative in his organization.
Holding a PhD in systems (family) psychology, Tom was a professor for almost 15 years for the University of Maryland European graduate counseling programs starting 2004. (Classroom and online)
He travels often to Germany where he was once stationed while serving in the US Army. He has also released (iTunes, Spotify, YouTube, etc.) his first solo album, SOMMERFIELD “So Completely” showing his creative and artistic side.
Joely Ortiz
eLearning Research Intern
Tom Sommerfield, PhD
Behavioral Science Advisor
Joely is currently studying Economics, Environment, and Sustainability at Merrimack College and will soon enter her third undergraduate year. She is very fond of Environmental Science and Global health, which has led her to pursue a career in moving the world toward sustainability. Outside of her education and interest in ESS, Joely is a children’s swim instructor. A job that has turned out to be very fun! For leisure Joely enjoys exercising, being outside in nature, and trying new food place
L Figueiredo
Digital Media Specialist Intern
L Figueiredo is an artist entering their senior year of high school. Currently, they are working for GCC as an animator and designer, helping with big and small projects. So far, GCC is L’s first large-scale project. They are working on completing their art portfolio to enter a fine arts institution in 2025.
As L has gotten older, they have noticed the extreme overconsumption habits of today's society. This led them to do more research, then wanting to help make an impact. L is now striving to help make communities more sustainable and livable by challenging people's overconsumption habits. In their free time, L likes going to local shows, bird-watching, reading, collecting old electronics, playing and listening to music, and drawing.
