Our Team

Alan Gordon | President

Alan is currently the President of Green Newton. Alan also serves on the Newton Sustainable Materials Management Commission and volunteers with the Sierra Club.  He is an advocate for zero waste policies, single use plastic reduction, and residential and business composting.

Sunwoo Kahng | Vice President, Marketing & Zero Waste Committees

Sunwoo is a 18 year resident of Newton and began her environmental activism at her children’s elementary school where she led an effort to reuse, compost, and recycle at PTO events. She continued her efforts to create better waste reduction policies as a member and then chair of the city’s Sustainable Materials Management Commission. She is currently the editor of the Green Newton E-News.

Don Ross | Treasurer

Don is the Treasurer of Green Newton as well as for the Newton/San Juan del Sur Sister City Project with Nicaragua, The Friends of Cold Spring Park, and The Friends of Hemlock Gorge. He serves as an Energy Coach and on the EV Task Force.

Barbara Brousal-Glaser | Clerk, At-Large

Barbara Brousal-Glaser is a former City Councilor in Newton, and has been on the Green Newton Board of Directors since 2020. She has served as clerk, and been on the long term Planning Committee. She currently works to promote homeowner education around energy efficiency and non-fossil fuel alternatives for home heating and cooling.

Dan Ruben| Chairman of the Board, Buildings Standards Committee Chair

Board member since 1996, Dan leads the Building Standards Committee, which advocates for sustainable construction in Newton. He has coached over 200 residents to live greener lifestyles. Dan teaches Sustainable Hospitality and Sustainable Tourism at Boston University. Previously, he founded and led Boston Green Tourism, which helped hotels be more sustainable, and he led an organization that brought environmental best practices to the 2004 Democratic National Convention.

Marcia Cooper | President Emeritus, Public Affairs & Schools Committees

A board member since 2005, Marcia served as President from 2008 until August 2024. She has also served on the local Chamber’s Environment Committee, and as a liaison to other environmental groups. Her favorite role is mentoring youth volunteers to engage with others about climate solutions.

Sharon Cushing | At-Large

Sharon Cushing taught social studies for 10 years and has worked for 25 years as a financial/retirement advisor. She believes it is our responsibility to honor, protect and enjoy our beautiful planet.

Craig Forman | Energy Efficiency Committee Chair

Craig holds degrees in Engineering and Business. His engineering background supports understanding technology while making it relevant to those who are less familiar. He is a Newton resident and serves as a Citizen Energy Coach, helping residents learn how clean heating and cooling technologies can improve comfort and reduce emissions.

Brian Hodgson | Marketing Committee, Co-Chair

Brian has 25 years experience in marketing in high technology. He believes that climate change is the most important challenge of our time, and that individuals can each make a difference within their local community.

Karen Kipman | Marketing Committee, Co-Chair

Karen brings more than 20 years of marketing experience to her role on Green Newton’s Board. She lives in Newton with her family and is passionate about leading a sustainable lifestyle. She believes in educating and mobilizing our local community for a greener tomorrow. She also serves as Marketing Co-Chair.

John Lewis | Marketing Committee and Business Liaison

John Lewis lives in Newton, MA with his family. He has worked at athenahealth for over 20 years in various leadership positions in the areas of sales and client services. John received his MBA from Wharton and his undergraduate degree at Wesleyan University.

Jim Purdy | Transportation / Smart Growth Committee Chair

Jim worked in planning and environmental documentation for 35 years on projects like the Boston Harbor Islands State Park, the MIT campus, and the Big Dig. He did ADA assessments of Federal Transit Authority stations. He was a member of the Newton Energy Commission and participated in updating the City’s Sustainability Plan.

Mindy Gregory Sieber | Chair of Governance & Fundraising Committees

Board Member since 2012, Mindy focuses on strategic planning, fundraising and governance. Mindy founded an online store selling goods that are both sustainable and fair-trade. She is also on the board of Newton Community Farm.

Peter Smith | Building Standards Committee and Chamber Environment Committee

A founding board member and past president, Peter established the newsletter (Green News) and the annual GreenEXPO (originally the Green Solutions EXPO). He serves on the annual Environmental Award Committee. Peter also co-chairs the Environment Committee of the Newton Needham Chamber of Commerce, initiating their Green Business Awards Breakfast and coordinating Newton Business Energy Savers.

Elizabeth Sockwell

Liza is the founder of the 4C Tree Project (Capture Carbon Commemorate Covid). As part of this project, 260 trees in honor of Newton neighbors and loved ones who lost their lives to Covid have been planted in public places across the city. Liza is part of Newton’s Urban Tree Commission and enjoys empowering youth to make change.