The Green Team is:
Anthony Stewart
President & Environmental Director
Anthony is an entrepreneur with more than five years of full-time experience in the environmental industry, serving on a variety of projects performing Site Assessments, identifying environmental hazards, contamination, and evaluating recognized environmental conditions. He studied visual arts and printmaking at the Federal University of Mato Grasso do Sul in Campo Grande, Brazil through the Rotary Exchange Program in 2005. Anthony was later selected to study through an international program of Macquarie University in Australia, participating in field research on Sustainable Development across nine countries around the world. Anthony completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Studies at the University of Pittsburgh in 2011.
After graduation, Anthony worked in the environmental field, specializing in environmental consulting and renewable energy. In 2013, he founded DECO Resources, LLC, (Design – Engineering – Construction – Operations) to lead a team in performing environmental consulting and green design. At DECO, Anthony has managed environmental assessment, risk analysis, and contaminant mitigation by implementing sustainable technology and best practices. He is currently serving his second term as an elected officer for the Solar Unified Network of Western PA and is a technical advisor to InvolveMINT.
email: astewart@deco-resources.com
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Dorothy Bassett
Director of Maker Education
A senior education and training leader with more than 25 years of international experience in support of the higher education and non-profit sectors, Dorothy has extensive experience in the design and development of programs targeted for international audiences. She has developed and led over 100 programs for mid- to senior-level leaders from developing countries, and has traveled to over 30 nations conducting research, training, marketing, consulting and public presentations. She is known as a collaborative team leader who capitalizes on cutting-edge global trends. In her recent role as dean at a large private university, she also designed and managed a variety of bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, including a groundbreaking master’s degree in global leadership, a program designed to develop globally, environmentally and socially-responsible leaders.
Since 2010, she has also conducted environmental community outreach efforts to residents throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania, providing educational programs, direct assistance, referrals to environmental, medical and policy professionals, and field support to journalists, international visitors and documentary filmmakers. Dorothy holds a Ph.D. in public and international affairs with a focus in international development, a master’s degree in public affairs and a bachelor of arts degree.
email: dbassett@deco-resources.com
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Ashley Young
Maker Education Advisor
Ashley holds a Bachelor’s Degree in recreation administration as well as a Masters Degree in education. She brings years of experience working with youth in the Pittsburgh region. Her background includes coaching, teaching health and physical education, facility management, and curriculum development. Her goal is to teach a well-rounded lifestyle by encouraging critical thinking and supporting healthy, active lives.
email: ayoung@deco-resources.com
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Chelsea Michelessi
Sustainability Coordinator
Chelsea graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelors in Environmental Studies. She serves as a sustainability consultant to help local organizations implement actions to improve environmental and social impact. Chelsea also performs work as an environmental scientist to assess air, soil, and water quality.
email: cmichelessi@deco-resources.com
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Ruari Egan
Low Impact Development Engineer
Ruari has both a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering and a Master’s Degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University. In her master’s program, Ruari was in the Environmental Engineering, Sustainability, and Science group with a focus on Water Quality Engineering and Science. She has a background in environmental advocacy and community organization through her work as a Field Manager at the nonprofit Clean Water Action. Ruari supports the design of green stormwater infrastructure, or low impact development systems, to reduce runoff volume, promote infiltration and evapotranspiration, and reduce combined sewer overflows throughout Pittsburgh.
email: regan@deco-resources.com
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Elisha Helgen
Communications Intern
Elly is currently pursuing her Master of Sustainability at Chatham University. With a background in anthropology, she is most interested in how the environment and people intersect and interact. Her current pursuits involve studying the most effective ways to communicate sustainability to various audiences, and discovering best practices for making positive change in the community and the environment in a just and equitable way.
email: ehelgen@deco-resources.com
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Sam Lehr
Environmental Technician Intern
Holding both a B.S. in Environmental Science and a M.S. in Environmental Science and Management from Duquesne University, Sam’s greatest interests lie in the use of science, technology, and policy to address issues of sustainable development and environmental conservation. His role includes community-oriented projects, environmental sampling, and research and development in various areas of DECO’s work. Sam has a background in hard science as well as community engagement and hands-on conservation work with the Student Conservation Association.
email: slehr@deco-resources.com
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Teresa Leatherow
Industrial & Environmental Engineer
Teresa is pursuing a dual degree in Supply Chain Management and Business Information Systems with a certificate in Sustainability (concentrating on industrial and environmental engineering) from the University of Pittsburgh. She is especially interested in the intersection of business and engineering, and focuses on integrating environmental sustainability into supply chain and operations functions. A firm believer in the good that business can do for the environment and society, Teresa will combine technical and business backgrounds at DECO-Resources in a consulting role.
email: tleatherow@deco-resources.com
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Advisory Board
Cephas Afeke – PhD Student in Chemistry at the University of Pittsburgh
Brigitta Horton – Veteran of the US Air Force & Master’s student in Sustainable Design
Unnati Rao – PhD Student in Environmental & Chemical Engineering at the University of California, Riverside
Tessa Roscoe – Director of Innovation with focuses on water treatment & sustainable development