Our Team
Melissa Cheatham
State Support Center Program Director
Melissa has worked to advance the clean energy transformation in both local and federal government. She served as Professional Staff for the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Energy and Environment Subcommittee under Chairman Henry Waxman and previously worked in the Washington, DC office of the Natural Resources Defense Council. Melissa is a champion for local progress as an elected City Council Member in Overland Park, Kansas, where she lives with her husband and two children.
Shara Mohtadi
Co-Founder
Shara has spent her career in state and federal climate policy, international climate diplomacy, and philanthropy. She was most recently the Chief of Staff for the $4B Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), US Department of Energy. She also led a portfolio of international climate-focused grants and strategies at Bloomberg Philanthropies. She previously served as senior advisor to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), leading community engagement efforts. During the Obama Administration, Shara served as an advisor for the climate portfolio at the White House, Office of Management and Budget. Shara was born and raised in Minnesota, and lives in Washington, DC with her husband and son.
Sam Ricketts
Co-Founder
Sam has spent his career working to advance climate and clean energy progress at the federal and state levels. He is a former longtime adviser to Governor Jay Inslee, including serving for five years in the Washington state governor’s office, and leading climate policy and strategy for Inslee’s 2020 presidential campaign. Between 2009-2012, he was the first executive director of the Congressional Sustainable Energy & Environment Coalition (SEEC). Sam also co-founded and was head of policy for the climate advocacy organization Evergreen Action, and was a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress (CAP). Sam hails from Seattle, attended Syracuse University, and lives in Washington, DC with his wife and two children.
Bennett Byerley
Director, Finance
Bennett focuses on the intersection of climate policy and finance to advance the clean energy transition and equitable economic development. Previously, Bennett co-founded and served as COO at Verb Energy, Inc, a food and beverage brand making caffeinated protein and energy bars with healthy, clean ingredients. Founded during his undergraduate years, the company grew to be a leading food & beverage startup with a nationwide presence and was acquired this past year. He completed a Master's in Sustainability Management from Columbia, where he volunteered with the Legal Pathways to Deep Decarbonization Model Law Project to streamline the crafting of state climate legislation. Prior, he graduated from Yale with degree in Ethics, Politics, and Economics in 2019. Originally from North Carolina, he now lives in New York with his wife, Sonia, an OBGYN resident at NYU.
Rachel Chamberlain
State Energy Strategist
Rachel has spent her career helping states translate climate and energy ambition into practical, durable policies and programs. She most recently led state decarbonization and climate planning efforts at the Utah Department of Environmental Quality. Her background spans state policy development, atmospheric science, and Clean Air Act implementation, as well as research on climate impacts to wetland ecosystems. She previously worked in residential and commercial new construction, with a focus on low-carbon building practices, including working at NYSERDA on their Carbon Neutral Buildings Program. She lives in Utah with her partner, James, and their dog, Otis, and enjoys mountain biking and gardening.
Sandie Raines
Chief of Staff
Sandie has centered innovation and community in her work to advance change in both campaigns and clean energy. She served as an advisor for the U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy and was previously in the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy where she focused on a variety of areas including industrial decarbonization and inclusive innovation. Prior to joining the Administration, Sandie worked for the 2020 presidential campaign in a variety of roles in both Michigan and Iowa. She is a former professional runner and has represented Team U.S.A. in international competitions. Originally from Texas, Sandie now lives in Washington D.C, and continues to be an avid track and field fan.
Andrea Siezar
Operations Coordinator
Andrea is a seasoned operations professional with over 10 years of experience optimizing business processes across a variety of industries. She specializes in streamlining finance updates, HR operations, quality assurance, and workforce management to drive efficiency and organizational growth. With a keen eye for operational excellence, Andrea ensures seamless administrative and strategic execution, fostering a high-performance work environment. She holds a BA in Tourism & Hospitality Business Administration and a Diploma in Digital Marketing from Keiser University. Andrea provides remote support to our team from Nicaragua, where she lives with her husband.