Michael Arny, PE, MSME, LEED AP
President
Michael Arny founded Leonardo Academy in 1997 and has guided the growth of this organization to the present. Michael has worked on energy and environmental issues throughout his entire career. After earning a BS and MS in mechanical engineering, as well as a BA in Psychology and Russian language at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Michael worked for the Wisconsin Public Service Commission for 14 years. He chaired the State of Wisconsin committee that developed the State of Wisconsin Greenhouse Gas emissions inventory, emission reduction cost analysis, and the economic benefits analysis for emission reductions.

Michael attended the first meeting that began the development of LEED for Existing Buildings (LEED-EB) in 2000 and chaired the LEED-EB Committee of the U.S. Green Building Council from 2001-2005. As chair of the LEED-EB Committee, Michael guided LEED-EB through the development, pilot testing, refinement and balloting process. Michael is a registered professional engineer in the State of Wisconsin and a LEED® Accredited Professional.

Betsy Braun
Office Manager & Executive Assistant
Betsy Braun joined Leonardo Academy in 2008 as the Office Manager and Executive Assistant. Betsy has over 25 years of administrative experience in various industries, including architecture, design/build, insurance, and banking. Betsy’s responsibilities include office management and support to Leonardo Academy’s president, Michael Arny. She manages schedules, travel, speaking engagements, conferences and phone reception. She is generally the first point of contact and can direct you to the right person. Betsy also assists with human resource tasks, staff communications and events, press releases, purchasing, and special projects. Her background includes supporting top levels of management, supervising support staff, training, conference planning, newsletter design, editing and writing. At a previous firm, Betsy successfully coordinated an application for LEED-EB Silver Certification, a task that introduced her to Leonardo Academy. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Governor’s State University, University Park, Illinois.

Sonia Carlson
Emissions Services Manager, Cleaner and Greener® Program Manager
Sonia Carlson joined Leonardo Academy in 2008 and manages the organization’s Cleaner & Greener® Program and other emissions projects.  Through the Cleaner and Greener® Program, she works with clients on sustainability and emissions reductions projects and also helps LEED applicants achieve credit for emission reductions and offsets.  She also contributes to other emissions footprinting projects, helping clients to track, understand, and ameliorate the environmental impacts of their business operations.  Sonia holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Religion from Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois.  In her free time, Sonia enjoys knitting, outdoor activities, movies, thrift store shopping, and recycling.

Kara Edmonson, LEED AP
Senior LEED Project Manager
Kara Edmonson joined Leonardo Academy in 2007, bringing six years of previous experience with natural areas restoration and urban environmental issues. Kara’s primary responsibilities include project management of LEED consulting projects and reviewing LEED-EB certification applications for the USGBC per Leonardo Academy’s service agreement. Kara also manages the Sustainability Internship Program and Leonardo Academy’s Sustainable Land Management Program, which includes the restoration and management of Leonardo Academy’s Valley Ridge Farm in Richland Center, Wisconsin. Kara has a background in wetland ecology, stormwater management and sustainable development. Kara earned a MS degree in Water Resources Management at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a BA in Biology at Lewis & Clark College. 

Tracy Jaworski
Staff Accountant

Shana Israelstam Kellum
LEED Project Manager
Shana joined Leonardo Academy in 1998, after earning her BS and MS in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences with an emphasis in Air Resource Management at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Over the years, Shana has been involved with many of Leonardo Academy’s efforts to increase sustainability and environmental improvement, and has gained the technical expertise needed to support the efforts of Leonardo Academy’s Information Technology and Communications departments. Shana also reviews LEED® certification applications and is pursuing LEED® Accredited Professional certification.

Maribeth Kniffin, LEED AP
LEED Project Manager
Maribeth joined Leonardo Academy in 2008 after graduating with a degree in Biological Sciences and Environmental Science and Policy from Smith College in Northampton, MA. Throughout her studies, she focused on the impact of humans on the natural environment. In particular, she studied the affect of eutrophication on freshwater ecosystems as well as integrated pest management using biocontrols in botanic gardens.  As a LEED® Accredited Professional, Maribeth assists building owners and property managers implement the LEED-EB certification process and reviews LEED-EB applications for certification through Leonardo Academy’s contract with the U.S. Green Building Council. Maribeth also strives to encourage green building education by assisting in the development of Leonardo Academy training programs.

John Landowski
IT Director / Marketing Manager
John joined Leonardo Academy in 2008 as the Interactive Director for the company and its affiliate sites WorldGreen.org and CleanerandGreener.org in Madison, Wisconsin. With 12 years experience working with and managing marketing and IT teams, John designs and manages the corporate Internet and intranet sites for Leonardo Academy. His creative Internet approaches and education in IT management also support the efforts of the company's Information Technology and Marketing departments.

By integrating multiple sustainable-social networks and engaging them in a collaborative and educational environment, John hopes to effectively advance sustainability locally and worldwide. John Landowski holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a MBA in IT Management from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

Jessica Loeper, LEED AP
LEED Project Manager
Jessica Loeper joined Leonardo Academy in 2008 from Southern California as a City Planner for the City of Anaheim specializing in environmental programs and incentives for the community.  Currently, Jessica works closely with U.S. Green Building Council on evaluating LEED-EB certification applications. Her objective is to consult with homeowners, business owners and developers on incorporating green building practices into their homes, businesses, and communities. Jessica earned a BA in Social and Behavioral Sciences from California State University, Monterey Bay, and a Master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of California, Irvine. Jessica is a LEED® Accredited Professional.

Dirk Mason, LEED AP
Director of LEED Services
Dirk Mason is focused on delivering Leonardo Academy’s sustainability services for companies and organizations. These services include: providing overall sustainability assessments; planning and implementation of sustainability strategies for buildings, including certification under the U.S. Green Building Councils LEED® program; and developing reduction and offset strategies for emissions that affect climate and health. Dirk, a LEED® Accredited Professional, has over 10 years of project management experience in planning, development and construction in the public, private, and non-profit sectors.  For the past eight years he has been focused on implementing sustainable building technologies and practices within the built environment.  Dirk earned a BS in Environmental Science and Geography from Carroll College and a Masters degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Architecture and Urban Planning. 

Barbara A. McCabe, PhD
Science Officer
Dr. Barbara McCabe works on a variety of sustainability and education programs at Leonardo Academy. These programs include LEED implementation and certification, sustainability beyond LEED, sustainable land management, and Leonardo Academy education and training programs. Barbara is also the Leonardo Academy statistician. Past experience includes, managing the Rapid Cycling Brassica Collection at the University of Wisconsin for four years and supporting the Wisconsin Fast Plant Program for over ten years. This program developed an education program around plants (Brassica rapa) with a very rapid life cycle as a biology education tool for primary and secondary school students.

Barbara has a longstanding interest in prairies. She established and maintains a prairie on her own property and is directly involved in the prairie restoration of Leonardo Academy’s Valley Ridge Farm in Richland Center, Wisconsin.  From 1987 to 2003 she was deeply involved in science education as a volunteer science teacher at her neighborhood grade school.  Barbara earned a BA in Biology from the College of Wooster after studying two years at the University of Ibadan in Ibadan, Nigeria. Barbara earned a PhD in Zoology from the University of Washington.  She was an assistant professor in the Biology Department at Keuka College in Keuka Park, New York for 4 years, teaching developmental zoology, anatomy and physiology, cell physiology, introductory zoology, and animal physiology. Barbara’s non-work interests include gardening, camping, canoeing and quilting.

Kristen M. Naimoli
LEED Project Manager
Kristen joined Leonardo Academy in 2009 from The Nature Conservancy, Worldwide Office in Arlington, Virginia.  Her primary responsibilities include project management of LEED consulting projects and reviewing LEED-EB certification applications for the U.S. Green Building Council per Leonardo Academy’s service agreement.  Given her previous experiences, Kristen is also exploring the expansion of Leonardo Academy’s fundraising programs.  She brings a variety of local and international non-profit environmental conservation experiences to her work, including community outreach, estates administration, wildlife monitoring, environmental and wildlife education, land protection and stewardship, operations and project management.  With a B.S. in Psychology and a M.S. in Environmental Protection and Safety Management, Kristen is currently working towards her LEED® Accredited Professional certification.

Steve Olson, LEED AP
Senior LEED Project Manager, Director of Finance and Operations
Steve Olson joined the Leonardo Academy in 1997 after earning his MBA in International Business and Marketing, and BS in Zoology and Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Steve serves as the primary manager for the Cleaner and Greener Program of Leonardo Academy. In addition to his various project responsibilities, Steve manages Leonardo Academy’s administration, operations, and finances. Steve has over 15 years experience in energy, water, air and other environmental fields, and is a LEED® Accredited Professional.

Amanda Raster
Sustainability Standards Development Manager
Amanda Raster joined Leonardo Academy in 2007 and leads the organization’s efforts to develop sustainability standards for accreditation under the American National Standard Institute (ANSI). She is actively managing the process to establish a national consensus standard for sustainable agriculture, as well as a standard for life-cycle impact declarations. Amanda brings management and coordination experience from her previous position at a Madison-based farmers' cooperative, where she managed a community-supported agriculture program. She earned a BA in Anthropology and Conservation Biology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an academic certificate from the Nelson Institute of Environmental Studies. Through her work, education, and agricultural background, Amanda has a broad understanding of the socio-environmental interface of various sustainability issues.

John Rodgers
Sustainability Standards Development Specialist

Amber Seffrood, LEED AP
LEED Project Manager
Amber Seffrood joined Leonardo Academy in 2008 bringing six years of lighting design experience.  Amber’s primary responsibilities include LEED-EB certification and consulting projects and reviewing LEED-EB certification applications for the USGBC per Leonardo Academy’s service agreement. Amber earned a BS-Interior Design from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2001, developing a background in residential and commercial building and interior design.  She was a project manager at Madison Lighting, working with builders, electricians and homeowners to develop lighting layouts and assist with fixture selections for both residential and commercial settings.  Amber is a LEED® Accredited Professional.