Bryan Lewis

Executive Director

Lewis was most recently Program Director of EcoWorks’ Youth Energy Squad (YES) where he worked with Detroit Public Schools students to learn about their environment and lead sustainability initiatives in their classrooms and communities. For this work, Lewis was appointed to Governor Whitmer’s Advisory Michigan Council on Environmental Justice (MAC-EJ). Addition-ally, he is a BMe Vanguard Fellow, a Senior Fellow of the Environmental Leadership Program (ELP), and an inaugural fellow with the Michigan Clean Energy Leaders Project. Prior to YES, Lewis attended Carnegie Mellon University, where he received a bachelor’s in Civil and Environmental Engineering and a master’s in Energy Science, Technology, and Policy.

Gibran Washington

Manager,

Eco-D

Gibran Washington is the manager of Eco-D. He holds a Masters of Science in Geology from Wayne State University and a Bachelor of Science in Geology from Wayne State University. His research experience focused on geochemistry, mineral resource exploration, GIS and data analysis has taken him throughout North America from northern Ontario to Nevada. His previous roles include serving as a National Science Foundation Graduate Fellow with Detroit Public Schools in STEM education, team leader for the Student Conservation Association, and Youth Energy Squad coordinator. His interests include innovative technologies, renewable energy, and developing interdisciplinary strategies for energy democracy. 

Latia Leonard

Co-Director, Youth Energy Squad

Latia is a lifelong Detroiter, with a deep passion for youth and social justice. After graduating from Southeastern Technical High School in 2011, she received her BA in Communications from Michigan State University. While attending MSU, she remained actively involved in community service, volunteering for causes dear to her heart. Latia brings her unique experiences in youth development, STEM facilitation, and grassroots mobilization to the Youth Energy Squad. She is passionate about achieving equitable climate solutions, water justice, and economic inclusion in the City of Detroit. Latia is excited about the opportunity to grow YES and water the seeds for “our next wave of sustainability, government, and community leaders."

Briana DuBose has joined EcoWorks as the Director of Strategic Community Initiatives. She specializes in project management and program administration with experience in development of marginalized communities. She also has extensive experience as a principal consultant with municipalities and the private sector. Briana is an alum of the University of Cincinnati and the University of Cincinnati College of Law. She has a passion for children's advocacy and is an officer of the Caring For Kids Foundation.

Briana DuBose

Director,

Strategic Community Initiatives

Michal Helman

Co-Director, Youth Energy Squad

Michal Helman is an avid explorer with a lifelong passion for social and environmental justice. After having received her bachelor's degree at the University of Michigan in Philosophy and Environmental Science, Michal completed her M.S. in International Conservation and Development at the University of Montana’s College of Forestry and Conservation. Michal’s academic research focused on water governance and climate change impacts on the livelihood of agro-pastoralists in the Chilean Patagonia and the Indian Himalaya mountain ranges. From Montana Michal went on to work in local government water resource management in both the greater Los Angeles region and the Bay Area of California before returning back to her Michigan roots. 

Michal is passionate about working within the EcoWorks team on bridging the gap between environmental issues and social policy through engaging and empowering our youth to participate in their communities and to recognize their roles as leaders.

Allison Harris

Director,

Research & Innovation

Allison Harris is the director of research and innovation and is currently running our Soil Lead Remediation Project. She holds a PhD in environmental engineering from Carnegie Mellon University.   Prior to joining EcoWorks she worked for URS Corp. performing brownfield redevelopment, city energy management, and sustainability planning. She later did a post-doctoral fellowship at Wayne State University studying real-time emissions of electricity production. She is honored to be a part of the EcoWorks team. 

Tasha Williams, 

Manager of Operations & Development

Tasha Williams joined EcoWorks in July of 2020; she serves as the organization’s Manager of Operations and Development.

Prior to joining the organization, Tasha served as the Director of Development for the Cutaneous Lymphoma Foundation and held several positions within the American Diabetes Association including Manager of Development, Manager of Donor & Fundraiser Relations and Community Engagement Manager. She also brings to the organization over 15 years of professional experience from the higher education industry.

Tasha received a Bachelor of Science Degree in English along with a Master of Arts Degree in Education Administration and Community Leadership, both from Central Michigan University. She also has completed coursework as a doctoral student in the Ed. D program at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. 

As a person who strives to serve as a resource for people, she has developed a passion for working with non-profit organizations that are doing great work on behalf of under-represented communities.