Responsible Purchasing Network Staff

Chris O'Brien, Director
M.S., Rennselaer Polytechnic Institute; B.A., Penn State.  With two degrees focusing on science, technology and society, Chris' motivating interest is in using the power of the marketplace to create a more just and sustainable society.  He has twelve years of experience working to promote corporate responsibility and has served as Director of both the Co-op America Business Network and the Fair Trade Federation. In 2006, Chris authored an award-winning book on corporate responsibility and sustainability in the brewing industry. He is now working on a book about justice and sustainability in the global coffee trade.  He has also lived, worked and traveled extensively in Africa.  Chris has played a lead role in developing and expanding the Responsible Purchasing Network to become a nationally recognized and rapidly growing membership organization. 

Bob Ferris, Executive Director - Center for a New American Dream
B.A., University of California Santa Cruz, M.A., San Jose State University. Bob has been a leader in the conservation, environmental, and sustainability arenas for more than 20 years.  Best known for innovative problem solving and insightful campaigns, Bob has worked on issues ranging from wolf recovery and federal farm policy to climate change and green building.  He has held leadership positions with the Wildlife Habitat Council, Defenders of Wildlife, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Community Environmental Council, and Yestermorrow Design/Build School.  More recently he launched the Fossil-Free by ’33 campaign in Southern California, was a co-founder of the Carbon Shredders, and helped preserve a local farm.  He is also an accomplished writer with a new book on natural building, several seminal policy and campaign documents as well as dozens of opinion pieces in national and regional publications.

At New American Dream he hopes to accelerate the societal change needed to build a sustainable future for all life.  He and his wife, a green architect and landscape designer, also hope to take full advantage of the “extra” day by exploring options in urban homesteading.

Vincent Kitira, RPN Manager
M.Eng. and B.S., Cornell University. Vincent’s background includes two degrees in engineering and management, with concentrations in psychology and sustainable development. Before joining New Dream, he researched and promoted the use of environmentally preferable products at the City of New York’s main purchasing agency. His published study on the use of hybrid electric taxis in NYC stemmed from interests in sustainability issues and fast moving vehicles. Additionally, he has done research on biodegradable microsensors, water treatment systems in Honduras, and the drinking habits of rats. Aside from spreading the use of green products, he loves biking to work, playing softball, eating at authentic ethnic restaurants, and cooking with the best possible ingredients.

Anne Maynard, RPN Membership Coordinator
Anne earned her B.A. from the College of William and Mary in economics and environmental studies.  She stayed busy in college as a member of the William and Mary Rowing Club and a leader in a peer health education club, H.O.P.E. (Health Outreach Peer Educators).    She has interned with the City and County of San Francisco as part of their Zero Waste team and started her New Dream experience off as an intern for RPN.  Anne has a passion for natural resource management and waste minimization.  Her favorite activity is chatting over coffee, but running with friends is a close second.

Christina Moretti, RPN Fellow
Christina joined the Center for a New American Dream in November of 2007. She started as an intern while still in school at American University and began the Responsible Purchasing Fellowship in September of 2008. She has a B.A in environmental studies at American University and plans to continue on with the Masters program. She has worked for an activist organization to help pass Renewable Energy bills that promote wind and solar energy initiatives. Christina is currently responsible for researching and writing RPN guide content on issues such as cleaners, dining services and carbon offsets.  Outside of school she enjoys cooking, running and playing guitar.

Oana Leahu-Aluas, RPN Intern
Oana recently graduated with a degree in Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of California at Berkeley. She will soon be working towards her Master's Degree in Global Environmental Politics from American University. Originally from Romania, she grew up in the wonderful town of Boulder, Colorado. Oana decided to become devoted to environmental issues during her sophomore year of college when she took a course focusing on global warming and learned just how overwhelming problems of environmental degradation really are. At New Dream, she is an intern for the Responsible Purchasing Network, primarily researching environmentally preferable purchasing programs. In her free time, she loves to take frequent trips to Whole Foods and enjoy the sunshine.

Seán Sheehan, Special Projects Director
B.A., American University (magna cum laude).  Former associate, TV-Free America.  Seán has worn many hats during his eleven years of employment with New Dream, including overseeing the creation and explosive growth of our New Dream Community and directing several of our public education, advocacy, and grassroots initiatives.  He co-founded the Montpelier Energy Team and Alternative Gifts of Greater Washington, and serves on the boards of the Simplicity Forum and Take Back Your Time.  In 2008, he will play a key role in implementing our Carbon Conscious Communities (C3) program.

Mary Jo Snavely, Program Manager
B.A., University of California at Santa Barbara. Her education and experience combine environmental protection and business management: she has directed the development of a Santa Barbara County organic waste management business plan, lead an industrial ecology course, organized the 2006 UC/CSU/CCC Sustainability Conference, and interned for a green products retailer. Mary Jo joined New Dream in 2006 as the Responsible Purchasing Fellow and continues her research paint, lighting, and paper. In addition, she also coordinates New Dream's Conscious Consumer Marketplace program.