Our Team
Uli Nagel
Director of Programs
Uli Nagel is the co-founder and director of the Cooler Communities Climate Education Program at the Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation. A long-time climate activist, she previously volunteered with organizations like 350.org and Citizens Climate Lobby. Her professional career included management positions across the hospitality, publishing, and fitness industries. Her decades-long interest in organizational development led her to study Sociocracy/ Dynamic Self Governance, which the team now uses to govern.
“The climate crisis is not just an environmental issue. It is the result of hundreds of years of looking at human beings as separate from and superior to the life-giving systems of the earth. It is an honor to now be able to support younger generations in better understanding the interconnectedness of ourselves and all aspects of the breathing, living, and evolving planet we call home.”
Rachel Danford
Director Energy Detectives, Data Management
Rachel Danford is an environmental social scientist with a Ph.D. in Environmental Science and Policy from UMass Amherst. She has over a decade of experience in environmental education and policy in both formal and informal education settings. Her work experience spans grant writing, stakeholder engagement, curriculum design, and publication in peer-reviewed journals on urban greening and environmental justice. She has worked as director for the Energy Detectives Book Program since 2023.
Steve Shanley
Enrichment Coordinator, Energy Detectives Outreach & Partnerships
Steve Shanley joined the Cooler Communities team in March 2024 to support the Energy Detectives program with marketing, outreach, and partnership management. He brought with him 12 years of environmental and science education experience.
In addition to his Energy Detectives duties, he leads the Cooler Communities enrichment program in the Springfield Public School system, where he enjoys incubating ideas for program development, including Heat Seekers.
Susan Olshuff
Fundraising Consultant, Research
Susan Olshuff has worked as a fundraiser and environmental activist all her adult life. She has raised funding for many educational programs at Berkshire Theatre Group, Pulse of the Planet, The Kids Science Challenge and Berkshire Botanical Gardens, among others. Since 2017, she has worked with Harold and Uli on ener-G-save to promote energy efficiency in Western MA, raising over $380,000 for this work from Mass Save and the MA Clean Energy Center. She is currently devoting her efforts to raising funds for The Energy Detectives program.
Eva Schuster
Administrative Assistant, Social Media, Publicity, Data entry
Eva Schuster is an experienced nonprofit bookkeeper with a strong background in financial management, reporting, and compliance. She has worked with organizations such as the Stockbridge Library Association and the Berkshire Natural Resources Council. With additional experience in database management, web design, education, and business management, Eva brings a broad perspective and commitment to organizational integrity. She also has a background in the arts and language teaching, reflecting her creative and cross-cultural interests.
Michelle Roberts
Energy Detectives Marketing, Shipping, Inventory and Mailing
Michelle Roberts is a highly organized office professional with over 30 years of experience supporting executives, managing staff, and coordinating complex projects. She currently serves as Program and Event Coordinator at the Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation, where she directs the Starlight and Imagination Library programs and collaborates with program directors on the Local Farmer Awards, Cooler Communities, and the Pioneer Valley Excellence in Teaching Awards.
Lisa Paul
Curriculum consultant, Instructional Coach for teachers
Lisa Paul has been a science educator for many years with a passion for sustainability. She spent over 10 years as a classroom teacher and has been an outdoor educator, curriculum developer, and consultant. She has a passion for working with schools and teachers on how to incorporate sustainability and climate change into their curriculum. Outside of work she lives on a farm with her husband and daughter, horses, goats, cats, and a dog. You can usually find her spending time outside!
