Claire L. Barnett, MBA, Founder and Executive Director, grew Healthy Schools Network from its roots in New York into the nation’s premier voice for children’s environmental health at school by advancing a comprehensive policy agenda, fostering state and local environmental health coalitions across the country, and securing landmark reforms in states and federally. A social entrepreneur, she previously reported for TIME Magazine in New York City, administered rural New York health services, and assisted Adirondack Park communities with sustainable development. She shifted her focus to children’s environmental health in the aftermath of her child’s pesticide exposure at school. Barnett has an MBA from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (health systems finance) and a BA from Mount Holyoke College (psychology/political science).
In 2017, she was honored to receive three national awards:
- the William K. Reilly Award for environmental leadership and innovation from American University School of Public Policy
- the US EPA Indoor Air Quality Champion Recognition
- the David P. Rall Award for contributions to public health through science-based advocacy from the American Public Health Association at its annual convention in Atlanta.
German-born Anja S. Caldwell, Dipl.Ing. FH, MArch, LEED AP, first came to the USA as a Fulbright graduate student at the University of Miami, where she studied urban planning. After working as an architect for various international projects, becoming a parent shifted her professional focus on school design, construction and school facilities management.
While establishing and directing a sustainable design program for Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland, the 14th largest school district in the USA, she also advised the MD Governor and local DMV governments on sustainable design legislation.
She was instrumental in the review of Montgomery Counties and the District of Columbia’s school construction guidelines to incorporate her three pillars of professional focus: health, sustainability and resource efficiency.
Her work as a school board member for the German International School in Washington, as well as the personal experience of navigating the life of a daughter with asthma, manifested her determination to improve the design, management and operation of school buildings, for all.
Jeff Jones, Communications and NYS Policy, is an Albany-based consultant, strategist and advocate for environment and health, clean energy, progressive labor groups and causes. He is a founding board member of Healthy Schools Network and has served as its state policy consultant for over ten years. He also serves on the boards of WE ACT for Environmental Justice, the Capitol District chapter of the New York League of Conservation Voters and John Brown Lives!
Nancy Vorsanger, MA, Development, has worked in writing, editing, and fundraising for more than 30 years, with a focus on environmental and health issues. She has a BA from Williams College and an MA from Columbia University. She has worked with Healthy Schools Network for more than fifteen years.
Wayne Higdon, 25th Hour Accounting Solutions, Bookkeeping