Carrie Grace Blanchard, Iberville Parish Government                cblanchard@ibervilleparish.com Presentation

Carrie Grace Blanchard serves as the Marketing & Communications lead for Iberville Parish Government, where she oversees strategic messaging, branding, digital media, and public engagement initiatives across multiple parish departments. She works closely with parish leadership to keep residents informed, connected, and engaged through clear communication, creative campaigns, and community-focused storytelling.

A key focus of her work has been elevating Iberville’s recycling initiatives — increasing awareness of parish drop-off locations, launching recycling bin request programs, and educating residents on how participation today can help shape expanded services in the future. Carrie is passionate about transparency, sustainability, and civic engagement, and takes pride in highlighting the people, projects, and progress that make Iberville proud.

Daniel Cheatham, Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality                    Daniel.Cheatham@la.gov Presentation

Daniel Cheatham is a Senior Environmental Scientist in the Office of Environmental Services – Waste Permits Division. He has served in several roles within the division since 2019. Daniel is a graduate of Louisiana State University.

He began his career with the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) in June 2006 as an Environmental Scientist in the Office of Environmental Compliance – Surveillance Division at the Capital Regional Office, where he conducted compliance inspections. In 2019, he transferred to the Waste Permits Division, where he continues to apply his extensive regulatory and technical experience.

Julie Davis, Burns and McDonnell            jdavis3@burnsmcd.com

Julie Davis has 18 years of experience in the field of solid waste and recycling. She provides consulting services for state and local governments and previously managed a municipal environmental program. She has a master’s degree in environmental assessment from University of Kansas and a bachelors of science in environmental science from University of Missouri.

Gregory Guidroz, Lafayette Consolidated Government                 gguidroz@lafayettela.gov     Presentation

Greg the Recycling Supervisor for Lafayette Consolidated Government and is responsible for overseeing the city’s curbside recycling program, household hazardous waste materials management program, and Louisiana’s only municipally owned and operated yard waste composting facility. He holds a B.S. in Environmental and Sustainable Resources from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and has 20+ years’ experience as an environmental educator, with a focus in water quality and aquatic litter abatement.

He is an Eagle Scout, former US Marine, and longtime community activist who helped improve Lafayette’s festival recycling program with the assistance of grant funds from Keep Louisiana Beautiful, Keep America Beautiful, and the Stuller Family Foundation. Greg was selected by his peers as the Bayou Vermilion Preservation Association’s 2014 Visionary of the Year, and received the Keep Louisiana Beautiful 2015 Golden Can Award for his volunteer service with festival recycling.

Thomasina Joseph, Clean Green Neighborhood Alliance                      twjoseph97@gmail.com Presentation

Currently, Thomasina serves as the Executive director of Clean Green Neighborhood Alliance, a non-profit which aims to mitigate plastic waste in underserved communities through education, empowerment and engagement. Her initiatives engages the Scotlandville and Old South Baton Rouge areas of Metro Baton Rouge, where she is committed to creating awareness and promoting education and engagement with the four pillars of sustainability.

With her infectious enthusiasm and relentless work ethic, Thomasina is well positioned to motivate others to participate in these vital endeavors. Her steadfast commitment to empowering individuals will undoubtedly leave a lasting legacy that inspires and benefits future generations.

Alita Kane, The Recycling Partnership               akane@recyclingpartnership.org Presentation

An innovative and strategic thinker with a unique ability to build and foster community connections, Alita is a network constructor with a developed understanding of recycling behaviors. She has worked in the non-profit, education and public sector, creating communication strategies around environmental stewardship for over a decade. As Community Program Manager with The Recycling Partnership, Alita uses her insights and understandings to help guide communities on successful recycling education strategies. Enjoying life in the sunshine state, Alita calls Saint Petersburg, FL home.

Brendan Keefe, Closed Loop Partners                 brendan@closedlooppartners.com Presentation

Brendan is a Senior Associate with Closed Loop Partners' Catalytic Capital & Private Credit group, where he works with private companies, nonprofits and municipalities to structure financing solutions that can advance the long-term success of circular economy projects across the U.S., leveraging the broader Closed Loop Partners ecosystem to build connectivity and growth across the sector.

Prior to joining the firm, he worked on the transaction services team of an institutional investor, managing due diligence and portfolio services for private credit investments, and began his career at Ernst & Young in the Financial Services Office. Brendan holds a BS in Accounting with a minor in Finance from Elon University.

Michael Rachal, Capital Area Corporate Recycling Council               michael.rachal@cacrc.com

Michael Rachal serves as Executive Director of Capital Area Corporate Recycling Council (CACRC). Michael is a native of Natchitoches, Louisiana, and currently resides in Carencro. He earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and is currently a doctoral candidate at Walden University.

Since joining CACRC’s leadership team in 2021 as Director of Resources, Michael has remained deeply committed to expanding responsible electronics recycling and increasing access to technology for underserved communities. His professional focus centers on sustainability, innovation, and strengthening community partnerships that create meaningful impact.

Michael brings strategic vision, nonprofit leadership experience, and a passion for service. He is dedicated to advancing initiatives that protect the environment while empowering individuals and families through greater digital access.

Caroline Vanchiere, Grounds Krewe               caroline@changebydesignconsulting.com Presentation

Caroline is a Louisiana native with a lifelong passion for sustainability and environmental stewardship. After earning her BS in Economics from Louisiana State University, she began her career as a consultant, helping organizations design and implement sustainability and circular economy initiatives. In 2025, she earned her Master’s from the London School of Economics, where she explored how social psychology can encourage the adoption of sustainable lifestyles. Caroline is eager to apply her professional and academic experience to help make Mardi Gras and other aspect of life in Louisiana more environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable. Outside of work, she enjoys running, yoga, and Latin dancing.

Jan Windhorst, Grants Director, Keep Louisiana Beautiful           JWindhorst@crt.la.gov Presentation

Jan Windhorst serves as the Grants Director for Keep Louisiana Beautiful. Along with a Master of Journalism in Public Relations from LSU, she has over 35 years of experience in marketing and relationship management having served as a product manager, franchise marketing director, and marketing consultant. She has also served as an adjunct professor, teaching media production and communications courses at Loyola University and marketing courses at Tulane University.