Our Team
We’re a dedicated team bringing diverse skill sets to empower the heartland to achieve sustainable energy use and cleaner air.
Kelly Gilbert
Kelly directs MEC’s work to improve ecosystem health and fight climate change in communities across Kansas and Missouri. She began her career in book publishing before transitioning to sustainability, joining MEC in a variety of roles from program coordinator to executive director.
Kelly was inducted into the U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Cities Hall of Fame in 2017 and named an Agent of Change by the Kansas City Regional Clean Cities Advisory Board in 2010. She serves on the Metro KC Air Quality Forum and participates in climate and energy policy groups across the region.
Raised on a farm in Kentucky, Kelly’s passion for the environment was cultivated early. She is an optimist, a problem-solver and a nature lover who finds inspiration in family, people, science and the natural world, from deep oceans to sprawling mountains. Outside of work, she enjoys contra dancing with Crosscurrents Dance Council, yoga, reading novels and foraging wild berries in Kansas City.
Kasi Darnell
Kasi joined MEC after serving with AmeriCorps, driven by a belief in grassroots community action and a desire to help nonprofits build capacity. She holds a Master’s degree in Sustainability Leadership from Arizona State University, a path she chose to ensure communities are resilient and prepared for the impacts of climate change. As Development Coordinator, Kasi takes a systems-level view of MEC’s work, collaborating across the organization and conveying its mission to the broader community.
Her favorite part of the job is connecting with people and building relationships that strengthen community impact. Outside of work, Kasi enjoys spending time outdoors, tending to community gardens and her own plants, dancing, enjoying live music, reading, and exploring creative projects—currently in her “painting era” with canvases, shelves, and more.
Inspired by John Lewis’ words, “Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble,” Kasi is deeply passionate about MEC’s mission and its transformative impact on the community.
Layne Stracener
Layne leads MEC’s communications strategy, translating complex sustainability and clean energy initiatives into stories that inform, engage, and inspire action. A Kansas City native with a bachelor’s degree in journalism, she brings nearly a decade of storytelling and community engagement experience to her role.
At MEC, Layne is passionate about amplifying the organization’s impact and helping drive meaningful change in how communities approach energy use. She enjoys collaborating across teams, crafting creative content, and sharing the stories of people and projects making a tangible difference in sustainability.
Outside of work, Layne enjoys reading, taking long walks with her dog, Lulu, exploring local events, and spending quality time with friends and family.
Greg Betzwieser
Greg Betzwieser keeps MEC’s projects running smoothly as contract administrator, supporting a wide range of initiatives across the organization. He brings over a decade of experience in philanthropic operations, legal compliance, and grant management, overseeing post-award contract management, risk assessments, operational workflows, and the development and issuance of solicitations for services and products—all while ensuring alignment with federal acquisition regulations.
Greg thrives on collaborating with the MEC team and exploring ways to improve resource efficiency. He approaches climate action like a relay race, recognizing that every effort matters and progress is made together.
Outside of work, Greg enjoys escaping with his wife to their off-grid homestead cabin near Joshua Tree National Park, traveling to Wisconsin to visit family and catch Green Bay Packers games, and finding inspiration in the tranquility of nature.
Rohan Raj
Rohan is a senior at Pembroke Hill High School, where he participates in debate, Science Olympiad, model UN and tennis. An Eagle Scout, Rohan developed a deep appreciation for the environment through years of camping and outdoor experiences, which inspired his interest in sustainability and clean energy.
At MEC, Rohan has worked on a variety of research projects focused on renewable energy, including the duck curve, grid resiliency and community solar. He is currently contributing to MEC’s Share the Sun project, which provides affordable solar access to low-income communities. His favorite part of the role is exploring the intersection of policy solutions and the technological intricacies of renewable energy.
In his free time, Rohan enjoys reading and both playing and watching tennis.
KT Engle
KT guides the organization’s efforts to decarbonize the transit economy across Kansas and Missouri. Originally from North Carolina, KT relocated to the Kansas City area in 2023 after a dynamic career in Philadelphia. There, they began their journey managing projects for a nonprofit that provided essential home repairs to low-income residents, before transitioning to real estate development to oversee the construction of mixed-use buildings aimed at increasing affordable housing. In their most recent role, KT worked on specialized pharmaceutical facility projects, ensuring that sustainable design and construction practices were implemented.
KT’s long-standing commitment to sustainability and climate justice motivates their work at MEC, where they are thrilled to return to mission-driven work that supports a just energy transition. Their passion for creating a better future is fueled by their connection with the next generation, particularly their nieces and nephews, whose imaginative futures inspire them daily.
Outside of their professional life, KT co-manages a hand-scale seed and produce farm with their partner, and enjoys fishing, basketball, and cycling. Their favorite books, Parable of the Sower and Parable of the Talents by Octavia Butler, reflect their dedication to community resilience and adaptability in the face of social and environmental challenges.
Adrien Townsend (they/them)
With a passion for the nonprofit sector that drew them to MEC, Adrien manages MEC’s workforce development and community education projects.
Adrien planted roots in Kansas City after graduating from Rockhurst University with a bachelor’s degree in public policy and a minor in history. They previously worked for the City of Kansas City as a policy aide and for Legal Aid of Western Missouri as a paralegal, with a focus on eviction prevention.
In their spare time, Adrien enjoys playing Dungeons and Dragons and spending time with friends and family and their beloved dog, Harvey Spector, Attorney at Paw.
Djessicka Saintil
Djessicka works in Wichita, KS to promote sustainable transportation to under-served markets and communities throughout the Midwest, notably in Kansas.
Djessicka is a Wichita State University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in information technology and management information systems. Soon, she wishes to pursue a master’s degree in business administration with a concentration in finance.
In her free time, she enjoys reading, trying out new restaurants, going on walks and spending time with family and friends.
Taylor Corn
Taylor specializes in electric vehicle (EV) deployment and serving overburdened communities. His work on the DRIVE Electric USA program and other projects focused on EVs, such as coordinating local ride & drive events, helps pave the way for making new technology more accessible to all communities in Kansas City. His roots in the area stem deep, and combined with his collegiate journey in environmental science, he understands the importance of sustainability in the KC metro and the world.
He fills his free time with everything music and is a solo artist by the stage name Tay Dreamin. Producing original songs from start to finish, his drive is making waves in the local scene and catching the attention of professionals and fans alike as he discovers himself through music and performance.
Jacob Moore
Born and raised in Kansas City, Jacob is a dedicated professional with a passion for community work and a track record of success in various industries. He has a degree in Public Relations and a Minor in Business Administration. His unique blend of skills is a perfect fit to implement MEC’s 8 Principles of a Healthy Home program in partnership with Children’s Mercy Hospital.
Throughout his career, Jacob gained valuable experiences in technology sales, radio promotions (starting at one of the city’s oldest stations), and community work. Jacob also took on roles in the nonprofit sector. Recently, he worked in the very neighborhood where he grew up teaching youth the importance of financial literacy. He also worked at one the largest and most active neighborhood associations in Kansas City.
Jacob runs a small print shop named One and Only Prints. He enjoys quality time with family and friends, music, and his favorite sports teams (Chiefs, Spurs, and Royals).
Drew Arends
Drew first joined Metropolitan Energy Center as a Clean Cities intern while studying at Truman State University. After graduation, he was excited to step into a full-time role supporting MEC’s transportation programs. He focuses on project management, partnership-building, and expanding MEC’s communications footprint, helping lead initiatives such as Clean Cities Midwest Expansion and the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act while coordinating Ride and Drive events through newer projects.
Passionate about collaboration, Drew particularly enjoys exploring opportunities related to public transportation and passenger rail, making connections, and pursuing bright ideas with partners who share MEC’s vision for a cleaner future.
Outside of work, Drew enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with friends and family.
Bree Murphy
Bree is passionate about sustainable transportation, with a focus on public transit in Kansas City. A 2025 graduate of UMKC with a degree in Environmental Studies, she supports MEC projects ranging from outreach and newsletters to the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act, ArcGIS mapping and solar initiatives.
Her favorite part of the job is connecting with communities across Kansas and Missouri to help them adopt cleaner transportation options. Bree is motivated by her family, friends and a desire to leave a healthier, more sustainable world for her nieces and nephews.
Outside of work, she enjoys reading, thrifting, caring for her plants and spending time with her eight nieces and nephews.
Liz Foose
Liz joined MEC while studying at Missouri Valley College, seeking meaningful work alongside her studies. Since graduating with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, she has contributed to a variety of sustainability and clean energy projects, providing support wherever it’s needed and gaining hands-on experience across the organization.
Outside of work, Liz enjoys reading, hiking, cooking, and spending time with friends and family. If she had her own late-night talk show, her first guest would be Dr. Daniel Amen, reflecting her interest in psychology and brain science. Guided by the mantra of perseverance, Liz values the journey toward a goal as much as its achievement. She is passionate about raising awareness of MEC’s work and hopes more people discover the organization’s impact on the community.