Our Team
We’re a dedicated team bringing diverse skill sets to empower the heartland to achieve sustainable energy use and cleaner air.
Administration and Operations
Kelly Gilbert
Executive Director
Metropolitan Energy CenterKelly directs MEC’s work to improve the health of our ecosystems and to fight climate change in local communities across Kansas and Missouri.
Kelly left her first career in book publishing to pursue work in sustainability. She has filled various roles at MEC, from program coordinator to project manager and program director. She was inducted into the U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Cities Hall of Fame in 2017 and was named an Agent of Change for her leadership in transportation sustainability 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 Kansas and Missouri.
Her passion for the environment was cultivated early in life on her family’s farm in Kentucky. In her free time, she enjoys supporting area farmers markets, barn dancing, and cheering on Sporting KC and the KC Current.
Royce Martin (she/her)
Director of People and Operations
Metropolitan Energy CenterOriginally from Topeka, KS, Royce earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Information Systems from St. Louis University and her Associate of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies from the American Institute in Phoenix, AZ. She graduated at the top of her class earning a Master of Science in Human Resources Management from Franklin University.
Royce has 11+ years of experience as a subject matter expert in all areas of human resources. She serves on the Board of Directors for The Nia Project, a nonprofit dedicated to changing the perception, outcomes, and norms for Black girls and women in our community and our country.
Royce has been an umpire/referee for the states of MO/KS for the past 35 years, is also a motivational speaker, loves to mentor, and is an avid exerciser. Her motto is: 1% better every day.
She has worked in the manufacturing, insurance, transportation, and printing industries. She looks forward to the growth of the team and success of MEC and its commitment for bringing awareness and action to the sustainable energy sectors.
Joy Ellsworth (she/her)
Development Director
Metropolitan Energy CenterJoy supports the strategic direction of MEC as it responds to emerging connections between the energy sector and everyday people. In addition to expanding MEC’s crowd of supporters, she analyzes funding opportunities to ensure potential grant programs are in alignment with our mission and that we are successful in our pursuits.
With an MPA from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Bloch School of Management and a fundraising certificate from the Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership, Joy focused her formal training on nonprofit management, social entrepreneurship, and diversified fundraising. Informally, for over two decades Joy has run her own businesses while consulting for small businesses on capacity improvements and marketing.
Joy actively volunteers for numerous KC-area environmental nonprofits and is board president of Clement Waters, a community environmental organization she co-founded with her husband. When Joy isn’t working or volunteering, she dotes on two darling children and two fuzzy furbabies.
Rohan Raj
Development Intern
Metropolitan Energy CenterRohan is a Junior at Pembroke Hill. He is active in Tennis, Envirothon, Debate, and Science Olympiad. He has been involved in Boy Scouts from a young age and is currently an eagle scout. His experiences from camping throughout his life led to a deep appreciation for the environment. This passion led to his interest in the impactful efforts MEC.
Rohan got involved with MEC as a Sophomore. He initially researched solar panels and the challenge of the duck curve when integrating them into the grid. He is currently working on a project concerning grid resiliency and the impact renewable energy has on the grid.
In his free time, he enjoys reading, archery, and watching tennis.
Emily Wolfe
Sr. Public Affairs Coordinator
Metropolitan Energy CenterIn addition to leading MEC’s policy and advocacy efforts, Emily promotes MEC’s mission via coordination of public events for both the Sustainable Transportation and Building Performance programs.
Prior to MEC, Emily worked at a health information technology corporation for six years spending three on their Benefits & Wellness team. She managed multiple programs and events for employees all over the world. However, she decided to change her career path and received a master’s degree in social work. More than ever, Emily believes social workers have an ethical responsibility to advocate for a sustainable future, ensuring everyone is included.
Emily is a lifelong resident of Kansas City, KS. She enjoys antique shopping and spending time with her friends, family, and her daughter MJ.
Kasi Darnell
Impact Data Specialist
Metropolitan Energy CenterKasi Darnell is an Impact & Data Specialist previously serving as an Americorps VISTA with MEC as a Sustainability Officer helping build organizational capacity within the development department. With a Master’s degree in Sustainability Leadership from Arizona State University, Kasi excels in creating impactful strategies utilizing research and data.
When she’s not working, you’ll find her spending time with her family, dancing, enjoying music, lifting weights, or curled up with a Jane Austen novel.
Inspired by John Lewis’ words, “Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble,” Kasi is passionate about MEC’s mission and the positive change it brings.
Building Peformance
Mary English
Program Manager
Metropolitan Energy CenterPrior to joining MEC, Mary worked in the building performance industry conducting energy assessments, testing, and consultation in both the residential and commercial sectors.
Mary founded Small Step Energy Solutions which became a leading home energy assessment provider. Small Step worked with municipalities – including Kansas City, MO – to review and update their building energy code. She also worked closely with area developers to create sustainable developments and multifamily housing based on equity goals. Mary then moved into commercial-business sustainability, helping start-up businesses in passive house design, energy benchmarking, and efficiency upgrades in HVAC systems. She currently serves on the Programs Committee for USGBC Central Plains and the Equity Committee for Climate Action KC.
In off hours Mary enjoys the great outdoors with her husband and dog; practicing aerial arts; and watching Royals baseball.
Brittanie Giroux
Sr. Program Coordinator
Metropolitan Energy CenterAs part of the Building Performance team, Brittanie oversees the Healthy Housing Taskforce, co-leads the Energy and Water Benchmarking service, creates social content and newsletters, and conducts community outreach and events on topics from urban heat to healthy home retrofits and building codes.
Brittanie joined MEC as an AmeriCorps VISTA member in 2020. She came to MEC after completing a previous AmeriCorps service year in the City of Evanston, IL’s Office of Sustainability where she led climate education initiatives and facilitated the city’s compost program.
Brittanie received her bachelor’s degree in environmental studies from Vanderbilt University. When she has free time, Brittanie enjoys going to concerts, cooking Caribbean dishes, and canoeing in many of Missouri’s lakes.
Justice Horn (he/him)
Program Coordinator
Metropolitan Energy CenterJustice is a community leader, social justice activist, and political strategist. He fights for representation everywhere and broke barriers as the first openly gay multicultural college wrestler in the NCAA. Now in politics, he worked on the Biden campaign in the African American, LGBTQ, and Pacific Islander division of the 2020 Joe Biden Presidential campaign. He was also senior advisor to the Missouri for Biden team as well.
As an African American, Caucasian, Pacific Islander, Native American, and LGBTQ individual, he represents the many communities he comes from and currently serves on the Jackson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Advisory board and the Kansas City Streetcar Advisory committee. Justice is one of the many voices of the future here in our community.
Ashley McDonald
Energy Benchmarking Customer Service Representative
Metropolitan Energy CenterAshley is one of two Customer Service Representatives at MEC who conducts outreach to local building owners alerting them about the Energy Empowerment Ordinance.
Ashley has more than 7 years of experience in the customer service field working as a collection agency representative. With outstanding communication skills and an incredible work ethic, Ashley is eager to reach out to property owners in the Kansas City region and help them understand how to comply with this ordinance. She will also share suggestions on what next steps might look like for those wanting to make their buildings more energy efficient.
In Ashley’s spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, painting and listening to music.
Jacob Moore
Program Coordinator
Metropolitan Energy CenterBorn 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).
Adrien Townsend (they/them)
Project Manager
Metropolitan Energy CenterAdrien (they/them) manages the energy code training MEC offers in partnership with the City of Kansas City, MO and Energy Smart Institute and assists with other workforce development initiatives and community outreach. They have a passion for the nonprofit sector that drew them to MEC.
While not born in KC, Adrien has planted roots here after graduating from Rockhurst University with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, with a History minor. 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 listening to true crime podcasts, solving the daily Wordle, and hanging out with their wife.
Danielle Wells
Energy Benchmarking Customer Service Representative
Metropolitan Energy CenterDanielle is one of two Customer Service Representatives at MEC who help local building owners and property managers input their energy and water data into Energy Star Portfolio Manager.
In November of 2011, Danielle began working in the energy efficiency and building performance industry as an Administrator for Small Step Energy Solutions. Going out in the field and assisting with energy audits and HERS Ratings were two of her favorite duties. During her time at Small Step and prior, she contracted and volunteered for several local Kansas City nonprofit organizations such as United Services and Smiles Change Lives to name a few.
In Danielle’s spare time, she enjoys cooking and hosting family and friend events, relaxing on her patio with great music, trips out of town, and football season.
Sustainable Transportation
KT Engle (they/them)
Program Manager
Metropolitan Energy CenterAs the Sustainable Transportation Program Manager, 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 visions 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.
David Albrecht
Sr. Program Coordinator, Kansas City Regional Clean Cities Director
Metropolitan Energy CenterAs the Director of the Kansas City Regional Clean Cities Coalition, David helps manage clean fuel deployment programs for the U.S. Dept. of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency, working with everyone from small school district bus fleets to national long-haul trucking companies. He also manages MEC’s energy efficiency demo home, Project Living Proof, and would love to give you a tour.
David has a B.A. in History and German from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and a Master’s in East Asian Studies from the University of Kansas. Prior to MEC, he was Director of Business Research at the Greater Kansas City Chamber and before that, Executive Assistant at the Consulate-General of Japan. When time permits, he enjoys keeping bees, bicycling, gardening, and whitewater kayaking.
Drew Arends
Program Coordinator
Metropolitan Energy CenterDrew is a Program Coordinator in the Sustainable Transportation Department for MEC’s Clean Cities Program. Originally starting as an intern in 2022, Drew performed campaign outreach, event coordination, and other organizational work, even when we was studying abroad. Drew also contributed to MEC efforts through newsletter production and blog-writing.
In the midst of his internship, Drew was a student at Truman State University where he studied Environmentalism. At Truman, he was involved in a variety of environmental clubs and efforts, including being a part of a campus-wide climate inventory, teaching a class about the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and helping to lead the university Sustainability Office.
In his free time, Drew enjoys reading, writing, exploring the outdoors, traveling, and hanging out with friends and family.
Darrien Buford
Program Coordinator and Kansas City Regional Clean Cities Coalition Co-Director
Metropolitan Energy CenterIn addition to assisting the Clean Cities Director with outreach, Darrien helps coordinate MEC’s EPA-funded Diesel Emission Reduction projects and oversees the deployment of electric yard trucks through a U.S. DOE grant project.
Darrien was born and raised in the heart of Kansas City, MO. He brings to MEC 7+ years of experience in transportation and logistics. Darrien previously worked within the Fedeal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and is a US Army Veteran.
In his free time, Darrien likes to enjoy family, friends and the Kansas City Chiefs and Chicago Bulls. He also likes to travel and listen to music.
Taylor Corn
Program Coordinator
Metropolitan Energy CenterTaylor specializes in electric vehicle (EV) deployment and serving overburdened communities. His work on the DRIVE Eletric 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.
Liz Foose
Program Intern
Metropolitan Energy CenterLiz assists in a wide variety of projects and tasks as a Sustainable Transportation Intern for MEC’s Clean Cities Program. She has always had a strong passion for the environment, which is what inspired her to begin her journey at MEC.
Liz is also a full-time undergrad student at Missouri Valley College, where she majors in psychology. However, she is currently undecided on what she would like to do post-graduation.
In her free time, Liz enjoys reading, being outside/camping, and hanging out with family and friends.
Austin Taylor
Community Engagement Liaison
Metropolitan Energy CenterRaised to think globally but act locally, Austin is passionate about his work at MEC engaging with community-based organizations to help design projects that meet their needs.
Born and raised in the vibrant city of KC, Austin’s strong connection to his hometown has shaped his career trajectory. With a desire to make a positive impact, he embarked on a journey that took him across the globe, engaging in private contract work in various countries. From his international experiences, Austin gained valuable insights and honed his expertise in community engagement. However, his unwavering love for Kansas City ultimately brought him back to serve the community he holds dear. Through his tireless efforts, Austin strives to improve lives and shape the city’s future in sustainable development.
Djessicka Saintil
Project Manager
Metropolitan Energy CenterDjessicka works with MEC’s staff in Wichita, KS to promote sustainable transportation to underserved markets and communities throughout the Midwest, notably in Kansas.
Djessicka is a recent graduate from Wichita State University 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.
Nikhil Kumar Yara
Program Intern
Metropolitan Energy CenterNikhil is a Sustainable Transportaion intern at MEC and is pursuing his master’s degree in mechanical engineering at Wichita State University, hailing from the vibrant country of India. Fueled by a deep passion for the environmental and renewable sector, Nikhil’s journey has been nothing short of remarkable. As he immerses himself in enlightening classes and seminars, his fascination for this field ignites like a spark. With unwavering determination, he eagerly joins forces with his professor as a research assistant, delving into the captivating realms of solar cells and BNNTs.
When not revolutionizing the future of sustainable technologies, Nikhil can be found serenading the world with his guitar and embarking on captivating expeditions, exploring the hidden gems of Wichita.
Jenna Znamenak
Senior Program Coordinator, Greater Kansas Clean Cities Director
Metropolitan Energy Center