It's almost your turn to help us pick your 2025 Board Leaders!

Thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination and had a conversation with a member. Your encouragement is what helps us put some of the best leaders in Colorado waste diversion on our board. 

We have 9 candidates who are ready to meet you at the Annual Meeting and step up to lead Recycle Colorado over the next few years. Get to know who is running below by reading their bios and watching their intro videos. 

Board Candidates

Melissa KirrMelissa Kirr
Walking Mountains
Melissa Kirr has spent the past 20 years working in the non-profit sector, specifically the environmental and sustainability realms. As Senior Director of Sustainability at Walking Mountains Science Center in Avon, CO, she works at a local, regional, and global level on various sustainability initiatives that include Energy, Climate Action, Sustainable Business Training and Certification, Waste Diversion and Zero Waste programs, and Mountain IDEAL Sustainable Destinations. Melissa passion lies within the realm of Materials Management & Circularity. She is currently a Vice President of the Board for Recycle Colorado, Board Chair Emeritus of Cloud City Conservation Center. She served on the CDPHE’s Pollution Prevention Advisory Board (‘20-’24) and Assistance Committee (‘16-’20). She holds degrees in Forest Resource Management from Pennsylvania State University and the University of Montana. Melissa lives in Leadville, CO with her husband and two daughters.

Emma MarinoEmma Marino
Town of Erie
Emma Marino is a Sustainability and Water Conservation Specialist with the Town of Erie. She grew up near a nature center outside of Cincinnati, OH and her experiences there as a child set her on a path rooted in environmental education, outreach, and meaningful communication. She received a bachelor’s degree in Economics, Sustainability, and Society from Xavier University, then moved to Colorado where she graduated from the Masters of the Environment program at the University of Colorado Boulder with a specialization in Urban Resilience and Sustainability. Since joining the team with the Town of Erie, Emma has revitalized their Zero Waste Champions volunteer program, supported staff and residents in their waste diversion and water conservation endeavors, and is currently spearheading a communitywide waste hauling effort for the Town. She further engages the community of Erie by answering waste related questions, sharing monthly compost data from Town facilities, connecting with folks at events, and processing many a rebate. When she's not at work, Emma will still find herself sorting through recycle bins, and enjoys teaching and practicing yoga, reading a thriller, and sipping coffee with her two cats. 

Celene Peck-AndreanoCelene Peck-Andreano
Glass to Glass Denver
Celene Peck-Andreano is the Business Manager for Glass to Glass, Denver. She was born in Sacramento, California and grew up exploring its forests and beaches, developing her love of the outdoors. She later moved to Southern Florida and attended Florida Atlantic University, where her research on climate change became the foundation for her interests in social and environmental studies. In 2017, Celene, her husband, and four children, moved to Colorado to open a family-owned restaurant, prioritizing sustainable best practices and providing outreach to staff and the local community on the importance of recycling, reuse, and diversion. The pandemic ended this beautiful chapter but gave Celene the confidence and direction to continue making an environmental difference building relationships for a more equitable and sustainable future for Colorado's communities. Celene's current focus is on increasing glass recycling rates and diverting glass away from Colorado's landfills. Her professional goals are to continue her education in social and environmental policy while fulfilling her personal goal of exploring the Colorado outdoors.

Jennifer RichardsonJennifer Richardson
Mesa County Solid Waste Management
Jennifer Richardson is the Solid Waste and Sustainability Division Director for Mesa County. She is responsible for the management and leadership of Mesa County’s complex solid waste management system, including strategic planning, development, and implementation of existing and new programs at the Solid Waste Management Campus. Jennifer received her Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science from Mesa State College and her Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership and Environmental Policy from the University of Denver. She is a certified Wetland Scientist, Stormwater Management Supervisor, Integrated Solid Waste Manager, and Manager of Landfill Operations. Jennifer prides herself on being a community resource and values collaborating with diverse public and private partners. She enjoys educating the community on proper solid waste disposal and waste diversion. She understands that the decisions made by the Recycle Colorado Board potentially affect the environmental health and welfare of Colorado, and she aims to ensure Recycle Colorado remains an active and effective voice for sustainable waste management practices throughout the state.