Staff

Rhodes joined BPI in 2015, where he leads the organization’s efforts to promote the value of compostable products. Rhodes is passionate about systems-based solutions, where there is synergy in solving for food waste and packaging simultaneously -- addressing climate change, ecosystem impacts, and regenerative agriculture. Previously he was on the Board of USCC, worked for biopolymer producer Novamont, and was a staff editor and writer at BioCycle magazine. Rhodes lives in western NJ, where it is still the “Garden State,” and spends time backpacking and canoeing in the Adirondacks. His favorite author is Wendell Berry.

Clifton joined BPI in 2023 as the organization’s marketing director to help set the strategic direction for marketing and increase awareness of BPI’s certification program and advocacy work. With over 12 years of experience creating cross-platform marketing strategies and content within the sustainability industry, Clifton is passionate about doing work that makes a positive impact on business and in the world. Clifton lives in Colorado, where he enjoys spending time in nature with his family. His favorite author is his former teacher and mentor John Bradley Jackson.

Dan joined BPI in 2023 as the operations director, focusing on the design and implementation of business strategies and management of day-to-day business operations. Previously, Dan spent a decade in operational leadership roles spanning global consumer neuroscience research, preclinical research, and clinical molecular diagnostics. Dan lives in Colorado and applies his passion for science and research outside the office to his adventures in nature, food experiments, and gardening. His favorite authors are Robert Jordan (fiction) and Harold McGee (non-fiction).

Margaret manages the people and process behind BPI certifications. She joined BPI in 2020 as a project manager, bringing over two decades of recycling and waste reduction experience, most recently as the Executive Director of the Virginia Recycling Association. When not working to save the planet, she enjoys being in the woods or on the water, music of all genres, growing food and native plants, and cooking and eating. Mary Oliver is her favorite author.

Alex joined BPI in 2022 as the organization’s legislation and advocacy manager, having previously directed U.S. PIRG’s (Public Interest Research Group) zero waste program. He remains passionate about waste reduction, public policy, and working with others to incrementally solve messy environmental problems. Alex has lived in Denver, Colorado since 2017, where he enjoys abandoning recipes in the kitchen, making music with others, and avoiding bears in the wilderness. His favorite author, at the moment, is Isaac Asimov.

Claire joined the Certification Team in 2020, excited to work towards a zero-waste future. She has a BA in Chemistry with a Sustainability Minor and a passion for making science accessible. Claire is currently based in Atlanta, GA, but plans to move around California, Tennessee, Maine, Massachusetts and Texas in 2021. In her free time, Claire loves to cook, bake, garden and make her own clothes. Her favorite author is Samin Nosrat.

Jana joined BPI in 2021 as part of BPI’s finance and administrative team. She was born and raised in Atlanta, “a city in a forest.” Her outdoor upbringing and B.S.F.R. in Fisheries and Wildlife lead to a desire to dedicate her career to uniting natural and human systems. Her previous work has been in the realm of education, outreach, and nonprofit management. She has enjoyed field work in coastal intertidal salt marshes, outreach for community-based water quality programs, and management of a local nature center and its community programs. The development of a children’s program on consumer science ignited a passion for waste management, which led her to BPI. In her time off she enjoys hiking with her tiny dog, birding, antiquing, and live music. Her favorite author is Patrick Rothfuss.

Heather is a member of the BPI certification team, assisting companies throughout the certification and sublicense processes. Prior to joining BPI at the beginning of 2020, she waded her way through higher education as an academic librarian and spent two years coaching the local YMCA swim team. Heather lives in Southwest Georgia, enduring humid summers below the Gnat Line in exchange for close proximity to The World’s Most Beautiful Beaches. She enjoys fishing, kayaking, playing tennis, working out with her family, and backyard bird-watching with her cats. Her favorite author (if she can only pick one) is Naomi Novik.

Kikku is passionate about science and sustainable development initiatives that support a shift to the circular economy and the design of environmentally-friendly materials. Prior to joining BPI, Kikku worked on the multidisciplinary field of Sustainability Management, Biodegradable Materials, and office operations in government institutions. Kikku has a Ph.D. in Materials Nanotechnology, an MBA in Sustainability Management, and a B.S. in Polymer Materials Science and Engineering. She lives in NYC and loves spending time with her family, being outdoors, and learning foreign languages. One of her favorite authors is Sheldon Kopp.

Jenny joined the BPI certification team at the end of 2021. After spending the past decade working as a licensed veterinary technician and seeing firsthand the inherent waste that even a small and conscientious company produces, she decided that joining a field that works toward a circular economy and encourages corporate environmental responsibility was a critical next step. In her free time, Jenny enjoys the outdoors however she can get it, whether it’s running, hiking, or just walking around the neighborhood with her dog. She lives in Albany, NY which places her in between the Adirondacks and Catskills (with many local preserves even closer) – an outdoor enthusiast’s dream! During her non-active moments, she enjoys going to the movies, cooking, knitting the occasional scarf, and reading. One of her favorite authors is Jane Austen and she rereads, at minimum, one of her novels every year.

Gabrielle joined BPI’s Certification Team in 2021 from Western New York and is passionate about working towards a sustainable future. Prior to BPI, Gabby earned her B.S. in Wildlife Science and her M.S. in Marine and Environmental Biology, contributing to her desire to conserve the natural world and wanting to work for BPI. She is a Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator for NYS and is an avid outdoorsman. In her free time, you’ll find Gabby exploring nature, hunting, fishing, tending to her pets and plants, exercising, painting artwork, or playing music. Her favorite author is Delia Owens.

Sarah is excited to join the BPI team as a Project Manager to continue bridging the gap between manufacturers and consumers when it comes to compostable products. She got her start in the composting industry in Charleston, SC when she helped create the first residential pick-up program in the area with CompostNow. Today she lives in Virginia with her dog where she likes to hike, go to the beach, see live music, and go on road trips. One of her favorite authors is Glennon Doyle.

Peggy joined BPI as the administrative assistant with the desire to contribute to a more sustainable world. Her passion for conservation and wildlife drove her to earn a B.S. in Animal Behavior and a M.S. in Biology. Before signing on with BPI, she worked for Colonial National Historical Park’s natural resources department and several offices at the College of William & Mary. When not working, you can usually find Peggy playing Ultimate Frisbee or engaging with the natural world, often by kayak or simply with a pair of binoculars in the back yard. Her favorite author is James A. Michener.

Sarah joined the BPI certification team in 2022. She holds a B.A. in Anthropology with concentrations in cultural and environmental anthropology. Prior to joining BPI, she spent the past 4 years working within the marine industry and serving as a mate on a fishing vessel. During her time on the water, she saw firsthand the growing issue of marine debris and microplastics. As an avid swimmer and newly open-water swimmer, she decided that joining a field that fosters environmental stewardship was the best way to align with her personal and professional goals. Sarah lives along the Crystal Coast of North Carolina and created a community compost business with her fiancé to serve the area. She enjoys spending her leisure time at the beach, either swimming or paddleboarding, hiking with her dogs, beekeeping, and instilling a love a nature in her one year old son. Her favorite author is Michael Pollan.

Rose joined the certification team in 2022, excited to contribute her enthusiasm of waste reduction with BPI applicants and members. She earned her BFA in Glass from the Rhode Island School of Design and was a professional fine art glassblower for many years. Recently, Rose decided to redirect her professional focus to environmentally conscious action. She is energized by the continual innovation and expansion of compostable materials and their uses. In her free time, she enjoys cooking plant-based meals for her family, baking, yoga, camping - among many outdoor activities, and historical fiction.

Virva joins BPI’s marketing team in supporting social media strategy, content development, event management and communications. With sustainability and environmentalism being core passions, Virva is excited to join BPI to increase brand awareness, strengthen partner relationships and broadcast compost education to all. She is currently earning her M.S. in Environmental Science with focuses on waste reduction and alternative energy. In her spare time, Virva enjoys running, practicing yoga, camping, stand-up paddle boarding—anything outside, really—and spending time with her beautiful family. One of her favorite authors is Sam Kean.