Our Team

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CEO

Matt Ward is a co-founder and CEO of Sustainable Strategies DC and a leader with 25+ years experience in community revitalization, economic and infrastructure development, sustainability and green economy projects, federal and state government affairs, and resource strategies and advocacy.  He is also the owner of the Ward Washington Law Firm, providing local government and environmental counsel and problem-solving.  Before Sustainable Strategies DC, Matt was a partner at The Ferguson Group, and previously served as a partner and government affairs advocate at the law firm Spiegel & McDiarmid. He is a co-founder of the National Brownfields Coalition and the Brownfield Communities Network, and has served as national policy director to a number of organizations including the National Association of Local Government Environmental Professionals, the National Association of Towns and Townships, the Manufacturing Alliance of Communities, the Mayors Automotive Coalition, and the American Waterfront Revitalization Coalition.  Matt has served as a city councilman and planning commission chairman for his hometown.  He is a proud Eagle Scout and soccer dad. 

President

Andrew Seth is the President of Sustainable Strategies DC, where he works with local governments across America in identifying and securing resources for their priority needs. He is a national expert on community revitalization, smart growth, brownfields redevelopment, infrastructure investment, and environmental sustainability. Andrew has established and managed multiple coalitions of cities and counties, including Climate Communities, First & Main, the National Association of Local Government Environmental Professionals, and the American Waterfront Revitalization Coalition. He was previously a partner at The Ferguson Group, providing federal advocacy for localities across America. Andrew also served as a project manager on environmental issues at the International City/County Management Association, where he directed the Local Government Environmental Assistance Network. Prior to joining ICMA, he was a member of the government affairs team at Spiegel & McDiarmid. Andrew began his career at the conservation non-profit American Rivers. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology from Salisbury State University and a Master of Science in Resource Administration and Management from the University of New Hampshire.

Partner

Ashley Badesch is a Partner at Sustainable Strategies DC. Ashley leads Sustainable Strategies DC's Western Office based in Denver, working with local government and non-profit clients to pursue federal, state, and philanthropic grant funds to advance community priorities. Ashley also specializes in funding for broadband infrastructure projects. Ashley earned her J.D., Magna Cum Laude, at Georgetown University Law Center. She received her Master of Public Policy with a focus in Environmental Policy and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and Minor in Philosophy from the University of Virginia. 

Principal

Debra Figueroa is a Principal in Sustainable Strategies DC's Western Office. Before joining Sustainable Strategies, Debra  was the City Manager for the City of Glenwood Springs, CO and the Assistant Borough Manager for Carlisle, PA.  In these positions, she oversaw largescale infrastructure initiatives, emergency management and resiliency programs, and lead the municipalities highly successful grants teams.  Debra received her MA in Political Science with a focus on Environmental Policy from the University of Florida and a BA in Political Science, summa cum laude, from Eckerd College.   Debra lives in Glenwood Springs with her family. 

Senior Associate & Client Services Manager

Sarah Marin serves as a Senior Associate and Client Services Manager in the Washington DC Office, supporting clients in meeting their communities' needs. Sarah graduated from the George Washington University where she received her Bachelor's degree in International Affairs with focuses in International Environmental Studies and Global Public Health and a minor in Sustainability. Prior to joining the team, Sarah worked at Justice and Sustainability Associates, LLC where she served in a Project Coordinator capacity.  

Associate & Grant Writer

Spiro serves as an Associate and Grant-writer in Sustainable Strategies DC's Western Office, assisting clients on their grant proposals and other needs. He is a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles where he received Bachelor's Degrees in Public Affairs and Geography. Prior to joining the team, Spiro interned at the Los Angeles Mayor's Office of Budget and Innovation.

Associate & Grant Writer

Nicole Marion serves as an Associate and Grant-writer for Sustainable Strategies DC in the Washington DC Office, assisting clients on their grant proposals and other needs. She is a graduate of Georgetown University where she received Bachelor's degrees in Government & History. Prior to joining the team, Nicole worked in development at a variety of local non-profit organizations, including UN Women in New Zealand.

Associate & Grant Writer

Floyd serves as an Associate and Grant-writer in Sustainable Strategies DC's Western Office, assisting clients on their grant proposals and other needs. He is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley where he received a BA in English. Previously, Floyd interned with a Bay Area land trust organization, where he helped conserve some of the region's last remaining natural spaces and advocated against detrimental sprawl projects. Additionally, he was a grant writer for an affordable housing cooperative based in Berkeley.

Associate & Grant Writer

Morgan Harron serves as an Associate and Grant-writer for Sustainable Strategies DC in the Washington DC Office, assisting clients on their grant proposals and other needs. She is graduate of accelerated MPP dual-degree program at UNC Chapel Hill. Morgan has a deep-rooted passion for the transformative power of innovation, sustainability, and their intersection within both private and public sectors. 

Grant Writing Consultant

Katie Weintraub is a fundraising and project development consultant with 9 years of experience in grant-writing, nonprofit management, multi-stakeholder partnership development, and fundraising strategy. She has B.A. from Harvard University in Government, Global Health, and Health Policy and a masters in Sustainable Development Practice from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro with a focus on environmental policy. Her areas of expertise include ecosystem restoration, climate change adaptation and mitigation, regenerative agriculture, food security and nutrition, and social entrepreneurship.