Varnum

Sophia Schuster is the Policy Principal for Michigan EIBC and the Institute for Energy Innovation. Before joining Michigan EIBC, she served as the Strategic Procurement Intern for Pennsylvania State University’s Office of Central Procurement, where she led a variety of projects focused on process improvement and financial analysis.

While pursuing her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Environmental Studies, Sophia participated in several major research ventures that focused on the migratory patterns of humpback whales in Hawaii and the implementation of small-scale hydroelectric systems to bring electricity to rural communities in Bhutan. In these roles, she gained a deep appreciation for stakeholder engagement and relationship management in advocating for environmental policies and development projects.

This, combined with experience in the retail and education sectors, propelled her to pursue an MBA and a Master’s in Supply Chain Management from the Smeal College of Business at the Pennsylvania State University, where she sought to understand the business case for sustainable development. Her graduate research focused specifically on firm ESG behavior, best practices, and public communication in a saturated ESG index market.

Grace Michienzi is the Senior Director of Policy for the Institute for Energy Innovation and Michigan EIBC. At Michigan EIBC, Grace leads on building decarbonization work, including issues related to energy efficiency and building electrification. She also supports Michigan EIBC’s policy platform by leading on work at the state’s Executive Branch.

Before joining Michigan EIBC, she served as a policy advisor to Governor Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan on a variety of issues, including agriculture, Great Lakes, and human services. In that capacity, she collaborated with departments, stakeholders, and the legislature to develop and negotiate policy goals for the State of Michigan. During her time in college, Grace held internships in the U.S. Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee, Michigan State University Center for Community and Economic Development, and MSU Extension.

Grace is a graduate of James Madison College at Michigan State University, where she majored in Social Relations & Policy and received minors in Sustainable Agriculture and in Science, Technology, & Environment Policy.

Natalie Lyijynen is the Sustainable Business Associate for Michigan EIBC and the Institute for Energy Innovation. Before joining Michigan EIBC, she was a Peer Advisor for the University of Michigan’s Program in the Environment, where she supported the academic advising and career services teams.

During her time in college, Natalie held internships advocating for clean energy policy and environmental justice. As an Energy and Arctic Policy Research Intern for the University of Alaska Fairbanks, she worked with a coalition of professors and graduate students to research a possible energy transition and draft a report for the Alaska State Legislature. She was also a Global Water Crisis research assistant for the Michigan Quarterly Review, a graduate academic journal, where she helped to achieve a higher degree of inclusion in the journal’s solicitation process and conducted an interview project on the barriers faced in communicating climate and water issues. She volunteered her time as a Democratic Delegate for Bloomfield Township and a member of multiple student organizations focused on promoting campus-wide sustainability efforts.

Natalie is a graduate of the University of Michigan, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Biology and Environmental Studies and minored in Sustainability.

Charlie serves as a Policy Associate for the Institute of Energy Innovation and Michigan EIBC. Prior to joining EIBC, Charlie worked as a Field Organizer for the Michigan One Campaign, working to elect President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and U.S. Senator Gary Peters. He was responsible for seven counties across Northern Michigan. Charlie also led the Grand Traverse County canvass program and staffed events with U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, U.S. Senator Peters, and U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg.

During his time in college, Charlie served as an intern in U.S. Senator Stabenow’s office where he served primarily on the Energy and Environment portfolio, while also handling an administrative workload. He also worked as a Press Intern at the Fordham University’s Institute for International Humanitarian Affairs where he conducted primary research on the intersection of climate change and human rights. In 2020, Charlie authored and published a paper on climate change and rights-based litigation in the Journal Climate Policy.

Charlie is a graduate of Colby College, where he majored in Political Science and received a minor in Environmental Policy. He was the captain of the Colby squash team and was elected to the NESCAC all sportsmanship team.

Justin Carpenter serves as the Director of Policy at Michigan EIBC. Before joining EIBC, Justin worked as a Legislative Director in both the Michigan House and Senate, managing the Senate Judiciary and House Energy Committees. He has worked with various stakeholders and policymakers on both sides of the aisle covering numerous energy issues. 

During his time at Michigan State University, he also interned in the Michigan House of Representatives and served as Build Coordinator on the executive board of Michigan State’s Habitat for Humanity. Justin accepted his first paid position in the legislature as an executive assistant in the Michigan Senate during his senior year, before graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science with an additional major in Economics.

Tanya is the Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Institute for Energy Innovation and Michigan EIBC, and a Senior Consultant at 5 Lakes Energy. At IEI and Michigan EIBC, she will be specializing in cutting-edge research and energy policy development and analysis. In over two decades in the industry, Tanya has worked in both the public and private sectors on behalf of the Michigan Public Service Commission, Direct Energy, ITC Holdings, the Organization of MISO States, and most recently as President of the Michigan Electric and Gas Association. She has held various policy positions, working with state regulatory commissions and legislatures, MISO, FERC, and a variety of stakeholder groups. She also served in leadership roles as executive of two associations, and a director on several non-profit boards, advising on organization and policy strategy.

Tanya has a law degree from Michigan State University College of Law with a concentration in Environmental and Natural Resource Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Oakland University. She is a member of the State Bar of Michigan and President of the Energy Bar Association Midwest Chapter.

Tanya is co-founder and facilitator for Advancing White Anti-Racist Education (AWARE) and is training to become a certified meditation teacher.