Onward and Upward!

This past Saturday, March 31, 2012 was bittersweet for me. I had the honor of attending Sustain Charlotte’s First Annual Sustainability Awards where I was a nominee for Overall Outstanding Leader among Charlotte’s top sustainability figures. It was also my last official day as the Green Drinks Charlotte Creative Director.
I did not win a Sustainability Award (nor did I anticipate to do so) but I was excited to be alongside 150+ wonderful peers who are creating positive change for Charlotte. A list of the nominees can be found online at the Charlotte Business Journal and a big congratulations to all of the winners below!
Sustain Charlotte’s First Annual Sustainability Award Winners
Outstanding Contribution to Local Sustainability in:
Air Quality - June Blotnick, Clean Air Carolina
Buildings and Homes - Nicole Venezia, City of Charlotte
Economy - Amanda Breeden, Michael Scott Mater Foundation
Energy - Brian Kasher, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
Food - Robin Emmons, Sow Much Good
Parks and Green Space - Ann Browning, Carolina Thread Trail
Social Equity - Tracy Russ, Crossroads Charlotte
Transportation - Martin Zimmerman, Charlotte Area Bicycle Alliance
Waste Reduction - Michael Talbert, Mecklenburg County
Water Quality - David Merryman, Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation
Outstanding Educator - Helene Hilger, UNC Charlotte
Outstanding Overall Leader - Dan Roselli, Packard Place
As for Green Drinks Charlotte, I will be moving over to an Advisory Board position. I’ll still be involved with the great networking organization, just in a less time consuming capacity. Since I run my own business along with being an Editorial Director for The Living Principles, Vice President of Sustainability for AIGA Charlotte, Advisory Board for CPCC’s Advertising + Graphic Design Department and so on… I had to change my role to better serve Green Drinks. I had such a fulfilling 3+ year stretch with helping to create and mold what Green Drinks Charlotte is today including the branding, design, communication materials, overall messaging and monthly events. I’m happy to leave the organization in very good hands with our Ambassador of Eco (President): Amber Coffman, Membership Coordinator: Bryan Gabriel; Photography Coordinator: Virginia Faircloth and new board member Brent Levi. Thursday, April 12, 2012 is our next Green Drinks Charlotte monthly event at a new location - Harvest Moon Grille where we’ll have local apps, drinks and the above Sustainability Award winner for Air Quality - June Blotnick from Clean Air Carolina! Check out greendrinksclt.com for more information. We hope to see you out there!
Onward and upward!