The Missouri Sierra Club's Executive Committee is elected to serve you and fellow members in deciding policy, conducting governance, and keeping the Club effective in pursuing our key mission to explore, enjoy and protect the planet. We have some excellent candidates this year for your consideration and vote. We hope that you will review the following statements of our candidates. Voting is NOW OPEN and concludes at 11:59 PM on January 12, 2024.
Click here to vote on or before January 12, 2024.
Kevin Grooms
I live in Raytown in the KC area, and have been a volunteer leader for the Thomas Hart Benton group and the Missouri Chapter for 6 years. I have a passion for advocating for a clean and safe environment, and my most rewarding experiences have been representing Sierra Club in various campaigns, including speaking on behalf of clean air and water in legislators’ offices, at the podium at municipal meetings, to the local media, and before regulatory bodies such as the Public Service Commission, MO Department of Resources, and the EPA. With a mind on our strategic goals and the best use of our chapter resources, I have collaborated with other leaders in the state to ensure the success of our fundraising priorities, encouraged the support of our outings programs, and taken opportunities to raise our chapter’s needs to the national organization. Areas for progress in the coming year include fitting Missouri’s goals into the Club’s new emphasis on field organizing, and taking advantage of the election year to get more environmental champions in office at the local, state and national levels.
Katie Hasty
I am a recovering journalist and ruthlessly organized content analyst living in Waldo, KCMO. Originally from Overland Park, KS, I returned to the metro in 2020 after stints in L.A., Brooklyn, Chicago, and Austin. I joined Sierra Club in 2022 and I've volunteered with Mothers Out Front KC and local food rescue organizations since 2021. Working in the entertainment industry for 20+ years has provided me with a wealth of experience and skills in media + communications, data analysis, budgeting, networking, people management, and operations. Additionally, I'm a seasoned hiker, surviving NYC bike commuter, and fledgling gardener. I want to make the world a better place for my son.
Helen Host
Growing up in western Pennsylvania, I was blessed to be in a family that enjoyed outdoor adventures: camping, hiking, and exploring through all 48 contiguous US states before college. These experiences instilled in me a love of the outdoors and appreciation for environmental preservation. I am a wife and mother, a trail runner, a cyclist, a skier and outdoor enthusiast! Professionally, I am a Physical Therapist with a PhD from Washington University in Saint Louis; my 30+ year professional career has been focused on improving health and wellness in individuals. As a long-time supporter of environmental organizations including the Sierra Club, I realized in 2018 that I needed to become a more active participant in creating change. I’ve enjoyed volunteering as an Executive Committee member these last 2 years and hope to continue in this role. Working with other passionate Sierra Club members for a more livable planet is very motivating; together we can truly all make a difference. My career experiences plus my love of the outdoors and strong devotion towards preserving and improving our world’s environment, make me a strong & enthusiastic candidate for this Sierra Club role.
Tsion Pichon
A St. Louis native, I’m currently an honor roll student completing a degree in Soil Science Research through Oregon State University. I am a soil conservation enthusiast, an amateur entomologist (and therefore an amateur photographer), and an avid explorer of the outdoors. I am often looking up in the sky for birds of prey.
Debi Pratt
Protecting Missouri's beautiful lands, waterways, and air quality is very important to me-- making these available to all Missourians is similarly important. I believe the best hope for our future environment comes when we invite everyone to be part of the solutions. Advocating for an inclusion, equitable environment is my main goal in serving on the Missouri Chapter ExCom. My past volunteer skills include organizing, fundraising, social justice advocacy work, financial management, and other community-level volunteerism. I consider it a privilege to share these skills in helping to meet the Sierra Club goals.
Stephanie Todd
I have enjoyed my first term on the Executive Committee; meeting and working with people to support the environment. I also better understand the challenges our environment faces and have gained knowledge on how to address them. My background dealing with government programs, project management and communication has helped me support and develop our strategic plans and priorities. Some of the things I helped accomplish were improvements to the outings program by soliciting input via a survey, providing input to a draft bill that would prohibit pesticides in St. Louis City, and participating in discussions to reduce flooding in the St. Louis area. I am also very active on the Conservation Committee and often act as a liaison between Dark Sky Missouri and the St. Louis Audubon Society. I fully support the Sierra Club’s mission that includes protecting our parks, fighting for clean air and water, supporting environmentally friendly candidates, and providing education about the environment. I look forward to continuing to work hard to further the Sierra Club’s goals and appreciate your vote for a second term.