Staff
Program Assistant, vacant
Kelly Doordan, Executive Director
Kelly brings deep experience in the place where science, policy and advocacy meet. A biologist by training, Kelly also holds a Masters Degree in Environmental Science and a Law Degree from Indiana University. Most recently, she chaired the environmental impact working group of the Montgomery County Food Council. Convening stakeholders to identify barriers and opportunities for an environmentally sustainable food system, she worked tirelessly to organize opportunities for community participation in decision-making and facilitated public meetings showcasing community-led projects.
Kelly's passion for reducing trash and litter shows itself throughout the arc of her career from her work with the East Silver Spring Elementary School Green Team as part of the PTA to her work for EPA Region 9 on the west coast where Kelly served as a Tribal Solid Waste Team Leader and Tribal Liaison in EPA's Office of Pollution Prevention and Solid Waste. Whether it's advocating for policy or picking up litter, Kelly is all in!
Milan McWilliams, Social Media and Marketing Consultant
Milan, a graduate of Mount St. Mary’s University, has a Bachelors of Science in Business with a concentration in Marketing and a minor in Entrepreneurship. Coupled with his passion for marketing, Milan has developed a strong love for the environment, and an urge to spread awareness of the problems of litter and what we can do to change it. Milan worked as an Intern for Trash Free Maryland for three years and transitioned to consulting in 2024.
Alexis VanLandingham, Social Media and Marketing Senior Intern
Alexis is a magna cum laude graduate in Visual Communication and Digital Media Arts from Bowie State University and an aspiring multimedia creator who enjoys creating artwork with a purpose. Alexis is extremely glad to be supporting Trash Free Maryland as a part of the Social Media team. Alexis joined us in June of 2022.
Board of Directors
Sean Cosgrove, Chair
With over 20 years of conservation advocacy experience, Sean is a program officer for marine conservation at the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. He was with the Conservation Law Foundation, focusing on Congress, federal agencies and ocean policy. He worked to support implementation of the National Ocean Policy and developed policy and outreach campaigns for CLF including fisheries, habitat protection, ocean planning and national marine sanctuaries. Prior to CLF, Sean was a Senior Washington Representative for the Sierra Club.
Brian Scheerer, Treasurer
Brian was born and raised in Maryland and graduated from James Madison University with a degree in Integrated Science and Technology with concentrations in Energy and Manufacturing Engineering. After returning home from college, he received his MBA from Loyola University. Currently, Brian is a Manger in the Strategy and Regulatory Affairs Division at Baltimore Gas and Electric Company. Brian lives in Severna Park where he enjoys playing golf and boating on the Chesapeake Bay with his wife and dog
Rachel Thompson, Secretary
Rachel is the Program Manager for the Baltimore Community ToolBank. Rachel joined the Board in 2018 and currently serves as the Secretary and the Chair of the Marketing Committee. She is a resident of Baltimore City and is passionate about long-term sustainable reduction and elimination of litter in our environment.
Derek Baumgardner
Derek is a land use attorney serving as a hearing examiner with the Montgomery County Office of Zoning & Administrative Hearings. Prior to working in the county, Derek was the Executive Director of Baltimore City’s Board of Municipal & Zoning Appeals. He is a proud native Marylander, advocate, conservationist, and avid outdoorsman.
Dr. William C. Dennison
Bill is a Professor of Marine Science and Vice President for Science Applications at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES). His primary mission is to coordinate the Integration and Application Network. Bill obtained his academic training from Western Michigan University (B.A., Biology & Environmental Science), the University of Alaska (M.S., Biological Oceanography), The University of Chicago (Ph.D., Biology), and State University of New York at Stony Brook at Stony Brook (Postdoc, Coastal Marine Scholar).
Alexandra DySard
Ali is a Senior Specialist with the Environmental Defense Fund working on energy issues. Previously, she was the Environmental and Partnership Manager for MOM's Organic Market - a Mid-Atlantic organic grocery chain - whose purpose is to protect and restore the environment. Ali also serves on the board of the Maryland Pesticide Education Network. She is a graduate of the University of Washington, Seattle and former Park Ranger. Ali is an outdoor, zero waste and all things water enthusiast!
Jack Obermaier
Jack maintains a passion for litter and waste reduction through his varied work in the community, and has served on the Board of Trash Free Maryland since 2018. He coordinates many small, and large, scale litter cleanups throughout the Baltimore metropolitan area, collaborating with small businesses and government partners every step of the way. Currently, he is working with a horticultural therapy farm in Baltimore County called TALMAR, and he continues to share his dedication for waste reduction, and recycling reform ideas, with anyone willing to listen. He resides in Baltimore City with his husband and two rescue dogs.
Ali Solonche
Ali grew up in Columbia, MD and graduated from New York University with a BFA in Studio Art. After returning to Baltimore, she worked at Arts & Ideas Sudbury School until joining Northwestern Mutual Mid-Atlantic in 2014. In 9 years with NM, Ali wore many hats. As the Director of Internship Development, she recruited and developed college financial representatives through a nationally ranked internship program. She helped clients establish financial security through her financial planning practice and served as co-chair of NM Mid-Atlantic’s local D&I Council. Currently on sabbatical, Ali actively supports many causes she is passionate about. She lives in Parkville with her husband, a Baltimore County firefighter, their daughter, and 2 rescue pups. In her “free time,” she enjoys adventures with her family, making things with her hands, thrifting, a good podcast, and trying new restaurants & coffee shops.
Braxton Street
Braxton C. Street was born and raised in Baltimore, graduating from Baltimore Polytechnic Institute. He received an undergraduate degree in Economics with honors from Morehouse College, and a Master’s Degree in Education from Johns Hopkins University also with honors. Braxton is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education in the Urban Educational Leadership program at Morgan State University, while currently working as a School Improvement Specialist after teaching in Baltimore for 7 years. Education and service is his passion. Civically, he is a leader in two fraternities, numerous community groups and is excited to join the board at Trash Free Maryland.