Emily Mauro comes to MHET with a B.S. in Community Health Education and a background of 10 years in energy and sustainability efforts. She is most interested in work that explores and addresses the relationship between systemic discrimination and health disparities within disinvested communities. She is currently pursuing an Advanced Certificate in Public Administration at the City University of New York (CUNY) to deepen her understanding of the policy landscape in the US. Prior to MHET, she was building healthy, energy efficient strawbale homes for low-income individuals on a Community Land Trust. Emily has experience installing solar panels on residential homes, creating and implementing sustainability coursebooks and programs, and has experience writing grant proposals for small-scale renewable energy projects. In her free time, you can find Emily in her garden, enjoying live music, or camping in the mountains.

Elisabeth Balachova (she/her) is a dedicated environmentalist who was inspired to combat climate change in the 8th grade after watching Al Gore’s documentary, An Inconvenient Truth. With a B.S. in Business Economics specializing in Environmental Economics, she offers a unique perspective.

In her previous real estate career, Elisabeth served as an ambassador for the Tri-State Social Equity Task Force, where she learned about environmental racism and redlining, motivating her to support an environmental justice project at Sustainable Westchester. She later transitioned to the clean energy sector at Sealed, focusing on nationwide energy efficiency initiatives. Her expertise in building science and project management now benefits low-income communities at MHET.

Beyond her career, Elisabeth follows a vegan diet, practices strict recycling, and volunteers at Woodstock Animal Sanctuary. When not advocating for climate change, she enjoys tennis, drawing inspiration from Serena Williams.

Denis Cooke (he/him), is a LaGuardia Community College graduate in Computer Technology with 25 years of IT experience and CompTIA A+ certification. An Honorably Discharged US Army veteran, he has worked across education, healthcare, and distribution sectors, specializing in IT equipment, training, and workspace planning. Denis brings expertise from roles at Bronx Community College, Columbia University Medical Center, and with Frank Brunkhorst.

Recently completing training in thermal, HVAC, and electrification programs, he holds certifications in HVAC, solar energy, and building electrification. Currently enrolled in programs at SUNY Ulster and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Denis aims to promote renewable energy, advocate for green practices, and collaborate with community organizations. With 30 years of experience guiding students, he merges his IT background with a passion for renewable energy and green building in community-focused roles, striving to reduce carbon footprints and promote sustainability at MHET.