Staff
The mission of Consero Solutions is to help deliver public policy priorities that benefit local communities and the environment. We are passionate about the potential to develop local solutions for tough problems and to advocate for those solutions as necessary at the local and state level.
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Petrea Marchand
Founder and President
Jenn McKenzie
Operations and Strategy Manager
Petrea Marchand founded Consero Solutions in Davis, California after more than a decade working at all three levels of government. Her public policy specialty areas include natural resources, agriculture, transportation, regulatory reform, water supply and quality, and flood management.
Prior to starting Consero Solutions, Petrea served as the Manager of Intergovernmental Affairs for Yolo County, responsible for furthering the county's state and federal legislative and fiscal priorities. She also served as the county's first Water Resources Coordinator. During her tenure with Yolo County, she helped secure millions of dollars from the state and federal government for key County projects and changes to state laws and policies to improve County operations and increase revenue.
Before Petrea joined Yolo County, she worked on land use, agriculture, and environmental issues in the state Legislature, a think tank, and President Clinton’s Office of Management and Budget. She also worked for an economic consulting firm on issues related to the agricultural and telecommunications industries and for a non-profit environmental law firm.
Marchand has a master's degree in Public Policy and a master's degree in Environmental Management from Duke University, as well as a bachelor's degree from Pomona College. Her training is in resource economics and water resources management, as well as government administration. She is a graduate of the California Agricultural Leadership Program.
As Operations Manager, Jenn focuses on the consistent and effective achievement of Consero Solutions’ mission to empower local governments to enrich their communities. She oversees daily operations to maximize Consero’s efficiency while also collaborating with clients to determine public policy, funding, and project priorities. She assists with all aspects of proposal development, from researching funding opportunities and preparing applications, to managing awarded funds on behalf of clients. She extensively researches funding opportunities to provide clients with a wide range of opportunities that align their priorities.
Jenn holds a Master of Science in Forest and Natural Resource Sciences from the University of Kentucky where she studied the impacts of disease on local snake populations. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology from the University of California, Davis. She has worked on research projects ranging from urban ecology in Los Angeles to trophic interactions in the Bahamas. Jenn utilizes her scientific background to advocate for research-based solutions for clients.
Danaka DeBow
Senior Consultant
As a Senior Consultant, Danaka works with clients to achieve their unique policy and project goals from concept to completion. Prior to her time at Consero, Danaka worked in the environmental consulting field specializing in communicating science-based technical information related to environmental policy implementation to local stakeholders and members of the public.
Danaka graduated Magna Cum Laude with bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Human Development from the University of California, Davis and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Public Administration at the University of Southern California – Sol Price School of Public Policy’s Sacramento campus. Having grown up in Tucson, Arizona and the San Fernando Valley, Danaka is now proud to call Sacramento home. She particularly appreciates the area’s many opportunities to enjoy the outdoors including biking, hiking, and rock climbing.
Alumni
Tara Morin
Chief of Staff
As Chief of Staff, Tara managed office efficiency and provided assistance with client relations. Her work included management of human resources processes; execution and maintenance of all client contracts; correspondence with clients, such as elected officials, to coordinate meetings and events; and preparation of materials for meetings and presentations. Furthermore, Tara assisted with financial management of over $1 million in grant reimbursements and organizational budgets on behalf of clients.
Passionate about the environment, Tara is certified in Wetland Delineation and holds a Masters of Science in Environmental Management with an emphasis on water quality and ecology from the University of San Francisco. Tara also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Holy Cross College in Indiana. In her work with Consero, Tara strives to utilize her education and experience to foster strong relationships between local businesses and environmental advocates.
Tara is now searching for her next career step at finding where the environment and businesses can work together to help enhance the communities in which we live.
Marissa Eng
Associate Consultant
As an Associate Consultant, Marissa provided support with project management and grant applications, researched funding opportunities and policy changes, and synthesized information into briefing documents. She also helped ensure the completion of client projects in an efficient, timely manner.
A native of Northern California, Marissa formerly worked in arts education at Broadway Sacramento and Pasadena Playhouse, coordinating theatre education classes, camps, workshops, and community outreach. Prior to joining Consero, she worked as Assistant Director of Foundation & Corporate Relations at Scripps College, a position that equipped her with skills in grant writing and development and afforded her the opportunity to work with both private and government funding agencies such as The Mellon Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Marissa holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Scripps College and a Master of Arts in Arts Management from Claremont Graduate University.
Marissa is now serving as Director of Education at Broadway Sacramento, where she designs, oversees, and evaluates education programs of the Broadway Sacramento Academy, including Camp Music Circus, Show Time!, Music Circus Junior Company, Summer Dance Classes, Audition Workshops, and the Internship and Professional Assistantship Program.
Amy Gabriel
Senior Associate
As a Senior Associate with Consero Solutions, Amy worked with clients to determine public policy, funding, and project priorities and helped put these priorities into action. She conducted extensive research on potential funding sources, compiled findings into strategic planning documents, and helped clients prepare proposals for submission to administering agencies. Amy also assisted with project management, which included contract execution, budget revision, and correspondence with administering agencies.
Amy holds a Bachelor of Science in Community and Regional Development from the University of California, Davis. Passionate about the close connection between local organizations and the individuals they serve, Amy is committed to helping communities achieve their full potential. Amy began a master’s degree in Public Administration in Fall 2017.
Amy is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Public Administration through the Evans School of Public Policy and Governance at the University of Washington, Seattle.
Aquilla Sellew
Associate Consultant
As an Associate Consultant, Aquilla researched and compiled information for clients, assisted with meetings, and supported her colleagues on various aspects all projects. She also worked with many of Consero's pro bono clients, which included financial and organizational assistance to non-profits and coordinating fundraising opportunities with local community partners.
Aquilla holds a Bachelor’s of Arts in Mathematics from Warren Wilson College, whose integrative work-study program helped shape her understanding of community and the importance of finding personal value in work.
Aquilla is currently living in her hometown of Athens, Ga. An avid knitter and lover of patterns, she plans to continue her education and further grow connections between the academic, professional, and creative aspects of her life.
Jen Metes
Senior Associate Consultant
As a Senior Associate Consultant, Jen advised clients on project development, researched new funding opportunities, and worked with clients to prepare and submit funding proposals. Jen also assisted with project management tasks and collaborated with the rest of the Consero Solutions team on how to best help clients achieve their public policy goals.
Jen holds a Master of Science in Community Development from the University of California, Davis where she focused on natural resource management and studied the roles community & citizen science play in conservation. Jen also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Michigan and spent several years teaching environmental education in multiple National Parks. Jen believes that local agencies and communities play an integral role in solution-based science and policy. She enjoys building dynamic partnerships among diverse stakeholder groups to advance equitable and sustainable change, benefiting people and the environment.
Gabrielle Fuerst
Research Associate
As a Research Associate with Consero Solutions, Gabrielle worked with clients to develop sustainable project plans, identify and evaluate funding opportunities, and apply for funding from governmental and private entities. She also helped manage organization budgets and worked to ensure client project tasks
are completed in an efficient, timely manner.
Gabrielle holds a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology from the University of California, Davis. She is passionate about reducing the effects of climate change through small changes in urban settings, and is dedicated to living a more sustainable lifestyle.
Gabrielle is currently in Senegal for a two-year Peace Corps commitment.
Julian Ruzzier-Gaul
Research Associate
As a Research Associate with Consero Solutions, Julian assisted with client project development, researched and compiled client funding opportunities, and worked with clients to develop funding opportunity proposals. He also helped manage organization budgets and collaborated with Amy and Petrea on how to best aid clients in their pursuit and achievement of public policy goals.
Julian holds a Bachelor of Science in Community and Regional Development from the University of California, Davis and plans to pursue a master’s degree in Environmental Management. Julian is passionate about his work with Consero Solutions because he believes in the tangible and positive impact local agencies can have on the environment and our surrounding communities.
Julian recently completed a Civic Spark fellowship, administered by the Local Government Commission and the Governor's Office of Planning and Research, and is currently pursuing a Master's of Public Administration at the Presidio Graduate School in San Francisco.