Join the CYP Club as we partner up with the Ohio Environmental Council on Wednesday, March 13th from 6-8pm for Cocktails & Conversations. It’s a part-social, part educational after-work panel discussion featuring community leaders from around central Ohio. Plus, it’s absolutely free to attend and all are welcome! Our event will be hosted in the upstairs loft at Forbidden Root at Easton Town Center. There will be complimentary light bites provided and all are welcome.
Our panel of community thought leaders from Ohio Environmental Council includes:
• Spencer Dirrig - Managing Director of Democracy Policy and Director of the Action Fund (Representative for Democracy Team)
• Pete Bucher - Chief of Staff (Representative for Water Team)
• Molly Jo Stanley - Southeast Ohio Regional Director (Representative for Lands Team)
• Nolan Rutschilling - Managing Director of Energy Policy (Representative for Energy Team)
Agenda:
• 6:00pm: Arrival & Open Networking
• 6:30pm: Introduction of Crash Course Columbus participants
• 6:45pm: Introduction of Ohio Environmental Council leaders
• 7:00pm: Cocktails & Conversations panel discussion, moderated by Lexi Petrella
• 7:45pm: Q&A session
• 7:55pm: Closing announcements
Cost: It’s free to attend for CYP Club members and friends!
Parking: You may park for free at Easton Town Center lots.
View our full calendar of Cocktails & Conversations events for 2024!
Speaker Bios
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Managing Director of Democracy Policy and Director of the Action Fund at the Ohio Environmental Council
A native Ohioan and second-generation American, Spencer Dirrig was born and raised in Delaware County, just north of Columbus. He graduated from The Ohio State University with a B.A. in Political Science and a B.A. in Economics in 2019. An experienced political organizer, Spencer founded Breakthrough Advising LLC in 2019 and managed numerous campaigns throughout Central Ohio on the local, state, and federal level. Spencer joined the Ohio Environmental Council in 2021 to help build the political power of the environment in Ohio. In his free time, Spencer serves as the 3rd Vice President of the Young Democrats of America, President of Workers United Local 2843, and a Member of the Board of Directors for the Legacy Fund of The Columbus Foundation. Outside of politics, Spencer is a USSF Soccer Referee and enjoys hiking with his rescue dog, Saoirse.
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Chief of Staff at the Ohio Environmental Council
Pete Bucher has a B.S. in Environmental Policy from the Ohio State University with a focus on water quality. Prior to joining the OEC Pete served as a Legislative Aide in the Ohio House of Representatives and as a consultant for various agricultural associations, labor coalitions and political campaigns.
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Southeast Ohio Regional Director at the Ohio Environmental Council
As the Southeast Ohio Regional Director, Molly Jo Stanley serves to support, empower, and work toward local restoration of ecological and social justice, and unite and expand these efforts across the region and beyond. Molly Jo is a lifetime student of ecology, ethnobotany, and environmental education; as a writer, a farmer, a wilderness trip leader, and a musician, she has always found meaning in rekindling connection, understanding, and reverence for our miraculous existence. Though she has been privileged to study, explore, and work in many wondrous ecosystems and communities, the remarkable lands, waters, and people of Appalachian Ohio never cease the grasp they hold on her heart. Molly Jo enjoys spending as much time as possible running through the Forest, foraging for wild food and medicine, climbing trees, and searching for Salamanders in the Springtime rains.
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Managing Director of Energy Policy at the Ohio Environmental Council
Nolan Rutschilling is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio. He holds a B.S. in Environmental Policy and Decision Making from The Ohio State University, and a Graduate Certificate in Public and NonProfit Leadership from the Glenn College of The Ohio State University. Nolan has experience guiding climate and energy policy at the Ohio Legislature, Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, and local government work. He also has worked in corporate sustainability and carbon footprint analysis. Most recently, Nolan worked as the Energy and Sustainability Program Director of the Ohio Hospital Association, guiding all energy and environmental efforts related to Ohio’s healthcare systems. Nolan is a founding member of New Leaders Council of Columbus, and serves on the Board of The Ohio State University School of Environment and Natural Resources Alumni Society. Nolan is passionate about preventing and mitigating the impacts of climate change, particularly as they impact marginalized populations.