Staff

Meet the CleanTech Alliance Team

Mel Clark, President and CEO

Mel Clark is a leader with 25 years of nonprofit experience who is passionate about advancing clean technology solutions and advocating for green technology careers. She joined the CleanTech Alliance in April 2020. Since then she has launched the BUILT Cluster, the Focus on Fusion Cluster, added workforce development, economic development and technology transfer programs to the work the CleanTech Alliance does across our region. She serves on the board of directors for E8 and the Tech Alliance.

She has two adult children, one in college studying computer science, the other a theatre lighting technician at Disneyland. She was born in Massachusetts, raised in Kansas, spent summers on the beach in Connecticut, and attended colleges in New York and Washington.  She is a life-long learner, and loves to read, travel, cook, bake, and garden, and enjoys hiking, yoga, swimming, diving, and tolerates running (long enough to finish a marathon in 2017). 

mel@cleantechalliance.org | 206.389.7201 | Linkedin


Rachelle Ames, Vice President of Economic Development

Rachelle Ames leads the Alliance’s entrepreneur support programs and has developed the new Lab2Launch resource focusing on breaking down barriers between industry and the Northwest’s academic institution resources. She also leads the BUILT Cluster focusing on decarbonizing infrastructure and built environment and one of the initial clusters launched by the Washington State Department of Commerce’s Innovation Cluster Accelerator Program.

In addition to entrepreneur support and commercialization activities, she leads member and sponsors development and engagement, and partnership outreach for the Alliance. Rachelle joined the CleanTech Alliance in 2018, after five years at Washington State University working within the Office of Research and focused on industry-academia engagement and technology transfer.

She has a Professional Science Masters (PSM) in Molecular Biosciences from Washington State University and is passionate about helping scientists, engineers, technical founders, and industry communicate their technologies and innovations to others to increase collaboration opportunities through shared understanding.

Outside of work, Rachelle enjoys playing tennis with her husband – Collin, laughing at their two cats, listening to pop-punk music, cooking new things and cheering for her favorite sports teams (Go Cougs, Hawks, M’s and Warriors!)

rachelle@cleantechalliance.org | 206.389.6390 | Twitter | Linkedin


Jennifer Audet, Senior Director of Programs and Communications

Jennifer provides strategic leadership for all public-facing aspects of the CleanTech Alliance, which she joined in 2021. As Senior Director, she is excited to address the pressing issue of climate change by advancing understanding, inspiring action, and creating communities of change.

Previously, Jennifer developed and implemented diplomatic outreach and advocacy initiatives in the U.S. for both the Canadian and German governments. As a Foreign Policy and Diplomacy Service Officer for the Government of Canada in Seattle, Jennifer built strategic partnerships and networks of influence as the team policy lead for Alaska and the Arctic. As Communications Officer for the German Center for Research and Innovation in New York City, she managed public relations for the center and wrote extensively about cutting-edge research and emerging technologies.

From planning large-scale events with partners from business, academia, and government to developing digital diplomacy strategies, Jennifer thrives in cross-functional leadership. She is an enthusiastic relationship-builder and a clear communicator who values smart ideas, thoughtful networks, and long-term vision.

Jennifer holds a Master of Communication in Digital Media from the University of Washington. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, traveling, learning foreign languages, and spending time with friends and family.

jennifer@cleantechalliance.org | 206.389.7276 | LinkedIn


Lindsay McCormick, Policy and Program Manager

Lindsay joined the CleanTech Alliance full-time in February 2020 after 7 months of working for them part-time writing a white paper on the Clean Energy Fund. She was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska and graduated from Western Washington University in three years with a degree in Biology with an Ecology, Evolutionary, and Organismal emphasis.

Lindsay leads the Focus on Fusion Cluster and organizes the Government Affairs Committee. She has a passion for public policy and is in charge of coordinating the CleanTech Alliance’s legislative outreach and policy advocacy. She spearheads researching and writing white papers, letters, reports, grants, and other written communications.

Outside of work, Lindsay enjoys watching football and hockey, playing golf, board games, and jigsaw puzzles.

lindsay@cleantechalliance.org | 206.389.7280 | LinkedIn


Benjamín Roldan, Workforce Development Specialist

Benjamin Roldan holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a Master’s in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Colorado at Denver. Born and raised in Bogota, Colombia, Benjamin immigrated to the United States in 2001. For the past 11 years, his professional career has been centered on community engagement while working with public and nonprofit entities.

His professional background includes serving as a bridge between organizations such as VertueLab, Bellevue School District, Denver Public Schools, and Denver City Council by building and executing intentional and impactful programs to its different constituents. Benjamin enjoys long bike rides, cooking, and spending time with his wife outside of work.

benjamin@cleantechalliance.org | 206.389.7262 | LinkedIn


Blake Myer, Commercialization & Outreach Coordinator

Blake is the Commercialization and Outreach Coordinator at the CleanTech Alliance. Blake attended Eastern Washington University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration and Communication Studies.

While attending school, Blake worked in the Office for Diversity and Inclusion at Eastern, supporting the Vice President. Blake also had the opportunity to mix her love of sports with work by working in the Athletics Department where she made long-lasting relationships with EWU alumni.

In her free time, Blake enjoys watching sports, spending time with her family and friends, listening to podcasts and taking long walks along the Seattle waterfront.

blake@cleantechalliance.org | 206.389.7284 | LinkedIn


JP Newmann, Economic Development Coordinator

JP Newmann (he/him) is the Economic Development Coordinator at the CleanTech Alliance.

At the CleanTech Alliance, JP serves as a connector for the cleantech industry. He aids the development of a Built Environment Decarbonization Cluster membership portfolio, coordinates member participation through various industry working groups, prepares materials for engagement with corporate sponsors, and communicates to external parties the value of CleanTech Alliance and BUILT Cluster programs.

JP is a proud graduate of Seattle University, where he received his bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies and a minor in Entrepreneurship and Innovation. In his free time, you can find JP on some type of board (surfing, snowboarding, skateboarding), golfing, making pasta, or thrifting through Capitol Hill. 

JP@cleantechalliance.org | 206.803.1665 | LinkedIn


Jessica Nguyen, Administrative Assistant

Jessica Nguyen is the Administrative Assistant at the CleanTech Alliance. Jessica graduated from the University of Washington where she earned a Bachelor of Sciences degree in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology.

While attending school, Jessica worked in the Department of Surgery, supporting the Executive Assistant and Vice Chair of Finance and Administration. Additionally, Jessica continually partakes in Tết in Seattle, a non-profit organization that organizes the annual Tết Festival as part of the Seattle Center’s Festal world cultural program.

In her free time, Jessica loves to sit back and read, spend time with family and friends, travel, or stay active through tennis, bowling, and snowboarding.

jessica@cleantechalliance.org | 206.389.7313 | LinkedIn