Meet the CleanTech Alliance Team
Mel Clark, President and CEO
Mel Clark is a leader with 20 years of nonprofit experience, as well as for-profit business experience in real estate and human resources. She has a demonstrated track record of strong fiscal stewardship and program development. She joined the CleanTech Alliance in April 2020.
She has two adult children, one in college studying computer science, the other a theatre lighting and pyro technician at Disney World.
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 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. She also 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.
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, Director of Programs and Communications
Jennifer provides strategic leadership for all public-facing aspects of the CleanTech Alliance, which she joined in 2021. As 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 Programs Specialist
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 organizes the Government Affairs Committee and is involved in researching, writing, and editing white papers, letters, reports, and other written communications. She has a passion for public policy and is in charge of coordinating the CleanTech Alliance’s legislative outreach and policy advocacy.
Outside of work, Lindsay enjoys watching football and hockey, playing golf, board games, and jigsaw puzzles.
lindsay@cleantechalliance.org | 206.389.7280 | 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. He has a diverse educational and professional background, previously serving as a Legislative intern on the House Committee of Natural Resources (Democrats), Community Outreach intern during COVID-19 at Project Vision Hawai’i, and Program intern at Blue Zones Project Hawai’i.
At the CleanTech Alliance, JP serves as a connector and convener for the cleantech industry. He aids the development of a focused BUILT Cluster membership portfolio, coordinates cluster member participation, prepares materials for engagement with corporate sponsors, and communicates to internal and external parties the value of CleanTech Alliance programs and services.
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 surfing the PNW coastline, listening to Pod Save America, 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