who we are

The Environmental Justice Community Profile is an initiative supported by the Charleston Climate Coalition, a grassroots advocacy 501(c)(3) nonprofit, based in Charleston, South Carolina. Though our team is based in the Lowcountry, this profile is intended for nationwide community use.

Meet the Team

  • DR. JEN COLE WRIGHT

    PROJECT DIRECTOR

    Jen is a Professor of Pschology at the College of Charleston in Charleston, SC. She is also an affiliate member of the Environmental & Sustainability Studies and Public Health programs. She is the co-founder of the Charleston Climate Coalition and spearheaded the development of the EJCP. She is also happily a grandmother of two beatiful grandbabies.

    EMAIL: wrightjj1@cofc.edu

  • CHARLTON BROWNELL

    PROGRAM MANAGER

    Charlton draws upon his local government experience to drive strategic direction for maximizing the EJCP’s value in preparing communities to interact with local officials. His diverse research background in urban policy, neighborhood change, and zoology provides the basis of the EJCP’s subject matter information and policy analysis. In his free time, he enjoys running and hiking.

    EMAIL: charlton.chsclimatecoalition@gmail.com

  • CAROLINE FRADY

    ORGANIZER & DESIGNER

    Caroline organizes community events and action-sessions, as well as contributing to data and policy research, creative design, and visual media. Caroline is a free-lance photographer, part-time farmer, and full-time lover of all things outside. Caroline can most readily be found wherever the sun is shining, or at the local public library.

    EMAIL: caroline.chsclimatecoalition@gmail.com

  • RACHEL BARES

    RESEARCH ASSOCIATE

    Rachel utilizes her professional experience in research and field biology to identify accessible national, regional, and local datasets. She is currently a dual master’s student in both Environmental Studies and Public Administration. When not in a lab, you can find Rachel enjoying time outside or listening to live music.

    EMAIL: baresr@g.cofc.edu

  • VICENTA LINDEN

    STUDENT INTERN

    Vicenta is a recent graduate of the College of Charleston, majoring in Political Science with a minor in Spanish and a concentration in Politics, Philosophy and Law. Her dream job is to work as an environmental and social impact analyst or a political science professor. When Vi isn’t writing papers, she is sitting outside at a restaurant or walking around the city.

  • KATIE SAUNDERS

    STUDENT INTERN

    Katie is a recent graduate of the College of Charleston, majoring in Political Science. Katie’s dream job is to work as an environmental lawyer or as an environmental and sustainability analyst. When not researching new policy, Katie is going for a run around the city or discovering new restaurants.

  • CAITLIN BOLGER

    PAST CONTRIBUTOR

CCC Mission

Charleston Climate Coalition works across multiple fronts to expand awareness and inspire citizens and elected officials to address the root causes of climate change. As a coalition, CCC collaborates with many organizations to push for action and create the connective tissue needed to successfully enact change. CCC sees the Lowcountry of South Carolina’s geographic susceptibility to the climate crisis as a unique challenge and an opportunity for leading climate action in the Southeast region. CCC strives to keep social and environmental justice for underinvested and overburdened communities at the core of its mission.