Category:Impact Story
Hoosiers Work Together for a Brighter Future
McKnight Foundation is proud to share five stories—from Alanna, Marnese, Rick, Sarah, and Casey—representing just a few of the voices shaping climate and energy solutions in the Midwest. Their journeys reflect the winding paths people often take to leadership. These narratives go beyond bios to reveal the personal “why” at the heart of the work.
“The work of climate solutions doesn’t start with policy or technology—it starts with people and place. Every leader in this series brings their full life into the work: the roads that shaped them, the communities they love, and a deep belief that we can build a better future together. These stories remind us that climate action in the Midwest is personal, practical, and rooted in care for one another and the places we call home.”— BEN PASSER, MCKNIGHT FOUNDATION
Storytelling helps us understand ourselves and the world around us. And our world is rapidly changing, especially the climate. This reality has profound implications for our ecosystems and for the urgency of protecting what we love. Sharing our stories allows us to connect on another level that’s truly human about our struggles, success, hopes, and visions for a vibrant future.
We have also seen the power of this place—the mighty Midwest—most recently through our communities’ responses to injustice, including the escalation of federal immigration enforcement raids in Minneapolis and across the region. In these moments, we demonstrated something greater: the strength of neighbors protecting one another, organizing mutual aid, and showing that love is stronger. Perhaps the most powerful symbol is in a leader-ful movement: no single person was responsible—it was all of us together. These are also the very tactics we need to address climate change and strengthen our democracy.
Across the Midwest, we see robust examples of climate and energy solutions positioning our region in bold and innovative ways. Often, the focus is on data, analytical and technical expertise—the nuts and bolts of the work—sending the message that climate leadership requires certain credentials or titles. But climate change is all around us, and we all are experts in our lived experiences.
We invite you to engage with the stories in this series—and, as you do, to reflect on your own. We all have a climate story to tell, and we should all be part of shaping our shared future.
The Stories
This Is Generational Wealth, Too
Rick Martagon, Executive Director, Building Strong Communities, on hard work, mentorship, and legacy
The Four Oaks: Majestic and Enduring
Alanna Koshollek with Climate Land Leaders in Wisconsin on farming, family, and stewardship
When the View is Worth It
Sarah Spence, Midwest Regional Director, Conservative Energy Network, on rural vitality, perseverance, and perspective
A Closer Look, A Revealing Truth
Marnese Jackson, Chief Executive Officer, Midwest Building Decarbonization Coalition, on health, justice, and speaking up
The Role of Unions in a Shifting Landscape
Casey Hudek, Co-Director, Workers Confluence Fund, on solidarity, labor, and leadership
About the Author: Jothsna Harris (she/her) is the founder of Change Narrative LLC and through the power of storytelling she partners with frontline activists, artists, movement builders, and community groups to co-produce the tools to reshape climate narratives and advocate for justice.
