Climate LEAP Staff

Dana Brown Haine, Program Director

Dana graduated from Chapel Hill High School and earned her BS in Biology from Appalachian State University and then her MS in Biology from Wake Forest University. Currently she is the K-12 Science Education Manager for UNC’s Institute for the Environment and the co-founder of Climate LEAP. Dana creates curricula and delivers learning experiences to grades 6-12 teachers, students and informal educators that are designed to provide access to current scientific information to help others make informed decisions about environmental science topics. Prior to joining the Institute for the Environment, she was a science educator for DESTINY, UNC’s Traveling Science Learning Program, and from 1998-2003 she was a science faculty member at Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, NC. Dana has two young boys who keep her very busy but in her free time she practices yoga and enjoys reading.

Megan Rodgers

Megan is the Environmental Research Assistant for UNC’s Institute for the Environment. She graduated from Enloe High School and earned her BS in Environmental Science from North Carolina State University, and is now pursuing a MS in Environmental Assessment. One of Megan’s favorite responsibilities within the Institute is helping undergraduates find sustainability internships in the Triangle. She values the internships she experienced as an undergraduate and hopes to engage others in similar opportunities. Before joining the Institute, Megan completed a number of long term internships with organizations including the Environmental Research and Education Foundation (EREF), WakeUP Wake County and Sierra Club. She enjoys combining her knowledge of environmental issues with research and education. In her free time, Megan appreciates spending time outdoors, hiking, gardening, and biking.

Briana Steele

Briana is a Senior Program Manager with the Alliance for Climate Education (ACE). In her role she educates high school students about climate change by delivering the ACE Assembly, an award winning, multi-media presentation at high schools in North Carolina about climate science and solutions. In her role, she also empowers students to take action through the yearlong ACE Action Fellowship program. She received a B.A. from the UNC-Chapel Hill in Environmental Studies with a concentration in Energy and Sustainability. Previously, she has worked with other high school science enrichment programs. Briana is passionate about educating and empowering youth to bring forth their leadership skills. In her free time, she loves to cook, spend time with family, and figure out her next travel destination.