About Us
Conservation Conversations® is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to energy efficiency outreach and education, with a special focus on Hispanic, Latino and low-income communities. We provide energy efficiency education tools and conservation information in order to help households save at least 10% on their energy bills and enhance their understanding of energy efficiency and its importance. Conservation Conversations® provides energy efficiency event and education outreach solutions, including staff, educational materials, displays and training, with the support of program sponsors and grants.
Conservation Conversations® designs and implements energy efficiency education and conservation outreach programs relevant to how people live and work – encouraging them to take action to reduce their energy use and carbon footprint by 10%.
Why is this work relevant and meaningful?
In 2010, the low-income community was 15% of the total U.S. population.2 Estimates indicate that while the average U.S. household’s energy costs are equal to 7% of household income, income-qualified households spend 17% of their household earnings.3
The Hispanic and Latino communities are a large and growing percentage of the total U.S. population. In 2010, the Hispanic community was 16% of the total population, and in 2050 they will be 29% (approximately 1 of every 3 people).4 Additionally, the Hispanic and Latino population comprise approximately 27% of the total low-income population in the U.S.5 Despite its continued growth, less than 1.6% of all foundation, grant and sponsorship funding foes to support the Hispanic and Latino community in the United States.
There are limited energy efficiency education resources available to the Hispanic, Latino and low-income communities. We offer program elements in Spanish and English – both online through our websites and in the community through outreach programs – to encourage people to take action to reduce their energy use by at least 10%.
To effectively serve existing energy efficiency education and conservation outreach needs we offer:
• websites: www.conversaciondeconservacion.com and www.conservationconversations.com
• resource centers on the websites with coupons, rebate information, yellow pages/marketplace, and product ratings
• webinars
• education workshops, programs and community events
Organization
Conservation Conversations®/Conversación de Conservación® was established as a 501(c)(3) in November, 2011. Conservation Conversations® is a registered trademark, 501(c)(3) company.
Conservation Conversations’® singular focus is energy efficiency education and outreach that leads to action and changes behavior.
The Conservation Conversations® team has almost 50 years of combined experience with utilities, major corporations, organizations, education and energy efficiency projects. In the past two years, team member have:
• Hosted 200+ energy efficiency community events, workshops & speaking engagements
• Called 70,000+ utility customers to deliver energy efficiency information
• Delivered 1,000+ Watts Up? Meters and educational seminars to libraries
Our Goals
• Encourage energy use reduction by reaching all communities with a special focus on Hispanic, Latino and low-income communities with energy efficiency information and resources relevant to how they live and work. Motivating people to take action to start reducing their energy use and carbon footprint by 10%.
• Replicate the success of our energy efficiency education and conservation outreach programs by expanding from an upper Midwest to a national footprint.
• Create jobs by offering education and outreach jobs and job training to Hispanics, Latinos and members of the communities we serve as we expand.
Our Team
Gaye Melton – President
Gaye offers a unique blend of experience and education! Most recently, while at Target, Gaye led a team to effectively and strategically manage and implement Community Relations initiatives at local, regional and national levels. Prior to that, Gaye was with Xcel Energy for 9 years as a Program Officer in Corporate Contributions, Media Representative and Internal Communication Specialist. Gaye has a Masters of Business Communication from the University of St. Thomas and a Bachelors Degree from the University of Minnesota.
Contact Gaye at: gaye@conservationconversations.com
Cristina Fernandez- Hispanic and Latino Product and Market Manager
Cristina graduated with a Business Administration degree from the University of Notre Dame. Cristina has been engaged with social service programs in the United States, Spain and El Salvador working for Save the Children and Hands. Cristina also has worked at Groupon and an acquisition consulting firm where she worked on strategic analysis, marketing strategy, business valuations and economic research projects.
Contact Cristina at: cristina@conservationconversations.com
Pat Bruchert- Project Manager
Pat has over 25 years experience as a project manager. If you need something done and done well, talk with Pat. Pat’s commitment to process, performance and professionalism is unsurpassed. Her word and work (and her smile) are gold.
Contact Pat at: pat@conservationconversations.com
Sam Zastrow- Outreach and Education Market Manager
Sam contributes nonprofit and community outreach experience to event outreach, education programs, online content, social media communication and fundraising programs. Before her work with Conservation Conversations® she worked with nonprofit organizations focused on sustainability and the development of local artists. Sam graduated with honors from the University of St. Thomas where she earned a minor in Environmental Studies and a BA in Marketing Management.
Contact Sam at: sam@conservationconversations.com
Conservation Conversations®
1164 Red Fox Road
Arden Hills, MN 55112
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