Board of Directors
The Climate Consensus is incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The founding board members have expertise in climate change science, nonprofit management, university administration, grant writing, and fundraising.
Gabrielle Brown
President, Executive Committee Member
Gabrielle Brown is a graduate student at The University of Oklahoma in pursuit of a master’s degree in meteorology. She received her B.S. in atmospheric sciences from Northern Vermont University. In 2019, she joined The Climate Consensus as a student member (i.e., “Climate Champion”). Shortly after, her passion for bringing awareness to climate change was ignited. In 2021, she sought out opportunities to get further involved in the organization leading to a position as a student leader and representative for her university. This organization prompted her goals of conducting research on the impacts of climate change, and, more specifically, improving how this research is communicated. Currently, she is excited to continue her involvement with The Climate Consensus as a member of the board of directors to help motivate others to conduct climate outreach further establishing climate change awareness.
Andrew Westgate, PhD
Treasurer, Executive Committee Member
Andrew earned his B.S. degree in Atmospheric Sciences from Lyndon State College (now Vermont State University - Lyndon), where he first encountered The Climate Consensus. There, he became heavily active in the organization, attending many events and giving presentations about The Climate Consensus at several conferences and functions. Since then, he went to the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee (UWM) to earn his M.S. and PhD in the same field, with a research focus in climate dynamics. At UWM, he formed a chapter of The Climate Consensus and served as the graduate student representative to the organization. Currently, he is an Assistant Professor at Vermont State University - Lyndon and serves as their faculty representative.
Gerard Falco
Secretary, Executive Committee Member
Gerard A. Falco received his Juris Doctor from Gonzaga University School of Law and has been a practicing litigation attorney in the New York City Metro Area for many years. He is a passionate climate change advocate. He previously served as Board Chair of New York State Interfaith Power & Light (NYIPL). Currently he serves as chairperson of the Metropolitan New York Synod’s (ELCA) Environmental Stewardship Committee. He also leads the green team at his local parish. During his tenure with these organizations he has helped lead a nationwide fossil fuel divestment effort, recruited and organized constituents for major climate events such as national climate marches and lead the effort of his local church community to become one of the first churches in NY State to install solar power. During his free time Mr. Falco is an avid sculler, sailor and woodworker.
Allison LaFleur, PhD
Executive Committee Member
Allison received her PhD from Purdue University in 2023 where her research focused on observing signs of tornadogenesis with weather radar. She is now an environmental consultant with RoVolus LLC, a company that provides a comprehensive suite of environmental planning services for airport sponsors and aviation-related clients. She has been involved with the Climate Consensus since it started in 2014 and is now on the Board of Directors.
Austin Reed
Vice President, Executive Committee Member
Austin Reed is a Ph.D. student in Climate Dynamics at George Mason University (GMU), studying observed changes in the contribution of Extratropical Cyclones (ETCs) to the poleward transport of energy in the Northern Hemisphere, as well as the role of Latent Heat Release in Observed and Future Changes in ETCs. Growing up on Long Island, New York during the landfall of Superstorm Sandy, and observing the strength and damage from the storm's aftermath, he was inspired to understand the dynamics of the atmosphere. He earned his B.S. degree in Atmospheric Sciences from Stony Brook University, studying the relationship between Tropical Cyclones and extreme rainfall on Long Island. He got involved with The Climate Consensus upon his start at GMU, and became the graduate student representative starting in his second year. Now taking a key role into the restructuring of the organization, he hopes that this group can be a vehicle for effectively communicating the risks of climate change amongst scientists and the public.
Carlisle Wishard is a visiting lecturer in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at the University of New Mexico. She is passionate about undergraduate education and strives to connect classroom learning to real-world student experiences. She also has extensive experience working in informal education and enjoys engaging with learners outside of the classroom. Her PhD work focused on telling the story of the formation and evolution of the early solar system through impact craters on planetary surfaces. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, cooking, gardening, and cuddling her pets.
Dr. Debanjana Das is an interdisciplinary climate scientist and performing artist with a Ph.D. and M.S. in Atmospheric Science and a B.Sc. in Chemistry. She serves as a Research Scientist at Howard University, where she works with the NOAA Center for Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology and the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies. She is also an Affiliate Faculty member at George Mason University. Her work focuses on climate variability and extremes, deeply connected to climate and energy justice, science-policy dialogue, public engagement, and mentoring students across minority-serving institutions in both India and the United States.
Bridging science, art, and community, she advances inclusive climate solutions rooted in equity and care. Guided by her faith, she sees science as a sacred responsibility entrusted by God, grounded in love, humility, and service. Dr. Das is deeply committed to The Climate Consensus, with a focus on fundraising, workforce development, and building bridges between science, faith, and public understanding to help reduce political polarization and create a just, sustainable future for both people and the planet.