Michael Lerner
Michael S. Lerner happily “returned home” to Energy Vision in April 2023 as Director of Research and Publications, after first interning with EV back in 2011-2012. He is a passionate environmentalist and outdoorsman who wants to make big, tangible strides in advancing the energy transition. Michael is a sharp writer and strategist with a career spanning journalism, the private sector, and the non-profit sector.
He holds a B.A. and M.A. in political science from NYU. As an Energy Vision intern, Michael worked directly with Joanna Underwood to co-author the 2012 report “The City of Surrey, BC: Setting the Pace for Sustainable Transportation,” about the first closed-loop system of residential organic waste to RNG for local refuse trucks implemented in a major city in North America. He subsequently served as an occasional editorial consultant for EV and a volunteer at several of the annual awards receptions (so you might recognize him!)
Michael began his career as a global business journalist at Blouin News, authoring over 400 articles and blog posts. He then spent six years as the senior editor at political risk consultancy Horizon Engage. In addition, as a contractor for the California Wilderness Coalition, he played an important role in four national monument campaigns, authoring entire portions of lengthy technical reports as well as concise narratives for the general public.
Michael enjoys writing, collaborating with others, and crafting strategy. He is an avid hiker who’s been to over 100 national parks worldwide. He’s also fluent in Spanish and has traveled extensively in Latin America. After relocating from New York City to the Bay Area in California in 2020, he and his wife Julia moved back this summer. They are the proud parents of a baby boy, born August 14th, 2023.
Cailean Press
Cailean Press comes to Energy Vision as a half-time Development Associate, with a background in writing, promotion, and filmmaking – where her goals have been to tell meaningful human stories and advance social change. She is an Emmy-nominated and multi-award-winning filmmaker, and her films have been seen at festivals including the Tribeca Film Festival, the Woodstock Festival, Cinequest, and the Montreal Just for Laughs Film Festival. She was selected by Glamour Magazine as a “top female director to watch.”
In a freelance capacity, she has managed social media accounts and worked on marketing campaigns for clients including Ronnybrook Farm Dairy, Stoutridge Vineyards, the United Way of Dutchess County, and Primrose Hill Schools. She also served as head researcher and writer for an immigration law firm, generating reports in support of asylum seekers and others applying for immigration status.
Cailean’s early roots as an actress and comedian led to her later work teaching improvisation to children and teenagers with a focus on encouraging creativity, self-confidence, cooperation, and empathy. Through her work with young people and improvisation, Cailean developed a curriculum aimed at teaching teenagers about social entrepreneurship and helping them create their own positive change-making business ideas. Her curriculum was adopted by Girls, Inc. of New York City. Cailean currently lives in the Hudson Valley with her husband and three daughters.
