Jennifer Tabanico

President 

Action Research 

Action Research Website

Jennifer is recognized internationally as an expert in applying behavioral science and community-based social marketing to foster a wide range of environmental behavior changes, including those impacting waste, water, air quality, biodiversity, and energy.

For over twenty years, she has worked with federal, state, and local government agencies, private companies, and community organizations across the globe. Jennifer is skilled at translating insights from the behavioral sciences so that they are accessible to practitioners who are working to create effective behavior change initiatives. Her work has been published in peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of Environmental Psychology, Social Influence, and Social Marketing Quarterly. She has also contributed chapters to books on hazardous waste management, social marketing, and producer responsibility and is coauthor of the 4th edition of Fostering Sustainable Behavior: An Introduction to Community-Based Social Marketing (2025).

Since 2016, Jennifer has served as an instructor for the Behavior Change and Sustainability and the Sustainable Business Practices Certificate Programs at the University of California San Diego (UCSD) Extended Studies. 

Emily Coven

Executive Director, California 

Circular Action Alliance (CAA) 

Circular Action Alliance Website

Emily Coven is an entrepreneur, innovator, and recognized leader in the waste and recycling industry. In her role, Emily supports all aspects of CAA’s California program including supporting producers, collaborating with local governments, helping communities and haulers improve recycling services, engaging with critical stakeholders, and building capability.

Prior to joining CAA, Emily was the founder and CEO of Recyclist, a mission-driven software company that helped municipalities and haulers implement California’s landmark recycling and organics laws. Recyclist also provided turnkey public education and outreach solutions to recycling programs across the country. Under Emily’s leadership, Recyclist scaled to serve nearly half of the municipalities in California before being acquired by Routeware. Before Recyclist, Emily founded and led a web design and development agency serving local and national nonprofit, educational, and media organizations.

Executive Director, EcoSlo

Kendra grew up in Sacramento before relocating to San Luis Obispo to attend Cal Poly, where she earned a degree in Business Finance. After graduating, she launched her career at Morgan Stanley and later partnered with her husband to manage their own boutique law practice.

 A dedicated community member, Kendra has enjoyed serving on several local nonprofit boards and organizing volunteer cleanup events throughout SLO County. Her deep roots in the area and commitment to environmental protection make her an excellent fit for ECOSLO, where she seeks to leverage her experience and passion to enhance the organization’s impact on the community.

In her free time, Kendra loves gardening, cooking, and taking daily walks with her husband and their dog, Remy.

Jessica McGinnis

Senior Account Executive, Public Sector Team 

Waste Management 

Jessica McGinnis is a Senior Account Executive on the Public Sector team at WM, where she partners with municipalities and public agencies to develop strategic solutions that address complex operational challenges.

With a strong commitment to customer service, community engagement, and long-term value creation, she collaborates closely with governing entities to align innovative services with their organizational priorities and community objectives.

Jessica is recognized for her collaborative approach, ability to cultivate trusted partnerships, and dedication to delivering sustainable outcomes that enhance the communities WM serves.

Thomas Gratz

Kanadevia Inova USA

Kanadevia Inova North America Website

Mr. Gratz joined Kanadevia Inova USA (formerly Hitachi Zosen Inova) in January of 2016 as Sales Manager responsible for all sales activities of the companies anaerobic digestion and renewable gas technologies. He has been involved in the renewable gas/ biogas industries for over 16 years and brings over 35 years of experience in sales management, development, marketing and public relations. His experience is providing technical solutions for sustainable organic waste diversion to end users, in both public and private sectors. He successfully managed the start-up of several European Sales Organizations in the US and has a proven track record of implementing advanced new technologies in the US. 

Mr. Gratz is responsible for the Sales and Project Development activities for Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas Upgrading Systems in North America and was involved in the development and commissioning of the company's first US facility in San Luis Obispo, CA, as well as all other subsequent high solids anaerobic digestion projects in the US to date.