About

Green Business Initiative Student Association (GBISA) is an organization of graduate students from the University of Oregon School of Law and the Lundquist College of Business. The organization is comprised of officers and an executive board who partake in planning campus events and the annual Green Business Symposium with the goal of learning from, and interacting with, sustainability-minded professionals on local, regional, and national levels.

2012-2013 Green Business Initiative Student Association Board

Marie Phillips, Co-Director

Prior to law school Marie Phillips served as the Environmental Policy VISTA (Volunteer In Service To America) with an environmental nonprofit organization based in Helena, Montana. While in Montana, Marie researched environmental policies that positively impact low-income citizens and created related community educational materials. More recently, Marie worked as a law clerk for Campiche Blue Arnold, on litigation pertaining to products liability, medical malpractice, and maritime law.  Marie earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Studies and Economics, Magna Cum Laude, from Western Washington University in 2010. Marie is currently a second-year law student.

Jacqueline Quarre, Co-Director

Jacquie is a second-year law student. She has a background in environmental law and policy and is pursuing a legal a career serving businesses in the Pacific Northwest. As Co-Director of GBISA, her goal is to encourage student involvement in issues of law and policy affecting businesses that operate at the intersection of economic and environmental interests.

Derek Sangston, Vice President of Logistics

Most recently, Sangston has worked as an extern for the Linn County Circuit Court.  Before coming to law school, Derek worked as a paralegal for a personal injury firm in Dallas, TX and as a human resources assistant in Portland, OR.  Derek earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Southern Methodist University in 2009.  In addition to his position with GBISA, Derek volunteers with Lane County Legal Aid and Advocacy Center.  Derek is currently a second year law student.

Jacqueline Mitchson, Vice President of Marketing

Jackie, originally from Lake Tapps, Washington, graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Political Science from Washington State University in Pullman, Washington.  As a second-year law student Jackie works as a law clerk for the Trial Division in the Oregon Department of Justice.

Ryan Hall, Content Associate

Ryan was born in Portland, Oregon, but grew up in Dallas, Texas. He attended Texas Tech University where he graduated magna cum laude. His studies focused around political science and business administration with an emphasis on management. Ryan’s interests include advocating the creation and implementation of public policies that promote corporate sustainability, as well as economic and political incentives to corporations who promote green business practices. Ryan is currently a first-year law student.

Chris Jirges, Content Associate

Chris, originally from Bismarck, North Dakota, graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN.  Experiences hiking and camping in the Oregon Cascades and North Dakota Badlands moved him to study environmental law.  Chris is currently a first-year law student.

Christina Reyes, Logistics Associate

Prior to law school, Cristina worked in construction management for Hoffman Construction Company, most recently under Hoffman’s in-house counsel.  Cristina holds a LEED 2.2 certification and has had the opportunity to work on a number of large-scale, sustainable construction projects, including multiple GOLD and PLATINUM LEED certified projects.  Cristina is dedicated to encouraging developers and businesses to adopt forward-thinking sustainable building practices.  She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from George Fox University.  Cristina is currently a first-year J.D. student.

Maggie Boberg, Marketing Associate

Originally from Denver, Maggie earned her Bachelor's degree in Politics at Princeton University with a focus in international relations. As an undergraduate, she centered her thesis work on implementing sustainable transportation policies in US metropolitan areas. Analyzing the legislative requirements and financial aspects of such projects led her to an interest in green business law and the University of Oregon. Maggie plans to use her legal education to continue her interest in the public use of natural resources. Maggie is a first year law student. 

Jim DiVerde, Senior Board Member

Jim worked for HNTB Corporation’s program management team, which oversaw the Illinois Tollway’s Congestion Relief Program before coming to law school. Some of his other experiences include interning as a GIS Technician for Clarke Environmental Services and volunteering in the Kane County chapter CASA/GAL program. Prior to undergraduate work, Jim was enlisted in the Marine Corps. In 2007, Jim earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography, focusing on GIS, from Northern Illinois University. Jim is currently a third-year law student and is a law clerk at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Eugene.

Katherine Eitenmiller, Senior Board Member

Katherine has worked as a program coordinator for a government-funded nonprofit program providing support to first-generation and low-income students in northern Minnesota. While pursuing a Master’s degree in English, Katherine taught composition courses at Bemidji State University before relocating to Oregon in 2008. Katherine currently works as a Law Clerk at Business Law Centre, a boutique law firm with a focus on strengthening Eugene’s small and sustainable business community. Katherine is currently a second-year law student.

Derek Hopp, Senior Board Member

Derek served seven years as an officer in the United States Navy’s Submarine force. While assigned to the USS Columbia, a fast attack nuclear powered submarine, Derek held positions in engineering and operations departments as well as completed qualifications as a Submarine Warfare Officer and Nuclear Engineering Officer. Most recently he taught Navigation and Naval Engineering as an Assistant Professor of Naval Science at the University of Memphis. Derek holds a Master’s of Engineering Management degree from Old Dominion University and a B.S. in Chemistry from Vanderbilt University. During the summer of 2012, Derek worked in the legal department of Vestas Americas, an international wind turbine manufacturer. Derek is currently a second-year law student.

Sarah Spring, Senior Board Member

Before coming to law school, Sarah served as the Contracts Manager for a utility-scale wind energy development company based in Edina, Minnesota. Most recently Sarah worked as a Summer Associate to General Counsel of Café Yumm!, an Inc. 5000 rapidly growing healthy-food restaurant company. Sarah also holds her Series 7 and Series 63 FINRA securities licenses, utilized in her capacity as a Financial Advisor for a Fortune 300 company. Outside of work and school, Sarah has been a state champion soccer coach and is an avid traveler. Sarah earned her Bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies and Entrepreneurial Management from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities in 2009. Sarah is currently a third-year J.D. / M.B.A. student.

James Bunts, Board Member

James graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from the University of California, Los Angeles. While attending UCLA, James served as an AmeriCorps member for the JusticeCorps program at the Small Claims Advisory Program in downtown Los Angeles. For his volunteerism, James received the Commendation for Dedicated Service to the Community by 4th District County of Los Angeles Supervisor, Don Knabe. James also has co-authored a research paper with UCLA’s Institute of the Environmental and Sustainability entitled Retrofitting Commercial Real Estate: Current Trends and Challenges in Increasing Building Energy Efficiency. James is currently a first-year law student.

Kevin Gambee, Board member

Originally from Portland, Oregon, Kevin is currently a first-year law student.  He graduated with a B.S. in economics from the University of Oregon in 2011 and is interested in business law and sustainability issues.

Alicia MacManus, Board Member

Alicia earned a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Conservation from the University of Massachusetts. She’s worked in environmental interpretation for the Cheetah Conservation Fund in Nambia, the Walt Disney World Company and the Rhode Island Zoological Society. Alicia is currently a first-year law student. 

Lauren Russell, Board Member

Lauren graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Montana, Missoula. Before coming to law school, she worked as a newspaper reporter for the Bozeman Daily Chronicle, a freelance magazine writer, and a legal intern at a general litigation firm in Bozeman, Montana. Lauren is currently a first-year law student.

Chris Swensen, Board Member

Chris graduated from Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Ecology and a minor in English. Chris currently works as a research assistant for Professor Mary Wood. Before attending law school, he worked for a grassland ecology lab followed by several years working in retail management. Chris is a second-year law student.

Elayna Zammarelli, Board Member

Elayna earned her bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Leadership Studies at the University of Puget Sound. While completing her undergraduate degree, Elayna interned at the U.S. Probation Office for the Western District of Washington as well as the Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, both in Tacoma, Washington. Elayna also studied sustainable business practices, environmental law, and environmental economics at Puget Sound, and served on the University's Budget Task Force and Honor Court Board. Elayna is passionate about pursuing a career at the intersection of law and environmentally sustainable business practices. She is currently a first-year law student.