Our Team

The Climate Action Museum is volunteer run. Outside of one part-time coordinator, CAM's vision and implementation is the result of a passionate and diverse group of volunteers.

Board of Directors

Lesley Showers

BOARD CHAIR

Executive Director,Institute for Cultural Affairs

Lesley Showers is Executive Director of the Institute for Cultural Affairs (ICA) and Board Chair of the Climate Action Museum in Chicago. A self-described “reformed architect,” she brings a design mindset to advancing community-driven sustainability, climate education, and civic engagement. Lesley is known for connecting partners across sectors to create impactful, community-centered climate solutions. Her leadership has been recognized by Mayor Brandon Johnson, Angela Tovar Commissioner of the Department of Environment and with the 2022 Emerald Award from Illinois Green Alliance.

Ryan has been involved in the Climate Action Museum since its inception in 2023 and joined the CAM board in 2024. He brings significant expertise to the museum on how the energy sector will support economy-wide decarbonization. Ryan holds a PhD in Business ethics and sociology and has taught courses on environmental sustainability and ethics at Wharton, Georgetown, HSE Moscow, and Bucknell. Ryan spent four years managing ComEd’s climate resilience initiative and currently works at the National Energy Laboratory where he leads a team that focuses on resilience science and provides technical assistance on the energy transition to communities across the world. Ryan lives in Oak Park.

Ryan Burg

VICE CHAIR

Group Manager, National Laboratory of the Rockies

Doug Farr

CO-FOUNDER

Founder and Principal, Farr Associates

Douglas Farr FAIA founded Chicago-based Farr Associates identified by the New York Times as "the most prominent of the city's growing cadre of ecologically sensitive architects." The award-winning firm has designed many of the Chicago regions most sustainable buildings including 13 LEED-Platinum-Certified projects and several net-zero buildings. In 2023, Planetizen readers named Doug one of "the 100 most influential urbanists of all time." Doug Co-Chaired the creation of LEED-Neighborhood Development and authored two books: Sustainable Urbanism (2008) and Sustainable Nation (2018). In 2023 he Co-Founded the Climate Action Museum, the world’s eighth museum devoted to climate.

Delmar Gillus

TREASURER

Chief Operating Officer, Elevate

Delmar Gillus is the COO of Elevate and has been passionate about leading and supporting Elevate's core operational functions - legal, IT, cybersecurity, application development, office operations, workforce development, and Elevate's project management office. Mr. Gillus also supports Elevate's portfolio of clean energy programs that are focused on ensuring everyone has access to clean air, clean water, and clean energy. Mr. Gillus is a crucial member of the IL Clean Jobs Coalition that passed one of the country’s most comprehensive clean energy bills – the IL Climate and Equitable Jobs Act – that ensures the benefits of the clean energy economy and the jobs that it creates are accessible to all communities across the state. Mr. Gillus is passionate about equitable clean energy policy and implementation and frequently works with community organizations as well as local, state, and federal agencies to ensure we reach our shared climate and environmental justice goals.

Alina Tompert

SECRETARY

Alina’s career trajectory exemplifies a deep commitment to building a resilient and sustainable world through her roles in architecture and business ownership. Alina leads by example, holding sustainability certifications including WELL AP and LFA, working with architecture clients to realize socially and environmentally responsible and responsive buildings at various scales including affordable housing, cultural, higher education, and commercial buildings. She also volunteers in the AEC industry on various committees, speaks on climate and resilience in design at professional events, and mentors future climate leaders. Previous experience includes the founding of Zimt, a fair-trade and net-zero carbon bakery that celebrated her German heritage. Her personal mission of "building a better world" is reflected in career and personal life, particularly sharpened after the birth of her first in 2023. She joined the CAM board in 2025 as Secretary.

Nicole Ward

BOARD MEMBER

Nicole Ward is a marketing leader with nearly two decades of experience advising Fortune 100 brands, government agencies, and mission-driven organizations. She is passionate about helping organizations tell meaningful stories that resonate and drive engagement. As a woman in leadership, she is an outspoken advocate in her career and community, striving to be a compassionate ally both in and out of the workplace. Outside of work, Nicole is a mother of two and a nature enthusiast, driven by a commitment to building a more sustainable and equitable future for all. Prior to joining the board in 2026, Nicole supported the Climate Action Museum as a volunteer, deepening her commitment to advancing climate awareness and community engagement.

Staff

Dylan Carson

MUSEUM COORDINATOR

Dylan is a climate storyteller. He is a graduate from Purdue University with a bachelors in Mechanical Engineering Technology. He is passionate about searching for creative and imaginative ways to pursue a just ecological transition. Through his work as a facilitator of Degrowth Coffee Hour in Chicago, a fellow at the Degrowth Institute, and Museum Coordinator at the Climate Action Museum, he has been learning from and teaching Chicago residents about solutions to the most important challenges of our time.