A Network of People Who Get Things Done
At MidAmerica Clean Future Alliance, our strength comes from people who understand both the challenges and the opportunities within the communities we serve. Our team brings together experience in environmental work, community engagement, and project implementation, all grounded in a practical, solutions-focused mindset.
We are not just advisors. We are collaborators, connectors, and doers who work alongside communities to move ideas forward.
Jennifer Wendt
Executive Director
Jennifer Wendt is an environmental professional with more than 30 years of experience spanning analytical chemistry, municipal sustainability, and regional project management. With a technical foundation in pollutant analysis and over a decade in municipal government, she has led sustainability initiatives that balance environmental goals with real‑world economic constraints. Jennifer has managed complex projects both municipally and with BFA Engineering, consistently advancing practical, science‑based solutions. She empowers communities across Middle America to reduce pollution through collaboration, data‑driven strategies, and capacity building. Jennifer serves as Clean Water Director for the Mississippi River Cities & Towns Initiative (MRCTI), where she leads the Mississippi River Plastic Pollution Initiative and represents the region in national and international efforts to reduce plastic pollution. Her leadership bridges science, policy, and community action to drive measurable environmental progress.
Tiara Lumas
Operations and Program Manager
Tiara Lumas brings a strong background in Human Service Management and Business Administration, along with extensive experience in community engagement, project coordination, and multisector partnership building. She supports resource conservation, environmental justice, and regional collaboration across MidAmerica. Previously, Tiara served with MRCTI as Operations Manager, contributing to local government support, pollution reduction and resilience efforts along the Mississippi River. Her earlier work with the Saint Louis Development Corporation strengthened her expertise in operations, communications, and minority business development. Tiara is deeply committed to equity, sustainability, and improving outcomes for underserved communities.
Caran Hanks
Community Engagement Specialist
Caran Hanks is a committed community engagement and neighborhood development professional with a strong focus on environmental justice, equity, and capacity building. She brings deep experience in relationship‑building, community education, and cross‑sector collaboration, grounded in a genuine respect for community knowledge and lived experience. Caran currently serves as a Housing & Commercial Development Analyst with the St. Louis Development Corporation in alignment with the City’s Economic Justice Action Plan. She previously managed neighborhood transformation strategies at SLDC, supporting revitalization efforts, small business growth, and access to resources. Caran is known for her calm, steady leadership, her ability to identify and address inequities with clarity and compassion, and her unwavering dedication to underserved communities. Her work continues to strengthen local resilience, expand opportunity, and elevate community voices across the region.
Brent Batliner
Recycling Market Development
Brent Batliner is a fourth‑generation recycling professional with nearly four decades of experience in operations, marketing, and materials management. He began his career in his family’s business in Kansas City and went on to hold leadership roles at Midwest Shredding, BFI, QRS, and Republic Services, where he served as General Manager until retiring in 2024. Brent now applies his deep industry expertise to advancing plastic recycling across MidAmerica, continuing his lifelong commitment to innovation, sustainability, and environmental responsibility.
A Collaborative Approach
Our team is intentionally built to work across sectors. We partner closely with local governments, nonprofit organizations, environmental groups, and community leaders to ensure that every project reflects the needs and priorities of the people it serves.
Rather than applying one-size-fits-all solutions, we listen first, then co-create strategies that are practical, scalable, and rooted in local realities.
Our Supporters
Beyond our core team, MACFA is supported by a strong network of partners and advisors across the region. These relationships allow us to tap into deep expertise in areas like watershed restoration, circular economy systems, agriculture, and workforce development.
This extended team strengthens our ability to deliver meaningful results across multiple communities while staying adaptable to each region’s unique context.
Niagara Cares is the philanthropic arm of Niagara Bottling, a family-owned beverage company. Niagara Cares is a national organization that supports communities through its charitable division, Niagara Cares.
Dollar Donation Club is a registered nonprofit nationally and in all 50 US stated. As passionate change-makers and practical idealists, Dollar Donation Club empowering individuals, companies, and organizations to amplify their charitable impact.
Join us for a better life and beautiful future
At MidAmerica Clean Future Alliance, we believe real change happens when people come together with a shared purpose and a willingness to take action. Every step forward matters, whether it is supporting local initiatives, partnering on impactful projects, or simply choosing to care about the places we call home. By working together, we can create healthier communities, restore our natural resources, and open new opportunities for future generations to thrive.