Team – MidAmerica Clean Future Alliance Site

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Regional Facilitators

Thomasina Joseph

Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Remelda Lewis

Location: Greenville, Mississippi

Tiffany Levy

Location: Blytheville, Arkansas

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.

Regional Partners and 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.

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.