Dr. Denise Keele was an Associate Professor of Political Science at Western Michigan University (WMU) in Kalamazoo, Michigan where her research and teaching focused on environmental policy and law. She chaired the WMU Climate Change Working Group from 2014-2022, served on the Kalamazoo Township Climate Committee, the City of Kalamazoo Sustainability committee, and continues as the Board Chair of the Kalamazoo Nature Center. From 2019-2022, she founded and led the grassroots Kalamazoo Climate Crisis Coalition coordinating over 2000 members and 40 affiliate organizations to take collective action and address climate change. Keele was honored with an inaugural Climate Champion award from the Michigan Climate Action Network in 2021, and now serves as the Director of the organization. With almost two decades of experience in educating others and encouraging action, Keele brings a collaborative and positive approach to addressing the climate crisis.