Marc Sabourin, PhD
St. Petersburg, FL
Marc is a proud American with roots originally from Ontario, Canada.
After graduating from chemical engineering in 1986, Marc worked on reducing energy and chemical consumption in the Canadian paper industry. In 1991 at age 28, Marc moved to Ohio from Canada, working for 25 years for an international supplier of equipment to sustainable industries (paper, bioenergy, food, environmental). He worked in several capacities, starting as a process engineer, then research manager and eventually director of process development. Marc’s responsibilities included managing a pilot plant research facility in Ohio for 23 years, where he worked on developing process technologies, several of which are still in commercial operation today. Marc’s efforts focused on reducing the energy consumption of large-scale. industrial equipment used in the production of pulp for paper products, like magazines, personal care and paperboard packaging. The Amazon revolution sky-rocketed the use of paperboard (cardboard) packaging worldwide.
Another passion of Marc’s is renewable chemicals, more specifically chemicals that are extracted from sustainably grown trees and plants instead of produced from non-renewable resources like oil. Since 2015, Marc has helped commercialize biochemical technologies that can substitute chemicals and fuels produced from non-renewable resources. When all the oil is gone, the world will rely more on energy and chemicals produced from renewable sources, and Marc’s dream is to see these technologies materialize in time.
Marc has a passion for education and has taught course modules for several universities and institutes over the years. He is equally stoked about going to schools and educating younger audiences, where he combines his passion for energy education and entertainment. In 2004, he founded Youth Energy Initiative as a side hobby, and the rest is history. Entertainment based education is his motto.
In 2003, Marc was awarded “Energy Conservation and Environmental Awareness Award” from Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle, at the Industries of the Future Symposium, in recognition of his efforts contributing to a reduction in energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions. He is a three-time winner of the Douglas Attack Award in 1994, 1996 and 1997, awarded for best mechanical pulping paper at PAPTAC’s annual conference in Montreal. In 2011, Marc was awarded a gold medal from the Arne Asplund Foundation of Sweden, an award voted by his peers for his efforts in reducing energy consumption in the mechanical pulping industry.
Marc is a licensed professional engineer with degrees from University of Ottawa (Bachelors), McGill University (Masters) and University of Manchester (PhD). He is a life member of the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE), American Institute of Chemical Engineers member, Technical Association of the pulp and Paper industry (TAPPI) and Pulp and Paper Technical Association of Canada (PAPTAC). He has presented at over 60 conferences across the globe and is an inventor of numerous US and international patents. Marc is an accomplished speaker with a passion for venues that promote efficiency, sustainable betterment, inclusion, entertainment, and women entrepreneurship in the workplace.
Marc’s eyes are always open for other organizations that share a positive synergy with Youth Energy Initiative.
Masood Akhtar, PhD
Middleton, WI
Masood Akhtar is an Indian-born proud American Muslim entrepreneur and activist. Akhtar has been living in Madison for over 35 years.
Akhtar has founded and led multiple businesses and has also been actively involved with numerous community projects. One of Akhtar’s most visible efforts is a statewide, non-partisan Movement he founded called We Are Many -United Against Hate with a focus on teaching forgiveness and peace, addressing the root causes of hate, bigotry, and racism, and building inclusive communities while empowering youth. Akhtar’s Movement is not about us vs. them.
Akhtar is also a frequent keynote speaker/panelist/columnist/guest on TV shows.
Akhtar also served on Dane County’s “Immigration and Refugee Task Force” aimed to build trust between local law enforcement officials and the immigration and refugee communities and thus reduce fear.
In 2017, Akhtar was awarded “Certificate of Appreciation” by the Southern Poverty Law Center and his name has been added to the Wall of Tolerance in Montgomery, Alabama, to provide inspiration to all those who choose to take a stand against hatred.
In 2017, Akhtar was awarded a “Certificate of Appreciation” by Sergeant Janesville Police Department; Lieutenant, Kenosha Police Department; and Director of Emergency Management, UW-Madison Police Department to recognize with deep gratitude the contributions made by Akhtar to the Wisconsin Command College Re-Trainer.
In 2019, Akhtar received the prestigious national FBI’s 2018 Director’s Community Leadership Award at the FBI headquarters in Washington, DC from FBI Director Christopher Wray.
In 2019, Akhtar received “Certificate of Achievement” from Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers that states “all Wisconsinites should be inspired by Masood’s work and strive to unite together regardless of differences and seek to build a state and a country that is united against hate, bigotry, and racism.
In 2019, Akhtar was presented with “2019 Manfred E. Swarsensky Humanitarian Service Award” by the Rotary Club of Madison.
In 2019, Akhtar was appointed on the Board of Friends of PBS Wisconsin.
In 2020, Akhtar was named one of Wisconsin’s 48 most influential Asian American Leaders
In 2021, Akhtar also received a letter from President Joe Biden addressing racial equity and justice for all and promising to root out white supremacy in America.
In 2022, the U.S. Department of State asked Akhtar to host delegates from various countries in Africa, Europe, and Middle East with focus on combating violent extremism.
Paula Sanchez-Cummings
Apollo Beach, FL
Co-Founder Big Financial Services
Paula’s current role as VP, Director of Operations, at Big Financial Services, LLC, leads a team of support staff and Investment Advisers, striving each day to foster a spirit of camaraderie and mutual respect among employees and service to her clients. Her emphasis on structure and order resulted in a productivity increase of $10M in assets each year since 2020. In a landscape that’s constantly changing, practical skills and adaptability proved necessary in rolling out company-wide processes which improved operations, streamlined task delegation, and minimized redundancy.
Fueled by a desire to build and lead successful teams, Paula’s approach is rooted in empathy and generosity. Paula stands at the forefront of operational management, fostering a supportive environment that pushes productivity levels to new heights and ensures a sense of camaraderie among colleagues. Paula’s willingness to always lend a hand, fosters a strong sense of unity in her team.
The promise of contributing to such a worthy and personal cause, like Youth Energy Initiative drives Paula’s ambition to see a change happen starting with children and impacting the world. The culture of providing aid and supporting community efforts that resonate clearly with her life mantra of altruism fuels her desire to join this team of promotors for world betterment.
Translating Paula’s experience at Big Financial Services, LLC and other companies she has helped to build, will lend her skills to such an esteemed organization with the goal to grow awareness for change. This would be a seamless transition, one where Paula’s skills perfectly align with YEI.
Paula has always pursued a personal mission to understand physical health, general wellness, and sustainable solutions that preserve our mind, body and soul. In addition to 27 years of Operational experience in building and growing companies from start- up, Paula decided to go back to school and graduated at the top of her class as an ARDMS Licensed Diagnostic Medical Sonographer in 2016. She is board certified in OBGYN and Abdomen. She is sponsored to complete RVT Boards. Serving in the medical community was sparked by multiple years of being a caregiver to both of Paula’s parents and seeing a real need for compassion and advocacy in the medical community for elderly. Her altruistic perspective stems from a deep desire to not only experience a healthy, educated, and thriving family system of her own, but to see that experience become much more universal for those around her. She is very passionate about world betterment and energy conservation.
Diane Sears
Orlando, FL
Co-Founder
Go for the Greens Foundation
Diane Sears of Orlando serves as the co-founder, co-chair and global
programs chair for the international Go for the Greens Foundation,
which helps women business owners grow their companies, incorporate
sustainable practices, use golf as a business tool and mentor future
female leaders. Diane is a career newspaper and magazine journalist,
the author of two business books, and the founder and president of
DiVerse Media LLC. She has served as a leader and member of numerous
women’s business organizations, including the
Women’s Business Enterprise Council of Florida, which certifies
companies as women-owned for the Women’s Business Enterprise
National Council (WBENC). For her work with women business owners, she was twice named member of
the year by the National Association of Women Business Owners, in 2006 and 2009, and she was
inducted into the Women’s Business Enterprise Hall of Fame in 2015 by the American Institute of
Diversity and Commerce.
ABOUT GO FOR THE GREENS FOUNDATION
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Go for the Greens Foundation Inc. is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit based on four guiding “green”
pillars: 1) business growth that generates profit and creates jobs; 2) sustainable business
practices that foster a healthier planet; and 3) business networking and connections through
the sport of golf; and 4) mentorship of young women in high school and college. Go for the
Greens Foundation Inc. is led by an all-volunteer board of directors and planning team
consisting of leaders and entrepreneurs from supporting organizations and the global business
community.