CURE Senior Director assumes Clean Energy Responsibilities

Duane Ninneman

Duane Ninneman

CURE Senior Director Duane Ninneman is stepping up to serve as RE-AMP’s Clean Energy Working Group leader.  Ninneman was appointed to lead the working group as its interim leader in April 2013 and has now assumed a three-year term following an uncontested election.

RE-AMP, which stands for Renewable Energy Alignment Mapping Project, is a network of over 160 nonprofits and foundations across eight Midwestern states working on climate change and energy policy. RE-AMP brings environmental, labor, faith, youth, energy, conservation and other groups together to share one audacious goal: to reduce regional global warming emissions 80% (from 2005 levels) by 2050. The Network has used systems analysis to inform its strategic approach to help solve the biggest energy challenges in the Midwest.

REAMP

CURE has been a RE-AMP member since 2005 when it joined forces with other groups to oppose the construction of the Big Stone II coal-fired power plant.

“My job as RE-AMP’s Clean Energy Working Group leader is to facilitate interaction between top-level clean energy thinkers to keep us on target to reach our global warming pollution reduction goals,” Ninneman stated.  “We promote technology, policy, and regulatory tools needed to meet and accelerate renewable energy targets state by state.  It is also our goal to drive down the costs of emerging energy technology and foster the support of renewable energy by enabling local renewable energy manufacturing, generation, and ownership.”  RE-AMP Working Group leaders also serve on RE-AMP’s steering committee.

Ninneman stated that CURE’s voice on climate and energy issues is magnified by its RE-AMP network affiliation.  “The partnerships forged with organizations in the network have expanded CURE’s capacity, and we have brought a much needed rural perspective to RE-AMP network discussions.”

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Kelsey Olson

Kelsey Olson

Director of Environmental Stewardship

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Kelsey Olson (she/her) joined CURE in 2025 as its Director of Environmental Stewardship. As a skilled environmental naturalist, Kelsey’s work focuses broadly on environmental education and advocacy with a keen focus on rural land use and how that use impacts our environment and climate. Working Lands, how land is used to support agriculture and forestry, is a key focus of her work. She brings 15 years’ experience in public communication, environmental education, and rural community engagement – strong communication strategies are core in her work. This includes two terms of service with AmeriCorps in the VISTA program in Oregon and Maryland and a nearly 10-year career as a naturalist followed. She recently worked on communications and marketing for rural economic development.

Kelsey lives in New London, MN, with her young children, husband, dog, and two cats. They enjoy spending time together outside and finding small treasures in nature. Visits to Minneapolis often include visits to one of their favorite historical museums, the Minnesota Swedish Institute. Kelsey enjoys experimenting in the kitchen, whether this is canning local produce, making kombucha, or other treats!