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Who We Are: Biographies of Real Mama, Inc.’s Directors

Kirstin McPolin

Kirstin McPolin is President of Real Mama, Inc. Kirstin’s interest in the environment began during family sailing trips to Maine, Nantucket, and Martha’s Vineyard. Her appreciation for the outdoors continued through her school years with her participation in activities such as hiking, camping, and skiing.

She attended Colby College in Waterville, Maine and received a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Psychology and minors in Environmental Studies and Education. Kirstin continued her focus on the environment and graduated from Vermont Law School, one of the nation’s premier environmental law schools, with a Juris Doctor and a Masters of Studies in Environmental Law. After graduate school, Kirstin worked in Washington, D.C. for three years as Counsel to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public works with responsibility for solid, hazardous, toxic, and nuclear waste issues and as Counsel in the Solicitor’s Office of the Department of Interior with responsibility for hydro power dam re-licensing, irrigation rate cases, and related policy matters.

Kirstin eventually moved with her family to the Jersey Shore where she worked for a year as policy analyst at a local environmental nonprofit that focused on ocean advocacy. Currently, in addition to her duties as President of Real Mama, Inc., Kirstin, along with her husband, is busy taking care of her ten year old Labrador/Golden retriever mix, 4 year old daughter, and 1.5 year old son.

Corey Burnham-Howard

Corey Burnham-Howard is Vice President of Real Mama, Inc. Corey’s interest in environmental issues began in early childhood with walks in the woods and an enthusiasm for biology and environmental science. Corey, along with Kirstin, attended Colby College in Waterville, Maine and received a Bachelor of Arts in Biology, with an environmental science concentration.

Corey also earned a Juris Doctor, with honors, from the University of Connecticut School of Law, where her studies focused on environmental law and earned her an award from the American Bar Association for excellence in the study of land use and local government law and an award from the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association for excellence in environmental law studies.

Corey's employment experience includes a position at the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection where her work focused on the licensing and permitting of projects in wetlands and waterways, and multiple years as an associate at a Boston law firm where she focused her practice on construction and environmental law. Currently, in addition to her duties as Vice President and a writer for Real Mama, Inc., Corey is a part-time freelance legal writer and a full-time mom. Corey resides with her husband, 4 year old daughter and 2 year old daughter in North Central Massachusetts.

Camille Lofaro Sowinski

Camille Lofaro Sowinski serves as Treasurer of Real Mama, Inc. Camille attended the University of California, Los Angeles where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. After living in the polluted air of Los Angeles for several years, Camille packed up her black lab, Kira, and set out for law school in the bucolic green mountains of Vermont where she attended, along with Kirstin, Vermont Law School. While there, Camille focused her studies on environmental law, earned a Juris Doctor and met her husband, Michael.

After graduating law school, Camille moved to Washington, D.C. and began working in the non-profit sector for the Smithsonian Institution. Currently, Camille resides in San Diego, California and, in addition to her duties for Real Mama, Inc., works part-time as a fundraiser for Scripps Health Foundation. She and her husband have two children, Sophia and Luca.

Kari (Jermansen) Martin

Kari (Jermansen) Martin is a board member of Real Mama, Inc. who specializes in outreach and communications. Kari's interest in the environment began at an early age with summers spent in South Seaside Park, NJ. The ocean has always been a source of awe, inspiration, and solace for Kari.

Kari pursued her interest in the environment and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Alfred University, in Alfred, New York, with a dual major in Environmental Science and Political Science. She received her Master of Science degree with a concentration in Environmental Policy and Democratic Processes from the State University of New York (SUNY) College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) in Syracuse, NY. In her graduate studies, Kari focused on environmental policy, public participation, and community conflict resolution. A summer internship with Clean Ocean Action, a nonprofit, ocean-advocacy organization in New Jersey, provided the basis for her Master's thesis.

In 2001, Kari joined the staff at Clean Ocean Action as Outreach Director. In that position, Kari developed issue-action campaigns, assisted in public education initiatives, implemented citizen action activities, assisted the staff scientist with outreach of technical documents and issues, responded to questions regarding issues of citizen concern, and coordinated volunteers. In 2007, Kari was promoted to Policy Communications Director and is working to communicate sound ocean protection policies to elected officials, organizations, and citizens.

Kari and her husband reside in Middletown Township, NJ, with their two cats, and enjoy hiking, biking, and traveling, and participate in local environmental groups and activities. The Martins are also the founders of the Friends of Pews Creek.

Cornelia Mazzan

Cornelia Mazzan serves as Web Master of Real Mama, Inc. (site originally designed by Think Green Media.) Growing up, Cornelia spent a few weeks each summer at a family cottage in Vermont where she found peace and wonder in the outside world, fostering her awareness of nature. A summer day might have included swimming in the pond, fishing off the floating wooden bridge, taking walks or just sketching or reading in the tall grass.

Cornelia received her Bachelor's Degree in Fine & Studio Arts from Montclair State University in New Jersey and worked in various art-related jobs before learning web design and moving to Washington, DC, to work on National Geographic's website staff. There she met her husband, Alan, and they moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for two years, then back to the DC area following job opportunities with the internet.

After the birth of their now five-year-old daughter, the Mazzans returned to their home state of New Jersey. They continue to explore the beaches, rivers and woods of Monmouth County, NJ, where they now live. In addition to her duties for Real Mama, Inc., Cornelia is a partner in her own graphic design firm, Mazzan Design Group. She is a member of the Holistic Moms Network and also enjoys teaching yoga to children, helping them to find that peace and wonder both in themselves and in the natural world.

Organizational Affiliations

Co-op America is a national nonprofit organization founded in 1982, provides the economic strategies, organizing power and practical tools for businesses and individuals to address today's social and environmental problems. While many environmental organizations choose to fight important political and legal battles, Co-op America is the leading force in educating and empowering our nation's people and businesses to make significant improvements through the economic system.
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