Staff

 
 

Chris Murawski (he/him)

Executive Director

(716)852-3813 ext 102

Chris@cacwny.org


Chris has been a member of Clean Air since 2020. He was born in Niagara Falls and grew up in Buffalo with a large close knit family including his sister and brother and many cousins. No stranger to hard work, prior to the nonprofit field he built and remodeled houses, and founded and co-owned Caz Cafe, a neighborhood coffee shop. For the last decade he has worked for Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper and has served as the Director of Community Engagement since 2015. Leading the development and sustainability of many Waterkeeper programs, Chris brings a wealth of experience in nonprofit management, staff mentorship, and fundraising. With a passion for leadership development he is excited to support the amazing staff and members of Clean Air to win campaigns. He believes the environmental movement must embrace anti-racism efforts if we are to achieve a truly just, abundant world, and was drawn to Clean Air for this reason.

In the community, he is a founding board member of the Friends of Broderick Park, and is on the Base Building Team of SURJ Buffalo working to organize white folks towards a more racially just world. He lives in Buffalo with his partner, Krysta, and their two dogs Sam, the Shih-Tzu, and Freya, the Boxer-mix. When not working or volunteering he loves paddling, playing volleyball, trying to play the violin and mandolin, and referees high school lacrosse. Chris has a BA in Biology from SUNY Buffalo State College.

 

Bridge Rauch, they/them 

Environmental Justice Organizer

(716)852-3813 ext 101
Bridge@cacwny.org

 Bridge has been a member of CACWNY since 2019. Bridge’s parents met at UB’s engineering school, and Bridge, as well as their five siblings, were raised with a clear understanding of the importance of community and workplace environmental health, safety and justice, especially around industrial sites –  their mother often would practice her workplace safety presentations and screen safety videos with Bridge and their siblings. Bridge has a master’s of Regional Planning from SUNY Albany and has lived on the West Side of Buffalo since 2009. They have volunteered and worked extensively in Buffalo’s non-profit sector, including at The Service Collaborative of WNY, Preservation Buffalo-Niagara, and the Coalition for Economic Justice, where they currently serve as a board member and volunteer for the Buffalo Transit Riders United and Buffalo Mutual Aid Network campaigns. Their two cats, which you will very likely see prowling around during video chats, are named Kurt and Sean.

 

—Phil Gambini, he/him

Just Transition Organizer

Phil@cacwny.org

Phil has been a member of Clean Air since 2022. He’s worked in landscaping, restaurants and journalism, but graduated from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where he made everything from woodblock prints to social justice documentaries. Prior to joining Clean Air, Phil spent nearly a decade reporting on local government, pollution, police accountability, and the federal detention of immigrants in Western New York. He believes challenging power is not only noble work — but vital to building and upholding an equitable and just community.
Phil was born and raised in Buffalo, NY with two siblings and parents that instilled respect for art and advocacy. He currently resides in the city’s West Side, where you can typically find him in a cafe or under a tree with a book and notebook.

 

–Cindy Stroud

Environmental Justice Organizer

Cynthia@cacwny.org

Cynthia J. Stroud, affectionately known as Cindy, is a proud Buffalonian who graduated from the Buffalo Public School system. She is a natural leader,always ready to lend a helping hand to my community and anyone in need. Cindy is deeply committed to community health, readily volunteering her services whenever they are required.

With a diverse background, Cindy has experience in working with individuals with intellectual and/or physical disabilities, negotiating contracts with a labor union,and ensuring a complete count during each census cycle, including the homeless population. Her dedication to the community is evident as she tirelessly works towards inclusion and reducing disparities.

Whether engaged in her professional endeavors or supporting my neighbors and friends during challenging times, Cindy is known as the friend you have yet to meet. Her unwavering love for this city and its citizens shines through in all her pursuits.

 

–Gia Spicola she/they

Grassroots Development Organizer

Gia@cacwny.org

Gia Spicola is currently working towards her Master’s degree in Geography, where she is researching economic influence on gender inequality, racial injustices, and environmental change. Before beginning her program at UB, Gia completed her BA at Syracuse University as a double major in Political Science and Geography. While working towards both degrees, Gia worked in the Executive Branch at the Office of Governor Kathy Hochul. During her four years at the office, Gia worked on the political side focusing on fundraising, event planning, and donor outreach. Having a passion for social and environmental justice, Gia also worked with Syracuse Community Geography as a research intern, and last year, was a Mobile Market Coordinator for the Massachusetts Avenue Project (MAP). Most recently, Gia completed a fellowship with UB’s Social Impact Fellowship Program (SIF), partnering with the Erie County Department of Social Services. 

Gia grew up in Buffalo and she has always wanted to work towards social change in her hometown. When she is not on campus or in the office, you can find her at a local hot yoga class, walking the Elmwood Village, or exploring Buffalo’s coffee shops for the best iced latte. In her downtime, Gia loves reading fiction series, relaxing with friends, and treating her kitties (Luna & Layla) like the queens they are