Our Team
Gloria Warren, DM SMP, MHLS
Founder, CEO
Dr. Gloria Warren's experience began in the education industry and expanded into pharmaceutical research and development, clean energy development, data management, sustainable construction, project management, business development, software development, regulatory compliance, alternative fuel development, and international humanitarian projects; Further interests led Dr. Warren to a multitude of certifications that included FEMA, action research, epidemiology, information technology, and others.
As an entrepreneur, Dr. Warren has developed and organized various businesses, workshops, and curricula in various fields, including the Sustainability Management Institute as a founder. While certified in Global Environmental Management by the Technical University of Denmark, she is inspired to grow the sustainable management field using the product's full life cycle model, analysis, and process redevelopment. She looks forward to providing a professional SMI certification program that realizes the bridge between sustainability, management, reports, and measures.
Dr. Warren holds degrees in Project Management (BS) Summa Cum Laude from Colorado Technical University, MS in Homeland Security with a concentration in Emergency Management and Public Health from CTU, and a Doctorate in Management (DM) with a concentration in Environmental & Social Sustainability (ESS) from CTU. Her accomplishments included extensive certifications in many fields.
Brandum Pierson, DM SMP
Director of Water and Wastewater
Senior Sustainability Analyst
Dr. Brandum Pierson has more than fifteen years of experience in the wastewater treatment industry. His experience also includes developing and teaching environmental science courses related to wastewater treatment. He is an active member of the Water Environment Federation and the national organization known as the Breakthrough Alliance. Dr. Pierson is conducting scholarly research to study critical infrastructure needs in the water and wastewater sector.
Dr. Brandum Pierson holds a Bachelor’s in Sustainability Management (BS), a Master's of Environmental Management (MS), and a Doctorate of Management (DM) with a concentration in Environmental and Social Sustainability from Colorado Technical University. He has extended certifications in the following areas:
- Hazardous Worker Operations Trainer, National Association of Safety Professionals; - Advanced Leadership Certification, National Society on Leadership and Success; - Certified Class A Wastewater Operator,
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality; - Certified Environmental Specialist, Occupational Safety and Health Association - Certified Skill Crafts Instructor, National Center for Construction Education and Research; - OSHA General Industry Safety Certification,
Texas A & M Engineering Extension Service; and - Outreach Training Provider Certification, University of Texas Arlington.
Angela Pollock, DM SMP
Director of Information
Senior Sustainability Analyst
Dr. Pollock’s career spans 18 years in national and international charitable non-profit organizations, where she honed her social skills as president, vice-president, and treasurer of multiple organizations. Observing social inequity intersecting with environmental injustice resulted in her involvement with environmental groups, including the Sierra Club, Greenpeace, and the Louisiana Bucket Brigade.
Over the past 15 years, Dr. Pollock has taught anthropology and sociology courses at two universities and three community colleges, spreading social and environmental change news. She is on assignment as an International Adjunct Professor teaching Management at Tiffin University’s branch in Romania.
Dr. Angela Pollock graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology. Later her interests turned to social and environmental activism, leading her to a second bachelor’s in Natural Resource Policy Management, a Master’s degree in Sociology, and another in Environmental Policy Management. She received her Doctorate of Management (DM) with a concentration in Environmental and Social Sustainability and continues today with a certificate in Nature-based Solutions for Disaster and Climate Resilience.
Clay Thompson, DM PMP, LEED AP
Founder, COO
Dr. Clay Thompson is a retired Air Force Civil Engineer Officer with a career spanning 33 years in the environmental field, including ten years in the private sector and five years with the state government. With experience ranging from crafting multinational environmental guidance and agreements, comprehensive practical OSHA and Environmental Compliance Assessments, and establishing environmental construction projects in the US, Europe, and Southwest Asia. Dr. Thompson has served as a Subject-Matter Expert and lectured on broad environmental subjects at symposiums, courses, and through published works. Recent experience has broadened his horizon to include Big Data applications supporting sustainability.
As an owner of a small business and three Wetland Mitigation Banks in Florida, his interests focus on leadership and change management, system balance and optimization, and biosystem and wetland sustainability. From childhood, Dr. Thompson discovered and fostered a passion for environmental and sustainability causes. He received his Bachelor of Industrial Engineering from Georgia Tech and a Master of Science in Engineering Management from the University of Tennessee Space Institute before earning his Doctor of Management (DM) with a concentration in Environmental and Social Sustainability.
Rhonda McBride, DM SMP, CHMM, REM, FSD
Director of Environmental Health
Senior Sustainability Analyst
Dr. Rhonda McBride’s experience began with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which spanned 27 years. While formally trained as an Environmental Engineer, she was primarily employed as a Chemical Engineer, with extensive experience as an overseas Toxics Program Manager for the U.S. Navy and an Adjunct college professor. She currently is an Adjunct Professor at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, teaching Environmental Compliance and Safety.
Currently, Dr. McBride is one of SMI’s senior industry experts as an Environmental Engineer Consultant, licensed as an environmental professional, a Registered Environmental Manager (REM), and a Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM). As a scholarly practitioner and industry professional, she has become a change agent who is actively engaged in helping the next generation of professionals grow in their knowledge and expertise through education.
She received an M.A. in Organizational Management and Project Management, followed by a Doctor of Management (DM) with a concentration in Environmental and Social Sustainability.
Cynthia DeNardo, DM SMP
Director of Food and Agriculture
Senior Sustainability Analyst
Dr. DeNardo has over 30 years of experience in management, food safety, and quality. She is solutions-orientated through collaboration. She is the Director of Food Safety at Petrocco Farms in Brighton, Colorado. She also assists with safety and human resources to support the employees' training and requirements, mostly H2A seasonal agricultural workers.
As the certified senior sustainability analyst and director of food and agriculture on the board of directors of the Sustainability Management Institute, Dr. DeNardo is the Chair of the Food Safety Committee, on the Water Committee for the Colorado Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, and the secretary of the board of directors at Salud Family Health. She was recently installed as the Grand Esteemed Loyal Knight for the Aurora Benevolent Order of Elks Lodge 1921.
Dr. DeNardo earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Psychology from the University of Colorado at Denver, a Master of Science in Organization Leadership and Management from Regis University, a Master of Science in Food Safety through Michigan State University, and a Doctor of Management with a concentration in Environmental and Social Sustainability from Colorado Technical University. She is bilingual in English and Spanish, and her passion is for everyone to access safe, nutritious food and health care. She enjoys learning, volunteering, and traveling.
Melanie Otemoyolo, DCS MBA, MCTS
Senior IT Sustainability Analyst
Dr. Melanie Otemoyolo has a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, an MBA in Information Technology Management, and a Doctor of Management (DM) with a concentration in Environmental and Social Sustainability, all from Colorado Technical University.
Dr. Otemoyolo is bilingual (English/French) with over 18 years of experience in Dell server and storage systems, escalation management, data analysis, and IT project management. She is a freelance interpreter and the founder of ADELPHI Consulting, a new firm that will help small and medium-sized enterprises in emerging nations adopt business intelligence solutions. She has CompTIA Network+ and Project+ certification, as well as multiple Microsoft Certified Professional certifications.
Additionally, she is the Vice President of two Congolese associations, both locally and internationally. Her research interests include Business Intelligence, Big Data, artificial intelligence, and machine learning, cybersecurity
Asefaw Indrias, DBA, SMP
President of International Development
Senior Sustainability Analyst
Dr. Asefaw Indrias has three decades of professional and academic career experience. He is an active businessman, owning start-ups in government, transportation, and manufacturing; his principal areas of expertise include global Leadership, management, finance, economics, international business, organizational and employee development, and leadership development. He has held several roles at universities in the United States and abroad as the business studies program director, assistant dean, and full-time and adjunct professor (online and on-campus). He teaches business classes, including global Leadership, the Foundation of Leadership, and all MBA degree courses, while mentoring doctoral students. He is a visiting professor at Tenologico De Monterrey (2014-present) and the National American University (Mexico). While being the owner of the Lighthouse Group Holding LLC (Overland Park, KS), he is a minority contractor for the state of Kansas and an investor in other businesses. He speaks several languages fluently and enjoys traveling with his wife Melete Ghile, to study foreign languages and different international cultures.
Dr. Indrias received his Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Master’s in Public Management from Park University. He earned his second Master’s in Project Management, MBA from DeVry University, and a Doctoral degree (DBA) from the University of Phoenix.