Kimberly Carroll Steward, Ph.D
Kimberly Carroll Steward, Ph.D., is the Executive Director of the Nebraska Recycling Council (NRC), where she leads statewide efforts to advance recycling, composting, and sustainable materials management across Nebraska. Her work focuses on strategic partnerships, policy, education, technical assistance, and innovative solutions that strengthen resource recovery systems and maximize environmental and economic benefits.
Kim holds a Ph.D. in Natural Resources from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, as well as graduate and undergraduate degrees in natural resources from Mississippi State University. Her interdisciplinary background combines environmental science, natural resource management, nonprofit leadership, and community engagement.
Kim serves on the boards of the National Recycling Coalition, Stewardship Action Foundation, the Nebraska Chapter of the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA), and Keep Lincoln & Lancaster County Beautiful. She is committed to fostering collaboration and developing practical, data-driven solutions to Nebraska’s recycling and materials management challenges.
Carina Olivetti
TRUE Advisor
Grace joined the Nebraska Recycling Council as Program Director in August 2025. She graduated in May 2025 from Nebraska Wesleyan University with a Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies, a minor in Business Administration, and additional credits in Environmental Studies. Her passion for nonprofit work, paired with a deep commitment to sustainability and education, led her to the Nebraska Recycling Council. Outside of work, Grace enjoys spending time with family and friends, hiking, and being outdoors. She looks forward to collaborating with our members and organizations across Nebraska to maximize NRC’s impact and is eager to continue learning and growing in her role.
Charlene Pierce joins us as the Operations Manager to help strengthen the systems and processes that support NRC’s statewide work in recycling, composting, waste reduction, and sustainable materials management. She is excited to support NRC’s mission by helping the organization run smoothly and sustainably.
Her background includes nonprofit leadership, operations, communications, and community engagement. She has experience in supporting programs, events, partnerships, budgets, reporting, and organizational growth. Charlene also founded the statewide nonprofit, Nebraska Poetry Society, to improve access, equity, and community in the literary arts.
Megan Wilkins
Intern
Megan is a senior at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She is majoring in Environmental and Sustainability Studies, with minors in Political Science and Environmental Education as well as a certificate in Public Policy Analysis. At UNL, she is a rank leader in the Cornhusker Marching Band, a member of the Innocents Society, an intern at the Office of Sustainability, and a member of both the Environmental Studies Student Advisory Committee and SustainUNL. Megan is passionate about sustainable transportation and advocating for accessibility in sustainability. Outside of work, Megan enjoys going to concerts, getting coffee with friends, and lounging with her dogs.