Sustainability

Facilities Management

Staff 

Headshot of Sara BartonSara Barton, interim director

Sara's academic and professional backgrounds in public health, food access and organic agriculture lead her to begin a career in sustainability in 2017. Having lived in Washington, D.C. and New York City before moving to Richmond, she is especially interested in sustainability work in urban settings. Sara's professional and academic interests include sustainable urban food systems, conservation landscaping, bike-friendly urban design and community-engaged climate action. In 2022, she completed the Certificate in Sustainability Planning graduate program at VCU's Wilder School and plans to continue to expand her sustainability knowledge and skill set. When she's not at work, Sara is most likely biking, roller skating, hiking, supporting local producers at the farmers market, vibing at a concert or tending to (including singing to) her 50+ houseplants.

Headshot of Lloyd BlakeLloyd Blake, urban gardens and forestry program manager

Lloyd is a lifetime Richmond resident and arrives at VCU having spent the last ten years pursuing various agricultural and horticultural interests in the state of Virginia. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from James Madison University and picked up minors in Environmental Studies and Italian along the way. Lloyd is drawn to the power that agriculture and food have to bring people and communities together and hopes to create that atmosphere in the gardens at VCU.

When not in the garden, Lloyd enjoys cycling, reading fiction and spending time with his family.

Headshot of Jane HagenJane Hagen, sustainability data analyst

Jane graduated from VCU in 2021 with a Master of Arts in English, focusing on ecological weird fiction. In this position, she plans to track and analyze sustainability data and help put it to use in the ongoing sustainability work at VCU. She is particularly interested in ways to approach complex, interconnected problems that exist far outside the human scale, like the climate crisis, and hopes to use data to help approach those problems in more informed ways. 

Outside of her work here, Jane can be found swimming, cooking or reading.

Parker LongParker Long, manager, sustainability administration and operations 

Parker graduated from VCU in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies. Her journey in sustainability began as an intern with VCU Sustainability, where she discovered a passion for creating positive environmental impact. Since then, Parker has continued to contribute to the field, driven by a commitment to fostering sustainable practices.

Outside of work, Parker enjoys spending time with her two dogs, Jack and Bonnie. She loves exploring the outdoors with them, whether it’s relaxing by the river, hiking, rock climbing, or traveling. Parker also enjoys fussing over house plants, listening to podcasts, and trying and usually abandoning craft projects.

Headshot of Anna MaloneAnna Malone, zero waste program manager

Anna joins VCU with over seven years of experience in sustainability, having worked across nonprofit, consulting and municipal sectors. Her work has spanned national and international contexts — from reducing plastic pollution and supporting community recycling in Central America, to developing zero waste initiatives for major hospitality groups and sports venues in the U.S.

She holds a B.S. in Economics from Clemson University and additional certifications in TRUE Zero Waste (GBCI), Circular Economy (Ellen MacArthur Foundation) and Social Impact Strategy (University of Pennsylvania). 

Anna believes waste is a powerful lens through which to view climate, equity and culture. What and how we throw away tells a story — and opens the door to change. At VCU, she brings a global lens to local environmental challenges, with a particular focus on systems thinking and source reduction.

Outside of work, Anna enjoys spending time with her rescue Frenchie, Moo, practicing her Spanish, getting her hands in the soil and exploring Virginia’s abundant waterways.

Interns

Communications and Engagement Team

Headshot of McCenzie MurphyMcCenzie Murphy, communications and engagement intern

McCenzie is a graduate student at VCU Brandcenter, where she is studying Advertising and Brand Strategy. She is originally from Texarkana, Texas, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in communications from Prairie View A&M University in 2024. With a passion for innovative storytelling and consumer experiences, McCenzie is particularly interested in the intersection of sustainability and marketing — finding creative ways to inspire conscious living.

Outside of school and work, she loves reading, cooking, listening to music, and spending quality time with friends, family and her puppy.

Free Store Team

Urban Gardens and Forestry Team

Brianna Wahl, urban gardens and forestry intern

Brianna Wahl is a junior studying Chemical and Life Science Engineering with a minor in Environmental Studies. Her passion for sustainability began with a love for the outdoors, whether it be hiking, biking, or camping. She aims to help protect and advance environmental sustainability on both personal and professional levels. Through her role with VCU Sustainability, Brianna is able to pursue this goal while learning about the intricacies of urban gardening and green infrastructure. Sharing and developing this knowledge with other VCU Sustainability staff, volunteers, and friends is something that she finds both rewarding and exciting.

Zero Waste Team