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, and first became engaged with Clean Air with the Peace Bridge campaign about ten years prior. Bridge joined Clean Air’s organizing team in fall 2021, and they work with our Tonawanda-area members on the Tonawanda Tomorrow Team and the River Road Watchdogs team. As an experienced organizer, Bridge also takes on various staff leadership roles.
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. They are a founding member of the Buffalo-Niagara LGBTQ+ History Project and volunteer with the Coalition for Economic Justice for the Buffalo Transit Riders United and Buffalo Mutual Aid Network campaigns.
Bridge’s parents met at the University at Buffalo’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. Their two cats, which you will very likely see prowling around during video chats, are named Kurt and Grogu.
Cindy Stroud, she/her
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.