Brett Cease 36

Citizens’ Climate Lobby

What do you do professionally?

I’m the senior director of Education & Engagement for Citizens’ Climate Lobby, a national nonprofit focused on empowering all of us to directly advocate with our government to enact strong federal climate solutions.

How are you involved in the community? Do you volunteer with any organizations?

Outside of my local work with our Minnesota Northland chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby, I’m a member of the Duluth Climate & Energy Network, serve on the steering committee of the Duluth Citizens’ Climate Action Plan and have had the privilege of serving as a local election judge. My wife and I are also foster parents in St. Louis County and I’m an active member of our Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Duluth’s climate action and forums committees (check out some of the amazing local leaders we feature each week at https://www.uuduluth. org/forums).

What is important to you?

A just, equitable, anti-racist, and livable world to pass on to the next generation. We can work toward this together by strengthening our democratic institutions and building our local community together.

How do you spend your free time?

Quality time spent with family and friends always comes first. Canoeing all summer, skiing in the winter, and running/biking in the shoulder seasons. Laughing, reading, gardening, fishing, and playing music.

Favorite things about living and working in the Northland?

We love it here so very much! From its size, the scenic panoramas and the strong outdoor and Anishinaabe culture, Duluth was at the very tip top of my wife and my lists after grad school and we’re planning on being here the rest of our life.

What advice would you give to up and coming professionals?

If you’re curious about how others got to be in the job they have, never be afraid to ask

From the nominators

someone to see if they’d be available to chat for a 30-minute informational interview. Getting to network, learning more about their role and how they got there can be transformational and nearly everyone likes the chance to help the next generation find their career path and paying it forward.

Favorite moment in life?

Biking down a dirt road to arrive at my family’s cabin after a 3,000-mile solo bike trip along the Canadian St. Lawrence Seaway. In that moment, embraced with the surrounding love of my family after the endless support and generosity of strangers along the way, I realized both how small and how interconnected our world had become.

Who has inspired you or your favorite motivational quote?

In these times we live in where so many feel despondent about believing we can shape the future world we want to see, I am inspired by the words of Alex Steffen:

“Optimism is a political act. Those who benefit from the status quo are perfectly happy for us to think nothing is going to get any better. In fact, these days, cynicism is obedience.”

Get involved in causes you care about!

As a former Outward Bound instructor and high school social studies teacher that taught in expeditionary learning models, Kurt Hahn’s words still ring true to me: “I regard it as the foremost task of education to insure the survival of these qualities: an enterprising curiosity, an undefeatable spirit, tenacity in pursuit, readiness for sensible self denial, and above all, compassion.”

Anything else you want to add?

More about my work with CCL and background: https://citizensclimatelobby. org/?team=brett-cease

Thank you for this amazing opportunity to be included in this year’s Duluth News Tribune 20 Under 40 cohort, I am honored and humbled and so grateful the DNT provides this service each year for the Twin Ports!