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My passion for the natural environment and sustainability has served as a compass…
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Lora Shrake shared thisThe #GreatLakes were on the agenda at #GreenBiz26 and I'm thrilled to have been a part of the conversation! The Great Lakes system holds 20% of Earth's fresh surface water, but as emphasized during the panel, water abundance does not equal water security. Thank you to all who are working so hard on protecting this important freshwater system. Special shout out to my fellow GreenBiz panelists who are helping lead the way, Brandon Kienenberger, Rae Mindock and Matthew Paper, and to the experts who are part of #GreatLakesWISE and contributed to the Regional Gap Analysis Apostolis (Paul) Sambanis, Ph.D. Noelle Brigham, P.E., ENV SP Alan S. Gilden Paul J. Keppler, EMSL, PPOE 1. Council of the Great Lakes Region Primo Brands Fresh Coast Climate Solutions #waterstewardship Trellis Group Sloan A. O. Smith Corporation Watts Water Technologies Veolia | North America The Water CouncilLora Shrake shared thisWe are still buzzing from our attendance at #GreenBiz26 in Phoenix from February 17-19th.🌵💧 Our COO, Lora Shrake, took the stage for a session on “Closing the Gaps: Advancing Water Stewardship in the Great Lakes Region” and took part in a powerful conversation about what corporate leadership on water looks like. Lora was in great company! She shared the stage with Brandon Kienenberger (Primo Brands), Matthew Paper, and Rae Mindock (Fresh Coast Climate Solutions) who offered unique insights on water stewardship and the collective responsibility required to protect and strengthen our shared water resources for generations to come. 🌊 The session kicked off with shared learnings from the Great Lakes WISE Regional Gap Analysis, and from there the panel dug into how cross-sector stakeholders can better align, invest collectively, and leverage best practice and shared goals to accelerate watershed protection and resilience. ♻️ To read our the WISE gap analysis, please see the link below in comments.
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Lora Shrake reposted thisLora Shrake reposted thisAmazing week in Chicago at the Great Lakes Public Forum So inspiring to connect with Canadians and Americans who all care deeply about making real, measurable impact on the health of the Great Lakes. These waters don't recognize borders, and neither can the solution! It's been fantastic to see the ALUS model gain momentum across Canada, and now to see it grow to through new partnerships in Ohio with the Council of the Great Lakes Region and Defiance City. The more we collaborate across border, the bigger the impact we can make! #GreatLakes ALUS #NatureBasedSolutions #WaterStewardship #Collaboration Council of the Great Lakes Region #DefianceCity https://lnkd.in/g7pEvVDQ
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Lora Shrake reposted thisLora Shrake reposted thisThe Great Lakes region is home to 20% of the world’s surface freshwater and powers a $6 trillion economy across two countries. 🌊 Protecting this shared resource both above and below ground requires consistent leadership from businesses, universities, utilities, governments, and non-profits alike. The Great Lakes WISE program aims to bring diverse sectors together to accelerate innovation, stewardship, and solutions that support economic growth, resilient communities, and healthy ecosystems. Ready to give back and be part of the solution? https://lnkd.in/dwaMdQAJ Or reach out to join Great Lakes WISE as an Activation Partner: https://lnkd.in/gQjrtUXU #CouncilGreatLakesRegion #GreatLakesWise #GreatLakesRegion #Sustainability #Freshwater #Donate #GetInvolved
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Lora Shrake shared thisThe Council of the Great Lakes Region carries a big mandate: accelerating the transition to a #sustainablefuture in the #GreatLakes – St. Lawrence region. With our board and staff spread across the states and provinces that make up this impressive region, every opportunity to gather in person is incredibly powerful and becomes a catalyst for progress. The CGLR board meeting and strategy workshop in Toronto this weekend was no exception — full of collaborative and thoughtful dialogue, bold ideas, and a shared determination to turn vision into action! Marie-Helene Sicard Vance Badawey Brian Ames Peter S. Drummond Ally Walker Steve Petras Matthew McCurdy John Wilkinson David Ceolin Eric Lee, PE Heather Brown Johannes (Joh) Dyring, PhD David Lindsay Danil Kerimi Howard Learner Amy (Braun) Senter Caroline Pajot, ICD.D, CPA Herbert Dwyer Adam Tindall-Schlicht Guillaum W. Dubreuil Andrew Zimakas Paul Kline Lisa Frizzell Bruce Wallace David Dansky
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Lora Shrake reposted thisLora Shrake reposted thisWe are pleased to announce the appointment of Lora Shrake as Chief Operating Officer of the Council of the Great Lakes Region. With more than 20 years of leadership in sustainability, nonprofit operations, program management, and stakeholder engagement, Lora brings a wealth of experience and a deeply rooted commitment to the region. Since joining the organization in 2021 as Senior Program Director, Business & Sustainability, she has played a pivotal role in advancing cross-border collaboration, convening sector leaders, and ensuring efficient execution of our programs. In her new role, Lora will help guide CGLR’s operational strategy, strengthen internal systems, and drive alignment across programs to support our mission of fostering sustainable economic, environmental, and community resilience across the Great Lakes region. We congratulate Lora and look forward to her leadership in helping us deliver greater impact across the region
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Lora Shrake reposted thisLora Shrake reposted thisCorporate leaders are stepping up for water stewardship. Companies like A. O. Smith Corporation, Sloan, Primo Brands, Veolia North America, and Watts Water Technologies are putting their values into action through the Great Lakes Water Innovation and Stewardship Exchange: https://lnkd.in/gQjrtUXU Together, these industry leaders are leveraging their expertise to accelerate corporate water stewardship across the Great Lakes region. Our work began with a regional gap analysis launched earlier this year, and we're now building on those insights to develop a practical, educational Water Stewardship Toolkit. With contributions from corporate partners—as well as The Water Council, Fresh Coast Climate Solutions, and Ducks Unlimited—we’re making real progress. Join us! We welcome all industry leaders and Great Lakes stakeholders to be part of this growing collaboration. Let’s make waves together. #WaterStewardship #GreatLakes #GreatLakesWISE #CorporateBestPractice
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Lora Shrake reposted thisLora Shrake reposted thisDid you know that land preservation is a powerful tool for building climate resilience? As climate-related challenges like flooding become more frequent, nature-based solutions are proving to be both effective and essential. Join us this week on September 18 for an informative webinar with Kristin Schultheis from the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) as we discuss the land preservation strategies that are making Great Lakes communities more resilient. Register here - https://lnkd.in/d8GURqvU #GreatLakesInsights #LandPreservation #Conservation #GreatLakes Lora Shrake
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Lora Shrake shared thisI'm looking forward to speaking at the PLASTICS (Plastics Industry Association) Recycling Open House next week, where Ally Walker and I will be sharing what the Council of the Great Lakes Region is doing in collaboration with industry partners to help shape the future of #circularity and #plastics #recyclability in the #GreatLakes region. It's an excellent opportunity to also learn from many other dedicated organizations who are making impact in this space! Alliance to End Plastic Waste Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) Circular Action Alliance Flexible Packaging Association Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC) GreenBlue Org The Recycling Partnership Healthcare Plastics Recycling Council (HPRC) The Vinyl Institute If you're interested in attending, contact Andy Brewer at abrewer@plasticsindustry.org.
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Lora Shrake reposted thisLora Shrake reposted thisWe're making strides in creating a more sustainable Great Lakes region, but there's still more work to do, and your support is more important than ever. Join us in making a lasting impact. By supporting CGLR, you are contributing to Great Lakes stewardship by helping us implement real solutions, provide educational outreach, and convene stakeholders across borders and sectors to address the region's most challenging issues. Together, we can strengthen collaboration, build regional prosperity, and ensure a sustainable future. Join us at https://lnkd.in/dwaMdQAJ #CGLR #GreatLakesRegion #SupportTheGreatLakes
Lora Shrake commented on a post
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It’s all about team work, and the Great Lakes WISE initiative has such an amazing group of collaborative partners, including Fresh Coast Climate Solutions! Thank you for your partnership!
Lora Shrake commented on a post
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Really looking forward to this event and all the great content, solutions, and networking it will deliver! Thank you, GOAL, for the opportunity to partner and collaborate.
Lora Shrake commented on a post
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It was such a great event, Bruno Pigott. Well done and huge kudos to you and the WateReuse Association team for bringing such important topics, speakers and leaders together. Looking forward to continue building on the important conversations and partnerships that will support responsible water practices in the Great Lakes region.
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Lora Shrake liked thisLora Shrake liked thisToday is Jane Goodall’s day… Today would have been the 92nd birthday of Jane. Jane showed us that no matter who you are, or where you live in the world, your effort and your action matters. I’ve been thinking about a moment from our interview in Jan last year. I asked her about what she sees in 2050, what she hopes might happen and what she fears. She focused on three points: protecting and connecting with nature, ending wars, and our role. And I believe this is exactly what our world needs at this moment. This is exactly what she said: " I have two pictures of 2050 and one I don’t like. I don’t like to think of it, but I sometimes do. And that’s what happens if we go on destroying nature. But the vision I like to think of all the roots and shoots groups who are working, working, working to make the world better, soldiers laying down their guns, war ending, roots and shoots taking over decision making positions when we can truly live in harmony with nature. And that’s the vision that will happen if we all think every single day about what we do and make wise choices. The world will change.” The world will change. The world can change. The world must change... The Jane Goodall Institute
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Lora Shrake liked thisLora Shrake liked this⛈️Milwaukee has seen plenty of rain in the past 24 hours, but that pales in comparison to the intense rain of Aug. 9 and 10, 2025 -- more than a foot in some places! While the community is still healing from the damage of that event, Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District is evaluating what went right in terms of green infrastructure and floodwater management during that time and how it can improve to prevent future flooding. In fact, it is accelerating $96 million of flood management projects its 2026-2035 capital improvement plan to make neighborhoods and rivers more resilient. Learn more in the latest Blue Notes from MMSD Executive Director Kevin Shafer. https://lnkd.in/gD4xwkfh
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Lora Shrake liked thisLora Shrake liked thisYour yard could be doing more for the Huron River than you think. The Huron River Watershed Council breaks it down for homeowners. Deep-rooted Michigan native plants, unlike shallow-rooted turf grass, act as natural water filters. When planted in rain gardens, they pull stormwater runoff into the ground and strip out pollutants before they reach the river. For anyone ready to dig in, HRWC is offering a Master Rain Garden Course this spring in Ypsilanti. In-person Wednesday classes run April 8 through May 6, walking participants through how to design a rain garden for their own property. HRWC also offers in-person and virtual rain garden assessments for those who want personalized guidance. Small changes in how we manage our land add up to cleaner water for everyone downstream. Learn more and sign up: https://lnkd.in/d6fV7kTJ
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Lora Shrake liked thisLora Shrake liked thisEver wonder what a lead service line replacement looks like? This was ours. Last summer, we replaced the lead line that delivered water to our 1880s home, a major milestone for our family and a tiny dent in the task ahead for Chicago and Illinois as we work to get the lead out. Digging that hole was just one of many big jobs involved. This was major street surgery, involving construction contractors, plumbers, coordination with multiple city departments, including the Chicago Department of Water Management, and engagement with neighbors. A lot of human labor goes into a lead service line replacement. And in the end, it was the humans involved that made this disruptive but necessary process a very positive one for us. These jobs - jobs that at least for now, only humans can do - are also good jobs. Family supporting jobs. And those jobs are the reason I’m proud to share this coverage of Current’s partnership with HIRE360 Partners, Metropolitan Planning Council, and @Elevate to highlight the opportunities to strengthen our workforce pipeline as we work to replace our lead service lines. See link in comments for the full story from Juanpablo Ramirez - Franco for WBEZ Chicago Chicago Sun-Times Anne Evens Daniel B. Lurie Jay Rowell Meghann Moses Marisa Lewis Justin Williams Ryan Wilson Justin Keller, AICP Kalindi Parikh #waterworkforce #blueeconomy #LSLR #gettheleadout #drinkingwater
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Lora Shrake liked thisLora Shrake liked thisWell look at that--our work to reduce childhood lead poisoning is getting noticed! IU Environmental Resilience Institute Indiana University Indianapolis
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Lora Shrake liked thisLora Shrake liked thisImpactful GOAL WAVE event https://lnkd.in/dgddj8SC. thx Chicago Cubs SLOAN Council of the Great Lakes Region GRUNDFOS Amazon Culligan International The Climate Pledge Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF) Focused discussions: 1) Elevate water solutions focused on quality, access, and resilience; 2) Educate and inspire the sports and entertainment industry to take action on water issues; 3) Create a forum to connect live event venues with solutions; and, 4) Fund pilot projects aimed to support healthy ecosystems and implement water solutions. Thanks Apostolis (Paul) Sambanis, Ph.D. Kristen FulmerKaren J. Frost Vance Badawey Lora Shrake Jonathan Goodell Current The Water Council next stop Great Lakes and St-Lawrence Cities Initiative | Alliance des Villes des Grands Lacs et du St-Laurent Jacobs
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Lora Shrake reacted on thisLora Shrake reacted on thisI promise this is my last post about our Greater Cleveland Partnership Corporate Sustainability Summit… but it’s hard not to keep sharing when there’s so much good momentum to highlight! I’m so grateful to Maureen Wise for this thoughtful and comprehensive recap. It really captures the energy of the day and the many voices that made it meaningful: https://lnkd.in/g8YTuzvG And one more highlight that made me smile when we recently got the data back from Rust Belt Riders. This year, our Summit achieved a 100% zero food waste event with zero contamination and a record amount of material composted. In total, we diverted exactly 216 pounds of waste! In the 216!! Sometimes the data tells a story better than we could have planned. It’s a small but tangible example of what’s possible when sustainability is intentional and collaborative, and I’m excited to keep building on this progress together. Shout out to everyone featured in the article for your leadership and insights. I’ll be tagging you below to share some well-deserved recognition! #AllIn #CorporateSustainability #CircularEconomy #216 Melanie Knowles, Mike Colarossi, Charis Egland-Smith, Marti Flacks, Roger Sikes, Matt Robinson, Michael CollierGreater Cleveland Partnership brings sustainability professionals together at Sustainability Summit – The LandGreater Cleveland Partnership brings sustainability professionals together at Sustainability Summit – The Land
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Lora Shrake liked thisLora Shrake liked this🌎 #Chicago and the #Midwest = a global #waterinnovation powerhouse, because of #Chicago's own Current and Great Lakes RENEW led by the visionary Alaina Harkness. 👏 On behalf of all of us at World Business Chicago: congrats Current and Great Lakes RENEW! Five highlights: 1️⃣ Current, the #Chicago-based water innovation hub for the #Midwest, has been awarded up to $45 million in federal funding over three years to scale Great Lakes RENEW, the National Science Foundation (NSF)-backed Regional Innovation Engine for circular water solutions. This continuation of funding reinforces Great Lakes RENEW’s bold vision: to transform the waste in our water systems into wealth. 2️⃣ As water-intensive industries - from #AI data centers to energy production and manufacturing — are placing growing demands on the region’s freshwater, Great Lakes RENEW and its coalition of more than 75 partners are advancing solutions that support the long-term sustainability of Great Lakes water resources. 3️⃣ The visionary Alaina Harkness, CEO of Current and Great Lakes RENEW, said it best: “Great Lakes RENEW is the culmination of a decade spent galvanizing leaders to recognize the economic value of water, and the collective power of our utilities, universities, national labs, and industries to solve global water challenges. Reaching this milestone during Current’s 10th anniversary proves that collaboration can drive regional impact. This new investment allows our coalition to collectively execute an ambitious strategy that positions the Great Lakes as a global leader in water innovation and security.” 4️⃣ Erwin Gianchandani, National Science Foundation (NSF) Assistant Director for #Technology, #Innovation, and #Partnerships, also said it best: “Water security directly affects national security, and investing in our nation’s innovation infrastructure to generate transformational solutions to our collective water challenges is central to the mission of the NSF Engines program. By investing in Great Lakes RENEW, we are helping to expand the frontiers of water research and technology, strengthen regional partnerships, and grow a workforce that’s prepared to address the water issues of today and tomorrow. This initiative exemplifies how science and collaboration can protect vital freshwater resources while fostering economic opportunity in American communities.” 5️⃣ Over the years, World Business Chicago and Current have transformed over the years to expand #Chicagoland's collective pitch for new opportunities in the blue (#water) and green (#climatetech, #sustainability) economy. Together, we’re positioning the Great Lakes region as a global hub for #waterinnovation and #industry growth: securing #supplychains, attracting water-intensive industry, and leading the future of industry toward greater sustainability. ⬇️ Learn more via the link in the comments. 📸: Current
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Lora Shrake liked thisLora Shrake liked thisYesterday in Memorial Hall, Adam Tindall-Schlicht, Rotarian and Milwaukee native, shared reflections from his service in the Biden-Harris Administration as the 11th Administrator of the U.S. Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, where he led and oversaw one of North America’s most vital international waterways. Adam discussed the economic, environmental, and geopolitical importance of the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence system, along with the initiatives undertaken to strengthen trade, safety, and decarbonization across the corridor. Thank you again to Adam for speaking to our club. You can watch his whole presentation here: https://lnkd.in/gJjEpcnB
Experience & Education
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Council of the Great Lakes Region
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Licenses & Certifications
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Sustainability Excellence Associate (SEA)
Green Business Certification, Inc.
Issued ExpiresCredential ID 0010313217 -
Volunteer Experience
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Fundraiser/Challenger
Gulf For Good - GIVING KIDS A CHANCE AROUND THE WORLD
- 2 months
Children
Carried out fundraising efforts and completed a 10-day trek in the Simien Mountains to raise awareness and funds for RAEY, a school in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia that provides for impoverished children. The funds raised from the Gulf for Good challenge provided 3 new classrooms and a kitchen block, allowing RAEY to increase their school enrollment and expand their age groups.
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Board Director
Beekeepers Foundation, UAE
- 5 years 2 months
Environment
The Beekeepers Association is a non-profit organization in Dubai, UAE that serves as a platform to share know-how for beekeepers and raise public awareness about the importance of bees.
Courses
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Green Building Design and Construction LEED Prep Course (2011)
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ISO 9001 Auditor Training (2013)
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Social Return on Investment (SROI) Practitioner Training (2017)
KPMG Business Academy
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Sustainability Strategy & Reporting Executive Training (2019)
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Teaching English to Speaker of Other Languages (TESOL) (2015)
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Honors & Awards
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Carnegie Medal
Carnegie Hero Fund Commission
Organizations
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International Society for Sustainability Professionals
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Chartered Management Institute
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- PresentMember #P04668809
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