Bridging Science and Justice: Community Partnerships for Cleaner Air
With Daisha Wall and Madison Fragnito, CleanAIRE NC
Hosted by the Department of Sustainable Development with support from QEP.
CleanAIRE NC has developed a statewide model for connecting universities, communities, and other partners through participatory air quality monitoring and advocacy. This workshop will share examples of these collaborations, discuss the value of co-created research, and explore how faculty and students can contribute to equitable environmental outcomes. Workshop speakers, both of whom are App State Sustainable Development Department alumni, will also touch on how mission-driven organizations are adapting to today’s funding challenges while maintaining impact and integrity.
SPEAKER BIOS
Daisha Wall is a dedicated environmental justice advocate with over five years of experience in environmental policy, community engagement, and sustainable development. As the Director of Programs and Impact at CleanAIRE NC, Daisha leads the organization’s statewide programmatic strategy to advance clean air, climate justice, and community-driven solutions—ensuring that equity is embedded across all initiatives. Prior to this role, Daisha served as CleanAIRE NC’s first Environmental Justice Program Manager, where she grew the organization’s environmental justice foundation, and later as Community Science Program Manager, where she expanded the reach of localized air monitoring efforts across North Carolina. Through these roles, she has worked alongside frontline communities to co-develop solutions, advocate for policy change, and build capacity using real-time air quality data.
Daisha is also a member of the Governor’s Environmental Justice Advisory Council, where she brings a deep understanding of the systemic factors that create and sustain environmental health disparities. Her work focuses on bridging science, advocacy, and justice to support communities most impacted by pollution and climate risk.
She holds a Master of Science in Environmental Policy from Johns Hopkins University, a Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Development from Appalachian State University, and a graduate certificate in Geographic Information Sciences (GIS) from UNC Charlotte.
Madison Fragnito serves as Director of Development at CleanAIRE NC and works to identify, build, and maintain relationships with individuals and organizations interested in supporting the organization’s mission and five programs. She directs membership programs, fundraising campaigns, product development, and organizational strategy. She is passionate about understanding North Carolina’s sustainability landscape and strategizing intervention points that engage all community members equitably.
Madison’s educational background focuses on sustainable development, technology, and business development direction–she holds a Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Development and a Minor in Business from Appalachian State University. She has a history of project work focusing on environmental policy, healthcare, justice, and energy frameworks in North Carolina. Her past work focused on building energy modeling and data dashboard development and reporting by bridging partnerships between utility, government, and community-based entities. Originally from the Washington DC area, Madison is now based in Raleigh, NC.
