Erin O’Kelley Muck
Envisioning the future, taking action today
Erin is working to create a vibrant, sustainable future for Ashland through passionate climate leadership and demonstrating that individual choices — when multiplied across a community — become powerful waves of change.
Ashland Climate’s First Executive Director
From July 2024 through March 2026, good fortune opened the door at the Ashland Climate Collaborative, where Erin joined as their first Executive Director. Her optimistic outlook, creative brainpower, and belief in the power of community engagement were the perfect ingredients for this role.
“I love Ashland Climate’s mission. The optimistic outlook. The focus on practical solutions — shifting away from things that pollute (gas cars and appliances) to clean energy. And wow, what a crew!”
– ERIN O’KELLEY MUCK
Leading with Climate Hope
Erin channels her passion into daily life — where climate hope meets action. Her vision is clear: 50 years from now, she wants our grandkids to experience the same magic we feel now — building snowmen in the park, paddleboarding at the lake, and biking around town.
For 22 years she ran Ruby Slipper, an award-winning web design company. With a focus on heartfelt connections, Erin brought communication strategies to the climate space. The majority of people are concerned about climate change — but may not know what to do (or are overwhelmed by daily life). How can we make solutions approachable, simple, and possible?
“To ensure a better future, we need to collectively shift. Drive cleaner. Heat cleaner. Shop smarter. Consider the bigger picture, the longer timeline.”
– ERIN O’KELLEY MUCK
The Moves that Make a Difference
Her shift to clean transportation includes riding around Ashland on an e-bike and driving a Chevy Bolt electric vehicle, which she bought used.
Her shift away from natural gas to Ashland’s clean hydro-electricity, includes an electric fireplace, stove top, dryer, water heater — and soon — heat pump!
To keep methane from forming in landfills, she composts food scraps at the Ashland Tuesday Grower’s Market.
She’s beefing up her home’s defenses against wildfire with a variety of tactics like 1/8 inch metal mesh around window wells and a “go bag” at the ready.
For water conservation, she and her husband, Chris, removed their grass lawn. They have an electric leaf blower (her husband’s favorite e-tool).
Erin’s individual actions extend beyond her own household — she also started a Climate Club in her neighborhood, showing friends and neighbors that sustainable living is not only possible, but joyful.
“When one electric household becomes 100, then 500, then 1,000 – that’s progress! When bike lanes fill up with cyclists, that means we’re driving less to get around town. When everyone in a neighborhood composts, we make a difference.”
– ERIN O’KELLEY MUCK
A Vision for 2050
Erin envisions an Ashland of 2050 that has achieved its climate goals — a town no longer burning fossil fuels, where cars are eclipsed by bikes, EVs, pedicabs, one-wheelers, and free trolleys. Imagine regular compost pickups, and adorable little markets dotted around town so people can walk or bike for groceries.
In her vision, green spaces and walkable areas flourish where parking lots once stood. People gather on porches and streets, waving hello to one another. Lithia Park concerts are jam-packed. Businesses thrive because people love living in — and visiting — this magnetic place.
Collective Joy
Through her professional leadership and personal choices, Erin demonstrates that climate action isn’t about sacrifice — it’s about protecting what we love most and creating a future filled with possibility.
“Individually, we are a drop. Together we are an ocean.” With 22,000 people in Ashland and about 10,000 homes, she believes the day will come when Ashlanders’ individual drops merge into an ocean of change.
“I believe in the power of the human spirit. If a healthier future is something we want to achieve – we can do it.”
– ERIN O’KELLEY MUCK
Story Credits
Photography
Personal photos courtesy of Erin O’Kelley Muck