An Arborist, A Circular Economy Entrepreneur and a Celebrated Activist Named Evenson Fellows

Michigan Sustainable Business Forum and the Charles R. Evenson Foundation recently announced three local professionals as the 2025 C.R. Evenson Foundation Fellows: Anna Crooks, David Fraker, and Sergio Cira-Reyes. 

Since its founding in 1970, the Charles R. Evenson Foundation has been dedicated to advancing sustainability, equity, and collaboration. Inspired by the legacy of Charles R. Evenson, a Grand Rapids–based pioneer whose work centered on improving quality of life through collective action, the foundation created the fellowship to honor individuals who lead transformative change through science-based, community-driven solutions.

“Through their leadership in zero-waste business innovation, ecosystem protection, and climate justice organizing, these changemakers exemplify the foundation’s mission to create meaningful, lasting impact across West Michigan and beyond,” said Daniel Schoonmaker, executive director of Michigan Sustainable Business Forum. “The trustees choose fellows each year that deserve greater recognition and additional resources for their work.” 

The Forum has facilitated the fellowship since it launched in 2021. Each class is selected by the foundation’s trustees through an anonymous nomination process. Fellows are not aware they are being considered for the award, which includes a cash prize and recognition.  They are recognized each year at the Forum’s annual Triple Bottom Line Bash awards event in Grand Rapids.  Past honorees can be found at evensonfoundation.org.

Anna Crooks, owner of Earthly Refillery, is transforming the way Grand Rapids residents think about consumption and waste. 

Located in Eastown and Studio Park Plaza downtown, Earthly Refillery is the city’s first full-service refill shop, created to combat the proliferation of single-use containers.  It offers more than 150 bulk food items and over 100 personal and household products, all priced by the ounce to reduce waste and increase accessibility. Customers are encouraged to bring their own clean containers, reinforcing a culture of reuse and sustainability.  After beginning her career as a photographer, Anna made a bold pivot at age 27, turning a long-held dream into reality. Starting with small local markets, she steadily grew her business into two brick-and-mortar locations.

David Fraker, an arborist and trained biologist, has dedicated his career to preserving biodiversity and protecting Michigan’s forests from the impacts of climate change and invasive species.

A graduate of Hope College with extensive field experience, David focuses on early-stage prevention of ecological threats, particularly invasive fungi that threaten forest health. One of his primary areas of expertise is oak wilt disease. He serves on the Oak Wilt Qualification Development Team, helping educate arborists and land managers statewide. He also teaches the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Arborist Certification preparation course, extending his impact through professional education.  He is also an active participant in the Citizens’ Climate Lobby Grand Rapids chapter.

Sergio Cira-Reyes serves as Climate Justice Catalyst with the Urban Core Collective, where he works to elevate BIPOC leadership and equity in environmental decision-making. 

A Mexican immigrant who grew up in Los Angeles before settling in Grand Rapids, Sergio’s experience growing up as an immigrant led him to organizing with Movimiento Cosecha, the Latino Community Coalition and the West Michigan Latino Network. He later founded a local chapter of Latino Outdoors, creating pathways for Latino communities to engage with nature and climate advocacy. In his current role, Sergio partners with municipalities, grassroots organizations, and institutions to challenge systems and policies that have historically excluded BIPOC voices.