Sonya is the Founder and President of Madison Environmental Group, Madison, WI, an interdisciplinary consulting firm that assists businesses and individuals with innovative resource and cost saving solutions which contribute to a healthy community and environment. She is also President of Community Car LLC, a member-based carsharing organization that provides fuel-efficient cars by the hour for people in the Madison community who need a car occasionally.

Sonya has over 15 years experience in waste management, recycling and community outreach. As an Environmental Consultant with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources she developed WasteCap Wisconsin, a nonprofit organization that helps businesses with waste reduction and recycling. Her responsibilities as an Environmental Analyst at Wisconsin Power & Light encompassed recycling compliance and environmental education.

Her extensive civic involvement includes board and committee leadership positions with organizations such as: Madison Community Foundation; Sustain Dane; Governor's Blue Ribbon Task Force on Waste Materials, Recovery and Disposal; Dane County Clean Air Coalition; City of Madison Energy Task Force; Downtown Madison Inc. Transportation Committee; City of Madison Solid Waste Advisory Committee; WasteCap Wisconsin; National Recycling Coalition - Nonprofit Recyclers Council; and Associated Recyclers of Wisconsin.

Sonya earned her Ph.D. and Masters of Science degree from the University of Wisconsins' Nelson Institute of Environmental Studies. She holds a B.S. in business from Michigan State University. She divorced her car in 2001 and travels by bus and carpool, including to visit her boyfriend whose name happens to be Mr. "Wright."