Gary Abraham

Gary Abraham is an attorney who has specialized in environmental law since 2000. Gary's practice is limited to public interest representation. Prior to practicing law, Gary taught sociology for eight years at St. Bonaventure University. During that time, he was active in a coalition of community-based environmental organizations battling with unwanted regional landfill proposals. He has provided information and assistance to many organizations and individuals concerned with the rural-urban inequity of solid waste policy, and energy policy. Gary was also a fellow at the Natural Resources Institute of Lewis & Clark College's Northwestern School of Law.

Vanessa Agudelo

Hon. Vanessa Agudelo is the youngest person to have ever been elected to Peekskill's Town Council: she was elected at age 25 in 2017. She previously sat on Peekskill's Conservation Advisory Council. Vanessa is also the Hudson Valley Manager of Member Engagement at the New York Immigration Coalition. She holds a BA from Pennsylvania State University in International Politics and Classical & Ancient Mediterranean Studies.

Elsa Anderson

Dr. Elsa Anderson is an Urban Ecologist at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies. Her research focuses on the intersections between human activities and biodiversity patterns in urban areas. She uses field and synthesis research methods to investigate how humans intentionally and collaterally modify plant communities in cities and works to understand how this might influence the ecosystem services and disservices across an urban landscape.

Nicola Armacost

Nicola Armacost has served as a Mayor of Hastings-on-Hudson since 2019, and as a Village Trustee since 2009. Under her leadership Hastings-on-Hudson currently is the highest ranking Clean Energy Community in NYS, and one of only seven communities to achieve Climate Smart Community silver certification. Hastings-on-Hudson has adopted the New York Stretch Code, has expanded financing for energy efficiency and green infrastructure through Open C-PACE financing, and has passed a Low-Embodied Carbon Concrete Resolution.

Riobart (Rob) Breen

Dr. Ríobart É. Breen is a climate policy analyst for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s Office of Climate Change, where he leads the climate adaptation and communications section. He formerly served as an environmental policy analyst for the New York State Coastal Management Program in the Ocean and Great Lakes unit, focusing on coastal climate resilience. He is a lecturer in the Biodiversity, Conservation, and Policy program at SUNY Albany. He is the founder of the nonprofit Anam Earth Center for Sustainability and Culture and is the creator of the EarthQuest climate change scenario and simulation ecogame. Rob holds an M.A. and Ph.D. in Environmental and Natural Resources Policy and Administration.

Lauren Brois

Lauren Brois is the Director of the EnergySmart HOMES campaign at Sustainable Westchester, working to transform residential heating and cooling to cleaner alternatives to support the State's GHG emission reduction goals, and to help homeowner's realize financial savings through energy efficiency improvements. She is passionate about environmental stewardship and dedicated to creating a more sustainable community. Lauren also is a member of Bedford 2030, and of the Westchester County Climate Crisis Task Force.

Patty Buchanan

Patty Buchanan is a leader of the electric school bus campaign for two intertwined community based groups. Croton100, which is the founding chapter of CURE100 (Communities United to Reduce Emissions 100%). Voters in Croton-on-Hudson approved funds for 3 electric school buses by 73% of votes in the 2021 May School ballot. Patty also serves as the Co-Chair of the Westchester Chapter of the Climate Reality Project. She lives in a net-zero house and drives an EV.

Scott Cassel

Scott Cassel is the founder and CEO of the Product Stewardship Institute (PSI). Prior to PSI, he served as the Director of Waste Policy and Planning for the Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, where he developed and implemented solid and hazardous waste management policies and programs. Scott is a nationally renowned leader in the product stewardship movement with experience in more than 20 product categories. He pioneered a facilitation process that uses stakeholder engagement and consensus-building—a process that resulted in the nation’s first industry-run, government-mandated paint stewardship program.

Carla Castillo

Carla Castillo joined the Hudson Valley Regional Council in 2016, and serves as Deputy Executive Director. She is the Coordinator for the Clean Energy Communities program for various municipalities in the Mid-Hudson Valley, and assists communities in obtaining Climate Smart Community and Clean Energy Community certification by promoting green economic development through GHG emissions reduction. Carla has a master's degree in City and Regional Planning and a Master of Science in International Development and Appropriate Technology from the University of Pennsylvania. Carla serves as Chair of the Cornwall Conservation Advisory Council and also is involved with the Orange County Climate Smart Communities Task Force.

Sarah Crowell

Sarah Crowell is the Director of the Office of Planning, Development and Community Infrastructure at the New York Department of State. She has extensive public and private sector experience in community planning, with a focus on sustainable and equitable development. Sarah also serves as Chair of the Land Use and Local Government Advisory Panel to the Climate Action Council, with the Climate Action Council tasked with preparing a plan to effectuate the mandates set forth in the CLCPA. Sarah holds a Bachelor's degree in environmental ethics and a master's degree in urban and environmental planning, both from the University of Virginia.

Kathy Dean

Kathy Dean is the co-founder and coordinator of the Dobbs Ferry Tree Consortium—an advocacy group for trees—and an appointed member of the Dobbs Ferry Sustainability Task Force. In addition to her work is on trees, she is spearheading Dobbs Ferry's Pollinator Pathway initiative. She also serves as the coordinator of HRPGreen, an environmental partnership of Presbyterian Churches in eight counties along the Hudson River.

Dazzle Ekblad

Dazzle Ekblad is a Climate Policy Analyst in the DEC's Office of Climate Change. She leads the Office of Climate Change's community engagement team, and also coordinates the interagency Climate Smart Communities certification program. Dazzle holds a Master of Science in Natural Resources Policy from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry and a Master of Public Administration from Syracuse University, and has a background in both environmental science and financial management.

Theresa Evans

Theresa Evans is a Senior Consultant for GBB Solid Waste Consultants and an enthusiastic sustainability professional with eight years of public-sector experience. Theresa worked previously at the Onondaga County Resource Recovery Agency in Central New York, where she worked on a wide range of projects and programs, including award-winning recycling and composting initiatives; collaboration with a waste-to-energy facility and recovering metal for recycling; plus numerous collection programs for recycling and proper disposal of hard-to-manage materials. She is a former Board Member of the New York State Association for Reduction, Reuse and Recycling, and has a Bachelor of Science degree from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry.

Melissa Everett

Melissa Everett is the Executive Director of Sustainable Hudson Valley. Since 2004, she has helped build a movement of local innovators who are reducing their communities’ carbon footprints and building the market for clean energy industries. Her accomplishments with SHV include convening eight influential regional summits and conferences and bringing the Solarize model to the Hudson Valley on a three-year funding award from NYSERDA. Melissa received her Ph.D. in 2006 from the International, Off-Campus Program of Erasmus University’s Centre for Environmental Management and Sustainable Development in the Netherlands, a pioneering program for mid-career professionals. She was one of the original 1,000 prominent citizens trained by The Climate Project. The author of three books and many articles, Melissa has given lectures and workshops on three continents. Her Making a Living While Making a Difference was honored with the Bronze medal for Best Book in Foreword Magazine’s annual rankings. She was named one of nine “People to Watch in 2012” by Hudson Valley Magazine.

Myra Fedyniak

Myra Fedyniak is a Climate Policy Analyst in the NYS DEC's Office of Climate Change. Myra is works with EVs and EV infrastructure with a focus on DEC's zero-emission vehicle and vehicle infrastructure grants and rebates available to municipalities, including information specs on equipment, installation and site preparation costs.

Marissa Glaze

Marissa Glaze was the 2019 Westchester UN Day Youth of the Year and serves as the Youth Ambassador of the Boys and Girls Club of Mount Vernon. She is a senior at Mount Vernon Magnet School for the Performing Arts. She has run educational presentations for younger members of the club, collected signatures, petitioned her county legislator to take action on climate change, organized neighborhood clean-ups, and spoken out against single-use plastic products on social media.

Brigitte Griswold

Brigitte Griswold Executive Director of Groundwork Hudson Valley, where she oversees the organization's efforts to create sustainable environmental change in Yonkers, NY through community-based partnerships that promote equity, youth leadership, and economic opportunity. Prior to joining Groundwork, Brigitte was the Director of Youth Engagement Programs for the Nature Conservancy, where she managed all education, volunteer, and employment programs for young people. Brigitte is a 2009 Fellow of Green for All, a national organization dedicated to building an inclusive green economy, and a 2010 Fellow of the Center for Whole Communities. Brigitte holds a B.A in Communications and English literature from the University of South Carolina.

Nadya Hall

Nadya Hall is the community environmentalist at Teatown Lake Reservation, where she supports Teatown's mission of inspiring lifelong environmental stewardship through community partnerships and programming. She also manages the Environmental Leaders Learning Alliance (ELLA), a program that bring together members of conservation commissions from across New York’s Lower Hudson Valley to strengthen environmental protection at a regional level through education, cross-boundary communication, and inter-municipal collaboration. Nadya holds a master’s in environmental policy from Pace University and sits on the board of the Federated Conservationists of Westchester County (FCWC).

Anne Jaffe Holmes

Anne Jaffe Holmes is Program Director for the Federated Conservationists of Westchester County, working to “make FCWC’s mission ‘real’ in Westchester” (www.fcwc.org). Anne came to FCWC by way of the Greenburgh Nature Center, where she was Director of Conservation & Sustainability Education from 2008 through 2017. She is an active member of the Green Policy Task Force in Irvington, where she was instrumental in creating the 'Love 'Em & Leave 'Em' initiative and Food Scraps Recycling Program. Anne is a life-long, avid backyard composter and environmental justice community advocate.

Taro Ietaka

Taro Ietaka is a supervisor with the Westchester County Parks’ Conservation Division. He is an ISA-certified arborist, on the Cold Spring Tree Advisory Board, and is a steering committee member with the Lower Hudson PRISM (Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management). He is currently working on the County’s response to invasive forest pests including Emerald Ash Borer, Spotted Lanternfly, and Beech Leaf Disease.

Ashley Inserillo

Ashley Inserillo is the Chief of the Source Water Assessment and Protection section within the Bureau of Water Supply Protection at NYS Department of Health. She oversees a team of staff who provide technical assistance to communities throughout New York State. She has a BS in Environmental Conservation from the University of New Hampshire and a MS from Plymouth State University in Environmental Science and Policy with a focus on hydrology. She joined the NYS Health Department in early 2019.

Alanah Keddell-Tuckey

Alanah Keddell-Tuckey is the Acting Director for DEC’s Office of Environmental Justice. In her position, she focuses on crafting materials and messaging to improve communications between EJ communities and the agency, as well analyzing policies related to climate justice, adaptation, and social resiliency. Alanah previously served as the Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs and worked on diversity, inclusion, education, and public outreach with the Office of Communication Services, the Government Relations Associate with the Adirondack Council, and the Government Affairs Coordinator for the Empire State Pride Agenda. Alanah holds a Juris Doctorate from Albany Law School, and a bachelor's degree in Political Science from SUNY Binghamton with a minor in Sociology.

Fabio Mantovani

Fabio Mantovani serves as Vice President of e-Mobility at the New York Power Authority (NYPA), a public-benefit corporation of the State of New York and the largest state public power utility in the United States. Fabio is responsible for EVolve NY, a consumer-facing retail business that aims to develop, own, and operate fast chargers for the benefit of all EV drivers in New York State, and for supporting fleet electrification initiatives amongst NYPA’s customer base, including Transit Authorities, by providing advisory services, access to financing, and engineering and project management resources to successfully implement EV infrastructure projects. Prior to joining NYPA, Fabio was Senior Director for Electric Vehicle Enablement at Centrica. Fabio holds a master's in Business Administration from the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business and a master’s degree in materials engineering from the University of Trento, Italy.

Kristin Martinez

Kristin Martinez in an Environmental Program Specialist at New York State Department of Conservation's Division of Water. Kristin’s responsibilities include helping develop the State’s Drinking Water Source Protection Program (DWSP2) and managing land acquisition grants for source water protection under DEC’s Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) program. WQIP is a competitive, statewide, reimbursement grant program that protects sources of public drinking water by providing funds to purchase parcels and/or conservation easements for land that is near an active public drinking water supply.

Peter McCartt

Peter McCartt is Westchester County's Director of Energy Conservation and Sustainability, and in addition he heads Westchester County's Climate Crisis Task Force. The Task Force seeks to assess local vulnerability to climate impacts, and to develop a comprehensive GHG reduction plan and climate adaptation plan to both reduce the County's carbon footprint and make it more resilient to climate change. The Task Force is examining climate impacts to water and waste systems, infrastructure, energy and transportation systems so as to be able to create more adaptive communities. Peter graduated from Columbia University.

Julie Noble

Julie Noble is the Environmental and Sustainability Coordinator for the City of Kingston. In this capacity, Julie manages the City's environmental projects, initiatives and programming, including energy, land use, climate adaptation, transportation, recycling and environmental education and serves as the Climate Smart Community Coordinator. Julie is also Vice-President of NYSACC and was the chair of the Kingston CAC from 2009-2021.

Nina Orville

Nina Orville is the Executive Director of Sustainable Westchester. Nina leads the organization's vision for clean energy and sustainability. Prior to her current position, Nina led Sustainable Westchester's solar programs, and also was instrumental in the launch of the HeatSmart Westchester campaign. Nina serves as a member of the Dobbs Ferry Sustainability Task Force, as Co-Chair of the Energy Committee of the Mid-Hudson Regional Sustainability Coalition, and also is on the Board of the Westchester chapter of the New York League of Conservation Voters.

Steve Otis

State Assemblyman Steve Otis has been a member of the NYSACC Board of Directors for almost 30 years, since his time as chair of the City of Rye Conservation Commission. Steve has represented communities on the Long Island Sound Shore of Westchester County in the State Assembly since 2013 and has played a leadership role on environmental issues, locally and statewide, for many years. Steve also served as the mayor of the City of Rye for twelve years.

Neil Patterson

Neil Patterson is the Assistant Director of the SUNY-ESF Center for Native Peoples and the Environment. His work has been to celebrate, restore, and build relationships between indigenous communities and their aboriginal territory. The pragmatic way in which indigenous people have co-evolved within their landscapes provides the most sublime template for re-imagining and creating sustainable food, material, and energy systems.

Diane Picard

Diane is the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Avenue Project in Buffalo, NY. In 2003, she founded Growing Green, a program that employs and trains youth in sustainable urban agriculture, environmental and food justice issues, microenterprise and leadership. With her very talented staff, she has led MAP’s efforts to build opportunities for youth leaders, increase access of fresh, affordable food in Buffalo’s schools and inner city neighborhoods and change food policy in the City of Buffalo. A graduate of Cornell University and Boston University, she also spent 2.5 years teaching agriculture in Botswana as a Peace Corps volunteer. Her favorite breakfast food is pie.

Jennifer Porter

Jennifer Porter is Vice President of GBB Solid Waste Consultants. She is a sustainable development leader with over 20 years of experience in government and private sector sustainability initiatives, including in solid waste management, recycling, and composting program development and evaluation. Jennifer was previously Chief Operating Officer at Rivertown Composting, a firm focused on changing the way New York City and New York State handles its organic waste, and Manager of Corporate Sustainability for Healthy Buildings, securing new clients and projects for green buildings and energy efficiency. She is certified in SWANA / CRRA and Zero Waste Principles and Practices.

George Profous

George Profous is the Senior Forester NYSDEC, Region 3. George provides advice on trees and technology transfer as the Urban and Community Forester in the seven-county lower Hudson Region. Prior to his role with the DEC, he worked for the New York City Department of Parks, and the Nature Conservancy. He has conducted research projects in the field of international urban forestry for the USDA Forest Service. George has a Master of Science (MSc) from the State University of New York College of Environmental Sciences and Forestry and is an ISA Certified Arborist.

Dan Raichel

Dan Raichel is Acting Director of the Natural Resources Defense Council’s (NRDC) Pollinator Initiative, which focuses on protecting our nation’s bee populations from the ever-growing threats to their health and existence—in particular, the use of bee-toxic pesticides. Before joining the Pollinator Initiative, Raichel was co-director of NRDC’s Community Fracking Defense Project and an advocate for the cleanup of industrial pollution in the New York region.

John Rhodes

John Rhodes is the Chairman of the Mount Kisco Conservation Advisory Council and a member of the town’s Tree Preservation Board and Trail Team. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of NYSACC and The Marsh Sanctuary, and serves on the Steering Committee of H2H, a Regional Conservation Partnership of more than 40 organizations involved in land preservation from the Hudson to the Housatonic. Mr. Rhodes worked for several decades in Video Systems Product Management for Sony and Panasonic. He believes that Conservation Boards and Commissions can play a critical role in the preservation of our local and global environment through education, advocacy, and tenacious oversight of local land use.

Carol Richman

Carol is the former chair of the Gardiner Environment Conservation Commission and is currently on the Gardiner Planning Board. Carol practices law in New Paltz, NY, and has practiced in variety of public-interest law fields. She has worked to help protect high-priority land and family farms, vitalize Gardiner’s business center, increase green infrastructure, and promote smart development and inclusive and affordable housing. Before her career as an lawyer, Carol was an artist and designer.

Sally Rowland

Sally Rowland is an Environmental Engineer for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Sally works on the The Organics Reduction & Recycling Team specializing in Organics Waste and Food Scraps Recycling. She has a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Clarkson University and a Master’s of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Sally is a licensed professional engineer in New York State.

Raya Salter

Raya Salter is an attorney, educator and clean energy law and policy expert with a focus on energy and climate justice. She is a member of the New York State Climate Action Council, which is developing NY’s plan to reach the nation’s leading climate action goals. She is also Senior Advisor, Justice40 Initiative, to WE ACT for Environmental Justice. She was previously Policy Organizer for the NY Renews climate justice coalition, Senior Attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council, and Regulatory Attorney for the Environmental Defense Fund. Raya is the co-editor of Energy Justice: US and International Perspectives (2018).She sits on the board of the Energy and Environmental Study Institute, and is on the advisory boards of Evergreen Action, Our Climate and the Initiative for Climate Risk and Resilience Law, Environmental Defense Fund, the Institute for Policy Integrity at New York University School of Law, and Vanderbilt Law School. Raya is an adjunct professor at Cardozo School of Law. She has a BA from Wesleyan University and a JD from Fordham Law School.

Ron Schulhof

Ron serves as Chair of Scarsdale's Conservation Advisory Council, a member of the Food Scrap Recycling Committee, a member of the LED Streetlight Committee, a member of the Forum Sustainability Committee and Forum Board of Directors, a member of the Citizens Nominating Committee, chair of PT Council Sustainability, Quaker Ridge PTA Sustainability Committee and a member of the School District Sustainability Committee as a member of the Scarsdale School Board of Directors. Formerly, Ron worked in finance at Bear, Stearns & Co. and FBR Capital Markets, and in corporate strategy at Deloitte. He is now a pro bono consultant and private investor. Ron is also a Little League coach. Ron earned his MBA from Columbia University.

Carolynn Sears

Carolynn Sears leads The Invasives Project–Pound Ridge with a team of committed volunteers. Before invasive biology, plate tectonics, and climate change became dominant themes in the sciences, Carolynn Sears, Ph.D., earned a degree in biology and geology, followed by a degree in educational leadership, and a doctorate in women’s studies. A retired science teacher, she devotes energy to reducing invasive plants on her two acres and on outreach efforts within the community. With a “yes-we-can” attitude, she promotes local action steps such as native plantings, composting, and a seed library to support the health of the environment.

Basil Seggos

Basil Seggos is Commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), and has served in this role since 2015. As Commissioner, he leads an agency of more than 3,000 professionals, advises the Governor on environmental policy and issues, and oversees programs that promote a clean, healthy, and accessible environment. Seggos is co-chair of the State’s Climate Action Council, a 22-member committee mapping out the Scoping Plan that will achieve the State’s nation-leading Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, and serves on a number of boards, including the Adirondack Park Agency (APA), the Great Lakes Commission, the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC), the New York State Energy and Research Development Authority (NYSERDA), and the Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA). Before his career in State government, Basil served as Vice President of Business Development at Hugo Neu Corporation, a cleantech private equity company, Chief Investigator and Attorney for Riverkeeper, Associate at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), and legal clerk at the White House.

Karen Simons

Karen Simon is Co-creator of Drawdown Bedford and on Bedford 2030's Board of Directors. Karen is a food systems consultant with over 20+ years of experience working on research, critical analysis and business development for mission-driven for-profits, nonprofits, and foundations.

Simon Skolnik

Simon Skolnik is the President of NYSACC and Chair of the Town of Bedford Conservation Board. A trained civil engineer, Simon devoted his career to the management of public and private sector construction projects. He was first appointed to the Bedford Conservation Board in 1985 and became Chair in 1995. He joined the NYSACC Board of Directors in 1989.

Besides their historic role in the protection of open space, Simon views Conservation Advisory Commissions and Boards as among the most vital and important institutions in combating climate change locally and mitigating its effects on the natural and built environments.

Joy Squires

Squires has been a member of Town of Huntington Conservation Board since 1974 and its chair since 1979. She was the founding chairperson of Huntington's Town Environmental Open Space and Park Fund Review Committee (EOSPA) from 1998 until stepping down in December 2020. Joy is a retired Elwood elementary school teacher and district elementary science coordinator. As an teacher, Joy created an ecological laboratory and an elementary science lab in two elementary schools. She was a finalist for NYS Teacher of the Year and Suffolk County Elementary Science Teacher of the Year. Joy is also a former president of NYSACC.

Josh Stack

Josh is a veteran of the Clean Energy and Buildings arena in NYS, and a NYSERDA NYStretch Circuit Rider covering the Central, Mohawk and Finger Lakes regions. Josh works as a builder, residential construction manager and verification/audit QA consultant on passive, healthy and ecologically inspired projects. Educated in biology and law at Cornell, NYU and SUNY UB, in the Peruvian rainforest and on construction sites, he advises clients as an adaptive law practitioner on projects of varying complexity and scale. He teaches internationally, on resilience science, sustainable design and construction and biomimicry.

Michelle Sterling

Michelle Sterling serves as co-chair of the Scarsdale Forum Sustainability Committee, and is a working member on several others: the Scarsdale Conservation Advisory Council, Food Scrap Recycling Committee, LED Streetlight Committee, Forum Board of Directors and Executive Board. Michelle currently chairs the Scarsdale Middle School PTA Sustainability Committee and serves on the Scarsdale Middle School Compact Committee and has worked in several other committee capacities in the past. Michelle holds a BA in Political Science from Columbia College and a JD from Cornell Law School.

Brad Tito

Brad Tito is Program Manager for Communities and Local Government at NYSERDA, where he works with communities to save energy and improve the environment by promoting innovative and responsive clean energy offerings. Brad also runs NYSERDA's Clean Energy Community program. Prior to joining NYSERDA, he served as Director of Sustainability for the City of Yonkers where he led various high-profile initiatives. Prior to that, Brad served as Director of Environmental Coordination for Nassau County. Brad holds a master's degree in Urban Policy Analysis and Management from the New School University, and a bachelor's degree in Sustainable Development from Prescott College in Arizona.

Dan Van Abs

Dr. Dan Van Abs is a Professor of Professional Practice for Water, Society & Environment at Rutgers University, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, where he focuses on planning and management policy for water infrastructure, water supply, wastewater and watershed protection. Previously, he served in New Jersey state government in several capacities: Senior Director for Planning & Science with the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council (NJ); Director of Watershed Protection, NJ Water Supply Authority and with the NJ Department of Environmental Protection. Dan was Technical Director of the Passaic River Coalition. He holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Science from SUNY-College of Environmental Science and Forestry and is a licensed Professional Planner in New Jersey and a Fellow of the American Institute of Certified Planners.

Bud Veverka

Budd is the Director of Land Management at the Mianus Gorge preserve. Previously, Budd spent over 10 years working as a wildlife biologist in several states across the South and Midwest, most recently in Indiana, where his research focused on farmland wildlife and where he authored the National Wildlife Pheasant Conservation Plan. Today, Budd focuses his work on invasive species management, northeastern forest restoration, suburban black bear activity, white-tailed deer management, and student mentorship. He is the organizational representative to the Lower Hudson Partnership for Invasive Species Management and the New York State Hemlock Initiative, and is an active member of The Wildlife Society.

Janice Whitney

Janice Whitney serves as the WaterSense Liaison and Sustainability Advisor for the State Revolving Fund, which administers hundreds of millions of dollars, and where she focuses on water and energy efficiency and conservation, innovative projects, green infrastructure, resiliency and adaptation strategies. She joined the EPA as an Assistant Regional Counsel and obtained Alternative Dispute Resolution. Janice has served as Special Assistant to EPA’s Administrator, a member of the United Nations Environment Programme’s Working Committee on Sustainability, and an Instructor at both the Federal Executive Institute’s Center for Executive Leadership and EPA’s National Enforcement Training Institute. Janice earned her JD from the University of Michigan.

Courtney Williams

Dr. Courtney Williams, Ph.D., is a scientist and cancer researcher for Regeneron, a biopharmaceutical company. She holds a B.S. in molecular biochemistry and biophysics from Yale University and a Ph.D. in molecular biology from Princeton University. Courtney is appointed to the Peekskill Conservation Advisory Council.

Brendan Woodruff

Brendan Woodruff is the NYS DEC Director of Sustainability where he works to make state government operations and procurement more sustainable, along with engaging employees on sustainability topics. He also hosts a monthly Lunchtime Learning webinar for NYS employees to help them learn to live more sustainable lives. Brendan holds a bachelor's degree in history from Skidmore College, and a Master of Science in Policy Studies from the University of Edinburgh.

Jason Zimbler

Jason Zimbler is a project manager in NYSERDA's Clean Transportation group, overseeing electric vehicle initiatives including market development programs, utility interactions related to the electrification of transport as well as EV outreach and education programs. He performs policy and market research on sector initiatives including working on the Direct Current Fast Charging Infrastructure Program for EV charging station infrastructure, as well as smart mobility programs. Jason earned a Master of Public Administration at Columbia SIPA with a concentration in Clean Energy Policy.

Nicola Armacost

Nicola Armacost has served as a Mayor of Hastings-on-Hudson since 2019, and as a Village Trustee since 2009. Under her leadership Hastings-on-Hudson currently is the highest ranking Clean Energy Community in NYS, and one of only seven communities to achieve Climate Smart Community silver certification. Hastings-on-Hudson has adopted the New York Stretch Code, has expanded financing for energy efficiency and green infrastructure through Open C-PACE financing, and has passed a Low-Embodied Carbon Concrete Resolution.

Amanda Bayley

Amanda Bayley is Founder and CEO of Plan It Wild, an ecologically mindful landscape design and lawn management company. Amanda has more than fifteen years of experience designing natural areas and green infrastructure in NYC and its suburbs, working for a diversity of public agencies & private firms. She has a masters in landscape architecture from The City College of New York and certification in sustainability analytics from Columbia University’s Earth Institute. Amanda is a licensed landscape architect in the state of Connecticut.

Kat Carroll

Catherine (Kat) Carroll is a NYSERDA Clean Energy Community Coordinator at Hudson Valley Regional Council, where she promotes clean energy and energy efficiency measures for communities throughout the region. Kat provides technical assistance and outreach to municipalities interested in the cost savings or environmental benefits associated with the Clean Energy Communities high-impact actions. She previously worked in municipal planning with the Otsego County Conservation Association and as a policy and analytics consultant with commercial solar broker SolarKal. Kat has a Masters of Environmental Policy from Bard College and is a dedicated volunteer for multiple environmental organizations in the Hudson Valley.

Carla Castillo

Carla Castillo joined the Hudson Valley Regional Council in 2016, and serves as Deputy Executive Director. She is the Coordinator for the Clean Energy Communities program for various municipalities in the Mid-Hudson Valley, and assists communities in obtaining Climate Smart Community and Clean Energy Community certification by promoting green economic development through GHG emissions reduction. Carla has a master's degree in City and Regional Planning and a Master of Science in International Development and Appropriate Technology from the University of Pennsylvania. Carla serves as Chair of the Cornwall Conservation Advisory Council and also is involved with the Orange County Climate Smart Communities Task Force.

Filippine de Haan

Filippine de Hann co-manages Bedford's wildly successful Healthy Yards and Leave Leaves Alone programs. Born in The Netherlands, she is an artist and professional landscaper, and is passionate about everything that lives in our backyards.

Janna Diamond

Janna Diamond, CCEP, is a somatic practitioner working at the intersection of trauma healing, culture building, consciousness, and the climate crisis. Her body of work, Evolutionary Somatic Practice, focuses on cultivating inner resources for collective evolution. She has a private therapeutic practice and leads groups internationally. She has spent more than a decade in faith-based community organizing, fostering authentic relationship building and empowering others toward systemic, social, and visionary change.

Jen Epstein

Jen Epstein is an aquatic ecologist, community science coordinator, and water quality advocate. She joined the Riverkeeper staff in August of 2013. Jen works with a variety of partners to collect water quality information in the Hudson’s tributaries, and use it to improve water quality. A native of Poughkeepsie, Jen studied geology as an undergraduate, and then went on to research the effects of impervious surface coverage on water quality in Westchester County streams for her Master's thesis. She has served as an AmeriCorps Volunteer in the Lake Tahoe region and a Peace Corps Volunteer in West Africa.

Carole Griffiths

Dr. Carole S. Griffiths is Professor Emerita - Biology, at Long Island University, and Research Associate in Ornithology at the American Museum of Natural History. She also is on two grant committees of the Raptor Research Foundation and an elected Fellow of the American Ornithological Society. Board member and secretary of Federated Conservationists of Westchester County and l​ong- time member and Chairperson Emerita of the Tarrytown Environmental Advisory Council.

Riley Hester

Riley Hester is a Sophomore at Fox Lane High School, Bedford, and a Junior Associate Member of the Pound Ridge Conservation Board.

Maxwel Lee

Maxwel Lee is currently a senior at the Hackley School in Tarrytown, NY. Having grown up just steps from the Tarrytown Lakes, he has enjoyed the vast natural resources the village has to offer. Maxwel began testing the water quality of the Lakes when he noticed a worsening algal bloom. He also began to research natural remediation solutions for the eutrophication causing the blooms. In conjunction with his research, Maxwel founded a student-based conservation group called the Hackley Lakekeepers whose mission is to keep the Lakes and surrounding watershed clean. He has been the only student volunteer of the TEAC for the last few years. Maxwel plans to study environmental or chemical engineering in college.

Fiona Mitchell

Fiona Mitchell has been advocating for better leaf management in Bedford for about 14 years, when she started the initiative, Leave Leaves Alone. She co-chaired Bedford’s Leaf Blower Committee for the past 6 years, advocating for the prohibition of gas leaf blowers and promoting education regarding the misuse of leaf blowers. She is co-founder of Healthy Yards, an initiative promoting responsible landscaping practices.

Jim Nordgren

Jim Nordgren works at the intersection of municipal planning and land conservation. As an environmental consultant he assists towns and land trusts in developing management plans, natural resource inventories and open space plans in order to protect nature. Jim was a member of the Lewisboro Planning Board, was elected Town Supervisor and later served as Executive Director of the Northeast Wilderness Trust and the Bedford Audubon Society. Jim earned a degree in biology at St. Lawrence University, an M.B.A. from the Wharton School and a Masters in Environmental Management at the Yale School of the Environment.

Michael O'Hara

Michael O'Hara is an environmental policy advocate who for the past 10 years has engaged with elected officials at the local, state and national level to support actions to create a more livable environment, primarily through the Citizens' Climate Lobby. Michael has worked in a number of fields, including solar electric systems sales; as director of a regional non-profit environmental organization; and as Public Works Commissioner for the City of Hudson. He and his wife have lived in Hudson, NY since 1999.

Ryan Palmer

Ryan Palmer joined Sarah Lawrence College as Director of the Center for the Urban River at Beczak in August 2013. A Hudson Valley native, Ryan previously was Director of Clearwater’s Green Cities Initiative, focusing on urban watershed and environmental justice issues, green infrastructure projects, community organizing, and urban planning. Ryan is trained in land use law and planning, stream monitoring, biodiversity assessment and watershed management, and has 10 years of experience in the environmental non-profit field.

Eleanor Peck

Eleanor Peck is a Clean Energy Communities Coordinator for NYSERDA, providing support to communities working to reduce energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions through the implementation of cost-saving clean energy projects. Previously, Eleanor was the Climate Smart Coordinator for the City of Beacon, helping the City achieve Silver Certification. She has worked in fundraising for the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook and the Wildlife Conservation Society at the Bronx Zoo, and for conservation projects around the globe. Eleanor has an MA in International Affairs from the New School for Social Research, and a BA from Roosevelt University.

Paul Presendieu

Paul Presendieu created the Mt Vernon CAC and is currently Outreach Coordinator at Sustainable Westchester, as well as co-chair of the Energy Advisory Committee for the City of Rye, and a planner for 2021 COE.

John Pumilio

John Pumilio, LEED Green Associate, Certified Energy Manager, and Certified Health Coach is the director of sustainability at Colgate University. Since 2009, John has led Colgate’s sustainability program and effort to achieve carbon neutrality by 2019, when it became the first college or university in New York State to achieve it. In 2016, John co-founded the Hamilton Climate Preparedness Working Group and has been helping coordinate and lead efforts for the Village and Town of Hamilton to achieve NYS DEC Climate Smart Communities certification, which both received in 2020.

Phil Sears

Phil Sears is a member of the Pound Ridge Water Control Commission, which acts a wetlands commission, and since 2015 has been a member of the Scotts Corners Water and Wastewater Task Force, which is trying to bring public water and wastewater treatment to the business district of Pound Ridge. He previously worked for AKRF, an environmental planning firm that prepares environmental review documentation for large, controversial projects in the New York metropolitan area. At AKRF, Phil oversaw and prepared Environmental Impact Statements (EIS), permit application for federal and state permits, and Environmental Assessments. Prior to that, he evaluated site conditions for the design and engineering of ports, harbors, and waterfront structures for Dravo Van Houten, an international engineering company. Phil's BS was in geology and MS in geological oceanography.

Lindsey Taylor

Lindsey Jeanne Taylor is an accomplished art director and graphic designer of web, social and print who works with many nonprofits and community groups in her area, like RiverArts and Untermyer Gardens. With an eye for design, Lindsey recognizes the value of things and is committed to keeping items in circulation whenever possible. Lindsey co-founded and co-produces the Hastings Repair Café, a free, volunteer-run, pop-up "repair shop" with a spirit of community building and sustainability. She and her co-producer, Ariella Gastel, are working on building the Repair Café movement throughout the Rivertowns.

Mark Thielking

Mark Thielking is the Director of Energy and Sustainability as a consultant to the Town of Bedford, NY. Mark assists staff and elected leadership in the areas of energy use, carbon, pollution and environmental sustainability. Mark's company, Logical Efficiency LLC, provides consultation and implementation services that assist public and private entities in scaling clean energy improvements through innovative community-based marketing, finance and policy. Previously, Mark co-founded the Energy Improvement Corporation (EIC), a NYS Not for Profit, LDC that worked to implement PACE financing and lower energy costs and fossil fuel. In this capacity, Mark led the development and adoption of PACE finance local laws in over 40 municipalities. Mark is a member of the Katonah-Lewisboro School District Board Sustainability Committee as well as Board member of the Bedford 2030 Coalition, and holds a BA in Economics from Boston University.

Helene Tieger

Helene Tieger is the College Archivist and a reference librarian at Bard College. She lives in Catskill, NY with her family, and serves as a trustee for the Catskill Public Library. An avid walker and hiker, Helene is also an active member of the Catskill Tree Council (CTC), which worked with the village to pass a tree ordinance (2019). The CTC applied for and received a Tree City designation from the National Arbor Day Foundation (2020) and worked with individuals and community organizations to raise the necessary funds to sponsor a village-wide tree inventory (2021).