2024 Breakout Sessions

Click on the buttons below to jump to that set of breakout session descriptions:

Morning Breakout 1

Morning Breakout 2

AfternoonBreakout 1

Afternoon Breakout 2

Morning Breakout 1
(10:30 AM - 11:30 AM)

Grand Ballroom

Regional Climate Collaboratives
from the Ground Up

Greater Cincinnati is now home to the largest RCC in the country (that's Green Umbrella!) but the model is one that has been used across the country for over a decade to coordinate communities to take decisive action in the face of climate change. This panel will bring together leaders who run collaboratives at the metropolitan, state and multi-state level to share what RCCs look like on the ground and how they structure their programming for high impact in urban, rural and suburban communities. You will walk away with next steps for getting involved in an existing RCC in your community or practical steps to start a new one.

Heather Navarro

Director - Midwest Climate Collaborative

Heather Navarro is the inaugural Director of the Midwest Climate Collaborative, which launched in January 2022. Prior to this position, she served as an Alderperson in the City of St. Louis from 2017-2022 and was the Executive Director of the Missouri Coalition for the Environment, a statewide environmental advocacy organization from 2013-2020. In that role, she was actively engaged with the Mississippi River Collaborative, the Missouri Clean Energy Coalition, and many other collaborative efforts. A Washington University graduate, Navarro earned both a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies in Arts & Sciences in 2001 and a JD from the School of Law in 2008. Her legal practice was primarily with a public interest law firm representing clients in racial and disability discrimination matters. In addition to this experience, Heather was a fellow with the Public Leaders for Inclusion Council in 2021 and has served on the Missouri Municipal League Board as well as a variety of other local, state, and national boards.

Therese Dorau

Assistant Director, Policy and Implementation - Indiana University, Environmental Resilience Institute

Therese Dorau is the Assistant Director for Climate Policy & Implementation at Indiana University’s Environmental Resilience Institute. At ERI, Therese helps Indiana local governments identify and implement climate actions and prepare for climate impacts. She previously served as the inaugural Director of Sustainability for the City of South Bend, where she led the creation of the City’s first climate action plan. She has 18 years of experience in public policy, energy efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainability management in corporate, non-profit, and government sectors. Therese has a B.S. in Chemistry from Xavier University and an M.S. in Sustainable Systems from the University of Michigan. In her spare time, Therese enjoys exploring Midwestern main streets, microbreweries, and parks and trails.

Ryan Mooney-Bullock

Executive Director - Green Umbrella

Ryan Mooney-Bullock has spent the last 20 years working in science and environmental education and environmental policy. A seasoned program manager, educator and communicator, Ryan is most energized when she is helping people make connections between their passions and what is going on in the natural and human worlds around them. While studying Environmental Studies at the University of Chicago and researching at the Center for Neighborhood Technology, she focused on environmental policy, economics and urban sustainability. At Antioch University New England she deepened her understanding of natural systems and how to educate about them, and earned a MS in Environmental Science. She developed and managed the Green Learning Station at the Civic Garden Center during its formative years. She has a lifelong commitment to environmental sustainability and Cincinnati’s green hillsides, waterways and vibrant community.

Junior Ballroom A

Empowering Communities to Drive Change:
The RISE Communities Air Sensor Program

Levels of particulate matter (PM) are often higher in environmental justice (EJ) communities. Low-cost air quality sensors may provide measures of air pollution for these neighborhoods, but community members face technical challenges when using these sensors.

The Research Innovations using Sensor Technology in Environmental Justice Communities (RISE Communities) was formed with three specific aims: 1) foster community-academic partnerships through education, training, and team development, 2) provide technical training for low-cost, outdoor air monitoring in EJ communities, and 3) establish a community of practice to address air quality.

The session will be moderated by Jackie Knapke, who will describe the content of our free, annual training in team science, sensor data collection, analysis and visualization, community-engaged research, and use of air sensors. Program participant panelists will share experiences with the training and current projects, focusing on strengths that enable successful project partnerships and overcoming logistical barriers.

Andrea Ankrum

Infection Control Practitioner - Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center

Andrea Ankrum has BS and MS degrees in microbiology, an MS in Epidemiology and is currently working on a PhD in Epidemiology from the department of Environmental Health at the University of Cincinnati. Andrea has worked as a clinical microbiologist for 12 years and currently works in infection prevention and control at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Andrea has been the Environmental Health Chair of the Northern KY Sierra Club, a local chapter of the national Sierra Club, since 2021. The Sierra Club consists of volunteers who are passionate about enjoying, exploring, and protecting our planet. The Environmental Health Chair’s role is to assist local communities in addressing pollution issues affecting air, water, and soil. Andrea is the project manager for an air quality study in Newport, KY in collaboration with the Clifton Neighborhood Association and the Federal EPA Region 4.

Meriel Vigran

Environmental Epidemiologist - City of Cincinnati Health Department

Meriel Vigran is an Epidemiologist for the City of Cincinnati Health Department focusing on Environmental Health. In her current role, Meriel has worked on public health analytics, research and policy reform, infectious disease control, process improvement, and project management on large-scale public health initiatives such as Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention and COVID-19 response. As an advocate for environmental justice, the focus of her work is to solve complex public health challenges regarding human and environmental rights through data-informed approaches and the strategic development, scaling, and optimization of programs and policies. She strives to use her work to improve the health and quality of life for the people of Cincinnati.

Josh Tunning

Executive Director - ReNewport

Josh Tunning is the current Executive Director of ReNewport, a small non-profit community development organization based in Newport, Kentucky that is dedicated to equitable community based development. Josh received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at Northern Kentucky University and his Master of Public Administration from Northern as well. Josh is an active volunteer in the community and especially with the neighborhood association of WestNewport, the Westside Citizens Coalition in ensuring residents are involved in city decisions and are able to make direct impacts in their community.

Stacy Porter

Assistant Professor in Environmental Studies - Wittenberg University

Stacy Porter is an assistant professor in environmental science at Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio. Her current research focus entails both local impacts of climate change and the history of global climate. She received her B.S. in Atmospheric Sciences from University of North Carolina-Asheville. She investigated the effects of ship emissions on coastal landscapes and received her M.S. in Atmospheric Sciences from the University of Alaska – Fairbanks. She then received her Ph.D. in Atmospheric Sciences from The Ohio State University working on ice core paleoclimatology as well as education and outreach. Stacy’s current research looks at how climatic changes in the Arctic impact extreme weather events over the mid-latitudes and Ohio’s climate. She also works with her students to understand how climate change directly affects the health and well-being of the Springfield community. Stacy is also engaged in outreach efforts to communicate the science of human-caused climate change.

Jackie Knapke (Moderator)

Assistant Professor - University of Cincinnati

Dr. Jackie Knapke is an assistant professor at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. She is a researcher with specialization in curriculum development, learning theory, program evaluation, and mixed methodology with an emphasis on qualitative methods. In addition, she conducts research in primary care education, including effective recruitment methods, pipeline engagement, and quality improvement for clinicians related to patient care and outcomes in cardiovascular health. She has worked in research education for over 15 years and is a principal investigator of the NIH-funded RISE Communities grant, a program aimed at training community-academic research teams in using low-cost air sensors to monitor air quality in environmental justice communities.

Junior Ballroom B

Advancing Clean Energy Finance: National, State & Local Strategies for Federal Funding

New federal funding opportunities are available at an unprecedented rate under the Inflation Reduction Act. Strategies and new financing programs are being developed to subsidize clean energy and energy efficiency improvements that enable healthier communities throughout the Midwest. Learn more about programs taking shape in your state to improve public health, reduce severe levels of energy burden, and support economic development in traditionally underserved communities. The conversation will also center on capacity building, strategic partnerships, market barriers for implementation, and your questions, challenges, and opportunities. This is part 1 of a 2-part Clean Energy Finance Track sponsored by the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority.

Tom Hucker

Senior Consultant - U.S. Department of Energy

Tom currently serves as a Senior Consultant to the U.S. Department of Energy, working with state and local officials to access the unprecedented funding for the nation’s clean energy transition. Previously, Tom served in the Maryland General Assembly for eight years, where he authored over 40 state laws, including Maryland’s original offshore wind energy mandates, stormwater protections, and groundbreaking laws to address mercury and arsenic. Tom served eight years on the Montgomery County (Maryland) Council, where he was elected by his colleagues to serve as President of the County Council and the Board of Health. There, Tom championed groundbreaking initiatives that removed lead from drinking water, expanded public transit, authorized community solar, and expanded transit-oriented development. Tom currently serves on Maryland’s State Commission that oversees rail, bus and paratransit for the Washington region, and served for eight years on the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.

Christina O'Keeffe

Executive Director - Ohio Air Quality Development Authority

Christina O’Keeffe serves as the Executive Director of the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority (OAQDA). She was appointed to the position by the Authority members in October 2018. O’Keeffe is a recognized energy and air quality expert with 20+ years of leadership experience at the local, state and national levels. She brings to OAQDA extensive knowledge in sustainability, economic development, policy and financing. As Executive Director, O’Keeffe provides the strategic direction and focus in fulfilling the mission of the Authority as an independent, non-regulatory state agency that provides financial and technical assistance for projects contributing to cleaner air. She oversees all financial transactions and develops new programs to ensure the environmental infrastructure financing needs of the State are met by maximizing the use of OAQDA’s financing. Prior to joining OAQDA, O’Keeffe served in leadership positions for the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission and the State of Ohio’s energy office.

Chris Meister

Executive Director - Illinois Finance Authority

Chris Meister is the Executive Director of the Illinois Finance Authority/Climate Bank and a proud member of Governor JB Pritzker’s Administration. Notable collective accomplishments include: - Climate Bank Impact: From 2022-2023, IFA/Climate Bank mobilized approximately $627 million in private capital for climate finance projects, 54% of which are in or benefit low-income and disadvantaged communities. - Federal Funding: Submitted/participated in at least nine federal funding applications/awards. To date, received $60 million in federal awards, with more anticipated. USDOE Loan Programs Office designated IFA/Climate Bank as a State Energy Financial Institution. Multiple public stakeholder engagement sessions regarding federal funding opportunities. - IFA Commercial PACE Program: In 2022, IFA formed the C-PACE Open Market Initiative, an Illinois nonprofit corporation and component unit of IFA, to administer the Property Assessed Clean Energy Program for counties and municipalities. - Clean Water Initiative: $2.6B issued of ‘AAA’-rated Illinois Environmental Protection Agency State Revolving Fund Bonds with diverse teams/best execution.

Luke Sulfridge

Executive Director - Sustainable Ohio Public Energy Council

Luke Sulfridge has served as SOPEC’s Executive Director since 2019. SOPEC is governed by the thirty-six different government entities it serves. Approximately 1 TWh of annual load is served by SOPEC. All SOPEC CCA electric programs are 100% green, and 100% are predicted to save against their respective standard service offers resulting in estimated tens of millions in savings. SOPEC is a council of governments serving as a shared energy office focused on sustainability. SOPEC has secured millions this year in renewable energy and electric transportation grants for the benefit of its communities and beyond. SOPEC also provides technical assistance to its members. Sulfridge holds a BA in Political Science from Berea College, an MA in Political Science from Appalachian State University, and an MS in Emergency Management from Eastern Kentucky University.

Oliver Kroner (Moderator)

Director, Office of Environment & Sustainability - City of Cincinnati

Oliver Kroner is the Director of City of Cincinnati Office of Environment & Sustainability. His work focuses on climate science and urban policy, including energy, transportation, waste, and food systems. He has served in the office since 2016, leading collaboration of government and community partners to advance and track the sustainability, equity, and resilience strategies of the Green Cincinnati Plan. He has presented his work around the world, including the United Nations Convention on Climate Change, ICLEI World Congress, National League of Cities, Project Drawdown, International Congress on Sustainability Science & Engineering, GreenBuild, and more. His recent non-profit board rolls focused on sustainability and community development include the US Green Building Council LEED for Cities Working Group, Mill Creek Alliance, and Sew Valley. He is a graduate of Miami University and Northeastern University, and a proud AmeriCorps alum.

Junior Ballroom C

Moving CPG Forward:
Planning for a More Circular Future

We live in a world with finite resources. Moving from a linear economy to a circular one allows us to use those resources more efficiently. Consumer packaged goods, especially those expected to have a long shelf life, like beauty products and home goods, present opportunities for new models of consumption. This discussion will showcase how reuse, in a variety of forms, fits in as one of the solutions to reducing waste & carbon in Cincinnati, the Midwest, and across the country.

Coming from the point of view of a brand, a retail outlet, a collective, and a multinational corporation, all of the presenters are actively engaged with the solutions they are discussing and will present tangible actions and models that other businesses can use to reduce waste and carbon in the short term. The goal of the panel is to provide a diverse perspective on reuse as a sustainable solution.

Lindsey McCoy

CEO & Co-Founder - Plaine Products

Lindsey McCoy is co-founder and CEO of Plaine Products, which offers premium personal care products in aluminum bottles that can be returned, refilled and reused. She was inspired to start Plaine Products after spending 10 years working on environmental education in the Bahamas, islands full of single-use plastic. All of the products are vegan, non-GMO, cruelty-free, biodegradable, color-safe and free of parabens, sulfates and toxins, good for the body and the planet. Based in Cincinnati, Ohio Plaine Products is B Corp and a member of 1% for the Planet. Lindsey has a master’s degree from the School of Public and Environmental Affairs from Indiana University. She is currently on the Board of Plastic Ocean Project and a volunteer for Citizens Climate Lobby.

Gabrielle Buckley

Founder - Fill More Waste Less

Gabrielle Buckley is the founder of Fill More Waste Less (FMWL) an organization that offers sustainable resources and values community above all else. She has spent the past 4 years learning and growing right alongside those who support FMWL and is honored to be able to continue to add to the conversation about living sustainably and be of service to the community.

Todd Cline

Senior Director of Sustainability - Procter & Gamble

Todd Cline is Senior Director of Sustainability for Procter & Gamble’s North American Fabric Care organization. In this role, Todd is responsible for leading the sustainability ambitions and programs to achieve them for industry leading brands such as Tide, Gain, Downy, Dreft, and Bounce. He plays a critical role in leading sustainability efforts, including focus on cold water cleaning, reducing overall emissions, and design of Tide Purclean, the first plant-based detergent with the cleaning power of Tide. Prior to joining the North American Fabric Care team, Todd spent more than 20 years in a variety of R&D leadership roles at P&G and has led product innovation launches across the U.S. and Europe. Todd earned an MBA from Xavier University and a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Kentucky.

Jaime Durheim

Founder - Refillery Collective

Jaime Durheim is the founder of the Refillery Collective, an online platform that provides resources, tools, support, and valuable connections to help refill store owners build a profitable business and make a bigger impact in their community. With a refillery directory that anyone can search by zip code to find their nearest refill store, Jaime is able to connect local residents to 600+ refill stores across the United States and Canada so they can easily make sustainable changes in their home. Jaime brings refillery owners together to share best practices and connects them with sustainable vendors who are transparent in the life cycle of their products. A native Wisconsinite, Jaime now lives in Florida with her husband, 3 daughters, and dog.

Junior Ballroom D

Grow Your Own: Nurturing the Next Generation of Green Leadership

As part of the Green Cincinnati Plan, Cincinnati Public Schools is working towards 100% of our schools having “safe and accessible outdoor learning spaces” by 2028. We are also collaborating with partners to “amplify the local workforce” to meet the demands of a green economy. We are fast approaching that first goal through our partnership with Green Umbrella and the Green Schoolyards Action Network. But, how do we develop a workforce that’s ready for future green jobs? We give preschoolers garden towers, build pollinator gardens on elementary school yards, and have high-school students practice animal husbandry. Cincinnati’s green future is being built every day in the green spaces and outdoor classrooms of Cincinnati Public Schools. Join students and teachers as they discuss the regional importance and personal relevance of their experiences in CPS green spaces.

Kendra Alexander

Educator - Aiken New Tech High School

ELL and Agriculture Career Tech Pathway Educator Character strengths: Appreciation of Beauty, Honesty, Love, Gratitude, Curiosity B.A. Middle Grade Education in Language Arts and Social Studies M.Ed. Reading (K-12 Reading Endorsement) M.Ed. Literacy and Second Language Studies (TESOL Endorsement)

Aaron Parker

Educator - Aiken New Tech High School

28th year as an Educator in TESOL, Agriculture, Science, and Social Studies. Agriculture Career Tech Educator, Cross Country Coach, and FFA Advisor. Language Strengths: English. Character Strengths: Creativity, Curiosity, Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence, Honesty, and Humor.

Student - Aiken New Tech High School

Asifiwe Shema

7th grade Agriculture Career Tech Pathway Student in her 1st year. Middle School FFA leadership at Aiken. Honor Roll Student. Congolese-Burundian Heritage. Language Strengths: Swahili, Kinyarwanda, and English.

Peregrina Sanchez-Jose

Student - Aiken New Tech High School

Senior Agriculture Career Tech Pathway Student in her 4th year. President of Aiken FFA. Honor Roll Student. Varsity Soccer. Guatemalan Heritage. Language Strengths: Spanish, Mam, K’iche, English. Character Strengths: Gratitude, Love, Love of Learning, Fairness, Honesty

Aminata Sarr

Student - Aiken New Tech High School

7th grade Agriculture Career Tech Pathway Student in her 1st year. Middle School FFA leadership at Aiken. Honor Roll Student. Malian Heritage. Language Strengths: Bambara, English.

Diana Matias-Pano

Student - Aiken New Tech High School

Senior Agriculture Career Tech Pathway Student in her 4th year. Vice- President of Aiken FFA. Honor Roll Student. Varsity Soccer. Guatemalan-Mexican Heritage. Language Strengths: Spanish and English. Character Strengths: Leadership, Kindness, Fairness, Social Intelligence, Teamwork.

Dr. Sarah Tierney (Moderator)

Director of Instructional Equity - Cincinnati Public Schools

Over the last 26 years, Dr. Sarah Tierney has worked in urban, public school settings in a range of roles from reading teacher to the coordinator of district magnet programs. Currently, she serves as the Director of Instructional Equity for Cincinnati Public Schools. Her mission is to prepare students for opportunities and experiences beyond graduation in order to end generational poverty.

Morning Breakout 2
(11:30 AM - 12:30 PM)

Grand Ballroom

Navigating the Federal Funding Ecosystem for Climate Action

This interactive workshop offers participants the opportunity to gain hands-on experience and practical knowledge in navigating the complex federal funding ecosystem for climate action projects. The workshop will guide participants in identifying and securing the most suitable federal funding opportunities for their climate action initiatives through a step-by-step process. By outlining project ideas, conducting research and analysis, and engaging in group discussions, participants will gain insights into the importance of securing federal funding and learn how to assess and evaluate funding opportunities. The workshop aims to bridge the gap between vision and action by empowering participants to transform their climate action visions into tangible projects. Participants will actively navigate the complex federal funding ecosystem, gaining practical knowledge and experience in identifying suitable funding opportunities for their climate action initiatives.

Cassandra Clevenger

Deputy Director - Power a Clean Future Ohio

Cassandra Clevenger (she/they) has successfully raised and built capacity for community projects, businesses, and coalitions. Her expertise in leading projects has resulted in numerous successful initiatives that have positively changed the communities she serves. As the Deputy Director of Power a Clean Future Ohio (PCFO), she oversees many aspects of the organization's day-to-day operations. Some of her responsibilities include financial management, managing federal awards, program development, and coordinating the Infrastructure Grant Assistance Program.

Alyssa Johnson

Program Manager - Power a Clean Future Ohio

Alyssa Johnson (she/her) is a Program Manager with Power a Clean Future, joining the PCFO team in September 2023. At PCFO, Alyssa supports communities that are actively working to reduce GHG emissions through program delivery and coalition building. Before joining the PCFO team, Alyssa completed a two-year fellowship with The George Gund Foundation, where she supported grant-making across the foundation, with a particular focus on the Climate and Environmental Justice program area. Her previous work experience includes managing service and civic engagement programming for the Office of Student Life at Ohio State University. She is a two-time alumna of AmeriCorps NCCC, where she supported and worked alongside nonprofits across the southwestern United States.

Matt Stephens-Rich

Director of Technical Services - Electrification Coalition

Matt is Director of Technical Services for the Electrification Coalition. Matt oversees the implementation of Electrification Coalition programming, focused on rapid electric vehicle and charging adoption across public and private sectors to improve America's energy security and reduce emissions. Overall, these programs are focused at working with various public, private, and non-profit partners at local, state, and federal levels; accelerating deployment of EVs and charging, at-scale. This work also includes the development of various tools and resources, such as the Dashboard for Rapid Vehicle Electrification (DRVE) Tool, EV Funding Finder, and EV Purchasing Collaborative.

Elena Stachew

Director of Operations - Citadel Impact Consulting

Elena Stachew, based in Cleveland Ohio, is Director of Operations and Lead of Sustainability & Environment at Citadel Impact Consulting, a consulting firm specializing in growing capacity and impact of mission-based organizations and social enterprises. As part of Citadel, Elena works with Power A Clean Future Ohio (PCFO) as a Northeast Ohio Strategy Consultant, working with 16+ cities in project planning, scoping, and implementation in the areas of clean energy, energy efficiency, transportation electrification, and land use that contribute to wide-scale decarbonization. Additional experience and expertise include polymer science & materials science, mining & manufacturing, humanitarian engineering, human-centered design, and corporate sustainability. Elena is completing her PhD in Integrated Biosciences and Biomimicry, focused on hybrid biological–engineering approaches to coastal restoration in the Great Lakes. Elena has been a Global Shaper of the World Economic Forum since 2017, a Climate Reality Project Leader since 2022, and a Climate Fresk facilitator since 2023.

Junior Ballroom A

Co-Creating Space for People and Wildlife in an Urban Neighborhood

Thriving urban green spaces aren’t just important for wildlife – they can play a major role in the health, safety, and overall wellbeing of people. As we seek to create vital habitat in increasingly urbanized spaces, taking a holistic approach informed by the perspectives and experiences of neighboring communities is crucial. Speakers will share the story of how the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden worked collaboratively with Avondale neighbors and other local organizations to transform a nearby park from a high-crime, low-use idle green space to a family-friendly, ecologically valuable community space. This session will highlight the importance of relationship-building, acknowledging power dynamics, and practicing humility, while also recognizing the impact of systemic racism and red-lining on under-resourced neighborhoods and the people and wildlife who live there.

Mollie O'Neil

Director of Community Partnerships in Conservation - Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

Mollie O’Neil is the Director of Community Partnerships in Conservation for the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden where she co-creates with communities a variety of experiences, opportunities and landscapes for people and wildlife to coexist and thrive. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communications from the University of Cincinnati and her Master of Arts in Zoology from Miami University’s Project Dragonfly Advanced Inquiry Program, a global network of premier organizations working to co-create new solutions to the vital social and ecological issues of our time. Mollie is passionate about community-building, creating habitat for pollinators, birds, and other beneficial wildlife, connecting people with job opportunities, and expanding access to nature for health and well-being.

Jamar Batchelor

Founder - Neighborhood Heroes 513

Jamar Batchelor (Batch) is a long-time resident and advocate in Avondale. He started Neighborhood Heroes 513 as someone who grew up in a community that experiences gang-related violence, drug use, and high crime rates because he wanted to change the narrative of urban communities, especially Irving Street. His work with youth in Avondale is driven by not wanting them to experience the same things he did growing up in Avondale, and he encourages young people to be leaders instead of followers and instead of becoming a statistic.

Officer LaDon Laney

Neighborhood Liaison, Avondale District 4 - Cincinnati Police Department

Junior Ballroom B

Advancing Clean Energy Finance: Unlocking Private Capital and Public Incentives

There are a variety of financial products, tools and incentives that can be structured for your clean energy project completed at your business or community. The right combination of subsidies and lending capital can address gaps in financing, credit quality, risk and other issues to maximize positive cash flow. Learn more about accessing tax credits and exemptions, credit enhancement tools like loan loss reserves and property assessed clean energy, bonds, community development programs, and traditional loans. This is part 2 of a 2-part Clean Energy Finance Track sponsored by the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority.

Marc Palmer

CEO - Conductor Solar

Marc Palmer is the founder and CEO of Conductor Solar. He is an expert in solar financing with a track record of funding over $1 billion in wind and solar projects over the past decade. Marc's journey in renewables financing led him to build Conductor Solar, a development and financing marketplace that erodes soft costs for 50kW - 10MW solar projects across the US. Marc also serves as the Financial Review Advisor for the Appalachian Solar Finance Fund. He grew up in Piqua, Ohio, spent 15 years bouncing around Michigan, NYC, and Chicago, and now lives in Cincinnati with his wife and two kids.

Luke Blocher

General Counsel & Chief Strategy Officer - Cincinnati Development Fund

Luke Blocher is the Chief Strategy Officer & General Counsel for the Cincinnati Development Fund (CDF), a community development financial institution focused on real estate lending in underserved communities. Among other responsibilities, Luke is leading the development of CDF’s affordable housing and climate lending programs.

Mary Sullivan

Partner of Counsel - Dinsmore & Shohl

Mary is a Partner of Counsel with Dinsmore & Shohl LLP in the Cincinnati office. She has practiced for decades in the area of public finance law, representing states, cities and other political subdivisions in connection with the issuance of tax-exempt and taxable bonds. Mary regularly serves as bond counsel and issuer’s counsel to the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority. Mary has served on numerous commissions and nonprofit Boards in the State of Ohio.

Jeremy Gutierrez

Senior Commercial Banking Executive - Fifth Third Bank

Jeremy Gutierrez serves as the senior commercial banking executive in the Central Ohio region for Fifth Third Bank, N.A. He is directly responsible for the strategy, execution, financial performance and community efforts of the commercial team. Jeremy has three decades of banking and financial experience that spans across the commercial, business banking, retail and economic development arenas. Jeremy earned a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Michigan and a juris doctorate from the University of Toledo College of Law. He also graduated from the Consumer Bankers Association Executive Banking School held at Furman University.

Gabe Lorenz (Moderator)

Program Administrator - Ohio Air Quality Development Authority

Gabe serves as Program Administrator with the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority and joined the agency in March 2019. In this role, he works with the agency’s small business program as well as on program development and implementation. He also engages on program outreach and external communications, and enjoys sharing the stories of the projects that OAQDA has supported.

Junior Ballroom C

Neighborhood Food Projects 101:
What to Know As You Start

This panel will orient neighborhood leaders passionate about food sovereignty, health equity, and nutritional security, to resources and key information they need to launch their neighborhood food project successfully. Whether it's a farmers market, a food access point, a community garden, a buying club, a grocery store, a CSA, or a restaurant, there are other experts in our region who have tried it and their lessons are hard won, so don't let them go to waste! Come join a few fellow leaders from the Cincinnati area who have been there at the beginning, so you can save time and energy by making connections to the support organizations, peers, and other resources you need to get healthy food to your community.

Celeste Treece

Founder - Jackson Street Farm

Celeste Treece is a highly accomplished political strategist from Cleveland, OH. After graduating with her BA in Political Science from the University of Cincinnati, she established CommEN Strategies, a minority women-owned consulting firm that specializes in community engagement. She has directed various campaigns ranging from state to county and local levels. Celeste's advocacy has been instrumental in promoting policy change, including: Issue 7; increasing funding for Metro transit organization; creating a local source of infrastructure money for local municipalities; and Columbus Issue 1 aggregated energy. Currently, Celeste’s focus lies within Environmental Justice initiatives. She founded AG Noire BIPOC Urban Farming Association, uniting farmers for advocacy while nurturing real relationship-building between them.

Shannon Carr

Founder & CEO - Isaiah 55, Inc.

Shannon Carr has worked in the food service field for over 20 years, and she is the Founder and CEO of Isaiah 55, Inc., based in Cincinnati, OH. She calls herself an interior decorator of repurposed gardens and is passionate about educating youth in gardening, nutrition, food services, and the importance of eating balanced meals. Shannon is also an experienced treasurer with a background in the non-profit management industry. She is a strong finance professional with a ministerial background. Recently, Shannon launched a pay-it-forward restaurant concept through Isaiah 55 called Garden of Eat'n in East Price Hill and a free nutritious meal program for working families with children who qualify for food assistance, the Kanggy Meals Program. Kanggy Meals provides hot, fresh meals and meal kits, as well as workshops and training on budgeting, food preparation and preservation, and container and community gardening.

Reba Hennessey

Founding Director - Your Store of the Queen City

Small groceries run in Reba Hennessey's family. In a career that first utilized her education degree from Ohio State University to support connections between clients and the legal system, followed by programming, operations and development with a start-up literacy organization; in 2019 Reba left her job to support the founding of Your Store of the Queen City alongside Lower Price Hill neighborhood leaders, with a mission to empower neighborhood-based entities to expand fresh food access and create community-based jobs by supporting the development and networking of resident-centered, culturally and economically inclusive enterprises in food desert areas of Cincinnati, OH. With Reba's leadership, in 2020 Your Store of the Queen City helped Lower Price Hill start its own Farmers Market despite COVID pandemic lockdowns, and in November 2021 the community opened the doors of Meiser's Fresh Grocery & Deli offering affordable groceries, nutrition incentives, emergency food support and food rescue, alongside community learning programs.

Kimberly Jacobs

Vice President - East Walnut Hills Farmer' Market

Kimberly Jacobs helped found the East Walnut Hills Farmers’ Market, established in 2022 in a Cincinnati neighborhood with limited food access. She worked with the Ohio Council on Aging to qualify the market to accept Senior Farmers Market Nutrition coupons to obtain locally grown, fresh produce. A member of the League of Women Voters, Kimberly has attended multiple UN COP environmental conferences as a LWVUS delegate, focusing on food systems and their role as both cause of and effect of the climate crisis. She has a BS in Marketing and a career worth of expertise working for Procter & Gamble, the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio, Cardinal Health, and Nationwide Insurance.

Maddie Chera

Director of Greater Cincinnati Regional Food Policy Council - Green Umbrella

Maddie Chera convenes partners across the Greater Cincinnati region to collaborate and advocate for healthier and more sustainable communities. Maddie leads the Food Policy Council’s initiatives and leverages data, communications, and funding in order to direct and monitor the program’s collective impact toward a resilient regional food system. She brings over 15 years of domestic and international experience as an educator, researcher, and nonprofit team member to her work, along with a PhD in Anthropology from Indiana University Bloomington, with a focus on food, the environment, and culture. Maddie served as the Food Policy Council’s Food Systems Analyst prior to taking on the role of Director in 2022.

Junior Ballroom D

Expanding Economic Opportunities through Green Workforce Development

Over the next decade, the U.S. anticipates a 9% increase, adding 114,000 green jobs, surpassing the available talent pool. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the Infrastructure and Reconciliation Act (IRA) have allocated a substantial $75 billion across fifty-four programs, which emphasize or allow green workforce development initiatives. The landmark federal funding provides the opportunity to bridge the skills gap.

The City of Cincinnati is leading the charge in climate action planning with their recently updated 2023 Green Cincinnati Plan. Creating quality, green jobs was a cross-cutting theme throughout the plan which resulted in their goal of 4,000 people trained for green jobs by 2028.

Join leaders representing diverse sectors of Cincinnati’s workforce system, from community-based nonprofits, a university, and worker-owned business, to hear how they are equipping residents with the skills needed to become the green workforce of the future. Learn about their programs, skills and training initiatives, and efforts to increase capacity and equity within the workforce.

Dusty Bryant

Program Manager, Building Futures - Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio

Dusty Bryant is at the forefront of workforce development and pre-apprenticeship programming in southwestern Ohio, uniting city, county, state and national organizations with the building and construction trades. As an advocate for economic empowerment, Dusty works to bridge the gap between workforce development and social justice initiatives. His approach to program design underscores the transformative potential of empowering individuals from diverse backgrounds to excel in sustainable industries. In his capacity as Program Manager of the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio’s Building Futures pre-apprenticeship program, Dusty has forged vital partnerships that historically have not existed in the state of Ohio. Through his dedication to empowering marginalized communities, Dusty embodies innovation and resilience, driving towards a more sustainable and equitable future.

Sydney Krewson

Vice President of Career Development - Net Impact UC

Sydney Krewson is a University of Cincinnati student in her fifth year of Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Environmental Studies. She is a leader of the student organization, Net Impact UC, where she serves as the Vice President of Career Development and a project manager for one of Net Impact UC's student sustainability consulting teams. Her work centers around connecting students with early career roles and skill development opportunities in the sustainability field. She has led the University of Cincinnati's first green career fair as well as developed other supplementary programs to educate students on green jobs like an online resource hub and a green jobs informational speaker panel. She has been an influential voice in advocating for sustainability integration in higher education in order to prepare future leaders for the increasing opportunities in this field and the diverse backgrounds that will be needed to contribute to the climate movement.

Tanner Yess

Co-Founder & Executive Director - Groundwork Ohio River Valley

Tanner was raised by scientists, and grew up paddling, biking, and hiking. After earning a degree in ecology, he worked on a fishing vessel in the Bering Sea. His Peace Corps service involved resource management and eco-tourism. During graduate school, Tanner helped form Greater Cincinnati’s Tri-State Trails Coalition. He is a National Park Service Mountains to Main Street Ambassador; SHIFT Emerging Leader; and recipient of the 2018 Murie Center Rising Leader Award. As a co-founder of Groundwork Ohio River Valley, Tanner has led the creation of one of the nation' s largest youth green workforce programs and brought Climate Safe Neighborhoods to Cincinnati. Yess’ passion is creating new pathways for diverse youth to access green careers.

Flequer Vera

CEO & Co-Founder - Sustainergy Cooperative

Flequer is the CEO and co-founder of the Sustainergy Cooperative, which is a worker-owned business in the energy efficiency, insulation, and solar industry. He is also a Co- founder of the non-profit cooperative business incubator, Coop Cincy. Flequer grew up in an entrepreneurial family and is passionate about creating worker-owned businesses. He is proud to have graduated from University of Cincinnati College of Business with a Degree in Finance. Flequer also serves on the City of Cincinnati’s 5 Year Green Plan steering committee and has recently been asked to advise the White House and US Department of Labor on building power for working class families through worker-ownership as well as the “Good Jobs” national campaign. Flequer is originally from Lima, Peru and in his free time he loves to travel, dance, volunteer in the community, and spend time with his family.

Thanapat Vichitchot (Moderator)

Executive Fellow - FUSE/City of Cincinnati Office of Environment & Sustainability

Thanapat Vichitchot is a dedicated advocate for financial self-sufficiency through workforce development and economic opportunities. Currently serving as an Executive Fellow through FUSE on the City of Cincinnati’s Office of Environment & Sustainability team, he spearheads the planning and coordination of Green Workforce Development initiatives. His project aims to establish inclusive training pathways for quality, green jobs while addressing environmental justice concerns. With over fifteen years of experience spanning community-based nonprofits, a Regional Chamber of Commerce, and now the public sector, Thanapat brings a wealth of expertise in workforce development. Notably, Thanapat has served as a voting member of the City of Cincinnati’s Children and Families Cabinet. Additionally, he actively serves on the Financial Wellness Advisory Council for a local nonprofit workforce development organization. Thanapat is an alumnus of the University of Cincinnati’s Linder College of Business and has enhanced his skills through specialized nonprofit leadership and quality improvement science trainings.

Afternoon Breakout 1
(2:30 PM - 3:30 PM)

Grand Ballroom

Short Talk Series

A series of 5 minute talks on a variety of topics.

Expanding Access to Transportation in Rural Ohio through Shared Mobility

Michael Peters, CEO & Co-Founder - Sway Mobility

Strategies to decarbonize the transportation system include switching to electric vehicles, making cities more walkable and bike friendly, and increasing public transportation options. But many of these strategies are a better fit for urban locations, so how do we bring increased access to transportation options to rural communities? In 2021, the City of Oberlin introduced the first electric vehicle carshare program in not only Ohio, but the Midwest. How did this rural city of 8,000 lead the region in bringing more transportation options for its residents, exposure to electric vehicles for its diverse population, and can the model be replicated in other rural Ohio communities?

Local Government Advocacy from Vision to Action

Spencer Dirrig, Managing Director, Democracy Policy - Ohio Environmental Council (OEC)

Local governments are at the center of the fight to combat the climate crisis and secure environmental justice for all. But how do we make our issues a priority, support climate champions in decision-making roles, mobilize communities, and secure policy wins? Let’s build the vision to action pipeline together! We’ll discuss methods, tools, and examples to equip you to win on the environment at the local level.

The Rights of Nature: A Legal Revolution that Could Save the World

Jeanne Nightingale - Citizens for Rights of Ohio River Watershed (CROW)

The Ohio River – source of drinking water for five million people and home to many wildlife species – is ranked as our nation’s second most endangered river. Around the world, rivers, lakes, and aquifers are being seriously depleted or polluted by the growing demands of the extractive industries. Rights of Nature law exists in 24 countries and in over 60 counties and cities in the US. As we become more acutely aware how much our very survival depends on the health of the natural world, we are called to seek bold new solutions. This innovative legal approach recognizes the inherent right of nature to enjoy the same protections as people and corporations. It can protect watershed ecosystems by granting them legal standing in a court of law. Citizens for Rights of the Ohio River Watershed (CROW) seeks to amend Cincinnati’s Charter to legally protect the future health of the Ohio River watershed.

Fueling the Bearcat Experience: Creating a Food-Secure Campus Community

Joy Kostansek, Program Coordinator - University of Cincinnati

Faculty, staff, and students have teamed up to tackle food insecurity through the Bearcat Pantry and Resource Center (BCP) at the University of Cincinnati. The effort includes urban farming on university-owned property, working with community gardeners both on-campus and in the community to collect fresh produce to stock the BCP, and collaborations with organizations such as the Freestore Foodbank and Swipe Out Hunger. Join Joy to learn how food pantries, farmers markets, and connections to additional resources and support provided by the BCP are helping to fuel a successful Bearcat experience at UC!

Building Passively and Sustainably in the Urban Core

Scott Hand, Principal Architect - Trilobite Design

The Northside Eco-Village is a small real estate development based around a cluster of new homes. It features a variety of housing types and sizes are all designed to Passive House standards. We are also including neighborhood-focused sustainability efforts, shared by the cooperative. This talk will cover the overall goals and features, organization setup, and construction planning.

Integrating Sustainability for Business Resilience: A Closer Look at the New Ceres Roadmap 360º for SMEs

Dan Saccardi, Program Director of the Company Network - Ceres

Explore how small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and less-resourced organizations can integrate sustainability into their operations using the new Ceres Roadmap 360º. Discover how this online self-assessment tool offers self-paced learning modules covering a range of material topics, from climate impacts to community engagement, accompanied by a scorecard report offering expert guidance and actionable resources. Learn how the Ceres Roadmap 360º empowers businesses with the foundational understanding needed for their journey towards a more just and sustainable future.

Fibersheds: What Are They and Why Are They Important?

Amber Rose Ostaszewski, President - Weavers Guild of Greater Cincinnati

A short introduction to the fibershed concept, a circular model for regionally-produced textile systems that support regenerative practices that build soil health and protect the health of our biosphere. As a response to the heavy pollution and extractive underpinnings of fast-fashion, the Fibershed movement is mobilizing across the world with over 72 affiliate fibersheds with the goal of revolutionizing the textile industry. This talk will discuss what a fibershed is, why it’s important, and highlight a number of initiatives started by the regional Rust Belt Fibershed, including the Rust Belt Linen Project, which ultimately aim to regenerate the earth, our communities, and our economy.

Creative Conservation

Hannah Inman, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) - Great Outdoors Foundation

Meaningful action requires unconventional strategy, unlikely partnerships, and uncompromising integrity. A leader in conservation at what some consider ground zero for environmental priorities — the state of Iowa — the Great Outdoors Foundation (GOF) has tapped into its values of innovation, collaboration, and stewardship to advance unprecedented change for water quality, in particular, and the environment, at large. Hannah Inman, CEO of the Great Outdoors Foundation, unpacks Creative Conservation, a case study of how this model of advocacy has unlocked new ways of addressing Iowa’s water quality while taking a non-threatening posture toward the agriculture sector, Iowa’s main economic and political driver.

Junior Ballroom A

Mini-forests, Meadows and Carbon -

Can Urban Greening Help Solve the Climate Crisis

The benefits of plants in cities have been understood for decades. They enrich wildlife habitats, reduce heat, mitigate stormwater, filter out pollution and improve public well-being. Nevertheless, tree density has been declining in US cities since the 1990’s.

On the whole, urban environments are sustainable places to live and work. They require about half the energy and infrastructure costs per person compared to suburbs. But growth has been a driving force in reducing urban biomass, leaving our cities hotter and less healthy, particularly in underserved communities that face disproportionate pollution, flooding, and heat. Deployed equitably, plants can deliver the crucial benefits mentioned AND help clean the atmosphere by sequestering carbon. We will need this palliative as we enter the next decades of the climate crisis.

This panel will discuss whether the climate/carbon reduction goals adopted recently by local governments, corporate landowners and large institutions can help turn around the decline in urban greening. The panel will focus on two landscape types: mini-forests and prairie restorations.

Chris Dobrozsi

Executive Vice President of Development - Neyer Properties

Chris has more than 35 years of experience in the visioning, development, and construction of Mixed-Use, Class A office, medical office, retail, residential and industrial real estate. Utilizing his past roles in master planning, architecture, construction, estimating, land development, vertical development and leasing, Chris has led the development of several high-quality community building projects in the region including The Baldwin redevelopment, Cincinnati Ballet Facility, and Three Oaks in Oakley. Chris leads the vision setting and development/redevelopment for Neyer Properties, Inc. land and building a portfolio. He holds a bachelor’s degree in architectural engineering and an associate degree in civil construction engineering, both from the University of Cincinnati. In addition to his passion in Commercial Real Estate Development, Chris is currently an elected official in the City of Montgomery, Ohio – serving in his 15th year on City Council – 6 of those years as Mayor.

Crystal Courtney

Division Manager of Natural Resources - Cincinnati Park Board

With over ten years of experience in natural resource management, Crystal is a municipal leader overseeing the care of Cincinnati’s urban canopy, park forests restoration, natural surface trail system, right of way beautification, and environmental education programming. Crystal and her staff work in collaboration fellow city departments and community-based organizations, to implement nature based solutions to climate change, enhance community access to greenspace, and educate the public through data driven natural resource management to build an environmentally just, climate resilient city, in which Cincinnati’s most at risk neighborhoods have equitable access to greenspaces and ecosystem services.

Jake Boswell

Associate Professor - The Ohio State University

Jake Boswell is an associate professor of landscape architecture at The Ohio State University. His work centers on the entanglement of cultural, technological, and natural systems in the production of designed and vernacular landscapes, with a focus on climate and climate change. With a background in landscape architecture, city planning, and cultural anthropology, Boswell pursues this work through a hybrid practice centered on historical inquiry and design speculation. His writing has been published globally and his design works have received recognition in numerous international competitions. Boswell is the recipient of the College of Engineering’s Lumley Award for Interdisciplinary Research and is an Andrew W. Mellon Fellow in Urban Landscape Studies at Dumbarton Oak’s Research Library and Collection. Boswell extends his research into his teaching. His student’s work has been recognized in scholarly and professional venues and his teaching has been recognized with the prestigious Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching.

Joe Chambers (Moderator)

Landscape Architect & Principal - MKSK

Joe spent much of his childhood in rural western Maryland knee deep in creek water, but after traveling to Europe for a summer at age eighteen, he became fascinated with how cities are put together. Over his 30+ year career, Joe has worked on urban and rural sites, designing many projects, large and small—campus and urban open space master plans, waterfronts, infrastructure landscapes, parks, green roofs, plazas and estates. He is passionate about the craft and expressive potential of landscape detailing. Joe has been involved in design education throughout his career, holding adjunct and tenure track positions. As leader of MKSK’s sustainability and research initiatives, he has been exploring how urban landscapes can mimic native plant communities to make cities greener and more resilient in the face of environmental change. But he still loves to play in the water and get dirty whenever he can.

Junior Ballroom B

Partnering for Policy Action
to Decarbonize Ohio's Buildings

In order to achieve their climate goals, Ohio’s major cities must reduce carbon emissions from existing buildings. Building Performance Standards (BPS) are an ambitious new policy tool that can substantially reduce emissions, but face barriers to adoption in Ohio. A recently launched collaborative project—involving Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Dayton—is working to overcome these barriers and decarbonize Ohio’s buildings. In this session, several project partners will share different perspectives on BPS as a key climate action. The session will introduce BPS fundamentals, explore the collaborative policy solutions being developed through this project, and discuss the project’s focus on equity. Session participants will learn the important role that local community leaders and organizations can play in crafting and supporting a BPS.

Amanda Webb

Assistant Professor - University of Cincinnati

Dr. Amanda Webb is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering and Construction Management at the University of Cincinnati (UC). Dr. Webb’s research develops new data and modeling methods to support sustainable and equitable decarbonization of existing buildings. Her teaching includes courses on building energy modeling, building energy audits, and building physics, and she is the faculty advisor for UC's ASHRAE Student Branch. Prior to her role at UC, she worked in professional practice as an environmental design consultant in the New York and San Francisco offices of Atelier Ten, and as an energy auditor working for the Smart Energy Design Assistance Center at the University of Illinois. She holds a doctorate in Architectural Engineering from The Pennsylvania State University, a master’s degree from MIT, and a bachelor’s degree from Yale University.

Eric Porr

Management Analyst II, Energy Efficient Buildings - City of Columbus

Eric Porr manages the Columbus Benchmarking Ordinance, in the department of Building & Zoning Services. Eric has a bachelors from Otterbein College and an MS in Management and Sustainability from New England College. Managing Ohio’s first Benchmarking Ordinance, Eric hopes to share lessons learned with other cities while continuing to build out resources to help building owners improve their efficiency. Eric has a background in Energy Efficiency (EE) as it relates to buildings. He has worked for the United States Green Building Council as a Program Manager, a Technical Account Manager on the AEP Ohio Incentives Program for Commercial New Construction, and also as a Residential Energy Specialist conducting Home Energy Assessments on the MASS SAVE Program while employed with CLEAResult. Eric got into this career by designing and building ‘Earthships’ with his wife and friends in rural Ohio.

Tommy Tappel

Energy Engineer - Go Sustainable Energy

Tommy is a member of Go Sustainable Energy (Go)’s Distributed Energy Resources team (renewable energy, energy storage and microgrids). He helps clients from early feasibility studies through market engagement through eventual deployment. His project experience at Go also includes data analytics, energy policy, and climate action planning. Before Go, Tommy began his career in engineering design, working to assess and improve building performance. He focused on equipment and controls improvements in commercial facilities like higher education and healthcare. After a few years, Tommy returned to the University of Dayton to earn a Master of Science in Engineering. Tommy’s graduate research concentrated on energy burden, the percentage of household income spent on energy, specifically among low-income households. Following his graduate studies, before joining Go, Tommy served as the Executive Director for the Dayton Energy Collaborative, a nonprofit focused on addressing high energy burdens in low-income neighborhoods.

Joe Flarida

Executive Director - Power A Clean Future Ohio

Joe Flarida is the Executive Director of Power a Clean Future Ohio. He leads a growing organization that works with cities and counties in Ohio to develop community-driven carbon reduction strategies. Power a Clean Future Ohio empowers local governments and community members by providing tools and resources to implement climate actions that are achievable, measurable, equitable, and economical. Joe previously worked in the U.S. House of Representatives as Professional Staff for the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. In 2019, he returned to Ohio after completing the Robert Bosch Fellowship in Germany, where he examined Germany’s energy transition and consulted for the German Energy Agency and InnoEnergy. He is driven to help local communities across Ohio transition to clean energy and address climate change in big ways and small ways that make sense for them. Joe attended Ohio State University where he earned his degree in public policy and political science.

Junior Ballroom C

Transforming Transit in Ohio

This forum allows stakeholders in the transit policy space to discuss the exciting new proposed passenger rail routes in Ohio, and the planning steps that are being taken by cities, transit agencies, and planning authorities to support the growth expected as a result of increased movement between cities. Ohio currently has six routes being considered for further study under the Corridor ID Program and the Long-Distance Service Study, both administered by the Federal Railroad Administration.

Patrick Harris

Vice President of External Relations - Central Ohio Transit Agency (COTA)

Patrick Harris is Vice President, External Relations for the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA). As a member of COTA’s leadership team, Patrick manages a team of policy influencers, communications professionals, and relationship builders who tell the story of COTA’s transformational change from a public transit authority to a regional mobility services provider. Their role is to help media, policymakers, and public influencers at the local, state, and national levels better understand the value of a seamless mobility framework and its role in supporting the prosperity agenda for our growing region and COTA’s direct impact on socioeconomic outcomes for the region. Patrick attended the University of Phoenix to complete a Bachelor of Science degree in business management. He earned a master’s degree in marketing and communications from Franklin University in 2007.

Mark Jeffreys

City Council Member - City of Cincinnati

Mark is a resident of Clifton with his wife Pamela and four kids. The son of an immigrant, Mark grew up working poor, and worked his way through college at the University of Chicago with a union laborer job. After college, Mark went on to work on Capitol Hill and then in Asia before getting his MBA from Georgetown University. Mark spent over 16 years at Procter & Gamble. While at P&G, Mark led brands such as Pampers and Gillette. He left P&G 5 years ago to launch his first start-up, which he sold in July 2020. He then launched 4Sight Advantage, which is a machine learning capability that predicts “villain and hero” ingredients for large companies. He still runs 4Sight Advantage today. On City Council, Mark has focused on building a Safer, Cleaner & Greener Cincinnati and serves as Vice Chair of the Climate, Environment & Infrastructure Committee.

Joyce Pan Huang

Director of the City Planning Commission - City of Cleveland

Joyce Pan Huang serves as the Director for the City of Cleveland’s City Planning Commission under Mayor Justin M. Bibb. In this capacity, Huang facilitates the development of the City’s long-range comprehensive plan, community-based neighborhood planning efforts, urban design and architectural review and regulatory practices such as zoning. She previously served as the Vice President of Community Development at MidTown Cleveland, Inc., an economic and community development organization for the City’s MidTown and AsiaTown neighborhoods. As a 2nd generation Asian American, she fully embraces her bicultural identity, which has also shaped how she views city planning. Huang loves playground-hunting with her 3-year-old daughter and husband, and she appreciates public art and well-designed and active public plazas and parks. Joyce holds a Master of Urban Planning, Design and Development from Cleveland State University’s Levin College of Urban Affairs and a B.S. in Sociology with a Minor in the Program in the Environment from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor.

John Esterly

Chairman, Ohio State Legislative Board - Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers

A career railroad professional, John has served as Ohio’s State Legislative Board Chairman for North America’s oldest continuous labor union since March of 2021. Representing over 2,500 active and retired transportation employees for the largest four Ohio railroads, John is the chief spokesperson for matters of legislation, regulation, health and safety, and public policy for the Brotherhood in Ohio. A certified locomotive engineer, John advocates from a unique position. Policy decisions directly affect his life and livelihood on the rails and those of his coworkers across the state. John’s educational background is diverse. He holds undergraduate degrees in History and in Marketing and Economics, an undergraduate certificate in Computer Science, and a Master in Computer Science focused on machine learning and big date. He is currently pursuing his Master in Public Administration. A native Toledoan, John lives in Central Columbus with his wife, two children, and dog.

Spencer Dirrig (Moderator)

Managing Director of Democracy Policy - Ohio Environmental Council

A native Ohioan and second-generation American, Spencer Dirrig was born and raised in Delaware County, just north of Columbus. He graduated from The Ohio State University with a B.A. in Political Science and a B.A. in Economics in 2019. An experienced political organizer, Spencer founded Breakthrough Advising LLC in 2019 and managed numerous campaigns throughout Central Ohio on the local, state, and federal level. Spencer joined the Ohio Environmental Council in 2021 to help build the political power of the environment in Ohio. In his free time, Spencer serves as the 3rd Vice President of the Young Democrats of America, President of Workers United Local 2843, and a Member of the Board of Directors for the Legacy Fund of The Columbus Foundation. Outside of politics, Spencer is a USSF Soccer Referee and enjoys hiking with his rescue dog, Saoirse.

Junior Ballroom D

Imagination + Action: IoT + AI
for More Sustainable Facilities & Infrastructure

Many organizations are turning their sustainability commitments into climate action. However, this past year the world has been disrupted with the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology innovation that has the power to accelerate how we take this action. Transforma Insights (2022) states at least 27% of energy related carbon emissions comes from buildings, 37% is emitted from transportation like fleet, and up to 40% of fuel consumption can be reduced by remote monitoring. Having an action-based plan with IoT and AI affiliated with infrastructure and facilities will accelerate climate action at multiple levels. We'll discuss how to utilize technology to reduce carbon emissions, break through data "white noise" (not just from an individual building perspective but entire campuses and supply chains), enhance maintenance, and use AI in a private, secure model that enables you to act when appropriate.

Kris Brannock

Executive Vice President - VSI's Actionable IoT

A corporate growth strategy influencer and Forty Under 40 alum, Kris focuses her attention on disruptive innovation with complex serviceable, asset-based environments and IoT while wrapping in adjacent technologies like AI and digital twins. Kris was instrumental in leading the Actionable IoT team to 1st place for their technology-focus on facility efficiencies and commitment to sustainability during Alloy Growth Lab’s 2023 Green Room shark-tank focused pitch contest.

Jerry Schmits

Comprehensive Solutions Manager - Trane Technologies

Leads Comprehensive Solutions for Trane Technologies’ in the Great Lakes Region, where he supports Local Governments, Universities, Healthcare Systems and K-12 Districts with capital planning, advanced energy projects and sustainability initiatives. Jerry is the former President & CEO of the Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance and has served in various roles with start-up phase companies, such as Cadence Network, LLC, CBRE’s Global Energy & Sustainability Division, and KLH Energy Solutions. As a Certified Energy Manager, Jerry has spent his entire career using energy efficiency and sustainability measures to improve the net operating income and operational performance of commercial buildings.

Christopher Brock

CEO & Founder - Primary Hosting

Leader in the intersection of AI, IoT, and complex facility management. His expertise extends to sophisticated site surveying tools and AI systems trained for intricate environments. Within the past year, Chris has also created one of the largest AI groups in the world, “ChatGPT for Business & Life."

Ronnie Wegmann Jr. (Moderator)

Senior Vice President - Vertical Solutions, Inc.

Ronnie Wegmann Jr. is an executive level business strategy and growth decision-maker. Ronnie initiates, manages and expands direct and indirect relationships, and acts as a catalyst of change in service supply chain. Handling transition responsibilities of a previous divestiture, Ronnie is a visionary in business transformation by helping innovate with @Actionable IoT / Actionable-IoT.com for the intelligent services and the connected supply chain.

Afternoon Breakout 2
(3:30 PM - 4:30 PM)

Grand Ballroom

Climate Action Planning Across Ohio

Among the climate-related provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act is a program to assist communities, states, territories, and tribes with the development of region-specific Climate Action Plans. The Climate Pollution Reduction Grant provided $1 million to the 75 most populous metro areas in the country and up to $3 million to states to develop plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, with careful attention to environmental justice and community benefits. In addition to the State of Ohio, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, and Dayton each received grants to undertake this planning. This panel will highlight how each region and the state took on the challenge of developing a region-specific Priority Climate Action Plan in less than a year and how each region's unique conditions shaped their plan’s final recommendations. The panel will also share the projects each region hopes to implement through the grant’s implementation funding opportunity.

Joe MacDonald

Director, Strategic & Environmental Planning - Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency

Joe MacDonald, AICP, is Director of Strategic and Environmental Planning for the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency. He manages the Cleveland-Elyria Metropolitan Statistical Area Climate Pollution Reduction Grant Program; heads implementation of NOACA’s eNEO2050 (long-range) and Clean Water 2020 (water quality) plans; and was formerly NOACA’s Manager of Environmental Planning. Before NOACA, Dr. MacDonald was Environmental Manager for the Northeast Ohio Sustainable Communities Consortium. NEOSCC produced the Vibrant NEO 2040 Regional Visioning Framework, recipient of the 2015 Daniel Burnham Award for a Comprehensive Plan from the American Planning Association. Dr. MacDonald was also an APA Senior Research Associate and China Program water resources project planner before he relocated to Northeast Ohio. Dr. MacDonald holds a Ph.D. in City and Regional Planning (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill); M.S.P. in Urban and Regional Planning (Florida State University); and B.S. in Atmospheric, Oceanic and Space Sciences (University of Michigan).

Andrew Meyer

Senior Planner, Land Use - Ohio Kentucky Indiana Regional Council of Governments

As Senior Planner for Land Use at the Ohio Kentucky Indiana Regional Council of Governments, Andy maintains and implements OKI’s Strategic Regional Policy Plan, How Do We Grow From Here?, manages the Fiscal Impact Analysis Model program, and coordinates the Regional Planning Forum. Andy currently serves as the Director of the Cincinnati Section of the American Planning Association, coordinating professional development and educational opportunities for the region’s urban planning professionals. He holds a Master’s degree in Community Planning from the University of Cincinnati and over fifteen years of experience in local, county, regional, and private sector planning.

Brooke White

Air Quality Evaluation & Planning Supervisor - Ohio Environmental Protection Agency

Brooke White, Ph.D is the Air Quality Evaluation and Planning Supervisor in the Division of Air Pollution Control at the Ohio EPA. Dr. White currently manages the State of Ohio’s Climate Pollution Reduction Planning work and development of the state’s Priority Resilience Plan as well as data review for the State’s air monitoring network. Brooke White has broad experience in the sustainability and climate fields. She has consulted on climate mitigation and adaptation planning for corporate and public organizations with Ramboll. She supported the City of Columbus’s action planning in completing their annual greenhouse gas inventory for several years. She has worked in marine renewable energy for the Department of Energy, providing expertise in Earth Sciences and computational modeling. She also researched the physical and biological impacts of climate change on the Great Lakes using computational models.

Brian Filiatraut

Energy & Sustainability Program Manager - Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission

Brian Filiatraut is the Energy and Sustainability Program Manager with the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) and leads energy programming and planning for local government members in Central Ohio. He collaborates with local governments and energy and sustainability experts in the region and across the state supporting MORPC’s efforts on energy and climate policy to drive energy efficiency, renewable energy, EV infrastructure, equity, and economic opportunity. Brian holds an MPA in environmental science and policy from Columbia University and BS in biology from the University of Dayton.

Matt Lindsay (Moderator)

Manager, Environmental Planning - Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission

Matt Lindsay is the Manager of Environmental Planning at the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission, the Metropolitan Planning Organization for the Dayton, Ohio region. In this role Matt has led water quality planning, air and climate action planning, and also serves as the lead contact for the “green” forms of transportation: walking, biking and transit access. He was the project manager for the Dayton-Kettering MSA CPRG planning process. Matt earned a Master’s Degree in Environmental Policy from George Washington University.

Junior Ballroom A

Everywhere All at Once:
Mobilizing a Movement to Save Ohio Parks

One of the best antidotes for anxiety about climate change is positive action, and it only takes a few committed people to start a movement--even with little money on a tight deadline. Save Ohio Parks has been working for a year to build a community to tackle environmental injustice, mitigate climate change and fight for power in the face of the powerful oil and gas industry and a gerrymandered Ohio state legislature. Save Ohio Parks (SOP) was formed in 2023 after H.B. 507 changed one word in a 2011 law to REQUIRE fracking under Ohio’s 75 state parks and its forests, wildlife areas and other public lands. This panel will discuss the unique challenges of building a coalition of environmental and social justice organizations, as well as educating the public about the harmful environmental, health and climate effects likely to occur when fracking occurs under some of our most pristine public lands.

Cathy Cowan Becker

Responsible Finance Campaign Director - Green America

Cathy Cowan Becker of Hilliard, Ohio has 20 years of experience leading advocacy campaigns, communications and sustainability groups. She is Responsible Finance Campaign Director for Green America and a co-founder and steering committee member of Save Ohio Parks.

Molly Jo Stanley

Southeast Ohio Regional Director - Ohio Environmental Council

Molly Jo Stanley has 15 years of academic and professional experience in education, ecology, ethnobotany, and Land stewardship based in the Forests, Meadows, and Wetlands of Appalachia. A gardener, writer, and musician, Jo is committed to connecting, strengthening, and uplifting stories and practices that rekindle reverence for our miraculous existence. Since January of 2022, Molly Jo has served as the Southeast Ohio Regional Director at the Ohio Environmental Council. Focusing on the intersection of policy and environmental justice; Jo’s work centers on the just transition away from a history of extraction that has left scars on our ecosystems and communities, toward an inclusive, equitable future where deeply connected communities thrive in relationship with the places we depend on.

Jenny Morgan

Founder & Chair - Leave No Child Inside Collaborative Ohio

Jenny Morgan, of Westerville, Ohio is founder and chair of Leave No Child Inside Collaborative Ohio and steering committee member of Save Ohio Parks. Morgan is a singer, songwriter, environmental/public health activist and preschool teacher. LNCI encourages outdoor play, learning and lifelong connection with nature. Her animated video “Stand Up” is on YouTube at https://bit.ly/440qCVK

Loraine McCosker

Steering Committee Member - Save Ohio Parks

Loraine McCosker of Athens, Ohio has engaged with sustainability issues & environmental protection in Appalachia, serving in leadership roles with the Appalachian Ohio Sierra Club and Ohio Sierra Club. She recently-retired as instructor of Environmental Studies from Ohio University, where she developed courses in community based environmental studies, environmental leadership & environmental film, utilizing the Appalachian region as a land lab for student study & understanding of environmental law, extractive history and present-day sustainability efforts. She co-developed the Ohio University Sustainability Film series in conjunction with Ohio University libraries & many university programs and regional businesses, now screening for 12 years. She was a programmatic founder of the Kanawha Project, a multi-year project designed to enhance the undergraduate curriculum by integrating sustainability & climate change issues across disciplines through faculty professional development. McCosker has been engaged in forest & public lands protection since her move to Ohio in 2003. She is a founding member and steering committee member of Save Ohio Parks and testified in opposition to HB 133 (2011) which created the blueprint for present extractive efforts.

Melinda Zemper (Moderator)

Writer & Steering Committee Member - Save Ohio Parks

Melinda Zemper of West Chester, Ohio is a career writer, editor and communications specialist. She has worked as a daily newspaper reporter, a public relations professional, an adjunct professor of English composition and literature at Miami University for 22 years, public relations entrepreneur, and community volunteer. She led Oak Tree Communications, LLC, which specialized in telling small business success stories in media, for 15 years and was a board member of the National Voice of America Museum of Broadcasting for eight years. Since retiring in 2021, she has focused on writing for causes she believes in, including ethical leadership, democracy and mitigating the effects of climate change. She is a Save Ohio Parks steering committee member.

Junior Ballroom B

Margaret Mary Health Hospital:
Electric, Biophilic, and Resilient Healthcare

The first all-electric hospital in Indiana, Margaret Mary Health’s (MMH) new community hospital in Batesville, IN seeks to translate core values—collaboration, accountability, respect, excellence, and innovation—into a highly sustainable community asset. The project design and engineering team will share the three primary sustainable and resilient design strategies that will enhance health outcomes and improve facility operations at MMH, that are easily applied to other health facilities. Learn how the design team translated MMH’s values, programmatic needs, and budgetary and scheduling constraints into a design that served their long-term vision while balancing short-term needs. We will share examples of passive and active design, low-carbon mechanical systems, and well-being focused biophilic design that benefits healthcare providers and patients alike. Panelists will also discuss relevant performance criteria and financial incentives available from the Inflation Reduction Act.

Tiffany Broyles Yost

Director of Sustainability and Resilience - GBBN

Tiffany Broyles Yost is an Associate Principal and the Director of Sustainability and Resilience at GBBN Architects. Tiffany provides strategic leadership for sustainable design across the GBBN’s portfolio of projects, manages the research of our Sustainability Action Network, and spearheads related educational initiatives. A strong advocate for decarbonization and a circular economy, her portfolio includes sustainable design on international mixed-use buildings, higher education, healthcare facilities, and existing building redevelopment. Her work connecting design, well-being, and resilience makes her a frequent speaker at national events like Greenbuild and the HealthCare Design conference. Tiffany serves on non-profit boards and committees including the Greenbuild Summit Advisory Board, the Louisville Metro Net Zero Energy Advisory Group, the Louisville Sustainability Council, and the Cincinnati 2030 District Health Strategy Committee. She received a B. Arch from the University of Kentucky and an M. Arch Sustainable Environmental Design from the Architectural Association in London.

Aaron Anderson

Healthcare Market Design Lead - GBBN

Aaron’s boundless curiosity and willingness to get lost—in cities, podcasts, music— keep his creative antennae attuned to new avenues, ideas, and riffs that lead to unexpected design solutions. Whether he’s drawing on these experiences or the experience of designing award-winning architecture in Beijing (like Vanke’s Park 5), an expansive sense of the possible enables Aaron to design deeply empathetic and joyful spaces. Patients, families, and medical staff benefit from this in projects like Cincinnati Children’s Family Pet Center, Cincinnati Children’s Clinical Services Pavilion, and Mercy Health’s Mason Montgomery Ambulatory Care Building. Outside of work, Aaron can reliably be found supporting the unique passions of his five kids.

Doug Hundley Jr.

Vice President - CMTA

A CMTA Vice President and mechanical engineer, Doug brings 28 years of industry experience to projects nationwide. He currently heads CMTA’s Louisville operation, managing project schedules, production, and team assignments. With extensive experience in zero energy facilities, high-performance hospitals, and complex HVAC renovations, many of Doug’s projects are among the most energy-efficient in the country. He is skilled in the design of air distribution, hydronics, medical gas, fire protection, and plumbing systems, as well as computer modeling for energy analysis. As a certified GeoExchange Designer (IGSHPA) and AABC Commissioning LEED, he is recognized as a leading design expert.

Dave Neff

Director of Facilities - Margaret Mary Health

Dave Neff is the Director of Facilities at MMH and has been with the organization for over 12 years. In his role, he manages aging buildings that have a less-than-desirable ability to perform to optimal standards. Before working at MMH, Dave spent 22 years in the construction industry as a field superintendent for a general contractor out of Batesville, Indiana. During that time, he spent 17 of the 22 years working on projects for MMH. Dave has always had a passion for his local hospital, striving to make it a better place for patients, staff, and guests. When the opportunity arose to help with the planning of a new hospital, Dave desired to develop a facility that would reduce utility expenses so more dollars could instead benefit clinical areas and provide better patient outcomes.

Junior Ballroom C

Food Upcycling: It's Our Bisque-ness

Local solutions have global impacts. Nearly 40% of all food produced is wasted, and according to the UN, wasted food represents nearly 8% of global emissions. The Green Cincinnati Plan, the Hamilton County Solid Waste Management Plan, and the EPA, USDA, and FDA collaborative all share a common goal to reduce food waste going to landfills by 50% by 2030. Each of these agencies is helping achieve this goal.

Beyond the waste problem, agencies like Food for the Soul, La Soupe, and Our Daily Bread are improving environments, building community, addressing inequalities in the food system, and enhancing infrastructure to distribute more wholesome food. Food upcycling creates a more efficient food system which reduces costs, reduces waste, and feeds communities. Together, local organizations and governments are working towards the equitable distribution of wholesome food, and the end of organic waste in our landfills.

Catherine Lusky

Senior Population Health Specialist - Hamilton County Public Health

Catherine graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a Master’s in Public Health in 2022 and has a passion for impacting communities through systems changes. She currently helps her team at Hamilton County Public Health accomplish this through supervising the WeTHRIVE! initiative throughout Hamilton County. WeTHRIVE! is a community led and public health guided initiative that helps create healthier communities in Hamilton County through sustainable changes. Additionally, she helps to manage Hamilton County Public Health’s tobacco prevention and cessation grant throughout the county which educates and provides resources to communities disproportionately impacted by tobacco use.

Emmy Schroder

Executive Director - La Soupe

Emmy joined team La Soupe in 2019 as Partner Relations Director, spent 2020 managing the Community Kitchen COVID relief program, and launched the Food as Medicine initiatives in 2022. Since becoming La Soupe’s COO in 2022, she has worked closely with founder and visionary Suzy DeYoung to lead the organization. Her team works to bridge the gap between food waste and food insecurity in the Greater Cincinnati Region and beyond. With the support of dedicated volunteers, donors, and chefs, La Soupe has rescued over 4 million pounds of food and shared over 2.5 million restaurant-quality servings since its inception. Prior to her work with La Soupe, Emmy worked in engineering project management for Keurig, Jeni’s Ice Cream and Snowville Creamery. Emmy has focused her career on sustainability and food production, fueled by her passion for great food, and her goal to build a world where all people have access to the nutrition they need to thrive.

Georgine Getty

Executive Director - Our Daily Bread

Georgine Getty has been the Executive Director of Cincinnati’s largest soup kitchen, Our Daily Bread, since 2016. Georgine has 20+ years of experience working in Cincinnati human services, specifically with agencies working to alleviate poverty, homelessness and hunger. She has been the Executive Director of GLAD House, Interfaith Hospitality Network (now Found House), and the Cincinnati Homeless Coalition. Georgine currently serves on the boards of Catholics United for the Poor and the Mental Health & Addiction Advocacy Coalition (MHAC). When not at work, Georgine lives in Cincinnati with her husband James, their dog, and two cats. She is an avid beekeeper and is very excited to have recently become involved with the Queen City Pollinator Project.

Mary Knight

Director - Food for the Soul

Mary Knight is the Director of Food for the Soul. She has worked for the Community of the Transfiguration for over 12 years and has over 20 years of experience in Senior Marketing and Program Management. Family life is everything to Mary and she feels that her greatest accomplishments in life are her three sons, Kevin, Rachon and Aaron, and the bonus of her grandchildren. Mary believes that her enthusiasm for fresh, homemade, tasty food, combined with her passion for service and her childhood upbringing, have contributed greatly to the current growth and success of FFTS.

Tony Staubach Action Shot_edited_edited.

Tony Staubach (Moderator)

Senior Food Waste Diversion Specialist - Hamilton County ReSource

Tony Staubach is the Sr. Food Waste Diversion Specialist with Hamilton County ReSource. He received his MS in Public Policy from Drexel University and his BA in Education from Wilmington College. He previously served as an Extension Educator for OSU Extension and the Project Manager for the “Grow Food Grow Hope” initiative at Wilmington College. Tony currently serves on the steering committee for the Greater Cincinnati Regional Food Policy Council, as a Global Issues Instructor for Wilmington College and received a 40 Under 40 award from Waste360 in 2023.

Junior Ballroom D

513 Green Certified Organizations:
Bridging Sustainable Vision into Action

In the era of heightened environmental awareness, it’s become common to hear about successful and progressive ESG programs at organizations. However, successful sustainability programs are not created overnight. This panel seeks to explore the intersection of vision and action, shedding light on how organizations certified through a local sustainability certification program, the 513 Green Certification, are translating their sustainability aspirations into tangible, impactful initiatives.

In this session, we will explore how the Cincinnati Art Museum, Revision Collective, Gorilla Glue and Deeper Roots Coffee are:

Working towards a realistic vision of sustainability that is in line with an organization’s mission
Successfully garnering management support for sustainability programs
Understanding the importance of collaboration with partners and the community
Measuring and transparently communicating progress and challenges
Incorporating diversity and inclusion into sustainability programs

Amy Burke

Director of Visitor Experience - Cincinnati Art Museum

Amy began her tenure at the Cincinnati Art Museum in 1995 and has since advanced to the role of Director of Visitor Experience. She oversees the Visitor Services, Visitor Research, and Security departments as well as the Visitor Service Aide volunteer group. Notably, Amy led the museum’s reaccreditation process in 2018 and serves as a staff liaison for the museum’s strategic plan committee. She also formed the museum’s Green Team in 2019 and has spearheaded numerous sustainability initiatives, including its 513 Green Certification. Amy serves on the board of the Cincinnati Recycling & Reuse Hub and loves to participate in our region’s many sustainability programs. She resides in College Hill with her two daughters and enjoys being in nature, whether that’s visiting one of our local parks or gardening.

Elena Terán

Director of Impact and Employee Experience - Revision Collective

Elena Terán advises purpose-driven businesses on strategies to deepen social and environmental impacts. She spent over 10 years working with education nonprofits in the US and Latin America advocating for high quality education and career opportunities for underserved communities. Today, Elena is the Director of Impact and Employee Experience at Revision Collective, a purpose-driven and employee-owned holding company based in Cincinnati, Ohio. In addition, she is a board member of two nonprofits: Cincinnati Off-Road Alliance and Level Up Cincinnati. Elena juggles lots of hobbies that keep life interesting. She loves to mountain bike, rock climb, backpack, hike, travel and make people happy through food.

Erika Fiehrer

Senior Director of Research and Development - Gorilla Glue

Erika Fiehrer has worked in the consumer products industry for over 20 years across a wide range of industries and packaging technologies. After graduating from Carnegie Mellon University with a BS and MS in Mechanical Engineering, she spent time working on packaging and sustainability at P&G, Wrigley-Mars and Fitbit. She currently is the Sr Director of R&D at Gorilla Glue where she co-started the sustainability team, Gorillas Go Green, and led the team to achieve 513 Green Certification in 2021.

Nikki Banzon Siababa

Strategic Impact & Events Coordinator - Deeper Roots Coffee

Nikki Banzon Siababa (she/síya) serves as the Strategic Impact and Events Coordinator for Deeper Roots, a local Cincinnati coffee roasting company that strives to be good for the people. Deeper Roots focuses on developing meaningful and sustainable relationships through their ethical sourcing and crafting of specialty coffees. Nikki has worked in specialty coffee for over nine years, and her experience in various shops has helped to grow her passion for creating inclusive spaces for learning, community building and empowerment around this culturally rich and beloved beverage.

Mary Cropenbaker (Moderator)

Assistant Manager - Hamilton County ReSource

Mary Cropenbaker provides technical assistance to businesses, institutions, and industries in Hamilton County to increase recycling and incorporate zero waste best management practices. She created the 513 Green Certification, a free behavior-based sustainability certification, to provide a framework for local organizations to use when building their sustainability programs and highlight the companies across Hamilton County that are successfully engaging their customers and employees through sustainable behaviors. Mary received her Master of Environmental Science from Miami University and an M.B.A. in Sustainable Business from Western Kentucky University.

2024 Breakout Sessions

Click on the buttons below to jump to that set of breakout session descriptions:

Morning Breakout 1 (10:30 AM - 11:30 AM)

Grand Ballroom

Regional Climate Collaboratives from the Ground Up

Heather Navarro

Director - Midwest Climate Collaborative

Therese Dorau

Assistant Director, Policy and Implementation - Indiana University, Environmental Resilience Institute

Ryan Mooney-Bullock

Executive Director - Green Umbrella

Junior Ballroom A

Empowering Communities to Drive Change: The RISE Communities Air Sensor Program

Andrea Ankrum

Infection Control Practitioner - Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center

Meriel Vigran

Environmental Epidemiologist - City of Cincinnati Health Department

Josh Tunning

Executive Director - ReNewport

Stacy Porter

Assistant Professor in Environmental Studies - Wittenberg University

Jackie Knapke (Moderator)

Assistant Professor - University of Cincinnati

Junior Ballroom B

Advancing Clean Energy Finance: National, State & Local Strategies for Federal Funding

Tom Hucker

Senior Consultant - U.S. Department of Energy

Christina O'Keeffe

Executive Director - Ohio Air Quality Development Authority

Chris Meister

Executive Director - Illinois Finance Authority

Luke Sulfridge

Executive Director - Sustainable Ohio Public Energy Council

Oliver Kroner (Moderator)

Director, Office of Environment & Sustainability - City of Cincinnati

Junior Ballroom C

Moving CPG Forward: Planning for a More Circular Future

Lindsey McCoy

CEO & Co-Founder - Plaine Products

Gabrielle Buckley

Founder - Fill More Waste Less

Todd Cline

Senior Director of Sustainability - Procter & Gamble

Jaime Durheim

Founder - Refillery Collective

Junior Ballroom D

Grow Your Own: Nurturing the Next Generation of Green Leadership

Kendra Alexander

Educator - Aiken New Tech High School

Aaron Parker

Educator - Aiken New Tech High School

Student - Aiken New Tech High School

Asifiwe Shema

Peregrina Sanchez-Jose

Student - Aiken New Tech High School

Aminata Sarr

Student - Aiken New Tech High School

Diana Matias-Pano

Student - Aiken New Tech High School

Dr. Sarah Tierney (Moderator)

Director of Instructional Equity - Cincinnati Public Schools

Morning Breakout 2 (11:30 AM - 12:30 PM)

Grand Ballroom

Navigating the Federal Funding Ecosystem for Climate Action

Cassandra Clevenger

Deputy Director - Power a Clean Future Ohio

Alyssa Johnson

Program Manager - Power a Clean Future Ohio

Matt Stephens-Rich

Director of Technical Services - Electrification Coalition

Elena Stachew

Director of Operations - Citadel Impact Consulting

Junior Ballroom A

Co-Creating Space for People and Wildlife in an Urban Neighborhood

Mollie O'Neil

Director of Community Partnerships in Conservation - Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

Jamar Batchelor

Founder - Neighborhood Heroes 513

Officer LaDon Laney

Neighborhood Liaison, Avondale District 4 - Cincinnati Police Department

Morning Breakout 1
(10:30 AM - 11:30 AM)

Regional Climate Collaboratives
from the Ground Up

Empowering Communities to Drive Change:
The RISE Communities Air Sensor Program

Moving CPG Forward:
Planning for a More Circular Future

Morning Breakout 2
(11:30 AM - 12:30 PM)

Neighborhood Food Projects 101:
What to Know As You Start

Afternoon Breakout 1
(2:30 PM - 3:30 PM)

Integrating Sustainability for Business Resilience: A Closer Look at the New Ceres Roadmap 360º for SMEs

Partnering for Policy Action
to Decarbonize Ohio's Buildings