Speakers

Ricky has been working at Eastside Community Network (ECN) since February 2018 and currently serves as the Chief Sustainability Officer. While at ECN, Ricky has implemented green stormwater infrastructure projects, supported the creation of a resident sustainability fellowship program, and regularly engaged with community members around climate equity-focused topics. Currently, he is working with ECN's Climate Equity team to build power and amplify voices among residents on Detroit's eastside, while also engaging across the organization to center sustainability in all of ECN's organizational practices, buildings, and programs. Prior to starting at ECN, he received his masters in Environmental Policy from the University of Michigan's School of Natural Resources and Environment.

Rahul Agrawal Bejarano is the lead data scientist for the Energy Equity Project (EEP). While at EEP he curated their first energy equity dataset, facilitated the creation of their interactive mapping tool and created their energy burden planning web application to help communities create a plan to lower their overall energy burden. Currently he is working on expanding the range of data tools and training resources for analyzing energy equity data that EEP offers. Prior to his work with EEP he earned his Bachelor’s of Science in Engineering in Computer Science Engineering and Master’s of Science in Environment and Sustainability from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. 

Jack Akinlosotu just took over as the Director of Sustainability for the City of Detroit in March is a native of Sacramento, California, and spent years in Washington, D.C., working on climate change solutions in public, private, and non-profit spaces. Jack previously worked at Opower on solutions to help people low to moderate income pay their utility bills, the D.C. Department of Energy & Environment, and was previously a Fellow at the Clean Energy Leadership Institute along with the Environmental Defense Fund Climate Corps Fellowship.

Chip Amoe is the Director of Sustainability for Michigan State University where he leads the university’s sustainability strategy that encompasses the 5,200-acre East Lansing campus; campuses in Detroit, Flint, and Grand Rapids; and MSU extension, which reaches all 83 counties in Michigan.   

Prior to joining MSU, Chip established and led the first Office of Sustainability for Henry Ford Health in Detroit after nearly fifteen years leading government affairs and health policy efforts for Henry Ford Health as well as the American Society of Anesthesiologists and American Medical Association in Washington, DC.

Chip holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science in political science and consumer affairs from the University of Rhode Island and a law degree and Master of Public Administration with a concentration in urban and regional affairs from the University of Pittsburgh.

A Michigan native and active triathlete, Chip believes in taking a “health in all policies” approach to improve the health and well-being of our communities and our natural environment. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Detroit Greenways Coalition, the Friends of the DNR’s Outdoor Adventure Center, and he was recognized by Crain’s Detroit Business in their inaugural 2022 list of “Notable Leaders in Sustainability.” 

Gerardo Aranda has been the Michigan State Monitor Advocate (SMA) since 2014, he was assistant SMA for four years. Prior to joining the Office of Michigan’s State Monitor Advocate, he was an Outreach Worker for 23 years. As an outreach worker Gerardo was the recipient of the National Outreach Worker Leadership, Unity, Professional Excellence Award (L.U.P.E.). He created, hosted, and produced radio show “Programa Del Campesino” in Michigan which aired weekly at local radio stations for fifteen years. Gerardo is also the State Complaint Specialist and the Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker Program Manager.  

Ann began work for Freshwater Future in the fall of 2006. Ann manages Freshwater Future’s climate program–helping communities build resilience to the impacts of climate change. In addition, Ann works on diversifying funding sources for the organization. Prior to working at Freshwater Future, she served as a Watershed Protection Director and National Park Service Ranger. Ann has a bachelor of science in natural resources from the University of Michigan.

Dr. James Bell III is a State Assistant Administrator within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). In this role, he serves as Chief of Staff to the Senior Deputy for the Public Health Administration. His work focuses on developing and implementing the department’s strategy for reducing childhood exposure to lead and managing other large statewide public health initiatives. Dr. Bell has developed a practice and research trajectory in health disparities and inequities, emphasizing the policy context and health outcomes of African Americans. James earned his bachelor’s in psychology and Master of Social Work from Michigan State University. He earned his Doctor of Social degree from the University of Southern California with a focus on race, racism, and health.

And​y Buchsbaum is a lecturer at the University of Michigan Law School, where he teaches courses on environmental law, the Great Lakes, and political organizing.

From 2014 to 2021, Buchsbaum was the vice president for conservation partnerships at the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), where he oversaw conservation partnerships with affiliated conservation organizations in 52 states and territories. Before 2014, he directed NWF’s Great Lakes office and the NWF Action Fund, the national political arm of NWF. In those roles, he co-chaired (and co-founded) the 115-organization Healing Our Waters Coalition and was one of the chief negotiators on the Great Lakes Water Resources Compact.

Buchsbaum won the Detroit Free Press Michigan Green Leader Award in 2014 and the Milliken Distinguished Service Award from the Michigan Environmental Council in 2015. Before joining NWF in 1998, he was a senior attorney and program director for the National Environmental Law Center and the Public Interest Research Group in Michigan.

LeJuan Council is A native Detroiter, currently a Jefferson Chalmers resident, born and raised on the Eastside. A graduate of Finney High school, completing an MBA from Strayer University. Co- Founder of Feed Your Neighborhood Corp, a nonprofit organization serving the Detroit area. LeJuan is very well known amongst residents as a community leader and “Community Queen” advocating, working hard in the neighborhood for seniors and marginalized communities. 

“Community Flood Task Force”

After the devastating June 25/26, 2021 flooding, Feed Your Neighborhood Corp began to quickly focus on helping residents recover from the flood by organizing volunteers, Assisting with clean up, providing food, household gods, cleaning items, gloves, bags, & helping  with Completing claim forms through GWLA, DSDW, & FEMA, as well as advocating for residents to gain an equitable share of community resources to replace emergency items. LeJuan along with other concerned residents formed a Community Task Force to keep neighbors informed and uplifted. 

In April of 2021 Residents were notified that the claims placed against the DSDW/GWLA were denied.  LeJuan and other Jefferson Chalmers residents formed the District 4 Disaster Recovery Group, a non profit organization. 

Long Term Recovery Group (LTRG) partnering FEMA and Community leaders to aid in the Long Term Recovery process. Currently Highland Park, and Macomb County LTRG’s are included in the expansion to the Detroit area affected by the Floods of 2021. Michigan has received a historic DISASTER CASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM grant from FEMA to support Flood Survivors as a result of the devastating damage residents suffered. 
 

Anne Armstrong Cusack is Director of the Customer Assistance Division for the Michigan Public Service Administration. She has a passion for public policy, which she has filled by serving the public in a variety of positions including the Executive Director of the Michigan Agency for Energy, Associate Director of the Governor’s Office of Urban Initiatives, Administrator for Special Projects for the Department of Community Health, and Policy Advisor to the Governor.

Anne has served on a variety of boards including the Michigan Commission on Community Action and Economic Opportunity,  Disability Advocates of Kent County, the Michigan Domestic Violence Prevention and Treatment Board, the Michigan Board of Medicine, and the Yale Club of West Michigan.  She was also an elected Commissioner at the Grand Rapids Public Library where she served as president.

Anne holds a bachelor’s degree from Yale University and a Master of Health Services Administration/Public Health from the University of Michigan.

Graham Diedrich is a graduate student at Michigan State University, pursuing a Master's degree in Data Science with focus on environmental policy and climate change. His research centers on sustainable resource governance, environmental justice, and clean energy systems. At the MSU Forest Carbon and Climate Program, he is leading a state policy project and analyzing the compatibility between forest property taxation systems and voluntary carbon markets. As a fellow at the University of Michigan Graham Sustainability Institute, he is conducting GHG inventory analysis for local communities in support of EGLE’s Catalyst Climate Initiative. Graham holds a Master's degree in Public Policy and Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Michigan State University. With a commitment to advancing environmental policy and a data-driven approach, Graham strives to contribute meaningfully to creating a more sustainable and equitable future.

Originally from México, Antonio came to Michigan in 1988 after graduating from College with a degree in agronomy and plant pathology from Facultad de Agrobiología Presidente Juárez in Uruapan Michoacán, México.  He worked as a farm worker in Palmyra, Michigan, planting and harvesting cucumbers, strawberries, and peppers.  After his farm work, Antonio studied English as a second Language at the International English Language Center at Michigan State University (MSU).  He then earned a Masters of Science Degree in herbicide physiology and weed control in corn and soybeans from the Crop and Soil Science Department at MSU, a Masters of Science Degree in Integrated Pest Management from the Entomology Department, and a Certificate in Business and Communication from the Eli Broad College of Business at Michigan State University.  Antonio has been employed by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for almost 30 years.  He currently manages the implementation of the the Federal Worker Protection Standards (WPS) in the state, and provide WPS, pesticide certification, pesticide safety, and IPM assistance to Mexican blueberry growers in southwest Michigan.

Ms. Emily Finnell is the Great Lakes Senior Advisor and Strategist in the Office of the Great Lakes within the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy. She has more than 20 years’ experience leading and implementing strategic initiatives for multiple gubernatorial administrations to address Great Lakes, conservation and water related issues. Most recently, Ms. Finnell has been asked to lead the Office of the Great Lakes. In this role, she defines vision and provides strategic direction for the OGL on policy and program development to protect, restore, and sustain the world’s premier freshwater system. She is an experienced strategist and freshwater policy advisor specializing in the development of collaborative partnerships and programs to ensure ecological, economic and community sustainability across the Great Lakes basin. Through these collaborative relationships, she builds diverse teams to advance shared priorities, leverage resources and increase collective impact for community vitality. She serves as a bridge builder and integrator between agency programs and regional partners to develop forward thinking, innovative, inclusive, and equitable solutions to complex water issues.

Ms. Finnell is an expert in building common vision, strategic intent and tactical execution in pursuit of a healthy and vibrant Great Lakes system. She enjoys working with communities to build the capacity of individuals and organizations to unite around a shared vision and develop and execute revitalization strategies to improve their community wellbeing. Ms. Finnell has a Bachelor of Science from Michigan State University in Environmental Biology and Botany and Plant Pathology. She currently resides in Okemos, Michigan with her husband and teenage daughter and their dog Cooper. She enjoys spending time with family, hiking, gardening, cooking, fitness, traveling, and spending time in the woods and along the shores of the Great Lakes.

Since 2014, Dale Flores Freeman has served as the Migrant Affairs Director for at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and has been responsible for the Department’s migrant and seasonal farmworker programs.  He has held a variety of posts for the Department in his 36 year career, including beginning as a migrant assistance payments worker.Dale has received a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations from Michigan State University in 1989 and a Master of Social Work degree from Grand Valley State University in 2000.

Maria M. Galarza is a registered architect and passionate local government professional with a diverse range of expertise. She is a skilled senior project manager, successfully leading teams and delivering complex projects. Most recently she led the engagement for the planning of the first Resilience Hub to have back-up solar energy storage in the City of Detroit.

Maria's abilities extend to comprehensive planning work, where she has contributed to developing and implementing strategic plans that shape the built environment. Her expertise in capital implementation strategies has enabled the city to optimize resource allocation and maximize impacts.With a keen focus on the intersection of the built environment, resilience, and civic life, Maria understands the importance of creating spaces that enhance functionality, foster community interactions, and withstand challenges.

Maria obtained her dual master’s degree in architecture and urban and regional planning from the University of Michigan

Since 2013, Majed Ghussaini has served as the Program Manager for the Migrant Labor Housing with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and has been responsible for the Department’s annual licensing and inspections of over 900 housing locations with over 4000 living units and serving a population of roughly 30,000 workers.   Prior to coming out of retirement and joining MDARD, he has worked as an engineer for over 30 years with private sector and government agencies.

Iris Gipson represents the SE and SW side of Grand Rapids and is proud to be a Community Ambassador for The Community Collaboration on Climate Change.  Iris loves serving the community she was born and raised in. Climate change affects us all. Iris is honored to bring education, resources, and representation of and for the BIPOC community, also being part of creating a village for all in the community to thrive, excel, and succeed, in our efforts to achieve climate justice.

Stacey Grant (she/her) is originally from South Korea and serves as a Program Navigator with the Justice40 Accelerator, a collaborative that supports 101 climate and environmental justice organizations navigate Justice40 public funding to advance their community-led solutions. Her experience spans grassroots, mutual aid, and campaign organizing, as well as community-based research, grant writing, and communications. She serves on the board of Planet Detroit and received her master degrees in International Relations and Human Relations from the University of Oklahoma and bachelor degrees in Political Science and Psychology from the University of Michigan.

Kory Groetsch is the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ interim Director for the Bureau of Epidemiology and Population Health overseeing three divisions for the Department, including the Division of Environmental Health, Lifecourse Epidemiology and Genomics Division, and the Division of Vital Records and Health Statistics. Prior to this role, Mr. Groetsch served as the Division Director for Environmental Health, overseeing response efforts for lead, vapor intrusion, drinking water, and other sites of contamination. Prior to entering management, Mr. Groetsch served as a toxicologist and health educator at MDHHS and as an environmental biologist with Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission - Biological Services Division. He holds an M.S. from Miami University (Ohio) where he studied environmental toxicology.

Marcy Hamilton is the Deputy Executive Director at the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission, responsible for serving Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren Counties. With over 25 years of experience, she has dedicated her career to collaborating with communities and non-profit organizations in facilitating land use planning, promoting sustainable development, fostering collaboration, enhancing citizen participation, securing grants, and successfully implementing various projects across the Southwest Michigan region. Marcy possesses a diverse skill set, including expertise in developing plans for watersheds, parks and recreation, non-motorized transportation systems, hazard mitigation, waste management, public transit, and future land use/community development. Previously, Marcy held the position of project director for the Cass County Conservation District's Dowagiac River Watershed Project. She is an alumnus of Ohio Northern University, where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Biology and Environmental Studies. She also holds a Master of Environmental Science Degree from Miami University, Ohio. Outside of her professional endeavors, Marcy finds joy in exploring southwest Michigan's beaches with her daughter searching for beach glass, rocks, and fossils.

While riding his bicycle from Michigan to California, observing the natural and human world at a slow pace, Joel Howrani Heeres realized that he wanted his work to improve people’s quality of life by helping them connect to and understand nature. As director on the energy and environment team, he helps organizations think strategically about improving their climate resilience by developing implementable frameworks for organizational transformation. Joel also revels in making data more visible and understandable through interactive visualizations. When he’s not helping communities plan for a more livable, resilient, and low-carbon future, you can find him traversing the state in search of great biking and skiing trails; growing, cooking, and preserving homegrown veggies; or coaching his kids’ soccer games. 

Dana A. Hughes is the Executive Director of Office of College and Career Readiness (OCCR) for Detroit Public Schools Community District. The department manages career pathways at the district’s 23 high schools and skilled trades programs at three of its career and technical centers.  Additionally, she worked as a Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program Consultant for the Office of Career and Technical Education, an agency of the Michigan Department of Education. 

Dana earned an Administration Certification from Davenport University's Urban Educational Leadership Program, a Master’s in Teaching from Wayne State University, and a Bachelor's in English from Michigan State University. She maintains teaching certificates in Secondary English, Vocational Technical, and an Occupational Education Certificate in Radio & TV Production.

Megan Husted (she/her) is a recent graduate from the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability where she received her master’s degree in Environmental Justice and Environmental Policy & Planning. Her research, a collaborative project titled Mapping Environmental Justice and Community Survival in Southwest Detroit, uplifts the voices and advocacy of the fierce community in 48217, provides policy recommendations to EGLE and partnering agencies, and thinks critically about the use of Environmental Justice Screening Tools. She is also the Solarize Project Director for the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association where her focus is on expanding equitable access to renewable energy and advocating for community solar policy in Michigan.

Rebecca Karason is the Environmental Strategy & Sustainability Director for Huntington and oversees environmental strategy across Huntington’s eleven state footprint. An environmental expert with fifteen years of energy efficiency and renewable energy experience, Rebecca has a diverse background in sales, account management, program outreach and project management. Prior to joining Huntington, she served in various capacities with American Electric Power including program manager for their Business Incentive Program. Throughout her career, Rebecca has worked with customers and contractors, helping them develop decarbonization strategies to lower their carbon footprint.

Committed to connecting colleagues to environmental sustainability, Rebecca created the first-ever Green Team at Huntington, a cross functional group of colleagues that generates, exchanges, and evaluates ideas to increase Huntington’s environmental performance.

Rebecca earned her Master’s Degree from the University of Cincinnati and a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She is a certified energy manager and serves on the board for the Epilepsy Foundation of Ohio, Columbus Association of Energy Engineers, and the Ohio Environmental Council.  

Andy Kricun has over 35 years of experience in wastewater and biosolids management and currently is a managing director with Moonshot Missions, a nonprofit committed to helping underserved communities with drinking water and wastewater challenges. Prior to that, he served as Executive Director and Chief Engineer of the Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority, a wastewater utility serving over 500,000 residents. He is passionate about environmental justice and believe very strongly that water utilities must use their resources to be environmental champions and anchor institutions in their communities. Kricun serves on the EPA’s National Environmental Justice Advisory Council, the New Jersey Environmental Justice Advisory Council, the board of the NJ Conservation Foundation and the steering committee for the Jersey WaterWorks initiative. He graduated with honors from Princeton University with a degree in Chemical Engineering and is a licensed professional civil engineer as well.

Katie completed her M.S. in Environmental Policy with a focus on environmental justice from Michigan Technological University in 2005. Soon after graduation she began working for the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) where she worked for 11 years as an Environmental Specialist. Her work with KBIC, a tribal government, focused on environmental policy and program development including various environmental disciplines such as water quality, air quality, waste management, brownfields, and human and environmental health. Katie was hired in January 2018 for her current position as Environmental Justice and Tribal Liaison with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.

Alexandre Little, is a 50 plus year Civil Servant who has specialized in City Management, Economic Development, Labor Relations, and HR Administration. He attended and received an Associate Degree in Industrial Relations from Southern IL University, in Illinois and a bachelor of science degree in organizational management from Bethel College in Indiana.  Before going into public service, he spent a number of years in the private sector working for firms such as Vulcan Materials – Metallics Div. as an Assistant Plant Manager, Kroger Baked Foods Div. Crane Co. – Midwest Pipe Div.  On entering Public sector work with the City of East St. Louis in 1970 as Director of Management & Budget and then Chief Administrative Officer, he began a long career work for a number of Cities, County, and State Government.  In a number of these older depressed communities such as Gary, IN., Harvey, IL., and now Benton Harbor,, Environmental Justice issues were in the forefront.

Deborah has over 38 years of leadership at DTE, currently serving as Manager, Center of Excellence Workforce Development. Her team is responsible for developing and managing talent pipelines for the company and its industry partners.  

Deborah also serves as the Vice-Chair for the Michigan Energy Workforce Development Consortium concentrating on education, data collection and implementing standards between secondary and post-secondary education partners. 

Through a collaborative effort to increase qualified talent to successfully find employment in the energy industry partnered with the Michigan Energy Workforce Development Consortium, education partners, employers, and others to design and develop the West Michigan post-secondary Energy Trades Pathways Program targeted to launch Fall of 2023.  

Managing a Customer Service Talent Development collaborative in South-eastern Michigan. This innovative, collaborative effort is focused on addressing workforce talent challenges and identifying solution to meet employers’ needs for Customer Service Representative pathways.  
Partnered with energy companies and an education partner to design and develop an apprenticeship readiness training program that benefits gas, electric, construction and engineering at a community college focused on classroom-to-career-in-one year.  
Launched Readiness Workshops to not only create a pipeline of qualified job candidates, but to strengthen the community we are part of and our relationships with its members. Workshops help potential candiates to successfully navigate through and complete the applications process for job positions.  
Designed and sustained a Summer Youth Internship Program. The Workforce Development team created a toolkit that features best practices and tips to consider when building out a work from anywhere Summer Youth Internship Program.  

In partnership with DTE, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), industry partners and Michigan Department of Corrections lead a cross-functional team to implement first-of-its-kind apprenticeship readiness Line Clearance Tree Trim Program for returning citizens at Parnall Correctional Facility. The program within Parnall allows returning citizens to obtain up to six months credit towards an apprenticeship prior to their release.  
 

State Rep. Donavan McKinney is serving his first term representing the 14th House District, which comprises northeast Detroit, part of Warren and Center Line. McKinney was appointed to serve on the House Appropriations Committee and as majority vice chair of the Subcommittees on the Department of Corrections and the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. In addition, he will be a member of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development/Department of Natural Resources, Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs/Department of Insurance and Financial Services, and Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity subcommittees. His priorities while in office are increasing access to health care, ensuring every child in Michigan receives a quality education, improving the criminal justice system, and securing the rights of unions and workers.

Rep. McKinney began his career in public service as a legislative director in the Michigan House of Representatives. He later worked for the nonprofit Community Development Advocates of Detroit and Wayne County Community College District. Soon after, Rep. McKinney did political and coalition work for the largest health care union in the state, Service Employees International Union Healthcare Michigan.

In recent years, combating climate change has been a focus of Rep. McKinney’s professional life. He served as the national political director for Climate Power, an organization that integrates hard-hitting research, polling and media to encourage leaders to take immediate climate action. In January 2020, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer appointed McKinney to serve on the state’s first Environment Justice Council. He was instrumental in Gov. Whitmer’s $2 million Water Restart Grant Program and her statewide Water Reconnection Executive Order during the COVID-19 pandemic.

For the past seven years, Rep. McKinney has organized school tours called Young Minds in Transition, which bring musical artists, entrepreneurs, authors, engineers, elected officials and other guests to over 80 middle and high schools per year across the Metro Detroit area. Guests speak with students about the importance of mentorship, perseverance and following your dreams. Rep. McKinney is also a 2019 graduate of the Front Line Leaders Academy through the Young Elected Officials Network.

Rep. McKinney has also served on the Board of Directors for Bridging Communities Inc., a nonprofit that provides senior services and home foreclosure prevention programs, the Executive Board for Southeast Michigan Jobs with Justice, where he fought for workers’ rights to join a union and earn a living wage, and the board of The McKinney Foundation, which hosts educational programs that help promote healthy living, entrepreneurship and environmental responsibility. McKinney also served on the Executive Committee for the Michigan Democratic Party and the Executive Board for the 14th Congressional District Democratic Party.

Rep. McKinney is a lifelong Detroiter. He was raised by his mother and grandmother who taught him the importance of community, leadership and service. He is a proud product of Detroit Public Schools and a graduate of the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan. He worships and serves as a trustee at Mayflower Congregational United Church of Christ in Detroit.

Monica Monsma is the Michigan Department of Transportation’s (MDOT) Public Involvement and Hearings Specialist. With a background in communications and community outreach, she works with communities across Michigan to help MDOT achieve its mission to deliver the highest quality integrated transportation services for economic benefit and improved quality of life. She has extensive experience in government and public relations, philanthropic communications, crisis management, and helping individuals, agencies and advocates participate in the transportation planning process.

Fadi Mourad serves as the Director of Environmental Strategy for DTE Energy.  He has worked at DTE Energy for 17 years and has served in a number of roles.  He received his BS in Chemical Engineering and BA in Chemistry from The University of Toledo and an MS in Chemical Engineering from Wayne State University.  Fadi serves as a member of the Governor's Michigan Advisory Council on Environmental Justice (MAC EJ).

Dr. Jalonne L. White-Newsome joined the Biden-Harris Administration in June 2022 as the Senior Director for Environmental Justice at the White House Council on Environmental Quality. Under her leadership, the Environmental Justice Team is working to deliver on President Biden’s ambitious environmental justice agenda, including implementing the recently signed Environmental Justice Executive Order, releasing the first-ever Environmental Justice Scorecard, advancing the Justice40 Initiative, and launching the White House Campaign for Environmental Justice.

A native of Detroit, Michigan, Dr. White-Newsome has tackled environmental challenges from a wide range of positions and perspectives, including in the grassroots environmental justice movement, environmental philanthropy, state government, private industry, and academia. Before joining the White House, Dr. White-Newsome founded and led Empowering a Green Environment and Economy, LLC (EGE²), a strategic consulting firm that focused on transforming communities by using people-centered solutions to combat climate change, improve public health, pursue environmental justice, and advance racial equity. She also served as the first Director of Federal Policy for WE ACT for Environmental Justice, managing their federal policy office in Washington, D.C. Dr. White-Newsome’s early environmental justice advocacy and research has focused on air pollution, climate-driven extreme heat and flooding, and improving the health of low-income, communities of color. 

Dr. White-Newsome earned a Ph.D. in environmental health sciences from the University of Michigan School of Public Health, a master’s degree in environmental engineering from Southern Methodist University, a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Northwestern University, and a certificate in Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell University. She is a proud wife and mother of her daughters.

Donna J. Northern, Emergency Management Coordinator for the City of Detroit has been employed with the City of Detroit since 1994 and assigned to the Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (DHSEM) since March of 2006. In her role at DHSEM Donna coordinates with local, state, and federal agencies to protect the community from natural and climate emergencies. She became a certified Professional Emergency Manager in 2007 and a FEMA certified instructor in 2012. Her responsibilities include managing the Emergency Operations Center, facilitating Incident Command training, community preparedness and volunteer management; developing and updating emergency plans, and Exercise Director for numerous mock exercises sponsored by DHSEM. During a Presidential Disaster Declaration or other large-scale emergency, Donna Northern will act as the liaison with FEMA and coordinate with other city agencies to provide emergency services within the Resilient Eastside Initiative Resilience Hub Network.

Monica Lewis-Patrick is an educator, entrepreneur, and human rights activist/advocate. Along with the other four founders of We the People of Detroit (WPD), she, with the leadership of volunteers and community experts, placed herself and WPD at the forefront of the water justice struggle in Michigan, across the country and globally. Lewis-Patrick is known throughout the environmental justice community as The Water Warrior. She is actively engaged in the struggle for access to safe, affordable water for all under-resourced communities.

She currently serves as a member of several organizations, boards, and committees dedicated to the advancement of water equity, including the National Water Affordability Table, All About Water/Freshwater Future – Subcommittee, PolicyLink- Water Energy Resource Caucus (WERC), Michigan Water Unity Table, End Water Poverty, Healing Our Waters/Equity Advocacy and Action Committee, and D-REM.org. In October of 2015, she was named to the World Water Justice Council. In 2019 she was appointed to the International Joint Commission (IJC) Great Lakes Water Quality Advisory Board, and she received an appointment to the Michigan Advisory Council on Environmental Justice by Gov. Whitmer.

As a former Lead Legislative Policy Analyst for Detroit City Council, Monica has authored legislation, conducted research, and delivered constituency services to thousands of city residents. Lewis-Patrick attended the historic Bennett College. She is a graduate of East Tennessee State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and Sociology and a Masters of Arts of Liberal Studies degree with a concentration in Criminal Justice/Sociology and Public Management. She is currently one of the leaders at the forefront of the water rights struggle in Michigan.

Joelle Regovich is a Grant Administrator with Abonmarche Consultants, a civil engineering, architectural, planning and surveying consulting firm in southwest Michigan. Her experience includes over 10 years of securing and administering grants and funding sources for municipal projects. She was Assistant Project Manager for the city-wide lead service line replacement project in Benton Harbor that worked to remove all lead services within a span of 18 months. In that role, she coordinated communication and actions between multiple state, federal and local agencies while assisting with management of construction project activities. 
She graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a degree in English.
 

Kareem Scales is the CEO and Founder of Scales Consulting. He recently served as the Executive Director for the Greater Grand Rapids NAACP. In the role of Executive Director he was in charge of managing the day-to-day responsibilities within the organization including our internal complaint process and program development, fundraising and program implementation. Prior to joining the NAACP Kareem was a Sales Technician and UAW delegate Chair with Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Michigan  UAW local 2145 for 5 years. As a UAW delegate he co-managed the employee grievance process and played a vital role in the collective bargaining agreement negotiations back in 2016-2017. As a Sales Technician he worked closely with a team of account managers provide direct technical assistance in the middle group sales division servicing over 500 different local employers in the West Michigan Region.Kareem is trailblazer in the community serving as a Justice Advocate, a Change Agent an Environmental Activist and a Resource Broker all centered around creating and advancing transformational change in our community. He currently serves in a number of volunteer roles including serving on committees and boards such as the Community Collaboration on Climate Change where he serves as the Co-Chair, River Advisory for All, Chair of NAACPGR Environmental Justice Committee, Midwest Building Decarbonization Coalition, Southtown CID Business Development Committee, Goal 4 Alliance with Downtown GR inc and a Youth Advisor for the Greater Grand Rapids NAACP Youth Council. He has been titled an Innovative Entrepreneur, a Serial Networker, and Tireless Leader.

Debra Shore is the regional administrator for U.S. EPA Region 5. Her responsibilities include overseeing environmental protection efforts in the Great Lakes states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin, as well as 35 federally recognized tribal nations. One of her roles is manager of EPA’s Great Lakes National Program, in which she leads restoration and protection of the largest freshwater system in the world.

 Prior to joining EPA, Shore was an elected member of the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, a $1 billion agency responsible for wastewater treatment and stormwater management for more than five million people. She is a strong advocate for cleaning up the Chicago waterways and for resource recovery, including the reuse of treated water and the generation of renewable energy. Shore is a past chair and board member of the Great Lakes Protection Fund and served as board member and chair of the LGBTQ Victory Institute.

 An award-winning author, Shore founded Chicago Wilderness magazine, was a leader in the regional conservation consortium Chicago Wilderness and founded Friends of the Forest Preserves. Shore has been an active habitat restoration volunteer in oak woods and savannas, prairies and wetlands of local forest preserves for more than 25 years.

 Shore was born in Chicago. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Goucher College in Baltimore with a degree in philosophy and visual arts. She earned master’s degrees from Johns Hopkins University and Columbia College (Chicago). Shore lives with her spouse, Kathleen Gillespie, in Evanston, Illinois. She has climbed 42 of the 58 mountains in Colorado more than 14,000’ high. Her son, Ben, is an architect in Seattle.

Tim Skrotzki is the Associate Director of Strategic Consulting for Elevate, in this role he leads Elevate’s National Strategic Engagement Team in the Midwest by designing and delivering sustainable and equitable clean energy programs customized to lift disadvantaged communities, centering equity in the climate conversation. He has successfully fundraised over $2 million to develop a network of resilience hubs in Detroit along with a clean energy BIPOC contractor accelerator. Publications include evaluating Energy Burden for Low Income Families in Michigan and the Detroit Solar Toolkit consisting of equity based policy, design guidelines, and deployment strategies for solar in Detroit. Tim is a graduate of the Michigan State University Great Lakes Leadership Academy; he has an MBA with a focus on Sustainable Development from Portland State University; and a B.S. from the University of Iowa.

Regina Strong leads the Office of the Environmental Justice Public Advocate (OEJPA) in Michigan's Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer created the office in 2019 as an external and internal voice for environmental justice throughout Michigan. It establishes and implements processes and reporting of environmental justice complaints and helps resolve issues. As public advocate, Regina also leads the state’s Interagency Environmental Justice Response Team and established the Michigan Advisory Council on Environmental Justice.

For more than 30 years, Regina has been a leader in public affairs, advocacy, and the fight for justice and equity. Achieving environmental justice and intentionally addressing systemic inequities are core elements of her work.

Previously, she directed the Sierra Club’s Michigan Beyond Coal campaign, leading a team focused on transitioning our energy generation to clean, renewable energy. Regina also previously served as executive director of Community Development Advocates of Detroit, the trade association of nonprofit developers building affordable housing in the city. Throughout her career, she has advocated and organized to address inequities, ensure communities can speak for themselves, and build collaborative opportunities for change.

Regina earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Michigan State University and a Master of Science degree from Purdue University. She is an Environmental Leadership Program senior fellow in the Great Lakes Region.

Donald B. Taylor, Ph.D., became the 26th president of University of Detroit Mercy on July 1, 2022.

In 2014, he began his tenure as president of Cabrini University, a private Roman Catholic University in Radnor Township, Penn., near Philadelphia, that provides undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate degree programs to more than 2,000 students. During Taylor’s tenure as president, Cabrini ranked among the top 40 Most Transformative Colleges in the nation by Money Magazine based on the institution’s “value add,” an indicator to showcase schools whose alumni report high levels of success. In 2019, the University was also ranked as one of the Best Northern Universities by U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Colleges Edition.”

Taylor focused on strategic initiatives to strengthen the Catholic liberal arts education experience for the University’s diverse population of undergraduate and graduate students while also focusing on partnerships and programs.

He transitioned Cabrini from a college to a university in 2016.

Taylor served as the chief executive at Cabrini following a 22-year career at Benedictine University in Lisle, Ill., where he served as provost and chief academic officer from 2008 to 2014.

Taylor was integral in the evolution of Benedictine University from a small, residential liberal arts college of 1,000 students to a comprehensive doctoral institution of more than 10,000 students with branch campuses in Springfield, IL, and Mesa, Ariz. He also helped plan and implement Benedictine’s Global University, developing partnerships with prestigious universities in China and Vietnam.

Prior to his appointment as Benedictine's provost, Taylor served as the initial dean of the University of Sciences, chair of the Department of Biological Sciences, and program director for the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Program. Taylor joined the faculty at Benedictine in 1992. He was awarded the Scholl Endowed Chair in the Health Sciences in 1997.

Before Benedictine, he was supported by a research fellowship from the Van Vleet Cancer Foundation. Taylor earned a BS in education and a Ph.D. in cell and molecular biology from the University of Memphis.

Taylor’s research interests have included the biochemical, cellular and molecular mechanisms of blood platelet aggregation, blood clot formation, and cell-cell interactions, and the design, synthesis, and characterization of novel pharmaceutical compounds for the use in the study of hemostasis and thrombosis. His research interests in higher education have included problem-based learning, effective partnerships in science education at the K-16 level, and educational technologies.

Princella Tobias is a native daughter of Southwest Michigan with upbringing and values of small-town America: hard work, helping the community, and belief in God.  
 
Ms. Tobias is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the award-winning 21-year-old Benton Spirit Community Newspaper (“Benton Spirit”) located in Benton Harbor, Michigan, where she resides. The Benton Spirit was recognized by former Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm's 2003 Benton Harbor Task Force Report as the #1 Recommendation for Communication, that "proactively assists in the total development of Benton Harbor."  
 
Ms. Tobias has spearheaded several initiatives to uplift the community of Benton Harbor and Southwest Michigan, such as, 
(a) the Aspiring Young Journalist program that employs, nurtures, and develops youth,  
(b) A Day of Unity in the Community,  
(c) two well-received community-based history calendars in collaboration with students attending Benton Harbor High School, that taught students the rich history of Benton Harbor, as well as key educational skills, such as reading, writing, creative thinking, research, math, computer skills, and life skills,  
(d) Wake-Up Benton Harbor radio show, a weekly radio show that gives listeners an insight of solutions in the community, educate listeners, and showcase varies organization that are educating and making a difference,  (e) the A 4 Asthma Program in collaboration with partners at the University of Illinois Public Health Department and Environmental Fridays, Inc., that is identifying, supporting, and educating people with asthma challenges, in their efforts of decreasing the alarming statistics of 25% of black adults diagnosed with asthma in Berrien County.  Tobias and the Benton Harbor Team Solutions have taken asthma and environmental awareness and education into the schools, churches, and community events throughout Benton Harbor including doing door-to-door visits, 
(f) lead local organizer and partner for six Benton Harbor Community Resource Fairs in collaboration with local government and Michigan state agencies including Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MHHS), the Environmental Justice Public Advocate in the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Berrien County Health Department, and other community partners, 
(g) “getting the indoor lead out of the City of Benton Harbor,” by actively helping the City of Benton Harbor identify households with lead and provide free solutions from the State of Michigan, and 
(h) Program and Public Science Director for BEST Early and Communications Consultant to Environmental Fridays, Inc. 
 
Tobias was appointed Chair of the Benton Harbor Water Community Response Team by Benton Harbor Mayor Marcus Muhammad and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer on October 19, 2021. She is the founding Director of Benton Harbor Team Solutions whose mission is to assist residents, businesses, and stakeholders, by ensuring access to safe, clean drinking water for Benton Harbor residents, as well as identifying and connecting residents with impactful solutions, surrounding lead and the environment, health and wellness, education, community building and outreach, as well as serves as the public and community liaison for the City of Benton Harbor, where needed. She partners with Michigan Community Service Commission (MCSC) AmeriCorps VISTA as a host supervisor.     
 
Due to Tobias’ dedication, hard work, and relentless drive to uplift and love the community, she has received the Strong Women United of SW Michigan Platinum Award, NAACP Business of the Year Award, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Humanitarian Awards (by Andrews University and Rev. Grayling Williams), WCA Women of the Year, Second Baptist Church Visionary Award, City of Benton Harbor Business Award, Northside Business Association Award, Benton Harbor High School Principal Award, Cornerstone Alliance Stewardship, Chi Kappa Zeta Award, Southwest Michigan’s Race Relations Award, and other awards and recognitions.   
 
Prior to starting the Benton Spirit, she worked for two United States Senators (Alan J. Dixon and Carol Moseley-Braun), former Mayor Harold Washington of Chicago, Illinois, Rainbow Push Coalition, as well as several national and international corporations and organizations.   
  
Throughout her varied life experiences and travels (throughout the United States and abroad), Ms. Tobias is a small-town girl whose big heart’ belongs to generous service to her beloved community and Christ.  
 

A Leader with Cutting-Edge Creativity, Steve manages over 188 million square feet of GM's North America facility portfolio, he is also the Global Director of Environmental Strategies and Operations. He is focused on Designing, Building and Operating GM's largest assets, as well as supporting the Ultimate Customer, the automobile owner, through lean building systems.  He has held various positions: Plant Engineer, Environmental Engineer, Senior Environmental Engineer, Manager Environmental Support, Director North America Environmental Compliance and Director Global Facilities Management. Steve was appointed by Governor Snyder as a Board of Trustee for Michigan Technological University.

Kathy Triantafillou is an environmental engineer overseeing the Environmental Justice, Children’s Health, Environmental Education, and the Schools Assistance programs at EPA’s Region 5 office in Chicago.  During most of her career, she served as an inspector and enforcement officer for the enforcement and compliance assurance branch, conducting investigations in support of EPA’s mission.  Just prior to her current role, she proudly served as Region 5’s Environmental Justice Coordinator where she responded to supporting community needs and engagement efforts.  Kathy believes in community-focused plans and approaches to advance environmental justice, equity and people's health and the environment.  She enjoys cooking, gardening and visiting her cabin in Maine.  

Alan Walts is Director of the Tribal and Multi-media Programs Office in U.S. EPA Region 5, which serves Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin and 35 federally-recognized tribes.  This Office manages the Region’s Tribal, International, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Environmental Justice, Children’s Health, Environmental Education, and Schools programs.  Alan joined EPA Region 5 as a staff attorney in 1996; and from 2007-2019 directed Region 5’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. Alan is a graduate of Wesleyan University and the University of Michigan Law School.

Jake is the manager of the Energy Services Unit within the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy where he oversees the work of the unit. Energy Services provides technical and funding assistance for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects throughout Michigan utilizing funding through the US. Department of Energy’s State Energy Program. Previously, as an engineer in the office, Jake focused on energy efficiency in the areas of agriculture, wastewater, energy codes, and energy savings performance contracting.