Danielle Arigoni

Managing Director for Policy and Solutions, National Housing Trust | Author, Climate Resilience for an Aging Nation

Danielle Arigoni is an urban planner and community resilience expert.  She currently serves as Managing Director for Policy and Solutions at National Housing Trust, where she provides strategic direction for the organization’s sustainability and resilience policy efforts, and oversight and guidance for NHT’s state and local advisory services. She is also author of Climate Resilience for an Aging Nation which explores the impacts of climate change on a rapidly growing demographic – people over 65 – and the need for community-scale solutions to reduce risk for all.

Prior to joining NHT in 2022, Danielle served as Director of Livable Communities at AARP and held several leadership positions at HUD, EPA and USAID working to advance sustainable and equitable communities.  She holds planning degrees from Cornell University and University of Oregon. She currently serves as Chair of the Board of Directors for the League of American Bicyclists, and is a member of the Board of Directors for Smart Growth America.  

Sharon Weston Broome

Mayor-President, City of Baton Rouge/Parish of East Baton Rouge

Sharon Weston Broome is the first woman to be elected as Mayor-President of the City of Baton Rouge and East Baton Rouge Parish. She was also the first woman to serve as both Speaker Pro Tempore and President Pro Tempore of the Louisiana House of Representatives and Senate. Mayor Broome has been recognized for her service and leadership by several organizations. She was selected for the inaugural class of the Bloomberg-Harvard City Leadership Initiative.

Mayor Broome serves as 1st Vice-President of the National League of Cities. In addition, she is a Local Government Advisory Committee Member of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Chair of the Mayor’s Alliance to End Childhood Hunger. She is the secretary and a member of the board of trustees of the African American Mayors Association and sits on the US Conference of Mayors advisory board. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated and has been recognized for her public service and leadership by a number of organizations, including the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and received the Luminary Award from Links Incorporated LA Capitale Chapter, the Baton Rouge NAACP Lifetime Achievement Award, Girl Scouts Louisiana East 2017 Women of Distinction Award, and the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. (Lambda Kappa Kappa Chapter) 2017 Citizen of the Year Award - just to name a few.

Mayor Broome holds a B.A. in Mass Communication from the University of Wisconsin-Lacrosse. She is a 2019 recipient of UW-L Alumni Association’s Maurice O. Graff Distinguished Alumni Award. Mayor Broome received her M.A. in Communications from Regent University. The mayor has served as an adjunct instructor at the Manship School of Mass Communication at Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge Community College, and Southern University. Faith and family are priorities for Mayor Broome. She is a member of United Christian Faith Ministries Church and is happily married to Marvin Broome. They are the proud parents of three children and have three grandchildren.

Logan Burke

Executive Director, Alliance for Affordable Energy

Logan Burke serves as the Executive Director of the Alliance for Affordable Energy, championing efficient homes, equitable renewable energy, and affordable energy systems for all Louisianans. With a focus on collaborative efforts, she advocates for affordable housing, health, good governance, climate resilience, and the intersection of Louisiana's power sector. Logan also holds board membership in the Clean Energy Group and participates in the governance assembly for the Equitable Building Electrification Fund.

Jeff Cantin

Founder & President, Solar Alternatives

Jeff Cantin is the founder and President of Solar Alternatives, a design/build firm specializing in clean energy development. Recognized as a leader in microgrid technology, electric vehicle infrastructure, and solar energy systems, Cantin and his firm have completed over 2000 regional projects for business, government, and residential clients. Additionally, Cantin co-founded the regional solar trade association and has provided testimony for the past 12 years at state commissions and local councils advocating for clean energy initiatives. He holds a degree in Electrical Engineering from Rice University and is certified with PVIP Certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners.

Steve Davis

Assistant Vice President, Transportation Strategy, Smart Growth America

A product of the University of Georgia’s Grady School of Journalism & Mass Communication, Steve was an award-winning journalist before following his interests to Smart Growth America (SGA) where he has worked in various capacities since 2006, most recently as the director of communications from 2017-2021. Within SGA’s Transportation and Thriving Communities team, Steve now focuses on strategy and long-term initiatives for SGA’s transportation programs, including Transportation for America and the National Complete Streets Coalition. He loves the challenge of figuring out how to turn the complex policies and details of creating more smart, sustainable, lovable places into messages that resonate with a wide range of people, so communities can change how they build and grow. Steve lives in the Petworth neighborhood of Washington, DC with his wife and three kids and loves soccer, never-ending renovations of their old rowhouse, and biking all over the city.

Melinda Deslatte

Research Director, Public Affairs Research Council

Melinda Deslatte joined the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana in 2022 as Research Director after a distinguished 22-year career as an Associated Press reporter. Renowned for her expertise in Louisiana state budget, finances, and politics, Melinda has covered a wide array of topics including governance, elections, education, healthcare, natural disasters, and legal matters during her tenure. In her role as Research Director, she spearheads PAR’s core mission of generating research to advocate for best practices and accountability in state and local governance. Melinda holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communication from LSU and a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Maryland. Actively involved in various organizations, she serves on the boards of the Capitol Correspondents Association, 89.3 WRKF, and the Governmental Research Association. Additionally, Melinda imparts her knowledge as an adjunct professor at the LSU Manship School of Mass Communication. A native of LaPlace, she currently resides in Baton Rouge.

Dr. Ann-Christine Duhaime

Senior Pediatric Neurosurgeon, Massachusetts General Hospital Center for the Environment and Health

Dr. Duhaime is a senior pediatric neurosurgeon at the Massachusetts General Hospital and is the Nicholas T. Zervas Distinguished Professor of Neurosurgery at Harvard Medical School.  Her neuroscience research investigates mechanisms, pathophysiology, imaging, and treatment of injury in the immature brain, using translational and clinical approaches to study injuries occurring in infants and young children, including those seen most commonly in child abuse.  The work also investigates plasticity, recovery, and return of brain function in children and adolescents during maturation. 

Dr. Duhaime also has a longstanding interest in the relationship between brain and behavior, and in environmental issues.  She is a Faculty Associate of the Harvard University Center for the Environment.  Beginning with a fellowship at the Radcliffe Institute in 2016 she has explored the neurobiology of reward circuitry and plasticity and its relevance to pro-environmental behavior, and also worked with a diverse team to design a prototype advanced “green” biophilic pediatric hospital. Her book on this work, Minding the Climate (Harvard University Press), was awarded the Sustainability Book of the Year in 2023 by Project Syndicate. She now serves as Associate Director of the Massachusetts General Hospital Center for the Environment and Health, supervising the Research pillar, and as Associate Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Climate Change and Health. 

Spring Gaines

Research and Policy Manager, Center for Planning Excellence

In her role as Research and Policy Manager, Spring assists CPEX in developing and supporting policy initiatives designed to help Louisiana plan for a climate-resilient energy future that drives equity and economic opportunity in our state. 

A graduate of Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, Spring holds a J.D. and LL.M. in Environmental Law. Her professional and academic experiences have culminated in strong expertise in marine science, marine education, and environmental and animal policy, including work with multiple national level non-government associations. Before joining CPEX, she was in the office of Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) as her Animal, Environment, and Clean Energy Legislative Assistant. In this capacity, she worked with developers, terminal operators, non-governmental groups, and federal and state legislators to advance offshore wind efforts in the Northeastern Atlantic

Kona A. Gray, FASLA, PLA

Principal, EDSA, Inc.

Strong leadership and a sense of integrity are part of Kona’s DNA. As a firm leader with 30 years of experience in 30+ countries, his global design and management sense has positively shaped many environments. Kona envisions welcoming places that promote community and vitality in diverse neighborhoods around the world. Blending sensitivity, regional resources, and innovative design solutions, he unites a client’s vision with his own vanguard designs to produce invigorating environments with emotional purpose and presence.

A Fellow of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), Kona currently serves as ASLA President Elect. He recently served as the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board ASLA Representative. Kona is a Past President of the Landscape Architecture Foundation and active Urban Land Institute member. Kona serves on the University of Miami Architecture School and Nova Southeastern University Business School Real Estate Advisory Boards, as well as Virginia Tech Landscape Architecture and University of Georgia School of Environment + Design Advisory Councils. He is a registered Landscape Architect holding a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree from the University of Georgia and Commercial Real Estate Certificate from Cornell University.

At EDSA, Kona’s award-winning projects are inspired by a passion for creative design solutions that solve meaningful global issues. His portfolio ranges in multiple scales with emphasis on communities, parks, hospitality, urban public realms, mixed-use destinations, healthcare, and campus spaces. With an uncompromising dedication to quality, he consistently takes into consideration important factors like community, heritage, environment, and the constant pursuit of improving humanity through Landscape Architecture.

Robert Habans

Chief Economist, The Data Center

Robert Habans, PhD, is the economist at The Data Center of Southeast Louisiana, where his work focuses on greater New Orleans and coastal Louisiana. Prior to returning home to New Orleans in 2018, he was a researcher based at UCLA and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He has authored numerous applied studies on economic development, issues related to employment and work, and drivers of change and inequality at the neighborhood and regional levels. He has a PhD in Urban Planning and Policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago, a masters from UNO, and a bachelors from University of California, Berkeley.

Salem Habte

Energy Inclusion Associate, Greater New Orleans, Inc

Salem's background is in social entrepreneurship, leading community initiatives to address needs in food waste, water access, and financial literacy. Salem now leads GNO, Inc.’s efforts around diverse workforce development and entrepreneurial advancement in the energy sector.

Tom Haysley

Principal Planner, New Orleans Regional Planning Commission

Tom Haysley holds over 15 years of experience as a transportation planner and currently serves as a Principal Planner at the Regional Planning Commission. In this capacity, he has played a crucial role in directing long-range regional transportation planning efforts, along with conducting short-term studies and facilitating project development.

His recent endeavors have been centered around climate and resilience planning, with a specific focus on enhancing the regional transportation system's adaptability. Tom leads the RPC’s Climate Pollution Reduction Program and is poised to initiate the development of a Regional Transportation Resilience Improvement Plan in the near future.

Bennett Hilley

Senior Advisor, US Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Multifamily Housing Programs

Bennett Hilley currently serves as the Senior Advisor for Housing and Sustainability in the Office of Multifamily Housing Programs at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in Washington, D.C. In her role, Bennett works to ensure that climate work is integrated into HUD Multifamily’s management of its assisted and insured portfolio, its affordable housing preservation activities, as well as in FHA’s multifamily mortgage insurance loan originations. Prior to this role, Bennett served as the Deputy Director of the Office of Recapitalization (Recap), where she led the design and launch of the Green and Resilient Retrofit Program. This program provides direct loans and grants focused on improving energy or water efficiency, addressing climate resilience, and improving resident quality of life at eligible HUD-assisted multifamily properties. Before her career at HUD and graduate school, Bennett was a member of the Center for Planning Excellence (CPEX) team from 2007-2009.

Max Jabrixio

Founder, Max Engagement

Max Jabrixio brings over a decade of expertise in grassroots organizing, stakeholder engagement, and government relations at both state and local levels. Throughout his career, Max has successfully trained and led teams to achieve high performance on political campaigns, within nonprofit organizations, and in the renewable energy sector across the nation. Presently, he is the founder and operator of Max Engagement, a consulting firm specializing in providing training and strategic guidance on effective community engagement to clean energy companies, advocates, and allies.

Raymond. A. Jetson

Wisdom & Longevity Catalyst & Co-Lead, Metromorphosis

Raymond A. Jetson is one half of the intergenerational co-leadership team at the Baton Rouge based social enterprise MetroMorphosis. Along with his co-lead, and partner Sherreta Harrison, they curate an innovative asset based, community centered change model that seeks to transform inner city neighborhoods through racial, social and economic equity. He has a rich history of pubic service and impacting people. From April 2006 through December 2009, Raymond served as CEO for the Louisiana Family Recovery Corps a nonprofit focused on supporting the recovery of families impacted by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Prior to this, Jetson was the deputy secretary for the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH). In this capacity, he provided leadership for the state’s largest agency. Raymond serve as the state Representative for District 61 in the Louisiana House of representatives for more than 15 years. And for 23 years he served as the pastor of the Star Hill Church. Jetson was also a Fellow in the Advanced Leadership Initiative at Harvard University in 2010 and 2011, and an Encore Public Voices and Forward Promise Fellow. Raymond has continually emerged as a leading voice on community change strategies, social innovation, the intersection of age and race in America, and authentic community engagement. Jetson has served as a source for USA TODAY, The New York Times, NBC Nightly News, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and the Chronicle of Philanthropy. He is a Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc and a self identified golf addict.

Barry D. Keim

Richard J. Russell Professor, Department of Geography and Anthropology, Louisiana State University

Barry Keim is the Richard J. Russell Louisiana Studies Professor in the Department of Geography and Anthropology.  His research focuses on climatic extremes, with particular focus on heavy rainfall, hurricanes, and storm surge.  He is also an expert in matters concerning climatic data and its interpretation.  He has published extensively in these areas, and he currently has 90 refereed publications, 2 books, as well as numerous other technical reports.  Dr. Keim conducts climatic research on the State of Louisiana and the broader region, he serves the community by providing climatic data to those in need (i.e., researchers, government agencies, police departments, etc.), and provides interviews to the media.  He also serves as the LSU Director of a NOAA-funded research program called the Southern Climate Impacts Planning Program (SCIPP), which is a joint venture with personnel at the University of Oklahoma.  This program is charged with developing stakeholder driven research across the region, which has led to the development of a storm surge database called SURGEDAT, which is now the world’s largest and most comprehensive database of global storm surges.  He is also director of the Disaster Science and Management at LSU, which is a core piece of the BA and BS programs within Geography. 

Carolyn Kousky

Associate Vice President, Economics and Policy Analysis, Environmental Defense Fund

Carolyn Kousky is Associate Vice President for Economics and Policy at Environmental Defense Fund. Dr. Kousky’s research examines multiple aspects of climate risk management and policy approaches for increasing resilience. She is the author of Understanding Disaster Insurance: New Tools for a More Resilient Future and an editor of A Blueprint for Coastal Adaptation. She is a member of the Federal Advisory Committee on Insurance at the U.S. Department of Treasury, a non-resident senior fellow in the Brookings Metro program, a member of the High-Level Advisory Board on the Financial Management of Catastrophic Risks at the OECD, and a member of the Roundtable on Risk and Resilience of Extreme Events at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. She has a BS in Earth Systems from Stanford University and a PhD in Public Policy from Harvard University.

Matilda Kreider

Wind Energy Researcher, National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Matilda Kreider is a researcher on the wind energy stakeholder engagement and outreach team at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, where she conducts research and engagement related to the social, equity, and policy and planning aspects of offshore and land-based wind energy. She currently leads NREL's research on community benefit agreements, studying the impacts they have on wind development and identifying trends in how community benefits are used on the national scale. Matilda holds a master’s degree in environmental justice and environmental behavior from the University of Michigan and a bachelor’s degree in political communication from George Washington University. She was born and raised in coastal New England but now lives in Denver, Colorado.

Kathy Laborde

President & CEO, Gulf Coast Housing Partnership

As Gulf Coast Housing Partnership’s President and CEO Kathy Laborde provides overall leadership to GCHP, overseeing the organization’s project pipeline, financing, construction, asset management and property management activities.

Over the course of her career Ms. Laborde has developed more than 7,000 affordable and market-rate homes and commercial and community facilities both directly and in partnership with local non-profits, city and state government, and the private sector. Prior to joining Gulf Coast Housing Partnership in 2006, Ms. Laborde operated Kaliope, LLC, a real estate development and consulting company which she established in 1999. Previously, she was founder and executive director of the first bank-owned community development corporation in Louisiana. Before settling in Louisiana, Ms. Laborde held a variety of management positions with private sector real estate developers in Missouri and North Carolina.

Ms. Laborde holds a Bachelor of Science in economics from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School and an MBA from Tulane University. She currently serves on the board of directors of the Housing Partnership Network, Louisiana Land Trust, Regional Community Finance, Mississippi Association of Affordable Housing Providers, the Louisiana Association of Affordable Housing Providers, and the Home Builders Association of Greater Baton Rouge.

The Honorable Davante Lewis

Commissioner (District 3), Louisiana Public Service Commission

Davante Lewis, born and raised in Lake Charles, LA, is a social justice activist who has dedicated his life to building people power throughout civic participation.

Davante’s history of civic engagement dates back to his youth. As a high school student, he served as one of the first members of the Louisiana Legislative Youth Advisory Council, including as Vice-Chair. He also served as President Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign Louisiana High School Coordinator. Davante’s belief that the younger generation needed to have a seat at the table to build a better future led him to run for Calcasieu Parish School Board at 18-years-old. While Davante’s campaign fell short, that run for office ignited a lifelong passion for serving his community that continues to grow today. Davante was elected as one of the youngest members of the Louisiana Democratic Party State Central Committee and was a delegate to the Democratic Party National Convention in 2012, 2016, and 2020.

Davante graduated from McNeese State University with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in Communications. While at McNeese, Davante served as a two-term Student Body President, chair of the Louisiana Council of Student Body Presidents and a member of the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors. After graduation, Davante continued to be a champion for young people as a public school teacher who led programs to enhance positive behavior systems and promote positive relationships between teachers and students.

Taking his advocacy beyond the classroom, Davante joined the Louisiana Budget Project as Director of Public Affairs and Outreach, where he focuses on higher education policy, consumer protection policies, monitoring legislative developments and working with advocacy groups and coalition partners to forge a common agenda and action plan for advancing policies that benefit Louisianans with low and moderate incomes. At LBP, Davante has become a leading voice in Louisiana for economic and racial justice, consumer protections, equity in education, and financial aid & student loans reforms for students. Davante’s policy advocacy has been recognized at the national level. Davante served as the Co-Chair of the Outreach and Campaigns Advisory committee for the State Priorities Partnership - a network of state advocacy organizations advancing policies that benefit people with low-income - and was elected the Chair of the SPP’s Steering Committee. He is a sought after speaker and consultant on policy advocacy and community engagement.

Davante has been a volunteer and youth tutor at the Baton Rouge Youth Coalition, a LYFE Line Teen Summit speaker and facilitator, and a Dialogue of Race facilitator. He is currently a board member of the Louisiana Foundation Against Sexual Assault, New Leaders Council of Louisiana, LIFT Louisiana and the Friends of the Capitol Park Museum.

Davante was elected in 2022 to serve as Public Service Commissioner for Louisiana's Third District, representing constituents from 10 Louisiana parishes, including the Baton Rouge and New Orleans greater metropolitan areas. He resides in Baton Rouge with his beloved dog Sera Harper.

Tyler Litt

Founder and Senior Advisor, HireLitt

Tyler Litt is a committed social impact strategist and leadership advisor, dedicated to cultivating sustainable leaders, fostering strategic problem-solving, and mobilizing resources for broader impact. She strongly believes in the equitable distribution of talent but acknowledges the systemic disparities in opportunities, which fuels her drive to make these opportunities more accessible to everyone.

Over the last decade, Tyler has been at the forefront of promoting equitable outcomes in nonprofit philanthropy and education. She effectively managed $14 million in grantmaking for educational initiatives, prioritizing academic excellence and equity within a national education fund. In previous roles, she spearheaded community investment strategies, implementing initiatives like a citywide enrollment system, parent training collaborative, and nonprofit capacity-building efforts across the greater Baton Rouge community.

Tyler's expertise spans across education, public health, and leadership development. Moving forward, her goal is to empower emerging leaders and utilize her philanthropic background to expand opportunities for communities of color and other marginalized groups. Tyler is deeply committed to shaping policies and practices that facilitate equitable access and community-driven investments within the social impact sector.

When she's not aiding leaders in tackling pressing challenges or serving on various local, regional, and national boards, Tyler enjoys spending time with her god-twins, Granny, or meeting friends for crawfish.

Camille Manning-Broome

President/CEO, Center for Planning Excellence

Camille Manning-Broome is President and CEO of the Center for Planning Excellence (CPEX). She brings strong strategic thinking and creative problem solving skills to this position, providing leadership and expertise on climate adaptation, people-first infrastructure, and resident-led community visioning and planning. In both her professional career and personal life, she is driven by her commitment to realizing a bold and sustainable vision for the future of Louisiana’s unique people and places.

Camille’s prior experience includes working with 36 parishes to develop community-driven recovery plans in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in her role as the Assistant Deputy of Operations for FEMA’s Long-Term Community Recovery group. She co-authored Louisiana’s first Coastal Master Plan as part of the Shaw Group, a multinational engineering firm. She has been published in a number of scientific journals and national publications, adding to the body of work at the intersection of climate resilience and adaptation planning, and has been a US delegate on Congressional trips to the Netherlands, Japan, Scotland, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

Camille serves on the Board of Directors for Smart Growth America, Southeast Wind Coalition, Center for Planning Excellence, Helix Aviation Academy, and Helix Legal Academy, and is an appointed Commissioner of the Capital Area Groundwater Conservation District. Camille has a B.A. in Art History and a M.S. in Environmental Sciences from the College of the Coast and Environment at Louisiana State University.

Kim Marousek

Director of Planning, Center for Planning Excellence

Kim has 28 years of community planning experience at the regional, parish, municipal and neighborhood scales. She has specialized in working with local governments, leading community planning efforts, and finding creative solutions to address local issues.  She also has experience in post disaster recovery and long-term community resilience building.  Understanding local values and goals while also considering big ideas underpin the approach that she takes when working with local communities. Kim has worked in the Capital Region for the past eight years and in Louisiana for 15 years.  Prior to moving to Louisiana, Kim was a community planner in Washington state for 13 years.

Nicholas Mattei

Assistant Professor, Dept. of Computer Science and Co-Director, Tulane Center for Community Engaged AI, Tulane University

Nicholas Mattei, an Associate Professor at Tulane University's Computer Science Department and Co-Director of the Tulane Center for Community Engaged Artificial Intelligence, specializes in artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, and their societal impacts, with extensive research contributions and co-authorship of "Computing and Technology Ethics: Engaging Through Science Fiction" from MIT Press, alongside over 100 scientific papers in AI research.

Erin Monroe

Market Vice President, Cox Communications

Erin Monroe serves as the Vice President of the Greater Louisiana Market for Cox Communications. She plays a pivotal role in steering the company’s daily operations, forging strategic partnerships with local leaders, and guiding the 700 employees in Greater Louisiana.

Before assuming her current position, Erin served as Cox’s Vice President of Government and Public Affairs for Louisiana, Florida, and Georgia. Her more than 20-year professional journey showcases extensive leadership experience in policy development, advocacy, public relations, operations, and employee engagement.

Erin's impact has been recognized through numerous leadership awards throughout her highly distinguished career. Beyond her professional achievements, Erin actively contributes to the community by serving on the Center for Planning Excellence Board of Directors, Baton Rouge Area Chamber Board of Directors, Baton Rouge Area Foundation Board of Directors, and other nonprofit boards.

Jason Neville

Executive Director, Friends of Lafitte Greenway

Jason is an urban planner and neighborhood revitalization professional who has been leading Friends of Lafitte Greenway since January 2023. Prior to this role, he served as Senior Project Manager on Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti’s Innovation Team and worked as a project manager with both the New Orleans and Los Angeles Redevelopment Agencies. In these positions, Jason spearheaded various initiatives including the development of affordable housing, stormwater management infrastructure projects, arts-driven community events, and small business support programs. He holds an undergraduate degree in urban planning from the University of New Orleans and a graduate degree in urban planning from the University of Southern California.

Asia Ognibene

Project Organizer, Together New Orleans

Asia Ognibene is an organizer at Together New Orleans and works as the disaster response lead on the Community Lighthouse Project – a Together New Orleans based project.

Asia began working with Together New Orleans on their Vaccine Equity Project, aiding statewide teams in mobilizing neighborhood canvassers and host COVID-19 vaccine events.

As native New Orleanian, Asia has seen her fair share of natural disasters in her city. It was a natural transition from helping her community get vaccinated to helping her community in the wake of disasters.

Margaret Reams

Associate Director, LSU Institute for Energy Innovation

Dr. Margaret Reams holds the esteemed position of Joseph D. Martinez Professor of Environmental Sciences and serves as the Associate Director for Community Engagement at the LSU Institute for Energy Innovation. Her research spans various policy issues within environmental planning and policy, with a particular focus on understanding community perceptions and responses to environmental and ecological phenomena in Louisiana.

During her tenure at LSU, Dr. Reams has been instrumental in designing and delivering graduate courses covering topics such as environmental conflict resolution, environmental policy analysis, and program evaluation. Her dedication to teaching excellence has been recognized through the LSU Foundation Distinguished Faculty Teaching Award, highlighting her exceptional contributions to graduate-level teaching and mentorship.

Dr. Reams has supervised over ninety MS theses exploring diverse issues in environmental policy and public attitudes. She obtained her undergraduate degree from Huntingdon College and earned her PhD in political science from the University of Georgia.

Michelle Reynolds

Health & Wellness Coordinator, Move Bunkie Forward

Meet Michelle Reynolds, a devoted wife of 14 years and a nurturing mother of three. Holding a Bachelor's degree in English from Louisiana State University at Alexandria, Michelle has channeled her education into a remarkable journey of empowerment and community impact.

In her role as the Health and Wellness Coordinator at Move Bunkie Forward, a nonprofit organization, Michelle leverages her passion for well-being to create and implement programs that inspire healthier lifestyles. Her dedication resonates deeply within the community, motivating individuals to prioritize their physical and mental health.

Michelle is also the proud owner of BeEncourage Upscale Resale in Bunkie, Louisiana. Through this local business, she not only contributes to the local economy but also fosters sustainability by offering thoughtfully curated second-hand items. Her entrepreneurial spirit encourages others to embrace choices for growth.

Terri P. Ricks

CEO, T P Ricks, LLC

Terri Porche Ricks, CEO of T P Ricks, LLC, and former Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services, brings extensive experience in consulting, coaching, and legal services, along with a people-first mindset, to support organizations and individuals in serving people with dignity. With a background spanning roles such as Deputy Secretary, Undersecretary, and Executive Counsel, as well as General Counsel of Louisiana Housing Corporation, her expertise in legal, financial, human resource development, policy, and leadership has garnered recognition locally and nationally. Currently pursuing a PHD in LSU's School of Leadership and Human Resource Development, Terri holds a BS in Psychology from LSU and a law degree from Tulane Law School.

Thomas W. Sanchez, PhD

Professor, Landscape Architecture & Urban Planning, Texas A&M University

Thomas W. Sanchez, PhD, is a Professor in the Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning at Texas A&M University. He earned his PhD in City Planning from Georgia Tech and a Master of City and Regional Planning from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. His research and teaching focus on planning methods, technology, and scholarly impact. His most recent books include Networks in the Knowledge Economy (with Denise Bedford) and Planning Knowledge and Research. His forthcoming book, AI for Urban Planning will be published by Routledge in 2025. Sanchez serves as the American Planning Association (APA) Education Committee Chair and as a member of APA’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) Foresight Community.

Sagar Shah

Senior Manager, Knowledge and Career Programs, American Planning Association (APA)

Sagar Shah, Senior Manager of Knowledge and Career Programs at the American Planning Association, is a prominent advocate for health equity through planning. His influence extends beyond research, as he actively collaborates with foundations and federal agencies to shape planning practice. Within APA, he plays a key role in the Foresight Team, examining the impact of disruptors like emerging technologies such as AI on the planning field. Additionally, he leads APA's 'Upskill Planners' initiative, empowering planning professionals for an ever-changing landscape.

Sagar not only shares his work and insights on national and international platforms but also contributes significantly to the field through authoring chapters in books, publishing research papers and reports. These contributions underscore his national impact and highlight his profound insights and thought leadership in planning.

Sagar holds a PhD in Regional Development Planning from the University of Cincinnati and a Master’s degree in Planning from the University of Southern California.

A.R. Siders

Director, Gerard J. Mangone Climate Change Science & Policy Hub, University of Delaware

A.R. Siders directs the Climate Change Science and Policy Hub at the University of Delaware. She is an associate professor in public policy, marine policy, and geography and a core faculty member in the Disaster Research Center. Her research focuses on the ethics and evaluation of climate adaptation strategies, and she’s an advocate for audacious adaptation. She holds a JD from Harvard and a PhD from Stanford. She is originally from Duluth, Minnesota, and she misses the lake.

John-Ben Soileau

Program Officer-NAS, National Academy of Sciences

John-Ben Soileau is a Program Officer for the Board on Environmental Change and Society at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, where he has worked on climate resilience and community engagement efforts since 2019. His work integrates multidisciplinary perspectives with local experiential knowledge to mitigate the damage and decrease the suffering of communities impacted by environmental disruptions. He is the director of the National Academies consensus study, Managed Retreat in the US Gulf Coast Region, which utilizes the lived experiences of Gulf Coast residents at risk of climate-induced displacement. John-Ben has a B.A. in Anthropology from the University of New Orleans, an M.A. in Latin American Studies from Tulane, and is finalizing a Ph.D. in Sociocultural Anthropology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He also volunteers as the Brazil Coordinator for The Minga Foundation, a non-profit that collaborates with underserved communities to improve socio-economic and health equity.

Nate Storring

Co-Executive Director, Project for Public Spaces

Nate Storring is a writer and nonprofit leader with a passion for engaging the public in urban design, policy, and planning. In his nine years at Project for Public Spaces, Storring has served as the program director for three International Placemaking Week conferences and led the research, writing, and production of several resources on district revitalization and placemaking, from the second edition of the flagship placemaking handbook How to Turn a Place Around to guides on innovation districts, inclusive placemaking, and balancing transportation and public life on main street. He is also the co-editor of two books on participatory city building, Hyperlocal: Place Governance in a Fragmented World (Brookings Institution Press, 2022) and Vital Little Plans: The Short Works of Jane Jacobs (Random House, 2016).

Brandon Surtain

Real Estate Analyst, SBP

Brandon Surtain lives and works in Louisiana. A native New Orleanian, Brandon attended graduate school at Tulane University, where he received Master’s of Architecture and Master’s of Sustainable Real Estate Development degrees. Brandon received his Bachelor’s of Fine Art, with a concentration in painting and drawing, from Louisiana State University. During this time he was also a member of the LSU football team.

Brandon’s interests in Art, Architecture and Real Estate Development stem primarily from a place of cultural preservation. He currently works in Affordable Housing, with a concentration in building equitable, resilient communities. Much of his work implicitly responds to life in New Orleans before and after Hurricane Katrina. Focusing on preserving the static and dynamic aspects of the built environment through art and design occupied the bulk of Brandon’s research at Tulane University. Brandon is a former Design Futures student leader, which promotes social and professional equity, as well as design thinking in all aspects of life. He is an exhibiting artist and designer.

Max Taffet, AICP

Senior Vice President Offshore Wind and PortNYC Planning, New York City Economic Development Corporation

Max Taffet, AICP, is an urban planner working to implement waterfront projects for the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC). As Senior Vice President of Offshore Wind and PortNYC Planning, Taffet focuses on implementing NYC's climate and offshore wind goals and stewarding planning NYC’s maritime assets. NYCEDC is a quasi-governmental entity holding economic development and maritime contracts on behalf of the City of New York. In addition to offshore wind and associated electricity transmission projects, Taffet's project portfolio includes starting the City's first tidal wetland mitigation bank; maritime community support for PortNYC facilities; in-water public amenities visioning and implementation; and broad strategies to support innovative freight movement in NYC. Taffet represents the City on the Port of NY and NJ Harbor Operations Steering Committee and at the New York State Maritime Technical Working Group for Offshore Wind. Taffet holds a Master of Regional Planning from Cornell University and a Bachelors degree from the University of British Columbia, Canada.

Roslyn White

Mayor of Abbeville

Mayor Roslyn White is a passionate community leader in the Historic City of Abbeville, Louisiana. She is the first female to serve as Mayor, and has hit the ground running during her first term. Mayor White is dedicated to rural development, community enrichment, environmental conservation and health. Her action-oriented leadership approach in addressing public needs by building partnerships, fostering innovation, and dreaming solutions has sparked new energy in Abbeville. Under Mayor White's leadership, Abbeville has seen significant progress in acquiring funding aimed at improving the lives of residents, and fostering a thriving rural environment. She works closely with the Acadiana Planning Commission, Delta Regional Authority, the LDEQ Brownfield team, the Kansas State TAB Team, LSU AgCenter, the Walkability Action Institute and CPEX on multiple community projects.

Mayor White’s commitment to improving the community and preserving Louisiana’s unique culture extends beyond the boundaries of the City of Abbeville. She grew up in the rural coastal areas of Vermilion Parish, giving her a front row seat for multiple hurricane disasters and unprecedented coastal erosion. Her passion for planning and community action came from the South Acadiana Corridor Charettes following hurricanes Rita and Katrina. Living through the devastation of hurricanes Rita and Ike, and seeing the coastal communities she grew up in erased or forever changed beyond recognition continues to drive her desire to build a more resilient community. Her team-building approach and knowledge of coastal issues earned her a recent appointment to the Acadiana Watershed Commission where she looks forward to being part of regional floodplain management.  

She is a graduate of Louisiana State University, and her career experience includes International Resort Management, logistics, marketing, tourism and leisure management. Prior to stepping into her full-time role as mayor, she worked alongside family at Broussard Brothers which specializes in Marine Construction and Energy Services. She is truly a “Jill of all Trades” and is using her unique work experiences to find new ways to build a stronger Abbeville and Vermilion Parish. When she is not working hands on in the community, she can often be found in the marshes fishing, hunting alligators with family and enjoying what she affectionately refers to as “God’s Country.”

David Whitley

Planning & Urban Design Manager, Center for Planning Excellence

David has a background in urban planning, urban design, public policy, and development-related disciplines. He has over 20 years of experience in developing long-range plans and urban design strategies; drafting code amendments; planning and implementing capital projects; and managing economic development tools. In both the public and private sectors, David’s work advances innovative planning practices that improve the built environment; evaluates municipal policies and business processes through the lens of fostering more vibrant cities; and capitalizes on strategic opportunities to create unique and enduring places. His prior work includes leading an urban design studio for the City of Dallas and developing plans and ordinances throughout Oklahoma, Texas, and Louisiana—including the City of Gonzales, as well as Ascension and St. John the Baptist Parishes. David’s practice has evolved to have an increasing emphasis on the connection between the built environment and human health, including managing capital improvements that address environmental conditions to improve both physical health and mental well-being. David holds a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Regional Planning from Cornell University.

Michael Wilks

Offshore Wind Lead, North America, Energy & Power, Jacobs

Michael leads Jacobs’ offshore wind (OSW) strategy for the North American market. He has broad market experience, from lease and PPA auctions, through permitting, port development and interconnection. He has been involved in OSW projects across three continents – North America, Europe, Australasia and on all coasts of the US, from the Carolinas to New England, the Gulf of Mexico and California. He has a broad understanding of market dynamics and client needs, having advised multiple OSW developers, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), as well as Government entities. Prior to relocating to the US, Michael was a leading practitioner in infrastructure planning in the UK, responsible for regulating the development of North Sea offshore wind farms, terrestrial power stations and transmission lines. He also promoted complex highway schemes as the permitting, stakeholder engagement and land acquisition (eminent domain) lead. Michael has held infrastructure planning-related Board-level and advisory roles with a national remit