Civil/Municipal/Environmental Engineering

Civil/Municipal/Environmental Engineering Show more

Lance Cheramie is an Associate Teaching Professor in Apparel Merchandising and Product Development at the University of Arkansas, specializing in sustainability, global sourcing, and experiential learning in higher education.

His work focuses on bridging the gap between academia and industry by integrating real-world tools, data, and partnerships directly into the classroom. Through hands-on simulations and industry collaborations, he challenges students to solve complex problems related to sustainability, retail strategy, and global supply chains.

Dr. Cheramie holds a Ph.D. in Public Policy from the University of Arkansas, with research centered on sustainability in the apparel and textile industry. He is a certified Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) professional and has presented nationally on sustainability, sourcing, and retail innovation.

His teaching and research are driven by a central goal: preparing the next generation of industry professionals to make informed, responsible, and strategic decisions in a rapidly evolving global marketplace.

Lance Cheramie is an Associate Teaching Professor in Apparel Merchandising and Product Development at the University of Arkansas, specializing in sustainability, global sourcing, and experiential learning in higher education. His work focuses on b... Show more

Domitila Barros is one of the most credentialed and compelling voices in global sustainability. Born in the Linha do Tiro favela in Recife, Brazil, she moved to Germany at age 15 and built a career at the intersection of climate justice, ESG strategy, social entrepreneurship, and ocean conservation.
She holds a Master of Arts in Political and Social Science from Freie Universität Berlin and has completed executive programmes at Wharton Business School (Lauder Institute, University of Pennsylvania), WHU Otto Beisheim School of Management (SensAbility Leadership), and Harvard & MIT (Brazil Conference 2026, Invited Speaker).
In 2022, she became the first racialised migrant woman elected Miss Germany. She immediately reframed the title as a platform for climate advocacy, achieving 250,000+ media appearances internationally in that year alone.
Her global stage experience includes: Brazil Conference at Harvard & MIT (2026), Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2025 and 2026, SensAbility WHU (2023, 2024, 2026), European Parliament (2024), G20 Sustainability Working Group (2024), COP 2025, Deutscher Nachhaltigkeitspreis (2024, 2025), German Foreign Ministry alongside Annalena Baerbock (2023), and the Wharton Lauder Institute (2022, 2025).
She serves as jury member for the UNESCO BNE Prize and the German National Sustainability Prize (Deutscher Nachhaltigkeitspreis). She is a PADI AmbassaDiver, BAUM Environmental Prize laureate (2026), and Greenpeace International sustainability ambassador with Amazon field experience.
Her book Rebel Dreamer (Ullstein Verlag, 2023) is an Amazon bestseller. Media: Vogue Italia, Forbes Germany, ZDF, SAT1, RTL, Globo. Instagram: 1.1M followers, 5M+ monthly views.
Languages: Portuguese, German, English, Spanish. Based between Berlin, Dubai (UAE), Koh Samui, and Recife.

Talk Title Suggestions for CFP Submissions
From Compliance to Competitive Advantage: How Sustainability Shapes the Future of Business
Justice First: Why ESG Without the Global South Is Not ESG at All
The Ocean as Governance: Marine Conservation as a Model for Climate Leadership
Circular Power: Favela Innovation and What the Global North Gets Wrong About Sustainability
Post-COP Reality: What Brazil's Climate Moment Means for Global Markets
Decolonising ESG: Rethinking Who Gets to Define the Green Economy

Tags / Topics for Sessionize profile
Sustainability, Climate Justice, ESG, Global South, Ocean Conservation, Circular Economy, Leadership, Diversity & Inclusion, Social Innovation, Corporate Governance, Nature Finance, Keynote

Domitila Barros is one of the most credentialed and compelling voices in global sustainability. Born in the Linha do Tiro favela in Recife, Brazil, she moved to Germany at age 15 and built a career at the intersection of climate justice, ESG strategy... Show more

Priyanka Syal currently works as Staff Engineer at Enpal, Berlin. She brings extensive experience as a Software Engineer, having worked previously with BCG X, Helsing, Microsoft and Dell EMC, contributing to diverse domains including energy, defense, healthcare, insurance, CRM, and cloud storage. Her expertise encompasses both regulated and non-regulated industries, where she has played a key role in building, maintaining, and deploying robust, scalable systems while ensuring compliance with security and regulatory best practices. Priyanka is deeply committed to fostering diversity and inclusion in the tech industry.

Priyanka Syal currently works as Staff Engineer at Enpal, Berlin. She brings extensive experience as a Software Engineer, having worked previously with BCG X, Helsing, Microsoft and Dell EMC, contributing to diverse domains including energy, defense,... Show more

I'm a Graduate Engineer with the City of Houston Public Works, specializing in wastewater infrastructure operations and environmental compliance. My work focuses on addressing complex urban challenges such as sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs), infrastructure constraints, and system reliability within one of the largest municipal utility systems in the United States.
I bring a strong field-oriented perspective, working closely with inspection teams, analyzing CCTV data, and supporting risk-based maintenance strategies to improve system performance. My interests include sustainable infrastructure, data-driven decision-making, and enhancing resilience in public utility systems.
I actively engaged in professional development and knowledge-sharing initiatives and is committed to contributing practical, scalable solutions to the evolving challenges in environmental engineering and urban infrastructure.

I'm a Graduate Engineer with the City of Houston Public Works, specializing in wastewater infrastructure operations and environmental compliance. My work focuses on addressing complex urban challenges such as sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs), infrastr... Show more

I am an Associate Professor of Anatomy and Cell Biology at the College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, with over thirty years of experience in medical education and academic leadership. I hold a Ph.D. in Anatomy from Manipal University, India, and specialize in clinical anatomy, reproductive biology, and molecular pathology. I teach across medical, dental, pharmacy, and allied health programs and serve as Course Chair, Unit Coordinator, and Lead Faculty within the integrated MBBS curriculum. I am a highly published researcher and a recipient of multiple awards for academic and teaching excellence.
In addition to my academic responsibilities, I provide leadership in community engagement and sustainability initiatives. I lead the LEAF (Linking Education and Farming) initiative at the University of Sharjah and spearhead multidisciplinary projects focused on food‑waste composting, plastic recycling, organic farming, and zero‑waste campus practices. Through these initiatives, I facilitate experiential learning and have trained many students in applied sustainability and environmental stewardship. Notably, I guide the first successful cultivation of black wheat in the UAE, contributing to national food security and sustainable agricultural practices. Through sustained collaborations with governmental organizations, non‑governmental agencies, and community outreach programs, I continue to advance sustainability education, social responsibility, and environmental awareness within the University of Sharjah and the wider community.

I am an Associate Professor of Anatomy and Cell Biology at the College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, with over thirty years of experience in medical education and academic leadership. I hold a Ph.D. in Anatomy from Manipal University, India, an... Show more

Meredith is the co-founder + COO of WATS. Meredith is a TRUE Zero Waste Advisor, sat on the Board of Directors of the US Composting Council from 2020-2025, and was recognized with the 2019 Recycling Leadership award by the New York State Association of Reduction, Reuse, and Recycling. Meredith holds a BA in Anthropology from the University of Virginia and a MS in Urban Policy and Sustainability Analysis from the New School, plays ice hockey, and loves sandwiches.

Meredith is the co-founder + COO of WATS. Meredith is a TRUE Zero Waste Advisor, sat on the Board of Directors of the US Composting Council from 2020-2025, and was recognized with the 2019 Recycling Leadership award by the New York State Association ... Show more

Peter Kipkosgei is a Senior Technical Trainer with Kenya’s Ministry of Education – State Department of TVET, where he has been training and mentoring the next generation of geospatial and surveying professionals since 2021. He specializes in delivering competency-based training in surveying, mapping, planning, GIS and remote sensing, while also setting and marking national examinations.
Beyond the classroom, Peter is an accomplished Environmental and GIS Specialist with extensive experience in spatial data analysis, geodatabase design, land use mapping, remote sensing, and environmental projects. He has worked across private sector, consultancy, and climate-focused initiatives, including project management, technical operations oversight, and capacity building.
He is an all-rounded professional who values teamwork, strategic planning, and disciplined time management. He bridges technical expertise with practical training to strengthen Kenya’s human capital in the geospatial and environmental sectors.

Peter Kipkosgei is a Senior Technical Trainer with Kenya’s Ministry of Education – State Department of TVET, where he has been training and mentoring the next generation of geospatial and surveying professionals since 2021. He specializes in deliveri... Show more

Xantha Bruso is a Principal on PG&E’s Clean Energy Transportation team, where she identifies and implements strategies to mitigate the impact of EV load on the grid as PG&E advances towards its goal of serving three million EVs by 2030.
Xantha previously coordinated the transportation electrification practice at Energy & Environmental Economics, managed transportation electrification projects at Cadmus, and led automated vehicle policy and partnerships at AAA. While at PG&E from 2006-2018, she held roles covering clean transportation strategy, climate policy, energy procurement, corporate sustainability, and renewable energy and carbon offset programs. Xantha earned a Master of City Planning degree from MIT, an MBA from Presidio Graduate School, and a BA from Dartmouth College. Outside of work, Xantha serves as the Board President of the Marin County Bicycle Coalition.

Xantha Bruso is a Principal on PG&E’s Clean Energy Transportation team, where she identifies and implements strategies to mitigate the impact of EV load on the grid as PG&E advances towards its goal of serving three million EVs by 2030. Xantha prev... Show more

The Climate Adventurer
Bernice Notenboom is one of the world's most prominent explorers focusing on the climate crisis. She translates complex scientific data from the Earth's most remote regions into compelling stories for a global audience. She splits her time between the Netherlands and the mountains of Fernie, British Columbia. Bernice Notenboom's latest work and documentaries focus heavily on the intersection of extreme survival and climate action. Here is the summary of her newest book and where to find her films:

New Book: Survival Mind (2025)
Released in October 2025, Survival Mind moves beyond technical survival gear to explore the "inner equipment" of the human brain.

The Core Question: Why do some people survive extreme life-and-death situations while others do not? Is it instinct, mental strength, or pure luck?

Scientific Insight: Notenboom combines hair-raising personal stories from her expeditions (including a near-fatal accident in Siberia) with neuroscience to explain how the brain makes decisions under intense pressure. Key Takeaway: The book is designed to help readers build resilience and "mental vitality" for everyday life and the growing challenges of the climate crisis. It has been praised by physiologists and critics for its clear, personal style that makes you feel like an expedition member yourself.

The Climate Adventurer Bernice Notenboom is one of the world's most prominent explorers focusing on the climate crisis. She translates complex scientific data from the Earth's most remote regions into compelling stories for a global audience. She sp... Show more

Miguel is a serial entrepreneur, mentor, and board director. He is the founder of DataDragon, building dynamic resilient local networks for climate adaptation, innovation, and the Green Transition across Ibero América and Australia. He was the Co-founder and CEO of Euler’s Bridge a platform company bridging communities together with actionable graph insight. He founded Tin Alley beta, the award winning, premier tech internship program in Australia which placed top Uni tech talent in high-growth companies. He holds a PhD in network science from the University of Melbourne.

Miguel is a serial entrepreneur, mentor, and board director. He is the founder of DataDragon, building dynamic resilient local networks for climate adaptation, innovation, and the Green Transition across Ibero América and Australia. He was the Co-fou... Show more

David based in Nice, France is a Data Centre
Decarbonisation and Heat Reuse consultant with many years of experience in district heating, HVAC and data centre cooling. He worked for global heat transfer companies during the last 20 years and has a comprehensive approach for data
centre design.
David is committed to offer technical & ownership consulting services to his clients, with a special focus on the data centre industry and heat reuse applications for
different climates. His support based on carbon footprint analysis and climate profile provide the transparency and avoid the “greenwashing”.
He is well-known for representing the Open Compute Project Foundation (OCP) in the EMEA region and active participation in OCP Cooling Environments Project. He is also a member of Technology Committee at Infrastructural Masons (iMasons).

David based in Nice, France is a Data Centre Decarbonisation and Heat Reuse consultant with many years of experience in district heating, HVAC and data centre cooling. He worked for global heat transfer companies during the last 20 years and has a c... Show more

I am an environmental engineer specializing in water and wastewater treatment design, process optimization, and regulatory compliance. I hold an M.S. in Environmental Engineering from the University of Southern California and currently work as a Staff Engineer at NCS Engineers, delivering RO, produced water reuse, and uranium removal projects for municipal and industrial clients.

I am an environmental engineer specializing in water and wastewater treatment design, process optimization, and regulatory compliance. I hold an M.S. in Environmental Engineering from the University of Southern California and currently work as a Staf... Show more

PROFESSIONAL SPEAKER | Seminars for Global Sustainable Development
IM: 917218150760 & Email: creatorsarangprojectyogworld@gmail.com

PROFESSIONAL SPEAKER | Seminars for Global Sustainable Development IM: 917218150760 & Email: creatorsarangprojectyogworld@gmail.com Show more

Anne is a service designer and creative strategist.
She is passionate about achieving sustainable growth by tackling complex systems and balancing the interests of organisations, customers, staff, and the planet. She helps organisations find the path from intention to delivery and learn to design for themselves.
She is a ‘design magpie’, sharing insights across sectors and pushing the boundaries of design by learning from other disciplines.

Anne is a service designer and creative strategist. She is passionate about achieving sustainable growth by tackling complex systems and balancing the interests of organisations, customers, staff, and the planet. She helps organisations find the pat... Show more

Katongole Adam is a Civil Engineering student at Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), Uganda, and an emerging AI innovator passionate about building technologies that give African communities a voice in the digital age. Beyond his engineering studies, Adam is leading pioneering work in low-resource speech technologies, currently developing a Luganda text-to-speech (TTS) system designed to produce natural, intelligible voices for one of Uganda’s most widely spoken languages.

He is the President of the Mbarara University Engineering Society (MUES), a Mastercard Foundation Fellow, and a finalist at the IEEE Africa Entrepreneurship Summit, where he has pitched projects ranging from AgriTech solutions to AI-powered EdTech platforms. His work bridges technical innovation and social impact, with a strong focus on how AI can empower local languages, education, and entrepreneurship in Africa

Katongole Adam is a Civil Engineering student at Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), Uganda, and an emerging AI innovator passionate about building technologies that give African communities a voice in the digital age. Beyond his eng... Show more

I'm a Product Owner of a Cloud Engineering & Enablement team at a Governmental Software company called Wigo4it, which builds Social Security software. I was part of the digital transformation Wigo4it made from a old-fashioned traditional company to a fully focused Cloud and DevOps organization.

With my enthusiasm and creativity, I like to help organizations gain new insights to become more Cloud and DevOps-oriented. I'm fascinated by the fact that people have a fixed mindset and I always try to inspire others in a unique way to be more successful.

I'm a frequent speaker at various conferences. Last year I delivered sessions at events like Techorama, Microsoft Belgium Government Day, International Product owner Day, Azure Meet-ups, and many more. Microsoft often asks me to give customer case presentations about our transformation.

Lately the greening of IT has gained more of my interest. A topic that seems to not be considered while we're all building new software and services. It's time for the World to add the greening of IT to our digital transformations as well.

You can always contact me to talk about subjects like: DevOps, Cloud Computing, Sustainable IT, and Growth Mindset.

I'm a Product Owner of a Cloud Engineering & Enablement team at a Governmental Software company called Wigo4it, which builds Social Security software. I was part of the digital transformation Wigo4it made from a old-fashioned traditional company to a... Show more

Astrid is Head of Public Sector and Sustainability at Techbuyer, which specialises in sustainable solutions for Enterprise IT hardware. She is a Chartered Environmentalist and full member of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA). Astrid has co-authored a number of academic papers on circular economy and energy efficiency in the IT sector and also lead the development of the Sustainability Best Practice whitepaper for the UK data centre sector through the DCA. Her current focus is industry training on sustainability and net zero through the delivery of IEMA certified courses at Techbuyer.

Astrid is Head of Public Sector and Sustainability at Techbuyer, which specialises in sustainable solutions for Enterprise IT hardware. She is a Chartered Environmentalist and full member of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (I... Show more

Andy Lehren is investigations editor for Mongabay, a leading global environmental news organization. He is director of investigative reporting at CUNY’s Graduate School of Journalism. On the IRE Board of Directors. Former investigative reporter for The New York Times and NBC News. Won 100+ journalism honors, including Polk, Peabody, Emmys, multiple IRE awards, contributed to a Pulitzer and part of a Pulitzer finalist team. Works extensively in data journalism, including for NICAR.

Andy Lehren is investigations editor for Mongabay, a leading global environmental news organization. He is director of investigative reporting at CUNY’s Graduate School of Journalism. On the IRE Board of Directors. Former investigative reporter for T... Show more

Carolin Lange is a research associate at the Institute of Production Science (wbk) at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). Her work focuses on quality assurance, sustainable electronics and eco-design, as well as remanufacturing, combining technical innovation with sustainable production approaches. Carolin studied Mechanical Engineering at KIT, where she developed a strong passion for future-oriented and sustainable manufacturing systems.

Carolin Lange is a research associate at the Institute of Production Science (wbk) at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). Her work focuses on quality assurance, sustainable electronics and eco-design, as well as remanufacturing, combining te... Show more

Bharat Raj Thukral is an architect, industrial designer, worldbuilder, and founder of Dasein Lab, a multidisciplinary worldbuilding studio working across architecture, material research, circular systems, ecological futures, and experimental arts. He graduated in Architecture from CEPT University, Ahmedabad, and has professional training experience from Japan, having worked with Shigeru Ban Architects and Meglab, Tokyo. He has also been part of the Healthy Materials Lab programme at Parsons School of Design, New York, where his interests in healthy materials, climate-responsive design, and circular construction systems deepened.

Bharat’s practice bridges speculative imagination with real-world material and ecological urgencies. He is the recipient of the Saint-Gobain Transparence Grant for DebrisCrete, a hyper-local material solution developed using construction and demolition waste and agricultural residues. He also received the Nirmal Dhingra Trust Scholarship for his bamboo joinery innovation, developed through his research on assembly-based temporary structures. Through Dasein Lab, he is developing studio frameworks that connect CLI-FI worldbuilding, speculative infrastructures, biomimicry, vernacular knowledge systems, and circular material practices into tangible design propositions for climate-resilient futures.

His work has been exhibited and presented across platforms including the London Design Festival, Serendipity Arts Festival, BLR Hubba, and other cultural, ecological, and design-led contexts. Alongside his studio practice, Bharat is developing a worldbuilding curriculum that brings together architecture, climate fiction, systems thinking, storytelling, and spatial design. He also conducted India’s first Worldbuilding Hackathon at École Intuit Lab, Calcutta, positioning worldbuilding as a practical design method for imagining and prototyping futures that are contextually grounded, materially aware, and socially transformative.

Bharat Raj Thukral is an architect, industrial designer, worldbuilder, and founder of Dasein Lab, a multidisciplinary worldbuilding studio working across architecture, material research, circular systems, ecological futures, and experimental arts. He... Show more

Dave is a professional administrator, educator and facilitator with expertise in sustainability, project development and completion, Higher Education and Experiential Education. He has been an environmental advocate for over 35 years and is currently directing the Office of Sustainability at University of Wisconsin of Stevens Point.

Dave is a professional administrator, educator and facilitator with expertise in sustainability, project development and completion, Higher Education and Experiential Education. He has been an environmental advocate for over 35 years and is currentl... Show more

Katerina Brandes hat einen Bildungshintergrund in Ressourcenmanagement und Entwicklungszusammenarbeit und verfügt über Forschungserfahrung zu globalen Nachhaltigkeitsthemen, unter anderem in Tansania und Indien. Ihre freiberufliche Arbeitserfahrung in der Erwachsenenbildung führten sie an das Zentrum für Lehrentwicklung der TH Köln. Dort arbeitet sie in einem Karriereentwicklungsprogramm für Wissenschaftler*innen früher Karrierestufen mit dem Schwerpunkt transformative Wissenschaft. Ihr besonderes Interesse liegt in der Gestaltung kreativer, interaktiver Workshopformate mit körperorientierten und theaterpädagogischen Methoden.

Katerina Brandes hat einen Bildungshintergrund in Ressourcenmanagement und Entwicklungszusammenarbeit und verfügt über Forschungserfahrung zu globalen Nachhaltigkeitsthemen, unter anderem in Tansania und Indien. Ihre freiberufliche Arbeitserfahrung i... Show more

Peter Y. Mwinlaaru is a Data Scientist at the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) specializing in environmental statistics, alternative data sources, and innovative approaches to official statistics production. He leads Ghana's pioneering AIS-based maritime emissions monitoring initiative, applying the IMO Fourth GHG Study methodology to quantify CO₂ emissions from vessels in Ghana's territorial waters—the first such system implemented by a National Statistical Office in West Africa.
His expertise spans the full data science pipeline: from processing millions of AIS vessel tracking records to developing interactive R Shiny dashboards for policy-ready visualization. He is proficient in R, Python, and Quarto, with advanced skills in spatial data analysis, machine learning, and Reproducible Analytical Pipelines (RAP) for transparent and sustainable statistical production.
Peter has extensive experience working with alternative and large-scale data sources, including satellite imagery (night-time lights), Automatic Identification System (AIS) data, and call detail records (CDRs), integrating these with traditional survey and administrative data to expand the scope of official statistics. He was a member of the winning team at the 2023 UN Datathon.
He holds an MPhil in Economics, a Bachelor of Education in Economics and Mathematics, and is currently pursuing a PhD in Economics at the University of Cape Coast. Peter is passionate about building statistical capacity across Africa and believes that open-source tools and knowledge sharing are essential for data-driven climate action on the continent.

Peter Y. Mwinlaaru is a Data Scientist at the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) specializing in environmental statistics, alternative data sources, and innovative approaches to official statistics production. He leads Ghana's pioneering AIS-based marit... Show more

I am a Senior IT Project Manager and the founder of the Kin Clean project, an initiative addressing two major challenges in Kinshasa: inefficient urban waste management and deforestation caused by widespread use of traditional charcoal.

The Kin Clean project, currently in progress, combines technology, ecological solutions, and citizen engagement to create a sustainable and profitable system. Our approach includes:

A mobile application allowing citizens and businesses to register, track, and pay for waste management services,
Production of eco-charcoal from organic waste,
Conversion of plastic waste into fuel through pyrolysis,
A monthly enrollment system for households and institutions.

So far, Kin Clean has engaged over 100 active subscribers, with plans to scale participation to thousands of citizens. The project has already collected over 200 tons of waste and monitored 50 hectares of forest areas. We are actively seeking partners and investors to fully scale this initiative.

I have over 5 years of experience in IT project management, including leading cross-functional teams, implementing digital transformation projects, and deploying software solutions for public and private clients. I am passionate about practical ways to use technology to solve real-world problems and create measurable social and environmental impact.

I am a Senior IT Project Manager and the founder of the Kin Clean project, an initiative addressing two major challenges in Kinshasa: inefficient urban waste management and deforestation caused by widespread use of traditional charcoal. The Kin Cl... Show more

Ingénieur spécialisé en environnement, devenu expert en définition et implantation de stratégie bas-carbone au sein des organisations, du bilan carbone au plan d'action opérationnel, au sein de Toovalu, éditeur de logiciel ayant créé Impact, un outil de suivi et de pilotage de sa stratégie Climat & RSE.

Ingénieur spécialisé en environnement, devenu expert en définition et implantation de stratégie bas-carbone au sein des organisations, du bilan carbone au plan d'action opérationnel, au sein de Toovalu, éditeur de logiciel ayant créé Impact, un outil... Show more

I'm a climate tech product manager/owner with >4 years of PM experience who prospers in mission-led teams. I love turning ambiguity into clarity and helping teams move forward with focus and empathy.

With a background in fintech and experience as an engineer, I bring a structured, technical mindset to product work. My skill set spans product, UX, user research, and implementation, allowing me to collaborate deeply with both design and engineering teams. I care about meaningful impact, transparent communication, and connecting product work to real-world change.

Beyond work, I’m involved in ecological and humanitarian projects and enjoy collaborating with others who are building for people and the planet.

I'm a climate tech product manager/owner with >4 years of PM experience who prospers in mission-led teams. I love turning ambiguity into clarity and helping teams move forward with focus and empathy. With a background in fintech and experience as ... Show more

I'm a Spatial Data Scientist

I'm a Spatial Data Scientist Show more

I’m Vanessa Vovor, a Strategic Advisor, Facilitator, and Speaker with over a decade of experience supporting NGOs, city networks, international organizations, and development agencies to turn complex challenges into clear, actionable strategies.

I run a portfolio consultancy at the intersection of climate action, governance and inclusion, partnering with mission-driven organizations across Africa and Europe. My work combines policy expertise, technical knowledge and strategic facilitation — from leading multi-country teams at GIZ and moderating high-level dialogues for the EU, to structuring project pipelines in sustainable energy, waste management, circular economy, and gender equity.

I’m Vanessa Vovor, a Strategic Advisor, Facilitator, and Speaker with over a decade of experience supporting NGOs, city networks, international organizations, and development agencies to turn complex challenges into clear, actionable strategies. I... Show more

Kylah Seltzer Johnston works for the Bureau of Asset Management at Cook County. Kylah has an extensive background working in community and political organizing, with an emphasis on campaigns related to climate change and environmental justice. She has also collaborated with a number of coalitions and elected officials across Illinois to strengthen and pass legislation, including the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act. An avid lover of the Great Lakes, Kylah has worked on a number of policy research projects related to Great Lakes waterways and water systems and how they interact with climate change, clean drinking water access, and invasive species. She is currently working as a Relationship Manager with Cook County’s Build Up Cook program, working closely with municipalities in South and West Suburban Cook County to move both water and vertical infrastructure projects from start to finish. In her free time, Kylah can be found baking at home or lounging by Lake Michigan.

Kylah Seltzer Johnston works for the Bureau of Asset Management at Cook County. Kylah has an extensive background working in community and political organizing, with an emphasis on campaigns related to climate change and environmental justice. She ha... Show more