Meaghan Parker

MEAGHAN PARKER

Public Policy Fellow, Environmental Change and Security Program, Wilson Center

Meaghan Parker was the executive director of the Society of Environmental Journalists (SEJ) from 2018-2023. Under her leadership, SEJ raised more than $5 million; doubled its Fund for Environmental Journalism; launched new fellowship, training and outreach programs; and committed to integrating equity throughout its activities, which more than doubled the diversity of its membership. Previously, she was the senior writer/editor and partnerships director for the Environmental Change and Security Program and the Global Sustainability and Resilience Program of the Wilson Center, where she worked for 15 years. She was a founder and editor-in-chief of the award-winning New Security Beat, a daily blog covering environment, health and security. She was the supervising producer of the award-winning documentary trilogy, “Healthy People, Healthy Environment,” which was filmed in Tanzania, Nepal and Ethiopia. She was the lead editor of “A New Climate for Peace,” an online platform and independent study commissioned by the foreign ministers of the G7. Before stepping down to join the staff, she served for six years on SEJ’s Board of Directors. She currently serves on the Board of The Uproot Project, the membership association for environmental journalists of color, as well as on the Advisory Council of Planet Forward, a project of George Washington University. She is a member of the Society of Environmental Journalists, JAWS (Journalism and Women Symposium), the National Association of Science Writers and The Uproot Project.

Jason O’Bryhim

JASON O'BRYHIM

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Contractor

Jason is currently a contractor with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Previously he was a Research Professional at the University of Georgia Savannah River Ecology Laboratory where he managed projects and was co-principal investigator for multiple research projects. Jason earned a PhD at George Mason University with a research focus on the shark trade in Costa Rica.

Richard Todd Stafford

RICHARD TODD STAFFORD

Director of Communications, Honors College, George Mason University

Richard Todd Stafford is the Director of Communications in the Honors College at George Mason University. The Honors College gives the most motivated undergraduate students from all majors and backgrounds the support that inspires them to pursue their curiosity and undertake meaningful civic engagement and experiential learning opportunities. Dr. Stafford mentors and supervises the Honors College Communication team. Dr. Stafford has written, spoken, and taught extensively about cultural dimensions of climate change, energy, and the environment, including on the “Capitalism, Climate, and Culture” podcast, in the media, and at @richardtoddstafford on Instagram.

Alexis Edwards

ALEXIS EDWARDS
Photographer

Alexis Edwards is a junior at Virginia Tech, where she works as a sports photographer for the athletic apartment. She is currently double majoring in Multimedia Journalism and Marketing. She attended the Washington Journalism and Media Conference in 2021 at George Mason and she is looking forward to meeting everyone at WYSE.

Talia Mekinulov

TALIA MEKINULOV

Innovation Associate, Xylem Innovation Labs

Talia Mekinulov is a young professional currently working in the water sector as part of Xylem’s Engineering Leadership Development Program. Originally from Buffalo, New York, she earned her bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Pittsburgh. With a lifelong passion for water, Talia is committed to enhancing its accessibility and cleanliness for all. She works with Xylem’s Innovation Labs team, scouting new technology and innovations in the water world.Currently living in Washington, DC, she remains dedicated to her professional growth and making a positive impact in the world.

Camden Bohman

CAMDEN BOHMAN

Junior Faculty Advisor

Camden Bohman (they/them) is pursuing a degree in Conservation Biology and Ecology at Arizona State University.  With a passion for environmental preservation, they dream of working with the Smithsonian. Having attended the Washington Youth Summit on the Environment in 2021, Camden is dedicated to making a positive impact on the world around them. Outside of school, Camden finds joy in Dungeons & Dragons, working on art projects, learning about space, and practicing astrophotography. They are looking forward to helping this event run smoothly and hopefully motivating others to pursue their goals as well. 

Summer Knight

SUMMER KNIGHT

Junior Faculty Advisor

Born and raised in Deltona, Florida, they are currently double majoring in Marine Science and Ecology at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville. When not immersed in academic pursuits, they can be found honing their skills with their competitive dance and Colorguard team. Despite their busy schedule, they also enjoy reading books, painting and crocheting and is part of Kappa Alpha Omicron honors society and the Environment sustainability LLC. She is super excited to be part of the summit again after attending as a candidate in 2022, and hopes to make an impact and have fun!

Kevin Morley

KEVIN MORLEY

PhD, Manager, Federal Relations, American Water Works Associations

Kevin has worked closely with multiple organizations to advance all-hazards resilience in the water sector for over 20 years. This includes guiding the development of several ANSI/AWWA standards that represent minimum best practice for water sector risk and resilience management, including cybersecurity. He has applied his expertise as a member of the President’s National Infrastructure Advisory Council, a Disaster Resilience Fellow with NIST, and the Water Sector Coordinating Council. At George Mason University his PhD research led to the creation of the Utility Resilience Index (URI). He holds a MS from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry and a BA from Syracuse University.

Amanda Taylor

AMANDA TAYLOR

Fairfax County Health Department

Amanda Taylor studied Environmental Science B.S. with a concentration in Ecological Sciences at George Mason University and graduated in 2020. Since then, she has worked in water reclamation, mosquito and tick control, and now on-site septic and water for the Fairfax County Health Department. Amanda has enjoyed applying her passion for protecting our environment in each of these unique fields, all of which have given her immense opportunities and connections. Being out in nature every day with the mission to protect human health, as well as the health of the environment, brings her joy!

Patrick McGuire

MARK PATRICK MCGUIRE

Counsel, Clean Energy & Infrastructure Deployment, Edison Electric Institute

Mark Patrick McGuire joined Edison Electric Institue (EEI) in 2020 as a senior attorney. He manages the association’s clean energy and infrastructure portfolio.  Patrick holds a J.D. from the Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law and a B.S. in History from Northeastern University.  He is an active member of the Rhode Island and Massachusetts bars and came to EEI after working at the Association of Clean Water Agencies on the Clean Water Act and before that as Associate Legal Counsel at the Narragansett Bay Commission in Providence, Rhode Island.