Category: Speakers

Cindy has spent most of her professional career in the field of youth engagement and empowerment. She started out as a Program Instructor for the Close Up Foundation where she led weekly instructional workshops with middle and high school students from all over the country to help increase their civic knowledge and political efficacy. She then spent three years working on the No Kid Hungry campaign managing a college internship program before landing at National Geographic, where she currently supports programming for young people ages 13-25. Cindy is a former Powers-Knapp scholar with a B.S. in Botany and Political Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She has two cats and they are her entire personality.

Taylor has spent their career as an educator and program developer. At the National Geographic Society they work most directly on bringing new and impactful educational programming to life for young people ages 13-25. Previously, they were the Education Program Coordinator for the Washington Area Bicyclist Association and taught young people how to safely enjoy biking. They also spent four years as a Fulbright Grantee in South Korea where they taught high school English. Regardless of their role, Taylor’s main goal has been to design and facilitate experiences that empower all learners to recognize and grow within their greatness. They have a BA in Media Studies and Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies from the University of Virginia and a MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from Valparaiso University.

Ana Leilani Ka’ahanui is co-founder of the DC metro area nonprofit Capital Nature.  Her organization’s mission is to connect the people and visitors of the DC area to the abundance of nature in the region. She is a forest bathing guide through the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and Programs and is devoted to sharing the practice, needed now more than ever. Her work has been featured in the Washington Post and on LA’s NPR affiliate KCRW. Ana is also a Virginia Master Naturalist and committed to connecting people to nature through citizen science and other biodiversity initiatives such as the global City Nature Challenge. She enjoys engaging others in citizen science by leading nature walks and teaching about the app iNaturalist. She has worked at the U.S. Green Building Council since 2003 in various capacities that connect people to the green world. Currently on the Marketing and Communications team, she manages projects, curates digital assets and serves as the staff photographer. Ana is passionate about using the built and natural environment as a teaching tool.

Juan Rodriguez is the director of the Clearwater Nature Center in Clinton, Maryland, a facility that offers a variety of interpretive programs hosted by park naturalists.   Environmental education is strongly supported at the nature center through exhibits, displays, programs, special events, clubs, trips, and volunteer opportunities. 

Juan is a zoo professional and educator with over 20 years of public engagement, visitor education and animal care management experience. Previously, Juan was the animal keeper at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute for 16 years, most notably working with the giant pandas.

Born in San Juan Puerto Rico, he moved to the mainland and relocated to Washington D.C. with his two older siblings and mother. He has a BS in biology from George Mason University and an MS in Leadership in Museum Education from Bank Street College of Education.

Bri Nakamura is a 2nd generation water engineer with over a decade of experience in the industry. In 2022, she took on a new role with Xylem Inc. as an Innovation Analyst as
part of Xylem’s Innovation Labs (XIL) team. In this role, she works with the Technology
Scouting and Evaluation team, and oversees many of Xylem’s open innovation ecosystem partnerships, manages the Accelerator and Incubator cohort selection process, and leads the XIL external marketing efforts. Prior to Xylem, Bri served as the Practice Leader of Innovation at the Water Environment Federation’s (WEF) Water Science and Engineering Center (WSEC) for 7 years. She also has experience as a design
engineer with an engineering consulting company in the DC metro area; mainly
focusing on municipal wastewater projects. She holds a BS in Civil Engineering
from Syracuse University and recently expanded her knowledge of business
management by completing the PowerMBA program. Bri recently was awarded the 2022 Outstanding Young Professional of the Year from the Water Environment Federation, and is a 2016 Water Leadership Institute graduate, a licensed professional engineer (PE) in the District of Columbia, and a certified Envision Sustainability Professional
(ENV SP).

Audrey Lin (she/her) is an organizer from the Boston area currently based in Washington, D.C.  After graduating high school in 2019, she co-lead the September 20th Boston climate strike and helped bring 15,000 people to the city. She now works full time for the Sunrise Movement, and has been involved in student organizing campaigns, direct actions, and campaign planning. Outside of movement work, she enjoys spending time with her housemates, running in Rock Creek Park, and making art.”

Julia Anastasio joined the Association of Clean Water Administrators in May 2014 as the new Executive Director and General Counsel.  Ms. Anastasio has 18 years of experience in government law and policy. In the early 2000s she worked for the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and for the last 9 years she has worked with the America Public Works Association (APWA). With APWA, she focused on environmental, sustainability and infrastructure development at the local, state and federal levels and has extensive experience in with federal advocacy and administrative law before Congress and the Executive branch agencies. She is passionate about the role of state government in in developing and implementing national water policy and looks forward to working with ACWA’s membership.

Ms. Anastasio earned her B.A. from Franklin Marshall College, her Masters in Environmental Law and Policy from Vermont Law School, and her J.D. from American University.

Hilary is an experienced Animal Keeper with a demonstrated history of working in the animal care field across a wide diversity of taxa.  She is dedicated to improving captive husbandry and education and passionate about improving the field from within. Hilary is skilled in Environmental Education, Conservation Issues, Animal Husbandry, Community Outreach, and Public Speaking.

Jamoni Overby is an environmental justice advocate and lover of nature from Prince George’s County, MD. Jamoni uses her background in policy, project management and community engagement to focus on issues surrounding water quality, food security, and intersectional issues that impact Black and brown communities. She strives to continue working and consulting with local organizations to create a legacy of programs that increase access to nature, advocate for increased resources while addressing the climate crisis and its impact on underserved and overburdened communities. Jamoni is proud to work as the DC Conservation Advocate for Nature Forward where she can continue to pursue this work on behalf of the organization’s mission.

Jackie Spicer has been an animal care professional for over 12 years, all with the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.  She began her career volunteering and worked her way up through temporary keeper to her current position as senior keeper on American Trail. She has worked with all types of animals: fish, reptiles, amphibians, birds, primates, carnivores, and marine mammals. She has a bachelors degree in wildlife management and a masters degree in environmental management and policy. She plays an active role in her local chapter of the American Association of Zookeepers, currently working as the chapter president.