Holly Bisbee

HOLLY BISBEE

Program Manager, Department of Homeland Security​-Science & Technology Directorate

In her current position at the U. S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) Ms. Bisbee and her team review DHS S&T proposed projects for possible environmental, health, safety and energy impacts. In her role as Senior Environmental Protection Specialist / NEPA Program Lead she ensures S&T compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), to include: the Clean Air Act; the Clean Water Act; the Endangered Species Act; the National Historic Preservation Act; the Migratory Bird Treaty Act; and Environmental Justice concerns. During her time in college, Ms. Bisbee was provided the opportunity to work as a Cultural Resources Technician in the Noatak National Preserve, Alaska, for the National Park Service, Department of the Interior. She has an active interest in planting native plant species and is slowly converting her 1-acre property into native plant habitat. When not puttering in the gardens she’s running the local trails with her 8-year old black lab, Ori.

HOLLY BISBEE

Program Manager, Department of Homeland Security​-Science & Technology Directorate

In her current position at the U. S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) Ms. Bisbee and her team review DHS S&T proposed projects for possible environmental, health, safety and energy impacts. In her role as Senior Environmental Protection Specialist / NEPA Program Lead she ensures S&T compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), to include: the Clean Air Act; the Clean Water Act; the Endangered Species Act; the National Historic Preservation Act; the Migratory Bird Treaty Act; and Environmental Justice concerns. During her time in college, Ms. Bisbee was provided the opportunity to work as a Cultural Resources Technician in the Noatak National Preserve, Alaska, for the National Park Service, Department of the Interior. She has an active interest in planting native plant species and is slowly converting her 1-acre property into native plant habitat. When not puttering in the gardens she’s running the local trails with her 8-year old black lab, Ori.

Dr. Lauren Gibson

DR. LAUREN GIBSON

Special Advisor on Youth Engagement, NOAA, and National Geographic Explorer

Dr. Lauren Gibson specializes in empowering young people to take environmental action for societal change. She currently serves as the first special advisor on youth engagement at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), working to bring more youth voices into agency decision-making. In previous roles, Dr. Gibson has consulted on youth-adult partnerships, researched the factors that drive young people to engage in large-scale environmental advocacy behaviors, and communicated the importance of environmental education efforts to Congress. Her experiences growing up as a youth environmental activist herself continue to inform her work. 

DR. LAUREN GIBSON

Special Advisor on Youth Engagement, NOAA, and National Geographic Explorer

Dr. Lauren Gibson specializes in empowering young people to take environmental action for societal change. She currently serves as the first special advisor on youth engagement at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), working to bring more youth voices into agency decision-making. In previous roles, Dr. Gibson has consulted on youth-adult partnerships, researched the factors that drive young people to engage in large-scale environmental advocacy behaviors, and communicated the importance of environmental education efforts to Congress. Her experiences growing up as a youth environmental activist herself continue to inform her work. 

Juan Rodriguez

JUAN RODRIGUEZ

Director, Clearwater Nature Center

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, Juan moved to the mainland and relocated to Washington D.C. with his family in the 1980s. He has a B.S. in biology from George Mason University and an M.S. in Leadership in Museum Education from Bank Street College of Education. Juan also serves on the Board of Trustees for The Wild Center in the Adirondacks in upstate New York.

JUAN RODRIGUEZ

Director, Clearwater Nature Center

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, Juan moved to the mainland and relocated to Washington D.C. with his family in the 1980s. He has a B.S. in biology from George Mason University and an M.S. in Leadership in Museum Education from Bank Street College of Education. Juan also serves on the Board of Trustees for The Wild Center in the Adirondacks in upstate New York.

Bri Nakamura

BRI NAKAMURA

Innovation Analyst, Xylem Innovation Labs

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).

BRI NAKAMURA

Innovation Analyst, Xylem Innovation Labs

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).

Julia Anastasio

JULIA ANASTASIO

Executive Director & General Counsel, Association of Clean Water Administrators

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.

JULIA ANASTASIO

Executive Director & General Counsel, Association of Clean Water Administrators

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 Colton

HILARY COLTON

Animal Keeper, Smithsonian National Zoo

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.

HILARY COLTON

Animal Keeper, Smithsonian National Zoo

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.

Jackie Spicer

JACKIE SPICER

Senior Keeper, Smithsonian National Zoo

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.

JACKIE SPICER

Senior Keeper, Smithsonian National Zoo

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.

Dr. Alonso Aguirre

DR. ALONSO AGUIRRE

Associate Professor, George Mason University

Dr. Alonso Aguirre heads a program of collaborative research that focuses on the ecology of wildlife disease and the links to human health and conservation of biodiversity.  His research has been instrumental in revealing the impact of emerging diseases of marine wildlife populations. Dr. Aguirre’s international experience brings applied solutions to ecological health issues accomplished through trans-disciplinary teams, innovative research, scientific excellence, and long-term monitoring of sentinel species. Dr. Aguirre served as the Executive Director of the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation and Director of the Mason Center for Conservation Studies.

He has authored three books, published over 160 professional papers, monographs and scientific reports, and advised government agency and NGO leaders of several countries in the Americas, Southeast Asia and Western Europe. He currently serves as co-editor of EcoHealth, Journal of Wildlife Diseases and European Journal of Wildlife Research.

Dr. Changwoo Ahn

DR. CHANGWOO AHN

Professor in Environmental Science and Policy, George Mason University

Dr. Ahn is currently a Professor in Environmental Science and Policy, and an affiliated faculty member in Civil, Environmental & Infrastructure Engineering, Biology, Molecular Ecology and Evolution, Food Studies, and the School of Art.  He served as a University Life Faculty Fellow (2013-2018) and became a Faculty Research Fellow appointed by Center for Real Estate Entrepreneurship (School of Business). At Mason, Dr. Ahn teaches Wetland Ecology and Management, Ecosystem Modeling and Analysis, Ecological Sustainability, Ecological Engineering and Ecosystem Restoration, and Urban Ecosystems and Processes. Ecological Sustainability (Mason Core, Capstone) and Urban Ecosystems and Processes are both R&S (Research and Scholarship) intensive courses for undergraduates sponsored by the Students as Scholars program, through the Office of Student Scholarship, Creative Activities, and Research (OSCAR). This program is Mason’s award-winning undergraduate research and creative activities initiative. His most recent new course, EVPP 381: Nature and Culture in Global Wetlands has been designated as Mason Core for Global Understanding, which will be taught starting in the Spring 2022 semester.
Dr. Ahn was a recipient of both Mentoring Excellence Award in 2016 and Teacher with Distinction in 2017. He is dedicated to developing and innovating methods of teaching that will incorporate strong research experiences into undergraduate science education.

DR. CHANGWOO AHN

Professor in Environmental Science and Policy, George Mason University

Dr. Ahn is currently a Professor in Environmental Science and Policy, and an affiliated faculty member in Civil, Environmental & Infrastructure Engineering, Biology, Molecular Ecology and Evolution, Food Studies, and the School of Art.  He served as a University Life Faculty Fellow (2013-2018) and became a Faculty Research Fellow appointed by Center for Real Estate Entrepreneurship (School of Business). At Mason, Dr. Ahn teaches Wetland Ecology and Management, Ecosystem Modeling and Analysis, Ecological Sustainability, Ecological Engineering and Ecosystem Restoration, and Urban Ecosystems and Processes. Ecological Sustainability (Mason Core, Capstone) and Urban Ecosystems and Processes are both R&S (Research and Scholarship) intensive courses for undergraduates sponsored by the Students as Scholars program, through the Office of Student Scholarship, Creative Activities, and Research (OSCAR). This program is Mason’s award-winning undergraduate research and creative activities initiative. His most recent new course, EVPP 381: Nature and Culture in Global Wetlands has been designated as Mason Core for Global Understanding, which will be taught starting in the Spring 2022 semester.
Dr. Ahn was a recipient of both Mentoring Excellence Award in 2016 and Teacher with Distinction in 2017. He is dedicated to developing and innovating methods of teaching that will incorporate strong research experiences into undergraduate science education.

Elise Bernardoni

ELISE BERNARDONI

Director of Engagement, Canopy Strategic Partners

Elise Bernardoni is the Director of Engagement at Canopy Strategic Partners, helping mission-driven organizations improve the planet. Previously, she was the Assistant Director for Education Programs at Friends of the National Zoo (FONZ), where she worked for 14 years, overseeing various education programs and managing special projects. She is an active advocate for zoo-based conservation organizations, an instructor for AZA professional development courses, and the national education co-advisor for the Felid Taxonomic Advisory Group.

Elise holds a BFA in Drama from Carnegie Mellon University and an MA in Teaching; Museum Education from The George Washington University. Passionate about youth conservation, she is a Connecticut native who enjoys traveling, kayaking, and wildlife spotting.

ELISE BERNARDONI

Director of Engagement, Canopy Strategic Partners

Elise Bernardoni is the Director of Engagement at Canopy Strategic Partners, helping mission-driven organizations improve the planet. Previously, she was the Assistant Director for Education Programs at Friends of the National Zoo (FONZ), where she worked for 14 years, overseeing various education programs and managing special projects. She is an active advocate for zoo-based conservation organizations, an instructor for AZA professional development courses, and the national education co-advisor for the Felid Taxonomic Advisory Group.

Elise holds a BFA in Drama from Carnegie Mellon University and an MA in Teaching; Museum Education from The George Washington University. Passionate about youth conservation, she is a Connecticut native who enjoys traveling, kayaking, and wildlife spotting.