December 2-8, 2022

Appointed by Governor Philip D. Murphy, Shawn M. LaTourette became New Jersey’s Commissioner of Environmental Protection on June 14, 2021. He hadserved as Acting Commissioner since January 16, 2021. Commissioner LaTourette is responsible for formulating statewide environmental policy while directing programs that protect public health and ensure the quality of New Jersey’s air, land, water, and natural and historic resources.

A lawyer and policymaker with more than 20 years of experience in environmental protection, Commissioner LaTourette began his career defending victims of toxic exposure, including organizing and advocating for the needs of vulnerable New Jersey communities whose drinking water was contaminated by petrochemicals. Throughout a career shaping environmental law and policy, he has served in executive roles and as a trusted adviser to governments, community and non-profit organizations, and leaders in industry and infrastructure, while also litigating high-stakes lawsuits involving environmental, energy and public health concerns.

Guided by a deep commitment to equity and a professional philosophy that uniting economic development and environmental improvement promotes the public good, Commissioner LaTourette has been regarded as a consensus builder adept at achieving balance among competing priorities. His diverse background — in protecting vulnerable communities, facilitating the development of infrastructure and public works, managing business risk, promoting conservationist policies and advocating for equity — has made him a leading force in policy, program and project development, especially those at the complex juncture of economic development, energy and environmental protection.

Mr. Adeem, a Newark native, began working for the City of Newark in 1991 in the Department of Engineering. In 2013, Adeem was promoted to superintendent of public works, where he oversaw daily maintenance operations of the Department of Water and Sewer Utilities. In 2018, he received his certification as a Public Works Manager and was appointed to his present position. He was a key player in various municipal projects, including the Queen Ditch Restoration Project, which helped address chronic flooding along Frelinghuysen Avenue that has plagued the area for more than 30 years. Director Adeem is credited with helping to rebrand the Department of Water and Sewer Utilities and upgrading the city’s infrastructure as it works to replace every lead service line. He is a dedicated public servant who has, and continues to, give back to his native community.

Nathaly Agosto Filión serves as the Deputy Climate Resilience Officer for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. In this capacity, Agosto Filión works with the Office of Climate Resilience team to accelerate implementation of statewide resilience policy and programs in partnership with the Interagency Council on Climate Resilience. Prior to joining the DEP in October 2022, Agosto Filión worked as Chief Sustainability Officer for the City of Newark, NJ, Resiliency Manager with Sustainable Jersey, and Program Officer at the Institute for Sustainable Communities. Throughout her career, Nathaly has helped to design and deliver capacity-building initiatives for local and regional government leaders and community-based climate and sustainability practitioners. Agosto Filión earned B.S. and M.S. degrees in Natural Resources from the University of Vermont.

Utilizing over 24 years of experience with all phases of water and wastewater projects, Nicole Brown has worked with clients to improve the effectiveness and sustainability of their systems. She is currently, the Client Development Manager for Suburban Consulting Engineers focusing on water & wastewater project in NJ and PA. Nicole utilizes her communication skills through public speaking and community outreach for clients. She is passionate about increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the water industry and focuses on encouraging and educating the next generation of water professionals.

Rich is the Director for Ridgewood Water; one of the 25 largest utilities in the state, servicing over 61,000 customers in four municipalities. Rich is a licensed professional engineer and planner, with over 25 years’ experience. The hallmark of his career has been the last six years with Ridgewood, advancing government policies with sound engineering principles, to provide safe drinking water from a complex groundwater system.

Matt Carpenter, Co-Founder and Partner of Beard and Bowler

Whenever I read a speaker’s bio I’m always looking for the “thing” that convinces me that they are worth listening to.  We all do it, right?!?  So let me just cut to the chase.  Here’s who I am:

– Husband & Father of 4

– I own and oversee the creative team for Beard & Bowler, a video production company that specializes in fundraising videos and NonProfit Storytelling.

– I work, full-time, at a NonProfit in Paterson, NJ (Star of Hope Ministries) as the Director of Communications.

– I am also the Director of Communications, part-time, for the New Canaan Society: Bergen County (yes, I work too much).

– Aaaaannnddd, I am the Content Director and Editor for the Bloguin Media Group – a collection of over 30 sports websites.  Important to know, I hate sports I just know what people like to read.

– Finally, because I have so much free time, I’ve been a ghostwriter (on the side) for well over a decade helping some relatively well-known people organize, write, and then market their books, blogs, podcasts, and more.  There’s a good chance you’ve read something I’ve written in the last 6 months.

The FAQ’s that typically follow this:

– Yes, I actually actively do all of these jobs.

– No, I don’t sleep.  It’s fine… I’ve been tested.

– Family always comes first!  I make time with them my priority.

– I love what I do and that’s why I do so much of it.

– No, I can’t be on your board.

Mr. Chwiedosiuk is the Director of Distribution for Middlesex Water Company, a publicly-traded investor-owned water and wastewater utility company, primarily serving New Jersey and Delaware, where he oversees over 700 miles of transmission and distribution pipelines ranging in diameter from 6-inches through 60-inches. Mr. Chwiedosiuk’s  responsibilities include the planning, coordination and management of the utility’s distribution system maintenance, compliance and capital construction programs. Additionally, his responsibilities include the oversight and management of the utility’s Lead Service Line Replacement and Compliance Program.  Mr. Chwiedosiuk has both a B.S. and M.S in Civil Engineering from the New Jersey Institute of Technology. Additionally, he is a New Jersey licensed Professional Engineer and a W-4/C-2 Licensed Operator.

Tanuja Dehne is the President & CEO of the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation where, alongside her team, she is leading the Foundation’s transformation into an anti-racist organization dedicated to realizing a just and equitable New Jersey. Tanuja is also a public company director and former C-level executive of NRG Energy, Inc., a Fortune 250 power company, an award-winning corporate attorney, human resources professional, and community volunteer. Tanuja earned her undergraduate degree from Lafayette College, her Master’s degree in Political Science from the University of Pennsylvania, and her Juris Doctor degree with honors from Syracuse University College of Law.

Fidel Ekhelar provides supervisory oversight of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Universal Service Fund (USF), Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) and the newly established Water and Sewer Winter Termination Program (WTP). He has been with the Department of Community Affairs since 2007 and with the Home Energy Assistance Program since 2014 (with a break from 2017 to 2019 at the Department of Health) before returning to NJ DCA as the Supervisor of the Office of Utility Assistance in April 2019.

Jason Ellinger, Co-Founder and Partner of Beard and Bowler

First, and most importantly, I’m a husband of a beautiful wife & father to an amazing 2 year old.

Of secondary importance, I am the owner of Beard & Bowler Productions, a Commercial Filmmaking creative company that helps nonprofits raise funds & awareness through the power of storytelling via video.

I have worn all the hats, including an English bowler, in my time building this company and have been privileged to work with a long list of businesses, agencies, and organizations.  There is genuine power to the art of storytelling and I’m proud to be part of a company that uses this power to make an impact in our world.

As with any good story there are numerous details I must not go into great detail over here. From my days as a hard news journalist to A.J. Video to Beard & Bowler I continue to learn and grow.  Only greater things to come… just you wait.

Ms. Epstein has 10 years of experience in environmental engineering plus four years of experience in the drinking water industry as Assistant Director of Trenton Water Works. She also brings a unique perspective from her 10 years of experience serving in board and executive positions for non-profit organizations. Her diverse background includes leading the Trenton Water Works Lead Service Line Inventory and Replacement Program in New Jersey. Ms. Epstein has presented at several water industry conferences on topics related to the USEPA and state-specific lead and copper rule compliance and implementing lead service line replacement programs. Ms. Epstein received her undergraduate and master’s degrees in Environmental Engineering from Princeton University and Johns Hopkins University, respectively.

Carly A. Foster AICP, CFM is Village Trustee for the Village of Warwick and Principal Resilience Lead for Arcadis. With 18 years experience, Carly works to build resilience across public and private sectors at scales ranging from single facilities to neighborhoods, communities, regions, states, and asset portfolios. Carly was the consulting project manager for two Resilient NJ regions, Resilient Northeastern NJ and Resilient Raritan River and Bay Communities, and a primary author of numerous Climate Ready Boston reports. A focus and thread throughout her work is partnering technical analysis with effective stakeholder and community engagement. Carly has also been a driving force in obtaining billions of dollars in funding toward resilience projects. She is an active volunteer and has helped launch a community built playground and numerous local economic development and community improvement initiatives.

Michael J Furrey is currently working as Owner/President and private consultant for his own company Agra Environmental and Laboratory Services after working for 12 years for a major public water utility, the North Jersey District Water Commission. He is a 1987 graduate of Cook College, Rutgers University with a BS in Environmental Chemistry. He served as the Chair of the Information Technology Committee for the NJ Section AWWA. He also served on the Advisory Board for Licensing of Water and Wastewater Operators. He was also the past chair for the NJAWWA Education Committee from 1996 to 1998. He currently holds a T4/W3 Water license and is an instructor for the Introductory and Advanced Water Treatment Courses in NJ. He has also coordinated many accredited seminars for organizations such as an Adjunct Professor for Rutgers University, NJIT, NJWEA, NJWA, NJWC and the AWWA-NJ.

Mr. Furrey was the AWWA-NJ section chair in 2015 and is presently an active AWWA member. He also served as Environmental Commission and Greenway Chair for Vernon Township NJ. He is currently the chair of the Vernon Township Municipal Utility Authority. He was also recently appointed to the Drinking Water Quality Institute and a member of the NJ Future Lead in Drinking Water 35-member Task Force.

Kim Gaddy is the Founder of the South Ward Environmental Alliance, a grassroots Environmental Justice organization of residents and community based organizations whose  mission is to create healthy and vibrant neighborhoods by ensuring residents’ voices are heard and are active participants in decision making regarding policies that impact their neighborhood.

In addition, Kim Gaddy is the National and New Jersey Environmental Justice Director for Clean Water Action. She has been advocating for communities impacted by industrial pollution and the goods movement system in Newark and across the country for 21 years.

 Kim develops and implements Clean Water Action/Clean Water Fund’s grassroots environmental justice campaigns and coalition building efforts in New Jersey. She is a former Newark School Board Member, first City of Newark female Chief of Staff for Councilwoman Mildred Crump,  New York/New Jersey Regional Representative for the Moving Forward Network,  Appointed by Governor Phil Murphy to serve as Vice-Chair of the NJDEP’s Environmental Justice Advisory Council and member of the New Jersey Green Jobs Council, former Chair of both the Newark Environmental Commission and the Essex County Environmental Commission, a founding member of the New Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance.

Kim was recognized as the 2021 Russ Berrie Making a Difference Honoree for New Jersey, 2021 International Black Women’s Congress Oni Award Recipient, 2021 Weequahic High School Hall of Distinction, 2020 UUFaith in Action Environmental Justice Award, 2020 New Jersey Governor’s Richard J. Sullivan Environmental Excellence Award, 2018 Newark Women from Suffragettes to the Statehouse, 2017 selected as 100 People of Newark and a 2007 recipient of the Environmental Protection Agency Region 2 Environmental Community award.

Amy oversees all of New Jersey programs for Clean Water Action and Clean Water Fund. She also serves on the Board of the NJ Work Environment Council, the Sewage Free Streets Advisory Council, and chairs the Coalition for Healthy Ports, as well as serving as an appointee to the NJDEP Clean Water Council. From 1994-2002, Amy served in various roles as National Coordinator for the Public Health Institute’s (PHI) Jobs and Environment Training Consortium, National Just Transition Alliance Curriculum Writing Team and Training Logistics Coordinator. Before becoming NJ State Director in mid-1992, Ms. Goldsmith directed Clean Water Action/Fund’s New England programs for seven years – leading a variety of public campaigns around water, superfund and Boston Harbor cleanups, and solid waste. From 1989-1992, Amy served as the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Nuclear Referendum Committee, focused on radioactive waste issues. In 2004, she received an Environmental Achievement Award from NJ Governor McGreevey.  She has a B.S. in Land Use Planning from the University of Minnesota, and served for three years as a research scientist with the University of Minnesota’s Entomology Department. Amy lives in Red Bank with her husband, has two grown children, three cats, and a turtle. She loves to garden and take walks in her favorite nature area.

Mami Hara is the CEO of the US Water Alliance, a national nonprofit organization advancing policies and programs that build a sustainable water future for all. 

The US Water Alliance brings together diverse stakeholders to identify and advance common-ground, achievable solutions to our nation’s most pressing water challenges. Water utilities, public officials, business leaders, agricultural interests, environmental organizations, community leaders, unions, and policy organizations comprise the diverse membership of the US Water Alliance. The Alliance educates the nation on the true value of water, accelerates the adoption of One Water policies and programs, and celebrates innovation in water management. The Alliance also manages the Value of Water Campaign, a coalition of leading water sector organizations that are building public and political will for investment in water infrastructure.

Mami brings over three decades of experience in land and water management, advancing sustainable practices through cultivating leaders and partnerships, workforce development, inclusive community participation, science-based decisions and planning, and knowledge sharing. In her public sector and private practice roles, Mami has guided the planning and implementation of award-winning green infrastructure, sustainability, economic development, and waterfront programs across the United States. 

Prior to serving at the Alliance, Mami was the general manager and CEO of Seattle Public Utilities, which provides solid waste, drainage, and wastewater services for Seattle residents and businesses, as well as drinking water for 1.3 million regional customers in 27 municipalities. Mami also served as first deputy commissioner of Philadelphia Water, where she helped shepherd the groundbreaking green infrastructure program, Green Cities, Clean Waters. Additionally, Mami worked as a principal with Wallace Roberts & Todd, LLC, leading seminal projects such as GreenPlan Philadelphia, and developing environmental justice-centered, open space, and infrastructure plans for underserved communities in the northeastern United States. Mami co-founded a peer-to-peer network for cities and utilities advancing green infrastructure programs to promote research, innovation, and implementation of green infrastructure, and she has been an advisor to several environmental, philanthropic, planning, and design advocacy organizations. Mami taught at PennDesign, Temple School of Architecture, and the Department of Urban Studies and Planning at MIT, and she holds degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard University.

Jeanne Herb is Executive Director of the Environmental Analysis and Communications Group at the Rutgers University Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy and Co-Director of the New Jersey Climate Change Resource Center, a statutorily established and academically housed service center providing support to communities, state and local decision-makers and the private sector to advance equitable and science-informed climate change solutions. Jeanne’s leads applied research projects, cross-sector collaborative initiatives that focus on the intersection of social and environmental determinants of health, health equity, environmental sustainability, state and local public policy, and inclusive, participatory decision-making.  Jeanne co-facilitates the New Jersey Climate Change Alliance, a collaboration of diverse New Jersey thought leaders that, for 12 years, has advanced science-informed climate action in New Jersey, and she serves as a member of the senior leadership teams for the Rutgers Coastal Climate Risk and Resilience Program.  Jeanne co-manages the New Jersey Inclusive Healthy Communities grant program on behalf of the New Jersey Department of Human Services that seeks to advance policy, systems and environmental change to advance health equity for people with disabilities.  Jeanne is an adjunct member of the faculty, teaching graduate courses on science communication and city and regional planning studios focused on environmental sustainability. 

Prior to joining Rutgers in 2010, Jeanne spent more than two decades at the state Department of Environmental Protection, most recently as the Assistant Commissioner of Policy, Planning and Science where she oversaw multidisciplinary programs related to environmental health, sustainable planning and development Environmental Justice, climate change and coastal management. Jeanne is chair of a National Academy of Sciences workshop committee on Communities, Climate Change and Health Equity.  She also serves on the New Jersey Department of Health Healthy New Jersey 2030 Advisory Committee, the Regional Plan Association’s New Jersey Committee, and the New Jersey State League of Municipalities Educational Foundation Board.  She is an alumnus of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Leaders Program and the Rutgers Leadership Academy.  She is a 1981 alumnus of Rutgers University and has a Master’s degree in Science, Health and Environmental Journalism from New York University.

Trish Ingelido is the Director of Division of Water Supply and Geoscience. She has over 20 years of experience in water resources management at the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. She previously served as the Assistant Director of the Water System Operations Element in the Division of Water Supply and Geoscience. She earned a B.S. in Environmental Science from Rutgers University, an M.S. in Environmental Policy from New Jersey Institute of Technology and is a Certified Public Manager.

Dan is Senior Director at the Utility and Transportation Contractors Association (UTCA) of NJ, a trade association with members that deliver a wide range of infrastructure solutions for the public and private sectors. Dan’s subject matter expertise has him focusing on a wide range of environmental and utility issues. He serves on the Steering Committee of Jersey Water Works and is Chairman of the national Clean Water Construction Coalition, an organization of construction associations whose purpose is to promote federal legislation that improves water infrastructure. Prior to his role with UTCA, he served as an Assistant Commissioner at the NJDEP, Deputy Director of the NJ Office for Planning Advocacy, and in various roles in county government.

He is a licensed professional planner with a MCRP from Rutgers’ Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning & Public Policy and a B.S. in Environmental Science from the University of Delaware. Dan serves as the Chair of Bordentown City’s Planning / Zoning Board and the Vice-Chair of the Burlington County Agricultural Development Board.

Sandra Kutzing is a professional engineer and Vice President at CDM Smith in New Jersey with 20 years of experience in drinking water. She has a B.S. from the University of Illinois and an M.S. from the University of Washington. Ms. Kutzing is CDM Smith’s Lead and Copper Strategy leader, assisting utilities with meeting the Lead and Copper Rule and developing lead service line replacement programs.

Andrew Kricun is a Managing Director with Moonshot Missions, a non-profit focused on providing technical assistance to water utilities in underserved communities. He is also a Senior Fellow with the US Water Alliance working on their national water equity initiative. He is also working as a Senior Advisor at the Water Center at the University of Pennsylvania on various projects related to the Delaware River watershed. Prior to that, he served as Executive Director and Chief Engineer of the Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority, operators of an 80 million gallon per day wastewater treatment plant in Camden, NJ. He has 35 years of wastewater and biosolids management experience. He graduated with honors from Princeton University with a degree in chemical engineering. He also holds a professional engineer’s license in civil engineering and is a board-certified environmental engineer as well.

Mr. Kricun serves on the New Jersey Environmental Justice Advisory Council and served on the board of the National Association of Clean Water Agencies and as the chair of its Utility of the Future committee and the Environmental Justice committee. He was the recipient of the Praxis Award for Professional Ethics, the President’s Award from the National Association of Clean Water Agencies, the One Water Prize from the US Water Alliance, and Environmental Quality Awards from the United States Environmental Protection Agency. He was also chosen as governmental engineer of the year by the NJ Chapter American Society of Civil Engineers in 2018.

He serves as co-chair for the Jersey Water Works Steering Committee.

Larry Levine, as Director of Urban Water Infrastructure & Senior Attorney at Natural Resources Defense Council, advocates for strong enforcement of, improvement of, and funding for national, state, and local policies on urban water quality, water infrastructure, and affordable access to safe and sufficient water and sanitation. He is a member of the Jersey Water Works Steering Committee and is the Co-Chair for the Asset Management and Finance subcommittee. He is a graduate of Tulane University and Yale Law School.

Ev spends her working life championing positive social change.  Currently Ev is the Director of Advocacy for AARP New Jersey, developing and providing strategic leadership for AARP’s advocacy efforts and campaigns at both the state and federal level.  Ev works with staff and volunteers to create positive social change and deliver value to AARP NJ’s 1.2 million members in the areas of health care, financial security, caregiving, livable communities, affordable utility rates and consumer protections. 

Prior to joining AARP, Ev served as Director of Organizing and Advocacy for New Jersey Citizen Action, the state’s largest independent citizen watchdog coalition, representing over 60,000 family members and 100 affiliated community, labor, tenant, religious, housing, senior and civic organizations. There, Ev was responsible for developing and implementing advocacy campaigns on health care, community reinvestment, work/family balance, progressive state and federal tax policy, affordable utility rates, election reform and voting rights. 

Tenisha Malcolm is the Director of the Urban Mayors Policy Center at John S. Watson Institute for Urban Policy and Research at Kean University. In this role, Malcolm supports the work of the Institute to provide support for New Jersey Urban Mayors Association (NJUMA) member mayors in guiding communities as they seek solutions to various issues facing urban municipalities. She will also provide technical support to the members of the NJUMA focusing on policy analysis and research.

Prior to joining the Watson Institute, Malcolm worked for several national and community-based nonprofits where she directed large-scale innovative programs, fundraising and strategic development. 

Mark McDonough is the principal external contact for New Jersey American Water, overseeing 850 employees who serve approximately 2.8 million people. McDonough’s previous roles with American Water included president of the Military Services Group and Chief Compliance Officer. 

Before joining American Water in June 2005, McDonough was an attorney. Prior to graduating law school, he was a special agent with the U.S. Government, serving in the Office of Inspector General at the Department of Energy, The National Passenger Railroad Corporation (Amtrak), and the General Services Administration. McDonough received his B.S. in criminal justice from the University of Delaware, his M.S. in justice from American University, and his J.D. from George Mason University.

Nicole Miller, Principal of MnM Consulting, is a communications professional with nearly two decades of experience creating targeted publicity and marketing campaigns for a range of clients in private industry and the nonprofit sector. MnM Consulting specializes in media development, digital and print publishing, brand strategy, content creation, and clean energy/sustainability education for business and general audiences. MnM Consulting works with several small business, government, and non-profit clients on brand development, project management, event coordination and product deployment. Ms. Miller has a BA in Arts, Media, and Culture from the University of Washington and a Master of Science in Publishing from Pace University in New York. Ms. Miller is a resident of Newark, NJ, a member of the Newark Environmental Commission advising the Mayor and City Council on sustainability issues, Chair of the Newark Green Team, and Co-Chair of NewarkDIG (Doing Infrastructure Green), which is dedicated to resilient and sustainable municipal stormwater management.

She serves as co-chair for the Jersey Water Works Steering Committee.

Rosana Pedra Nobre is the Water Quality Manager at the Hudson River Foundation and the New York-New Jersey Harbor & Estuary Program, where she works with partner organizations and agencies to manage water resources and improve water quality in the Harbor Estuary. She dedicates her time towards incorporating science, data collection, and community engagement into addressing water quality challenges and uses an educational lens to communicate science. Rosana has an Ed.M. in science education and a B.S. in environmental sciences from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey.

Joel Rosa, Chairman of Perth Amboy Redevelopment Agency, is a proud New Jersey native who was appointed by Mayor Helmin J. Caba as Perth Amboy’s lead person on the CSO Long Term Control Plan. In this capacity, Joel oversees economic development within the City’s redevelopment zone and ensures all approved projects provide infrastructure improvements that build storm resiliency. During his term, PARA approved over $1 billion in private investment, generated over $15M in annual tax revenue, created over 3,000 jobs, and produced more than $25M in infrastructure improvements.

Prior to his current role, Joel lead communities of empowered citizens to present solutions to their governing bodies in cities including Newark, Perth Amboy, Plainfield, Trenton, and Philadelphia as the Civic Trust Director for the Citizens Campaign Non-Profit. During his time there, he worked with public officials and school administrators throughout New Jersey to implement public safety policies, civic-based curriculums, and quality of life enhancement programs that address social justice and environmental issues. 

Joel is also a business professional with over 15 years of experience in managing companies in private, public, and voluntary sectors. He is committed to developing underserved communities and volunteers as a member of the Perth Amboy Green Team, Middlesex County Solid Waste Advisory Council, and Jersey Waterworks Steering Committee.

Diane manages program staff responsible for New Jersey Future’s Mainstreaming Green Infrastructure program, stormwater utilities, lead in drinking water policy, and general water policy. Diane plays a leadership role in policy development and advocacy, provides technical assistance, and works to advance program goals. She has over 20 years of experience in water and sustainability issues. In addition to her work as a consultant for organizations and agencies focused on water resources and sustainable development, Diane also served as a program officer at the William Penn Foundation. She holds a B.A. in anthropology and geology from Vanderbilt University, as well as a Master of Regional Planning with a concentration in land use and environmental planning from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Monica Shaw is the Founder/Executive Director of the 501 C(3) nonprofit, Deliverance Children’s Ministry, Inc. (DCMNonprofit) which provides for the advancement of youth and their families by fostering community engagement through academic enrichment, mentorship and career development programs. Monica is the President/Executive Director of DCM. Current initiatives of DCM are Arts and Culture, Haiti humanitarian outreach and environmental justice work. In 2021, Monica participated in the Sewage-Free Streets and Rivers fellowship and recently acquired the Rose Avenue Urban Farm located in the Ward A section of Jersey City in hopes of turning the urban farm into a place of community food resource and educational opportunities for Youth and families to learn about food sustainability systems. 

Her work in the community has led her to partner with Episcopal Jersey City and its mission at Triangle Park Community Center (TPCC) located in the heart of the Greenville community of Jersey City NJ as Director of the center for the past five years. Ms. Shaw runs outreach programs that help underserved populations such as the monthly food pantry, Adult Drop In Center where lunch is served Monday thru Friday, Youth Homework/Tutoring and North Porch Women & Infants program that services needy Moms with diapers, formula and baby items. In 2021, her work with the Friends of Ferris Triangle Park was instrumental in the remodeling of the park as well as the many events the center hosts that created so many good memories for kids and families of Ward A. Her passion to serve the community allows her to fulfill her purpose to help people in need. 

Monica is a Founding board member of Kindle Education, a Middle-High School charter school slated to open in 2023 and is a member of the Hudson County Chamber of Commerce “Women of Commerce” division.

Stephanie Staub is the Director of Infrastructure and Energy Sectors Strategy and Workforce Partnerships for the New Jersey Community College Consortium for Workforce and Economic Development. Focused on the NJ Pathways to Career Opportunities initiative, she leads the sector’s statewide inclusive Collaborative as well as two Centers of Workforce Innovation, for Renewable Energy and for Construction.

Stephanie has worked in the construction industry for nearly thirty years, primarily in a labor/management setting with the International Masonry Institute and Architectural Glass Institute. She was a member of Drexel University’s Construction Management Advisory Council and served as adjunct professor for their Glass as a Construction Material course.

Over the years Stephanie has actively participated in a variety of boards and industry organizations, many of which serving in leadership positions. She was Vice President of the Construction Specification Institute’s Philadelphia Chapter and in that role worked closely with the American Society of Professional Estimators. She served on the Board of Directors of the ACE Mentoring Program (Architecture/Construction/Engineering) in both New Jersey and Greater Philadelphia. Stephanie is in the final months of a 12-year stint on the Ewing Board of Education, having served as President and Vice President for nearly half of her years of service.

Chris Testa is a Supervising Administrative Analyst in the New Jersey Office of  Emergency Management. He is the civilian manager of the Hazard Mitigation Unit, which is housed within the Recovery Bureau of the New Jersey State Police. The Unit has administered over $680M in FEMA grants distributed across all 21 of NJ’s Counties. Chris also coordinates Hazard Mitigation Planning at the local level, supplying technical assistance and reviewing plans prior to submission to FEMA. Mr. Testa was OEM’s lead in the development of the 2014 and 2019 NJ State Hazard Mitigation Plans. Chris has a BS in Environmental Studies from Stockton University, and a MS in Environmental Policy Studies from NJIT. Prior to his work with the NJSP he was employed by specialty contractor Henkels and McCoy as an Environmental Manager on  PSEG Electrical Transmission projects. Following DR-4021, the remnants of Hurricane Irene, Chris worked as a Community Hazard Mitigation Planner for FEMA. Prior to that, he was Special Projects Coordinator for the Hunterdon County Soil Conservation District.

Brian J. Valentino is Chief Executive Officer & Executive Director of the Western Monmouth Utilities Authority and is statewide Director of the Environmental Professional Development Academy. A noted government executive, Chief Valentino has led the WMUA since 2014 following nearly 20 years as a municipal administrator. As CEO of one of Monmouth County’s regional utilities, Valentino leads a vibrant, vision-oriented agency of more than fifty full time environmental professionals tasked with the protection of the region’s surface waters through the collection, treatment, and return to the environment of more than 8 million gallons of reclaimed wastewater every day.

In addition to his duties at WMUA, Chief Valentino serves on the Board of Directors of the Association of Environmental Authorities and was one of the key professionals responsible for the development and execution of the Environmental Professional Development Academy—the first ever comprehensive leadership training program for the public environmental sector. The EPDA and its cohort-based learning model and have won many national and international awards including the coveted “Water Resources Utility of the Future Today” designation, the National Environmental Achievement Award, and the OneWater Award.

Outside of the environmental sector, Brian Valentino is a noted expert in emergency management and disaster management and serves on various local, regional and national organizations and boards. He holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration from the acclaimed Graduate School of Public Affairs at the American University, is a Certified Environmental Authority Supervisor, and is one of less than a dozen public executives in New Jersey to have been designated a “Credentialed Manager” by the International City and County Management Association. He resides in Monmouth County with his wife of more than twenty years and his two sons.

Mami Hara is the CEO of the US Water Alliance, a national nonprofit organization advancing policies and programs that build a sustainable water future for all. 

The US Water Alliance brings together diverse stakeholders to identify and advance common-ground, achievable solutions to our nation’s most pressing water challenges. Water utilities, public officials, business leaders, agricultural interests, environmental organizations, community leaders, unions, and policy organizations comprise the diverse membership of the US Water Alliance. The Alliance educates the nation on the true value of water, accelerates the adoption of One Water policies and programs, and celebrates innovation in water management. The Alliance also manages the Value of Water Campaign, a coalition of leading water sector organizations that are building public and political will for investment in water infrastructure.

Mami brings over three decades of experience in land and water management, advancing sustainable practices through cultivating leaders and partnerships, workforce development, inclusive community participation, science-based decisions and planning, and knowledge sharing. In her public sector and private practice roles, Mami has guided the planning and implementation of award-winning green infrastructure, sustainability, economic development, and waterfront programs across the United States. 

Prior to serving at the Alliance, Mami was the general manager and CEO of Seattle Public Utilities, which provides solid waste, drainage, and wastewater services for Seattle residents and businesses, as well as drinking water for 1.3 million regional customers in 27 municipalities. Mami also served as first deputy commissioner of Philadelphia Water, where she helped shepherd the groundbreaking green infrastructure program, Green Cities, Clean Waters. Additionally, Mami worked as a principal with Wallace Roberts & Todd, LLC, leading seminal projects such as GreenPlan Philadelphia, and developing environmental justice-centered, open space, and infrastructure plans for underserved communities in the northeastern United States. Mami co-founded a peer-to-peer network for cities and utilities advancing green infrastructure programs to promote research, innovation, and implementation of green infrastructure, and she has been an advisor to several environmental, philanthropic, planning, and design advocacy organizations. Mami taught at PennDesign, Temple School of Architecture, and the Department of Urban Studies and Planning at MIT, and she holds degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard University.