We’re joined by Bridget Fithian, Executive Director of the Sierra Foothill Conservancy and a leader in land conservation across the Central Sierra. Born and raised in Mariposa, Bridget’s deep connection to open spaces has shaped her career in conservation, where she has helped protect over 30,000 acres of land through innovative partnerships and creative solutions. 

Under her leadership, the Sierra Foothill Conservancy has expanded public access to nature, preserved critical landscapes, and played a key role in conservation planning, fire resilience, and environmental stewardship. Bridget also serves as Board Chair of the California Council of Land Trusts and holds leadership roles with the Sierra Cascade Land Trust Council and the California Conservation Action Fund. 

In this episode, we’ll explore how land trusts shape conservation, the role of environmental planning, and what it takes to protect and restore California’s landscapes for future generations.  

In this episode, we're joined by Cynthia R. Harris, Director of the Institute for Environmental Sovereignty at the National Congress of American Indians. A respected leader in environmental law and tribal sovereignty, Cynthia brings deep expertise in climate adaptation, water conservation, and green infrastructure, all while advocating for tribal self-determination. 

Before joining NCAI, she led tribal consultation research in California as Director of Tribal Programs at the Environmental Law Institute. With experience in local government, national policy, and leadership roles at the American Bar Association and the National Academies of Sciences, Cynthia offers a unique perspective on the intersection of tribal sovereignty and environmental policy. 

At NCAI, the nation’s oldest and largest American Indian and Alaska Native organization, she continues to advance tribal governance and environmental justice. Join us as we explore her insights on Indigenous leadership in environmental stewardship. Thanks for listening, we hope you enjoy! 

Welcome to the Environmental Leadership Chronicles, brought to you by the California Association of Environmental Professionals. In this episode, we are thrilled to feature Cameron Lukos, a GIS analyst and biologist at GPA Consulting, who is pioneering the integration of technology and biology in environmental science.

Cameron discusses his dual role in providing GIS support across various departments, including biology, architectural history, and CEQA compliance, while also engaging in fieldwork such as biological surveys and habitat assessments. He shares insights into how his family's legacy in the environmental industry has shaped his career path, drawing inspiration from his father's work as an aquatic biologist.

As the student liaison for AEP's Orange County chapter, Cameron is passionate about mentoring the next generation of environmental leaders. He offers valuable advice to students on networking, gaining industry experience, and the importance of internships.

Join hosts Jessa and Corinne as they delve into Cameron's journey, exploring the intersection of GIS technology and biology, and how Cameron's dedication is creating a positive ripple effect in the environmental sector.

Listen in to discover how Cameron navigates the challenges of a rapidly changing industry, his vision for the future, and his commitment to fostering new talent in environmental science.

In this episode, we're thrilled to feature Shelby Rust Busó, the Chief Sustainability Officer for the City of San Diego. As a key figure in San Diego's climate action plans, Shelby brings a wealth of experience in sustainable building design, mobility, local food systems, and resiliency planning. Her role is crucial in implementing San Diego's ambitious Climate Action Plan, which aims to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2035.  

Shelby discusses her career journey from her roles in Miami and Atlanta to her current position leading San Diego's efforts in building decarbonization and climate action implementation. Whether you're an environmental professional or simply passionate about sustainability, this episode offers valuable insights into the challenges and triumphs of environmental leadership. 

Thanks for listening, we hope you enjoy! 

In this episode, we feature Joan Valle, the Chief of Regulatory for the Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District. With over 20 years of experience in environmental planning, Joan shares her expertise in managing teams and programs related to key environmental regulations such as CEQA, NEPA, and the Clean Water Act.

Joan discusses her passion for finding win-win solutions with resource agencies and stakeholders, as well as her active role in lobbying state and federal decision-makers for policies that benefit Riverside County and beyond. She also talks about her involvement with the AEP Legislative Committee and the National Association of Flood and Stormwater Management Agencies.

Join hosts Jessa and Corinne as they dive into Joan's leadership journey, her career path from environmental analyst to division chief, and her insights into the challenges and rewards of working in flood control and water conservation. Joan also shares her thoughts on the importance of effective environmental laws and policies, and her vision for the future of the environmental profession.

Listen in to learn more about Joan's experiences, her favorite projects, and what drives her dedication to protecting communities through innovative environmental solutions.

In this episode, we feature Claudia Garcia, who serves on the state board for AEP and is the director at large, as well as the liaison for the state board's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity committee. Alongside her, we have Chief Esparza, a dedicated DEI consultant working closely with the AEP state board to foster inclusive cultures within the organization. We discuss integrating DEI practices within AEP, and strategies for making inclusivity a cornerstone of professional communities, and how to effectively advocate for change.

We're thrilled to host Clayton Tschudy, the Executive Director of San Diego Canyonlands. Clayton has over twenty years of experience dedicated to restorative landscape design in California. His expertise as a botanist includes native plant ecology of California and drought-tolerant landscaping. A recognized leader in habitat restoration, Clayton has collaborated with cities like San Diego and Chula Vista, along with numerous local entities and private landowners to enhance and preserve environmental heritage of the impacted regions. Today, he joins us to share his journey, insights, and his approach to environmental justice. 

We are also excited to announce that the Environmental Leadership Chronicles has been selected as a Top 50 Environmental Podcast by a FeedSpot Panel, AND one of the Top 10 California Environmental Podcasts. 

Co-host Corinne Lytle Bonine joins the podcast as we feature Jenny Vick, West Coast Offshore Wind Lead for HDR. 

As an established environmental consultant, Jenny has over 18 years of environmental and project management experience preparing CEQA and NEPA documents for a wide range of marine and coastal projects, including renewable energy, substations, transmission, and ports.  

Jenny discusses the exciting opportunities and challenges in developing offshore wind in the Pacific Ocean – and keeping on the cutting edge of this rapidly evolving industry.  

She earned a bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences from the University of California, Santa Barbara and a Master’s degree in Marine Biology from James Cook University in Australia.  

Join us as we learn about Jenny's approach to mentorship and carving your professional pathway. Thanks for listening, we hope you enjoy! 

This episode is a feature in our CEQA Series where I'm joined by co-host, Corinne Lytle Bonine and we feature Andrew Saba, Managing Director at Stockdale Capital Partners. 

Andrew is responsible for asset management with a focus on healthcare real estate at Stockdale Capital Partners – a real estate investment firm based in Los Angeles. Andrew discusses how commercial developers approach CEQA in project planning, and considerations for streamlining development for healthcare and housing needs. 

Join us as we learn about from a developer's perspective on engaging with environmental processes. Thanks for listening, we hope you enjoy! 

This episode is a feature in our CEQA Series; our host Konnie Dobreva speaks with guests Tim Haile, Executive Director at Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) and Meghan Macias, Director of Technical Services at EPD Solutions 

Konnie, Meghan, and Tim discuss the impacts of SB 743 on VMT mitigation and TDM programs designed to reduce emissions, urban sprawl and promote use of alternative transportation. 

Tim Haile, an award-winning transportation expert, emphasizes the importance of innovative transit programs and the need for sustainable, equitable, and accessible transportation solutions. He discusses his leadership in connected and autonomous vehicles, including the deployment of shared autonomous vehicles in the Bay Area. 

Meghan Macias brings over two decades of experience in transportation planning to the conversation. She leads a team focused on comprehensive technical analyses for land development projects across California. Meghan's expertise includes traffic engineering and a deep understanding CEQA. 

Join Tim, Meghan, and Konnie as they discuss challenges and strategies surrounding VMT mitigation and its impact on transportation planning and development in California.