Environmental Leadership Chronicles

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.

In this episode, co-hosts Corinne and Jessa feature Pedro Peterson, Ph.D. - who manages the Local Planning Section at the California Air Resources Board (known as CARB). CARB provides resources and guidance to local governments on how to align land use and mobility policies with the State’s climate, air quality, and equity commitments. He has previously led teams at CARB overseeing investments from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund on affordable housing and transportation. Before joining CARB, he was a Senior Planner with the City of San Francisco, and independent consultant for the Inter-American Development Bank in Washington, DC, and completed a Ph.D. in City and Regional Planning at UC Berkeley. 

Listen in as we learn about Pedro’s insights on leadership as an environmental professional and the path that led him to his current role with CARB.

In this episode, we delve into the world of Generative AI with Gayani Weerasinghe, an intellectual property attorney and Hobson Lane, an AI developer, professor, and social impact entrepreneur.  

As generative AI continues to evolve and become more integrated into our lives, we wanted to launch a miniseries on the practical applications and limitations of AI to frame discussions on how we can use it within the environmental industry. We discuss the legal considerations of using this powerful tool, as well as the opportunities it presents – including greater accessibility. 

Disclaimer: the views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the California Association of Environmental Professionals.