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Chief Executive Officer
Florida Housing Coalition
Ashon Nesbitt is the CEO of the Florida Housing Coalition. A respected community and nonprofit leader, Mr. Nesbitt is an expert in housing finance, development, and program administration, helping local governments with land use tools and creative models for affordable housing development. As a strong advocate for permanent affordability, Nesbitt has championed the expansion and professionalization of community land trusts throughout the state, overseeing the development of the Coalition’s nationally recognized Community Land Trust Certification Program. Mr. Nesbitt has also led many of Coalition’s other initiatives and innovations, including the Nonprofit Capacity Building Institute and adaptive reuse, authoring the Eyesore to Asset: A Guidebook for Adaptive Reuse of Vacant Retail, designed to aid local governments and business leaders in their search for new models for local economic development. Mr. Nesbitt has two master’s degrees from the University of Florida: a Master of Arts in Urban and Regional Planning and a Master of Science in Real Estate. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies from Florida A&M University.
Author, Journalist, Podcaster, Speaker
Written for: The Washington Post, Time Magazine, Politico Magazine, and more
Michael Grunwald is a best-selling author and a widely acclaimed journalist who has covered government policy and politics as a staff writer for The Washington Post, Time Magazine, and Politico Magazine. He has won the George Polk Award for national reporting, the Worth Bingham Prize for investigative reporting, the Society of Environment Journalists award for in-depth reporting, and many other honors.
Over three decades in journalism, Mike has written scores of magazine cover stories, about everything from Time's Man of the Year to all the ways the government subsidizes his own family, and thousands of newspaper stories, including the Post’s lead news story about the September 11 attacks. He’s covered the environment, the economy, Congress, and New York City; he's worked as a reporter, feature writer, columnist, and essayist.
In 2006, Simon & Schuster published Mike’s first book, The Swamp: The Everglades, Florida, and the Politics of Paradise. It was praised as “brilliant” (The Washington Post), “magnificent” (The Palm Beach Post), and “terrific” (The New York Times). In August 2012, S&S published his second book, The New New Deal: The Hidden History of Change in the Obama Era. It received similar raves—The Economist and The Guardian both declared it the best book about the Obama administration—and made the New York Times best-seller list. In 2025, S&S will publish his third book, We Are Eating the Earth: The Race to Fix Our Food System and Save Our Climate.
Mike is married to Cristina Dominguez, a former lawyer turned mind-body-spirit healer. They live in Miami with their son, Max, their daughter, Lina, and their clinically insane dogs, Cookie, Wags, and Wim.
Director
Palm Beach County Office of Resilience
As the Chief Resilience Officer, Megan oversees the County's climate resilience and sustainable development strategies. She has a broad background in high-performance building practices, environmental law, and community development. Prior to her role with the County, Megan was a Program Manager for the Institute for Market Transformation in Washington, DC, where she developed the organization's multifamily buildings program to remove market barriers to energy efficiency. Megan holds a J.D. from Brooklyn Law School, a M.S. degree in Urban Environmental Systems Management from Pratt Institute, and a Bachelor of Design degree from the University of Florida. Megan is a South Florida native, having been born and raised in Palm Beach Gardens, FL.
Professor & Author
FAU School of Architecture
Jeffrey Huber, FAIA, ASLA, NCARB, LEED AP Huber is a Professor of the School of Architecture at Florida Atlantic University in downtown Fort Lauderdale. In addition, he is a principal at Brooks + Scarpa and manages the firm’s south Florida office. A distinguished architect and landscape architect, Huber’s work specializes on public realm projects that combine ecological, landscape, urban, and architectural design. Huber’s research, teaching, and professional work have garnered over 75 national design awards, including multiple from Progressive Architecture, The American Institute of Architects (AIA), American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), American Architecture Awards, and the American Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA). His professional work has been published in hundreds of books and periodicals including Architect, Residential Architect, The Plan, The Plan Journal, Landscape Architecture Magazine, and Architectural Record.
Professor & Author
FAU School of Architecture
Salty Urbanism, alongside its counterpoint, Shady Urbanism, plays a vital role in addressing heat resilience in urban areas. Salty Urbanism integrates nature-based solutions with building construction to enhance climate resilience and adaptation, while Shady Urbanism focuses on providing shade and cooling strategies to reduce heat vulnerability. Several of our recent projects in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties apply Salty Urbanism as a framework, showcasing diverse approaches to climate-responsive design. These projects include an affordable housing development, a public park, and a cultural arts education center, each demonstrating how thoughtful design can respond to climate challenges. Additionally, our ongoing work with Palm Beach County on Cam D. Milani Park and with Miami-Dade County on Crandon Park further explores these strategies, advancing the integration of heat resilience measures into public spaces. These projects serve as a "menu" of adaptation approaches, reinforcing Salty Urbanism as a catalyst for impactful, community-driven resilience, and we are excited to demonstrate how these strategies contribute to the long-term sustainability and livability of urban environments.
Director, Sea Level Solutions Center & Research Professor
Florida International University
Jayantha Obeysekera is the Director and Research Professor in the Sea Level Solutions Center. Obeysekera previously served as the chief modeler at the South Florida Water Management District, where he had a leading role in the modeling of the Everglades and Kissimmee River restoration projects. He was the co-author of the sea level rise projections report published by NOAA for the National Climate Assessment and a lead author for the Southeast Chapter of the National Climate Assessment. He served on the federal advisory committee which directed the development of the National Climate Assessment in 2014. Obeysekera was a member of multiple National Research Council panels dealing with water resources issues, focusing on the Edwards Aquifer system in Texas, Klamath River in California and Oregon, and the California Bay-Delta. He also served on the Coastal Assessment Regional Scenario Working Group associated with the Department of Defense and co-authored a report on regional sea level projections for Department of Defense facilities across the globe.
Deputy County Administrator
Palm Beach County
Patrick Rutter, Deputy County Administrator, joined the county in 2003 as the Planning Division's chief planner. He was subsequently selected as executive director of the Planning, Zoning, and Building Department in 2016. Mr. Rutter was appointed to County Administration in 2018. He oversees Planning, Zoning and Building, Engineering and Public Works, Environmental Resources Management, Water Resources Management, the Office of Resilience, and the Office of Community Revitalization. He also serves as liaison to the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council. Prior to joining the county, Mr. Rutter was the director of Growth Management for the city of Weston and a planner for the city of Pembroke Pines.
Deputy County Administrator
Palm Beach County
Patrick Rutter, Deputy County Administrator, joined the county in 2003 as the Planning Division's chief planner. He was subsequently selected as executive director of the Planning, Zoning, and Building Department in 2016. Mr. Rutter was appointed to County Administration in 2018. He oversees Planning, Zoning and Building, Engineering and Public Works, Environmental Resources Management, Water Resources Management, the Office of Resilience, and the Office of Community Revitalization. He also serves as liaison to the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council. Prior to joining the county, Mr. Rutter was the director of Growth Management for the city of Weston and a planner for the city of Pembroke Pines.
Chief Resilience Officer and Director of the Environmental Planning and Community Resilience Division
Broward County
Dr. Jennifer Jurado is responsible for leading climate resilience and environmental planning initiatives for Broward County, FL. Areas of particular focus include climate adaptation, sustainable water resource management, shoreline protection, coastal resource conservation, and clean energy projects. She works extensively with internal and regional stakeholders to advance county-wide resilience planning informed by future conditions scenarios and fosters public-private partnerships key to large-scale initiatives. Current efforts involve advancement of a county-wide resilience plan focused on a infrastructure improvements, redevelopment strategies, and robust economic analyses. Dr. Jurado has been a participant in the four-county Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact since its formation in 2009. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Miami in Marine Biology and Fisheries.
Chief Strategy Officer
Community Partners of South Florida
Jaime-Lee Bradshaw, who recently celebrated 15 years with Community Partners of South Florida (CPSFL), serves as their Chief Strategy Officer. She first joined CPSFL as the director of BRIDGES, a neighborhood resource center in Palm Beach County, Florida. Over the past 15 years, Jaime has served as the BRIDGES Director of Highland and the Vice President of Community Services before taking on her current role.
Project Director
Miami Housing Solutions Lab
Robin F. Bachin is the Charlton W. Tebeau Associate Professor of History, Senior Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education, and Founding Director of the Office of Civic and Community Engagement at the University of Miami. Her research focus is on American urban and environmental history, and she has published more than 50 articles and book chapters on topics including universities and civic engagement, community development and urban planning, and affordable housing and urban resilience. Her books include Building the South Side: Urban Space and Civic Culture in Chicago (University of Chicago Press, 2004), Big Bosses: A Working Girl's Memoir of Jazz Age America (University of Chicago Press, 2016), and Engaging Place, Engaging Practices: Urban History and Campus-Community Partnerships (Temple University Press, 2023). Bachin is Project Director for the Miami Housing Solutions Lab (MHSL), a suite of free, interactive online tools that uses big data and innovative mapping technology to visualize the landscape of affordable housing and climate change impacts like sea level rise and extreme heat in Miami. She is Past President of the Society for American City and Regional Planning History (SACRPH) and a member of the Aspen Institute Working Group on Inclusive Innovation in America’s Cities. She has served on the Boards of Directors of Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH), Imagining America, the Urban History Association, the Good Government Initiative, the Workforce Housing Committee of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, and the Urban Environment League of Greater Miami. Bachin has been interviewed by and published articles in various media outlets, including the New York Times, Politico, The Guardian, the Miami Herald, PBS, BBC America, The Today Show, National Public Radio, and NBC television.
VP, Design and Building Performance
Preservation of Affordable Housing
Julie is Vice President for Design and Building Performance, responsible for design and energy efficiency for development projects and the owned portfolio. She assists POAH in the acquisition process with building investigation, energy budgeting, scope development and cost estimates. She works with POAH’s Development Project Managers and Asset Managers to engage the project team (architect, engineer, clerk, etc.) for rehabilitation of new acquisitions and/or POAH owned properties (including the implementation of energy efficiency programs). For new construction, she oversees design development and construction, integrating green and sustainable design, including the introduction of Passive House design standards.
South Florida VP
Self-Help
Sam Chesser is the South Florida VP at Self-Help where he oversees regional impact, operations, and community engagement. Established in 1980, Self-Help is a family of nonprofit organizations whose mission is to create and protect ownership and economic opportunity for all, especially low-wealth families, communities of color, women, children, and other under-resourced populations. Self-Help consists of a National CDFI loan fund, two CDFI credit unions, Self-Help Climate Capital, the Center for Responsible Lending, and the Julian Bond Institute for Financial Equity Research. Self-Help is a Climate United partner, has been a clean energy lender for more than a decade, and has deployed hundreds of millions towards green projects, homes, and buildings. The organization advocates for economic and environmental justice, affordable housing, and for fair and inclusive financial services. Sam has been a leader in the nonprofit financial sector for more than 25 years. In his spare time, he is also the Artistic Director of a community theater in Miami.
VP, Design and Building Performance
Preservation of Affordable Housing
Kim DeLaney is the Director of Strategic Development and Policy for the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council, which is a four-county intergovernmental agency in Southeast Florida. She is a state-wide resource with expertise in land use, economics, transportation, natural systems, and public outreach. Dr. DeLaney has more than two decades of experience working with local governments, elected officials, agencies, investors, and community groups. Among her specialties is “entrepreneurial governance,” which includes finding ways to leverage public investments for optimal economic returns, environmental enhancement, and improved quality of life.
Mayor
West Palm Beach
Keith James was first elected Mayor of the City of West Palm Beach on March 12, 2019 and re-elected, unopposed, to a second-four year term in 2023. Focused on creating a community of opportunity for all, Mayor James has a vision for West Palm Beach that is resident-driven. Mayor James is committed to creating a customer friendly culture in City Hall that focuses on neighborhood initiatives, regional collaboration, and community partnerships. Mayor James has been a champion of bringing new financial business to the City, which the New York Post has labeled as "Wall Street South". Mayor James, however, remains committed to making West Palm Beach a Community of Opportunity For All. Mayor James is the City's first African-American "strong mayor," whereby the Mayor is the City's Chief Executive Officer directing the administrative structure, and the City's fourth African-American Mayor. He was recently profiled in Bitter Southerner Magazine. Prior to being elected Mayor, Keith James served as the District 4 City Commissioner from 2011 to 2019, serving as President of the Commission twice. During this time, Mayor James helped create West Palm Beach's strategic plan, finance plan, water plan and mobility plan. Mayor James has been a part of the leadership that has led West Palm Beach from the depths of the recession to the booming metropolis we have today. Mayor James is the Past President of the Palm Beach County League of Cities, where he championed a collaborative approach to solving regional and state issues on equality, home-rule, health and addiction challenges, and transportation. Born in Wichita, Kansas to a teenage single mother, Mayor James learned at an early age the value of hard work, service and education. As a young man, Mayor James overcame the challenges of segregation and inequality to become accepted and then graduate from Harvard College and then Harvard Law School. Mayor James has served in numerous leadership positions to address a range of issues in the community. Mayor James was the former Chair of the West Palm Beach Citizens' Ethics Task Force, a position to which he was appointed by then-Mayor Lois Frankel. Mayor James is a former Board Member of the Florida League of Cities and Palm Beach County League of Cities. A trailblazer in his own right, Mayor James was the first African American Chair of Leadership Florida and the Quantum Foundation. Mayor Keith James has been a West Palm Beach resident for more than 30 years. It is where he raised his two children and has dedicated his life to public service. Mayor James and his wife, Lorna, are proud to call West Palm Beach home.
Chief Executive Officer/County Administrator
Broward County
Monica Cepero brings more than 33 years of state and local government management experience to the role of Chief Executive Officer and County Administrator of Broward County. Broward is the 17th largest county in the country with a population of 1.9 million residents and a $7.8 billion annual budget. She directs the functions of government that fall under the auspices of the Board of County Commissioners, which include a workforce of nearly 7,000 employees in more than 65 agencies. She is also responsible for three major economic engines in the region; the world class Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, the world’s 3rd busiest cruise port, Port Everglades, and the award-winning Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau now branded as Visit Lauderdale. Ms. Cepero is a Cuban American born in Puerto Rico. Ms. Cepero joined Broward County in 2008 as an Assistant to the County Administrator. Five years later she was named Assistant County Administrator and in 2017 became Deputy County Administrator. She has served as County Administrator/CEO since March 2022. Prior to joining Broward County, she served as a Senior Advisor to then Florida Governor Jeb Bush on local government issues, environmental and agricultural matters, and other major statewide reform initiatives. Ms. Cepero’s career began during her postgraduate studies, serving in a variety of positions in the Tallahassee City Manager’s Office and the Office of Management and Budget. Ms. Cepero has a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Public Administration degree, both from Florida State University. In 2024, she was recognized by the YWCA of South Florida with a Trailblazer Award. In 2025, she was recognized by the South Florida Business Journal for the Influential Business Women Award and most recently recognized by the Broward County Bar Association and the Honorable Chief Judge Jack Tuter with a Friend of the Court award.
Chief Resilience Officer
Miami-Dade County
Loren Parra is the Chief Resilience Officer for Miami-Dade County, where she works to decrease risk and build resilience through policy, science, and infrastructure. Parra is a seasoned stakeholder manager, specializing in environmental policy and science communications. She leads the county’s Office of Environmental Risk & Resilience, which is focused on the protection of people, property, and prosperity and is responsible for countywide water resource and heat protection strategies. She holds both a BA in Political Science and Sustainability Studies and an MBA from the University of Florida and resides in Coral Gables, FL.
Beach Program Manager
Broward County
Stephanie Roche is Broward County’s Beach Program Manager. She has a Master’s degree in Biology from Florida Atlantic University and two Bachelor’s degrees from the University of South Carolina, one in Marine Science and one in Biology. Stephanie has worked for Broward County for 9 years and previously managed the Broward County Sea Turtle Conservation Program before stepping into the Beach Manager role in 2024. Stephanie’s main responsibilities are managing 24 miles of beaches and all associated projects including the long-awaited Sand Bypass at Port Everglades project. In her free time, Stephanie enjoys cooking and practicing yoga.
Chief Resilience Officer
Monroe County
Rhonda Haag is the Chief Resilience Officer for Monroe County, located in the fabulous Florida Keys. She has been with the County for 14 years and leads the County’s resiliency and sustainability efforts to help prepare the County and its coastal communities for the effects of sea level rise in what is one of the most vulnerable regions in the country. To assist in these efforts, Ms. Haag has developed a roads elevation plan for the County’s vulnerable roads, and she serves as an active member of the Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact Steering Committee. She also leads the County’s environmental canal restoration program, restoring the numerous canals in the Keys that do not meet State water quality standards. She also leads the county’s marine debris removal efforts for canals that have been affected by hurricanes. Ms. Haag’s experience includes previous service with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the South Florida Water Management District, where she served in several roles including Service Center Director, Everglades Outreach Manager, and Contracts Manager. Ms. Haag is also committed to improving the marine environment in the Keys, providing for the future livability of residents in these vulnerable island communities and ensuring the resilience efforts of the County continue to remain in the forefront and ahead of the cumulative effects of climate change.
Deputy Executive Director
Broward MPO
James Cromar, Deputy Executive Director for the Broward MPO, has over 30 years of professional experience, combining private and public sector experience with a focus on the integration of transportation and land use planning. After spending twelve years as a Denver-based consultant, James has been in South Florida since 2002, working as a planner at the municipal, County and MPO level. James directs the implementation and execution of the MPO’s core products to deliver projects in coordination with various municipalities and community stakeholders.
Mayor
Miami-Dade County
Daniella Levine Cava was elected Miami-Dade County's first-ever woman mayor in November 2020, and re-elected in August 2024, after 40 years of advocacy for South Florida families. As mayor, she oversees approximately 23,000 county employees, serves nearly 3 million residents, and manages an annual budget of approximately $12 billion. She is focused on building a more resilient and prosperous Miami-Dade. Her initiatives include combating gun violence, building a future ready economy full of opportunity, tackling the housing crisis, and preserving our precious environment. A social worker, lawyer, and activist, she previously served as the County Commissioner for District 8 and worked with vulnerable populations through Legal Services of Greater Miami and Catalyst Miami, an organization she founded. With her husband, Dr. Robert Cava, she raised two children, Eliza and Edward, in Miami-Dade.
County Commissioner
Monroe County
Michelle Lincoln was elected in November 2018 to the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners for District 2. She is the chairwoman of the South Florida Regional Council, the NACo Community, Economic and Workforce Development Steering Committee member, the 2055 FTP Steering Committee member, an elected member of the Small County Coalition Executive Committee, and the incoming President of the Florida Association of Counties. In June 2019, the Florida Association of Counties presented Lincoln with her Certified County Commissioner designation, and in 2021, she became an Advanced County Commissioner 2 Graduate. Before being elected to the BOCC, she sat on the Marathon City Council for three years and was Mayor of Marathon for one year. Lincoln has been a full-time resident of Monroe County since 1999. She brings a wealth of political, business, volunteer, and personal knowledge to her position as county commissioner. Throughout her life, Lincoln’s passion has been the welfare of children. For years, she was employed by the state of Florida as a child advocate coordinator for the Guardian ad Litem program. She continues to volunteer in the program, acting on behalf of abused children in the community. She received the 2018 Kay Gradick Woman of the Year Award. Lincoln is an active mentor in the Take Stock in Children program. She is a member of the Marathon Rotary, the Greater Marathon Chamber of Commerce, and the Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce. She is an alumna of Leadership Monroe County Class XX. She also serves on the Florida Keys Board of Directors for the Area Health Education Center. Lincoln is a Northern Kentucky University graduate with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology. She has two adult daughters, one son-in-law, and an adorable 10-pound Bichon Frise dog.
Associate Director
Center for Urban and Environmental Solutions (CUES)
Serena Hoermann, PhD, serves as Associate Director for the Center for Urban and Environmental Solutions (CUES) within the FAU's Department of Urban and Regional Planning and program manager for the FAU Partnership for Sustainable Communities. Another current project, the Urban Stories Festival, uses storytelling to build community. She earned her doctorate in public administration with a focus on urban planning and policy. Her research interests include community resilience and community displacement.
Associate Director
Center for Urban and Environmental Solutions (CUES)
Serena Hoermann, PhD, serves as Associate Director for the Center for Urban and Environmental Solutions (CUES) within the FAU's Department of Urban and Regional Planning and program manager for the FAU Partnership for Sustainable Communities. Another current project, the Urban Stories Festival, uses storytelling to build community. She earned her doctorate in public administration with a focus on urban planning and policy. Her research interests include community resilience and community displacement.
Chief Resilience Officer/Director of Environment & Sustainability
City of Miami Beach
Amy Knowles serves as the Chief Resilience Officer and the Director of Environment and Sustainability for the City of Miami Beach. Ms. Knowles works closely with a holistic resilience leadership team to implement policies and projects to build a resilient Miami Beach. Miami Beach is a living laboratory for climate change, and Ms. Knowles focuses on integrating climate preparedness planning with nature-based solutions and infrastructure. In planning for sea level rise, Ms. Knowles recently helped to secure $48 million in resilience funding for projects ranging from dune restoration to infrastructure. She led the city’s first vulnerability assessment and the business case analysis of the stormwater program- both highlighting the social and economic importance of protecting Miami Beach. She recently launched Fight the Flood, a Private Property adaptation program to incentivize private property investments in resilience. Notable Miami Beach work on extreme heat includes the Urban Heat Island Ordinance and the Urban Forestry Master Plan. Ms. Knowles believes collaboration is critical for resilience and works in a unique partnership with Miami-Dade County, the City of Miami, and the Miami Foundation to implement Resilient305, a shared resilience strategy. Ms. Knowles serves on the North American Steering Committee for the Global Resilient Cities Network. She participates in the work of the Southeast Florida Climate Change Compact and Resiliency Florida. Ms. Knowles has traveled to the Netherlands, Chile, and across the United States to study and share resilience strategies. Ms. Knowles‘ career in public service includes environmental protection, administration, and planning. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Policy from Binghamton University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Miami.
Ecosystem and Resilience Scientist
The Everglades Foundation
As The Everglades Foundation’s Ecosystem and Resilience Scientist, Meenakshi merges advanced knowledge of Everglades ecosystem science, ecosystem services valuation, and resilience planning for the natural and built environment in South Florida. She applies that knowledge to tracking and understanding how decision-making focused on the Everglades and our communities affects ecological and economic outcomes across the ecosystem. Prior to joining the Foundation, Meenakshi was Research Analyst with the USAID-funded Disaster Risk and Resilience in the Americas Program at Florida International University’s (FIU) Extreme Events Institute, where she performed economic evaluations of approximately 20 USAID risk reduction projects and was the program’s lead science writer. Meenakshi’s research has contributed to the fields of economic decision making in risk management, valuation of ecosystem services in policy making, and on the inclusion of sustainability, economic efficiency, and social equity in resilience planning for climate change. Meenakshi has also taught Biology and Ecology at the undergraduate and high school levels. Meenakshi earned a Ph.D. in Earth Systems Science from FIU, a master’s degree in Environmental Studies from FIU, and a master’s in Zoology from the University of Delhi.
Director of Legislative Affairs
Palm Beach County
Kasey Denny currently serves as the Director of Legislative Affairs for Palm Beach County where she is responsible for advancing the County’s legislative priorities at the state and federal level. As the County’s lobbyist, she advocates before elected officials and government agencies on issues relating to growth management, affordable housing, local government administration, environmental resources, transportation, and more. She also works with legislative offices and various agencies to secure funding for critical infrastructure projects and community programs in Palm Beach County. Prior to joining the County in 2022, Kasey worked as a Government Relations Specialist at Lewis, Longman and Walker P.A. and served as an aide to multiple members of the Florida Legislature. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Florida and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and Policy from American University.
Founder & CEO
Kind Designs
Anya is originally from Ukraine and together with her family lived in Israel, South Africa, and China before settling in Miami to attend law school. Anya worked for the USAO and clerked at the United States District Court before opening her own law firm focused on environmental litigation. Frustrated with lack of innovation around rising sea-levels which threaten Miami, Anya took on the challenge of finding technological solutions to this global challenge that both supports the environment and has economies of scale.
Chief Operations Officer
Miami-Dade County
Jimmy Morales was appointed Chief Operating Officer for Miami-Dade County by Mayor Daniella Levine Cava in December 2020. In this role, he oversees key county departments including Water and Sewer, Transportation and Public Works, Regulatory and Economic Resources, Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces, Solid Waste Management, Elections, Aviation, and the Seaport. Under his leadership, his departments have launched major initiatives, like a $1.7 billion million Water and Sewer improvement program and he successfully led the negotiation of the $117 million naming rights agreement at the Kaseya Center. He played a key role in the county’s rescue and recovery response in the Surfside Collapse and is currently leading the efforts to build a new waste-to-energy facility and implement a zero-waste strategy. He chairs the Mayor’s Infrastructure Group, which has secured over $1 billion in grant funding for County projects.
Before joining Miami-Dade County, Morales served as the City Manager for the City of Miami Beach for eight years, where he led significant projects like a $620 million Convention Center renovation and oversaw the city’s response to crises including Hurricane Irma and COVID-19. His public service career also includes roles as City Attorney for the City of Doral and Marathon. He also served as the Commissioner for District 7 on the Miami-Dade County Commission, in which he prepared and sponsored the legislation creating the Miami-Dade Ethics Commission, co-sponsored the historic Human Rights Ordinance in 1998 that added sexual orientation to the County's anti-discrimination laws, and was the co-prime sponsor of the legislation that created the Children's Trust. During his time on the Board of County Commissioners, Morales served as Chairman of the Budget and Finance Committee from 1996 to 2002 and Chairman of the Mayor’s Task Force on Efficiency and Competition from 1996 to 2004.
Morales graduated Magna Cum Laude from both Harvard Law School and Harvard College. He has received numerous awards, including the Public School Achievement Award from The Education Fund for Excellence, the Bill Colson Outstanding Leadership Award from the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, named a Champion of Equality by SAVE Dade, and was recognized as a Children's Trust 15th Anniversary Honoree.
Resilience Coordinator
Miami Dade County
Jennifer Cheek is the Heat Resilience Coordinator at the Miami-Dade County Office of Environmental Risk & Resilience. Experienced in collaborating with communities and governing agencies to design healthy public spaces, she’s currently focused on creating cooler neighborhoods through the implementation of the County’s Urban Forestry Plan.
Executive Director
Miami Transit Alliance
Cathy Dos Santos is Executive Director of Transit Alliance Miami, a non-profit working to free Miami from traffic by equipping Miamians to influence transit decisions. She led the implementation of Miami-Dade's Better Bus Network redesign, the first community-led bus network redesign nationwide, building sustainable transportation for climate resilience.
Enviromental Program Supervisor
PBC ERM
Leading Habitat Enhancement and Restoration for Palm Beach County’s Department of Environmental Resources Management, Jennifer’s work focuses on design and implementation of habitat restoration projects, conducting ecological monitoring, and strategic planning of the County’s estuaries. A Florida native, Jennifer earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Florida State University’s Dept. of Biological Sciences. She has worked for Palm Beach County since 2015 and previously worked for federal and state government.
Local Consultant
Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact
Lauren Evans is an independent consultant that has staffed and provided implementation support to the Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact since 2018. Lauren has 15 years of experience working on climate change, sustainability, and clean energy policy within both the non-profit and private sectors in Florida. She formerly worked for the Institute for Sustainable Communities (ISC), an international non-profit organization that works with communities, cities, industry, and NGOs to provide the tools, training, and technical assistance needed to tackle climate change. Lauren served as the Executive Director of Miami-based nonprofit, Dream in Green, advancing the organization’s mission to provide community education regarding the climate-water-energy nexus. Lauren also served as the Director of the Nature Conservancy’s Climate and Clean Energy Program in Florida, focused on broadening bipartisan support for federal and state climate action and clean energy policies.
County Administrator
Monroe County
Ms. Hurley has 38 years of experience in the public and private sectors. She is a certified Planner with the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) and worked in Growth Management for much of her career. She moved into County administration nearly 10 years ago and is skilled in program development and implementation, regulatory compliance, budgeting, business process design/streamlining, software implementation, policy analysis, public speaking, and employee motivation. She also led recovery after Hurricane Irma struck the Florida Keys and is well versed in State and Federal recovery programs. She knows first-hand how resiliency planning and implementation of programs to harden communities are on the forefront of important government services. She has a strong background in community consensus building and strives to bring balance within the community she serves. In the private sector she led Planning and Landscape Architecture consultants and worked with a Developer who planned and developed new communities in 5 counties on the west coast of Florida. Ms. Hurley holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Social Science with two cognates: Economics and Public Administration.
Founder & CEO
Seaworthy Collective
Daniel Kleinman is the Founder and CEO of Seaworthy Collective. Daniel’s career spanned piloting, testing, and design for marine robotics – from ocean science and exploration at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution to naval research at Bluefin Robotics and as a US Navy contractor. Daniel has been recognized as the youngest Laureate of Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation’s Prize for Innovative Philanthropy, a 30 Under 30 by the University of Miami, a Future Climate Leader by the Aspen Institute, and a TEDxBoston Planetary Stewardship speaker. Daniel has a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Florida, a Master’s in Exploration Science from University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, and a design and systems thinking background from Stanford University’s d.school as a University Innovation Fellow.
Director, U.S. Market Transformation & Development
U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)
Karen Jernigan is the Market Lead for USGBC Florida and is also a Global Real Estate Advisor. She brings more than a decade of experience advancing renewable energy, LEED certification, and net zero strategies, in South Florida and across the U.S. Throughout her career, Karen has guided organizations in embedding Resiliency into design and operations, driving measurable impact. She is passionate about helping communities and industries align growth with innovative, climate-forward practices. USGBC accelerates and scales the transformation of the built environment. The evolution of LEED through LEED v5 sets a new standard for sustainable building, pushes boundaries, and creates efficient and extraordinary spaces.
Executive Director
CLEO Institute
Yoca Arditi-Rocha is a proud Latina and internationally recognized sustainability leader with over 25 years of experience. Trained as a biologist, she earned her degree in Corporate Sustainability from the University of Vermont and a Master’s in Liberal Arts from Harvard University, blending academic excellence with realworld impact.
Yoca is the CEO of The CLEO Institute, a women-led, nonpartisan nonprofit advancing climate literacy, policy advocacy, and community resilience. CLEO partners with communities, governments, and philanthropy to translate science into civic capacity—training educators and residents, mobilizing youth, and shaping pragmatic, people-first solutions that protect health, strengthen economies, and build climate-ready cities across Florida and beyond.
For over seven years, Yoca has transformed the organization into a national catalyst for climate action. Her strategic, equity-driven approach has unlocked several hundred million of dollars in federal funding through landmark initiatives like the Inflation Reduction Act, while engaging more than 1.6 million people in grassroots education and advocacy. Notably, CLEO efforts have mobilized Gen Z youth, cultivating a dynamic generation of climate champions.
Yoca’s influence extends beyond CLEO’s efforts. She served on the leadership council of Resilience 21, a nationwide coalition of climate resilience experts, and as a member of The Resilience Roadmap’s Steering Committee at Duke University, where she helped shape actionable recommendations for the Biden-Harris national resilience agenda.
A sought-after keynote speaker at international forums, including UN climate negotiations, NPR, and major TV networks, Yoca is a respected voice in climate advocacy. Her work has been honored with the Ford Motor Company’s “Mujeres Legendarias Award in Sustainability” (2019), the South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s “Hispanic Leadership Award in Sustainability” (2021), and most recently named among “100 Latinos Most Committed to Climate Action” (2024).
From her early inspirations in the Caribbean to her groundbreaking work on the global stage, Yoca channels her passion into tangible change. Under her leadership, The CLEO Institute continues to unite communities, policymakers, and industries to build a just, resilient future for all.
Palm Beach County - District 2
Commissioner Gregg Weiss is a retired business executive from California who was elected to represent District 2 on the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners in November 2018 and reelected in 2022. He actively serves on numerous boards at the local, state, and national levels. Commissioner Weiss is a strong advocate for leveraging technology to benefit the public. He currently chairs a national committee focused on the responsible and ethical use of artificial intelligence in local government. A passionate environmental steward, he champions initiatives that protect water quality and supply, as well as sensitive ecosystems such as the Lake Worth Lagoon. He has also taken a leading role in combating bigotry and hate, including spearheading a local ordinance addressing property and hate crimes. Commissioner Weiss is committed to improving mental health services and expanding access for those in need, including efforts to grow the mental health court system in Palm Beach County. He supports economic development that fosters well-paying jobs and is dedicated to ensuring responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars. He is a member of Temple Israel and resides in West Palm Beach with his wife, Rebecca.
Sustainability Manager
City of Jacksonville
Ashantae Green is a sustainability leader, entrepreneur, and public servant dedicated to environmental stewardship. She serves as Sustainability Manager for the City of Jacksonville and a National Commissioner for the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor. With a background in resilience, agriculture & construction, she has earned national awards and recognition.
District 6 County Commissioner
Palm Beach County
Sara Baxter is a second generation native of Palm Beach County. She is married to Brian Baxter and they raise three boys together. Within Palm Beach County she and her family call the Acreage home. For a total of 10 years, she worked in the medical field. She spent most of that time as a Certified Retinal Angiographer at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. In 2011, she and her husband (who is a BMW Master Tech), opened an auto repair shop called Foreign Auto Specialists. While growing a small business, she also graduated from Palm Beach State College with her Bachelors in Business Administration. After a decade plus of hard work they now own their own building and have a successful business. The difficult process of opening their own business and finding a place for it to even exist, is one of the reasons she decided to run for office. Overcoming all of the challenges the county put ahead of her, she vowed to try and streamline this process for others and to support small businesses. Sara strongly believes that small businesses are the backbone of our economy and creating an environment conducive to growth is essential for the future of Palm Beach County.
County Administrator
Palm Beach County
Joseph Abruzzo is the County Administrator of Palm Beach County, where he oversees more than 7,100 positions and manages a $9 billion budget on behalf of 1.6 million residents. He is dedicated to transparency in government, creating a positive workplace culture, and improving eiciency so residents experience the highest quality of service.
For nearly five years, Abruzzo was Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller for Palm Beach County, serving as the county’s Chief Financial Oicer, Treasurer, Auditor and Custodian of Public Funds. Leading a team of 650 employees, he safeguarded nearly $6 billion in assets annually and modernized financial operations with automation and transparency tools. Under his direction, the county’s investment income grew from $27 million to a record $230 million in Fiscal Year 2024, reinforcing the county’s financial strength. He also launched community initiatives to protect homeowners from fraud, expand access to services and support residents without stable housing.
Before serving as Clerk, Abruzzo represented Palm Beach County in both the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida Senate. Over a decade of legislative service, he helped pass more than 50 bills into law, including the Florida Silver Alert program, Nicole’s Law to protect young equestrians, and legislation supporting survivors of sexual assault. He also secured state funding for local priorities such as the Pahokee Marina, Glades Communities infrastructure and mental health services, ensuring that vital resources flowed directly to Palm Beach County. He served in leadership roles, including Minority Whip in both chambers, Vice Chair of Finance and Tax, and Chair of the Joint Legislative Auditing Committee.
His public service began in the United States Coast Guard Reserve, where he served as a port security specialist from 2005 to 2013. A proud veteran, Abruzzo remains a strong advocate for veterans, first responders and public safety.
Abruzzo has served on the Palm Beach County Health Care District Board and the Consumer Affairs Hearing Board. He continues to champion policies that attract new and diverse businesses and foster long-term economic growth.
Abruzzo is a graduate of Lynn University and is currently completing a Master of Legal Studies at Pepperdine University School of Law. He is married to Abigail and has a son, Joseph Abruzzo II.
Co-Founder & Trustee
VoLo Foundation
Thais Lopez Vogel is the co-founder and trustee of VoLo Foundation, a philanthropic organization dedicated to accelerating climate solutions through data-driven initiatives, enhancing education, and improving health. A native of Caracas, Venezuela, and an attorney by training, Thais holds a law degree from Universidad Católica Andrés Bello. Since establishing VoLo in 2014 with her husband, David S. Vogel, she and her team have built a platform that amplifies scientific research and climate action, particularly through initiatives like Climate Correction™, one of the nation’s foremost climate solutions conferences, and Florida Climate Week™, the largest event of its kind in the Southeastern U.S. Thais has been recognized among The 100 Latinos Most Committed to Climate Action for several consecutive years, and was named one of The 20 Most Empowering Latinos Fighting Climate Change. A mother of six, Thais sees her children as the driving force behind her commitment to creating a sustainable world for future generations by advancing equitable, impactful climate solutions.
President & CEO
IEM, International, Inc.
Bryan Koon is the President and CEO of IEM, International, Inc., a leading professional services firm focused on emergency management, disaster recovery, and resilience. At IEM, he integrates innovative technology and best practices to keep the organization of 900+ employees ready to support communities in preparing for, responding to, recovering from, and mitigating against disasters. Before IEM, Koon was the Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM), where he enhanced Florida’s emergency response capabilities and fostered public-private partnerships, notably during Hurricane Irma and the Pulse Shooting. As President of the National Emergency Management Association (NEMA) from 2014 to 2016, he advocated for nationwide improvements in disaster response and resilience, testifying before Congress on the importance of controlling disaster costs and investing in mitigation. Koon serves on the FLASH Board of Directors, promoting policies to reduce disaster risks and bolster community resilience. His career is marked by a passion for building resilient communities and developing aspiring emergency managers through higher education partnerships.
Director
FAU School of Environment, Coastal, and Ocean Sustainability
Dr. Steve Vollmer serves as Director of the School of Environmental, Coastal, and Ocean Sustainability and is a Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences. Steve is an evolutionary and ecological genomicist specializing in reef corals and how they adapt and resist disease infection and thermal bleaching. He joined Florida Atlantic University in 2025. He received his Ph.D. from Harvard University, did his postdoctoral fellowship research at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama, and spent 18 years at Northeastern University as a professor of Marine and Environmental Science, and during his tenure at Northeastern University served as the Director of the Bioinformatics program, and Associate Director of their Marine Science Center. Steve is a National Academy of Science Kavli Fellow.
Green Stormwater Infrastructure Specialist
Ferguson Waterworks
Jessica Bruso is the Engineered Solutions Specialist for Ferguson Waterworks in Florida, promoting green stormwater infrastructure. An NGICP-certified practitioner with an M.S. in Biology from FAU, she previously taught college science and served as Stormwater Utility Manager for Cocoa Beach. She also serves on Florida Stormwater Association education committee and FSA Educational Foundation Board.
Southeast Region Executive Senior Vice President
WSP
Claudia Bilotto is the Southeast Region Executive at WSP in the U.S. In this role, she is responsible for steering the operations and growth of all WSP’s business lines in the region toward the objective of enabling WSP to be the preferred and trusted choice for clients, employees and partners.
Most recently, Claudia served as Southeast district leader, responsible for strategic business development, client service delivery and financial performance for the region. She focused on developing the firm’s expertise, relationships and technical capabilities to benefit new and existing clients with their projects.
She joined WSP in 2014 as an assistant vice president and planning and environment manager for the Atlanta office. In addition to business operations, strategy and growth, her 24 years of industry experience include managing a wide range of major transportation projects, and stakeholder and public participation programs.
Claudia received a bachelor’s degree in telecommunications from Penn State University and a master’s degree in city planning from the Georgia Institute of Technology. She is registered with the American Institute of Certified Planners.
Director
Resilience and Recovery, Florida Housing Coalition
CJ Reynolds is the Director of Resilience and Disaster Recovery at the Florida Housing Coalition, leading initiatives and collaborating with local, state and federal partners to support short- and long-term housing recovery. She supports policy efforts related to advanced recovery planning, mitigation, insurance and provides technical assistance to local governments and developers to strengthen the resilience of Florida’s affordable housing.
Previously, CJ was Director of Resiliency and Engagement at the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council, where she led the 32-member Regional Resilience Coalition. She has extensive experience working with local governments on coordinated resilience planning and spearheaded the REACH initiative, funded by JPMorgan Chase, to align affordable housing and resilience goals in local planning. From 2010 to 2018, she worked at the University of South Florida on climate change research and stakeholder engagement, addressing community impacts and policy barriers to adaptation.
Warning Coordination Meteorologist
National Weather Service - Miami-South Florida
Robert Garcia is the Warning Coordination Meteorologist at the National Weather Service's Miami/South Florida Forecast Office where he leads the office's warning and preparedness programs. He was born and raised in South Florida and received his BS degree in Meteorology from Florida State University and later a Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Systems. He also earned a Master's Degree in Public Administration at Florida Gulf Coast University, and he is a member of the American Meteorological Society and the National Weather Association.
He began his career with the NWS as a student trainee in the Miami office in 2009. Upon graduation, he accepted postings with the NWS at its offices in Atlanta and Tampa. In 2016, he returned to South Florida to accept a position as Lead Forecaster at the Miami/South Florida Office before becoming the Warning Coordination Meteorologist this past year. His professional areas of interest include radar meteorology, hydrology, and public outreach.
