2026 KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Heidi Pan, Founder of the 1.5 Degrees Podcast
Heidi Pan, Founder of the 1.5 Degrees Podcast
Heidi Pan, Founder of the 1.5 Degrees Podcast
To bridge the gap between aspiring environmentalists and established professionals, at 16, Heidi Pan founded the 1.5 Degrees Podcast showcasing climate careers and involving the science, solutions, and stories in the fight against climate change. Her accessible intergenerational and intersectional climate conversations have been featured by BBC Future Earth and the Smithsonian.
Sarah McBride, Congresswoman
Heidi Pan, Founder of the 1.5 Degrees Podcast
Heidi Pan, Founder of the 1.5 Degrees Podcast
Working to deliver for all Delawareans
Congresswoman Sarah McBride proudly represents the greatest state in the nation, and our country’s First State, Delaware, as its sole member of Congress.
Sarah grew up in Wilmington and has been serving our state for decades as a public servant and advocate. From 2020-2025, Congresswoman McBride served
Working to deliver for all Delawareans
Congresswoman Sarah McBride proudly represents the greatest state in the nation, and our country’s First State, Delaware, as its sole member of Congress.
Sarah grew up in Wilmington and has been serving our state for decades as a public servant and advocate. From 2020-2025, Congresswoman McBride served as State Senator for the First State Senate District. She worked for former Governor Jack Markell and the late Attorney General Beau Biden, and served as the national spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest LGBTQ equal rights organization.
As a state senator, McBride passed legislation expanding access to health care, requiring mental health and media literacy education in public schools, promoting green technologies, and protecting workers and families.
In her first term as state senator, McBride passed the landmark Healthy Delaware Families Act, providing paid family and medical leave to workers throughout the First State and marking the largest expansion of Delaware's social safety net in decades. In her final term, she passed the largest ongoing investment into Delaware’s Medicaid program since the Affordable Care Act. Passing the legislation with unanimous and bipartisan support, the Protect Medicaid Act of 2024 unlocks over $175 million annually in new discretionary Medicaid funding to protect, enhance, and expand health coverage for the roughly 200,000 Delawareans who receive care through the joint state- and federal-funded health insurance program.
Prior to her service in the State Senate, McBride led the successful effort to pass a landmark non-discrimination law in Delaware. For her work and advocacy, former Gov. Markell awarded McBride the Order of the First State, making her one of the youngest Delawareans granted the state’s highest civilian honor.
Sarah married her late husband Andrew Cray in 2014 and is the proud aunt of seven. She is a graduate of Cab Calloway School of the Arts and American University. McBride has taught public policy at the University of Delaware and is the author of the 2018 memoir, “Tomorrow Will Be Different,” which includes a foreword from President Joe Biden.
Alex Eaves, Escape the Waste
Heidi Pan, Founder of the 1.5 Degrees Podcast
Marcus Henry, New Castle County Executive
Alex Eaves, the Founder and Director of Escape the Waste, has been successfully helping people combat the worldwide waste problem for over two decades by connecting them with reuse solutions.
In 2003, Alex created the skateboard and apparel brand, STAY VOCAL, and reuse themed products were used as a promotional tool. In 2008, Alex won a
Alex Eaves, the Founder and Director of Escape the Waste, has been successfully helping people combat the worldwide waste problem for over two decades by connecting them with reuse solutions.
In 2003, Alex created the skateboard and apparel brand, STAY VOCAL, and reuse themed products were used as a promotional tool. In 2008, Alex won a national "Best Small Business Idea" Award when he switched the brand to an entirely reuse apparel brand. That same year, Alex began leading a passionate reuse lifestyle. In 2014, Alex became a certified Master Reuser by the Reuse Institute. He's also the director of two award winning documentaries: REUSE! Because You Can't Recycle The Planet. (2015) and The Box Truck Film: Building A Reuseful Home (2022).
Alex' edutainment company, Escape the Waste, provides a fun and interactive way to educate people of all ages about the importance of reusing when it comes to helping our shared planet and preventing wasted personal resources, opportunities, time, and money.
Marcus Henry, New Castle County Executive
Heidi Pan, Founder of the 1.5 Degrees Podcast
Marcus Henry, New Castle County Executive
Coming soon...
Greg Patterson, Secretary, Delaware Division of Natural Resources & Environmental Control
Greg Patterson, Secretary, Delaware Division of Natural Resources & Environmental Control
Greg Patterson, Secretary, Delaware Division of Natural Resources & Environmental Control
Secretary Patterson was appointed by Gov. Meyer in January 2025 to lead the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), which protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. He has served
Secretary Patterson was appointed by Gov. Meyer in January 2025 to lead the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), which protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. He has served in Delaware state government for more than 25 years, including working for three governors.
From 2022 to 2025, he was the state’s coordinator of clean water, energy, resilience, electric vehicle, broadband, transportation and other projects under the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, while also working on permitting reform, federal affairs and the state’s new offshore wind procurement law for Gov. John Carney.
He managed the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control as chief of staff from 2020 to 2022, and was legislative liaison and deputy chief of staff for Gov. Jack Markell, where he helped pass Delaware’s universal recycling law.
He has also worked as chief of staff for Attorneys General Kathy Jennings and Matt Denn at the state Department of Justice, for Commissioner Denn at the state Department of Insurance and as communications director for Gov. Ruth Ann Minner.
Carter Lunsford, 2026 Summit Co-Chair, YES!
Greg Patterson, Secretary, Delaware Division of Natural Resources & Environmental Control
Greg Patterson, Secretary, Delaware Division of Natural Resources & Environmental Control
As this year's Summit Co-Chair, Carter is excited to make planning the event a great experience for our outstanding student leadership team. He's looking forward to making this summit the best one yet, not only educating students, but inspiring real change.
2026 WORKSHOP SPEAKERS
Sigi Koko
Sarah Bucic, MSN, RN
Lauren Helfgott
Owner and principle designer, Down to Earth Design
I design natural buildings that mimic the hyper-efficiency of nature. I teach empowering hands-on workshops.
Lauren Helfgott
Sarah Bucic, MSN, RN
Lauren Helfgott
Upper School Science Teacher, Tower Hill School
Lauren Helfgott is an Upper School Science teacher at the Tower Hill School. She typically teaches Biology, Honors Biology and Chemistry. This is her 10th year teaching. She has co-lead a Tower Term immersive experience with upper school students on honey bee biology, performed and published
Upper School Science Teacher, Tower Hill School
Lauren Helfgott is an Upper School Science teacher at the Tower Hill School. She typically teaches Biology, Honors Biology and Chemistry. This is her 10th year teaching. She has co-lead a Tower Term immersive experience with upper school students on honey bee biology, performed and published investigative research on honey bee health with upper school students and is in her 8th season of beekeeping in Chester County.
Sarah Bucic, MSN, RN
Sarah Bucic, MSN, RN
Sarah Bucic, MSN, RN
Co-Chair, Lead Free Delaware
Lead-Free Delaware, co-chaired by Sarah Bucic MSN, RN and Amy Roe Ph.D., was established in 2016 to address the persistent social and environmental injustices of childhood lead poisoning in Delaware. Of particular note is their coalition-building and public transparency efforts in response to the Department of
Co-Chair, Lead Free Delaware
Lead-Free Delaware, co-chaired by Sarah Bucic MSN, RN and Amy Roe Ph.D., was established in 2016 to address the persistent social and environmental injustices of childhood lead poisoning in Delaware. Of particular note is their coalition-building and public transparency efforts in response to the Department of Education’s mishandling of drinking water sampling in public schools in 2022. Due to Sarah and Amy’s efforts, the Department of Education shifted gears, resampled all drinking water sources for lead in all public and charter schools, and committed to a filter first approach to ensure safe drinking water for students, teachers, and staff. Their commitment to an open-government approach incorporates best practices in managing public health risks. Sarah has been a Registered Nurse since 2001 and has taught undergraduate nursing students both in the classroom and in the community, holds a Master’s in Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing from the University of Pennsylvania and a Post Master’s from University of Maryland in Community/Public Health Nursing. Sarah successfully updated the National PTA’s resolution on lead poisoning prevention in 2019 and is the proud parent of a Cab Calloway senior.
Dongxia Liu
Sarah Bucic, MSN, RN
Sarah Bucic, MSN, RN
Professor, University of Delaware
I am a professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Delaware. We are working on catalysis, separation, energy and environmental sustainability research.
Deborah Vickery
Deborah Vickery
Deborah Vickery
Delaware Master Naturalist, Ashland Nature Center
Deb Vickery is a retired Research Biochemist who has had a lifelong interest in science and nature. She volunteered in classrooms as a scientist for many years, and after retirement, became certified as a Delaware Master Naturalist. In this role, Deb leads a team of volunteers who run the B
Delaware Master Naturalist, Ashland Nature Center
Deb Vickery is a retired Research Biochemist who has had a lifelong interest in science and nature. She volunteered in classrooms as a scientist for many years, and after retirement, became certified as a Delaware Master Naturalist. In this role, Deb leads a team of volunteers who run the Butterfly Habitat at Ashland Nature Center and she provides educational nature training for both youth and adults.
Elliot Arnold
Deborah Vickery
Deborah Vickery
Professor, West Chester University
I am an organic geochemist at West Chester University. My research focuses on reconstructing ancient environments through chemical biomarkers. In addition, I quantify and model microplastic contamination in aquaticsystems.
Marie Maiura
Deborah Vickery
Jarrod Miller
Public Education and Outreach Manager, Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research
Marie Maiura received a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from Neumann University and came to the University of Delaware where she worked on vaccine efficacy for poultry. After taking some time off to care for her 3 children, she obtained a Master's in Education at Wilmin
Public Education and Outreach Manager, Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research
Marie Maiura received a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from Neumann University and came to the University of Delaware where she worked on vaccine efficacy for poultry. After taking some time off to care for her 3 children, she obtained a Master's in Education at Wilmington University and taught for 14 years. In 2017 she started at Tri-State as a volunteer, completed a summer internship in 2021, and was hired in May 2023 as the Public Education & Outreach Coordinator.
Jarrod Miller
Deborah Vickery
Jarrod Miller
Associate Professor and Extension Specialist, Agronomy, University of Delaware
Jarrod Miller grew up on a dairy farm in Maryland, and pursued degrees in Environmental Science and Soil Science at Virginia Tech and the University of Kentucky. As the Extension Agronomist at the University of Delaware, he provides applied research results on g
Associate Professor and Extension Specialist, Agronomy, University of Delaware
Jarrod Miller grew up on a dairy farm in Maryland, and pursued degrees in Environmental Science and Soil Science at Virginia Tech and the University of Kentucky. As the Extension Agronomist at the University of Delaware, he provides applied research results on grain crops to regional farmers and agricultural consultants.
Martha Narvaez
Martha Narvaez
Martha Narvaez
Associate Director, Water Resources Center, University of Delaware
Martha Narvaez is a Lead Policy Scientist and the Associate Director of the Water Resources Center, a unit of the Institute for Public Administration, in the Biden School of Public Policy and Administration at the University of Delaware. Martha works to provide water-relate
Associate Director, Water Resources Center, University of Delaware
Martha Narvaez is a Lead Policy Scientist and the Associate Director of the Water Resources Center, a unit of the Institute for Public Administration, in the Biden School of Public Policy and Administration at the University of Delaware. Martha works to provide water-related science and policy assistance to governments, the public and students through the university's land-grant role in public service, education, and research. Martha has a BS in Biology from Lehigh University and a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from the University of Delaware.
Jenna Mayhew
Martha Narvaez
Martha Narvaez
Legislative Aide, Office of United States Senator Chris Coons (D-DE)
Jenna Mayhew is a Legislative Aide for U.S. Senator Chris Coons focused on energy,
environmental, and agricultural policy. Jenna works on issues ranging from endangered species
protection, industrial decarbonization, and international conservation. Jenna has undergraduate
Legislative Aide, Office of United States Senator Chris Coons (D-DE)
Jenna Mayhew is a Legislative Aide for U.S. Senator Chris Coons focused on energy,
environmental, and agricultural policy. Jenna works on issues ranging from endangered species
protection, industrial decarbonization, and international conservation. Jenna has undergraduate
degrees in public policy, political science, and energy and environmental policy and a Master of
Public Policy (MPP) from UD.
T. A. Hahn
Martha Narvaez
Cooper Feeny
Sculptor/Painter
A proud alumni of The University of the Arts, my main career was as an art and design director in the advertising and marketing arenas. Though throughout college and since, my true passion has been creating fine art, and have exhibited locally, regionally and nationally.
I am a member of Philadelphia Sculptors; Internation
Sculptor/Painter
A proud alumni of The University of the Arts, my main career was as an art and design director in the advertising and marketing arenas. Though throughout college and since, my true passion has been creating fine art, and have exhibited locally, regionally and nationally.
I am a member of Philadelphia Sculptors; International Sculpture Center; an Artist Member of the Noyes Museum of Art at Stockton University; Gilbert W. Perry, Jr. Center for the Arts; an Art-Maker-Friend of The Delaware Contemporary; 2022 Individual Artist Fellowship in Visual Arts: Sculpture, from the Delaware Division of the Arts.
Cooper Feeny
Martha Narvaez
Cooper Feeny
Graduate Research Assistant, University of Delaware
Cooper Feeny is a Graduate student at the University of Delaware in the Water Science and Policy Department, conducting research at the Delaware Water Resources Center. His research focuses on economic valuation of water and lead remediation.
Megan Wassil
Lindsey Walker
Katie Herbert
Graduate Student Research Assistant, University of Delaware Water Resources Center
Megan is a third-year graduate student in the Water Science and Policy program at the University of Delaware. In her undergraduate studies, Megan started interning at the Delaware Water Resources Center. Since then she has been studying PFAS compounds, 'forever chemicals', in Delaware drinking water.
Katie Herbert
Lindsey Walker
Katie Herbert
Director of Education, Outreach, and Research Engagement, Center for Plastics Innovation (University of Delaware)
Dr. Katie Herbert is the Director of Education, Outreach, and Research Engagement for the Center for Plastics Innovation (CPI) at the University of Delaware. She earned her Ph.D. in Molecular Engineering from the University of
Director of Education, Outreach, and Research Engagement, Center for Plastics Innovation (University of Delaware)
Dr. Katie Herbert is the Director of Education, Outreach, and Research Engagement for the Center for Plastics Innovation (CPI) at the University of Delaware. She earned her Ph.D. in Molecular Engineering from the University of Chicago and completed postdoctoral research at the University of Colorado Boulder, focusing on responsive polymer systems and liquid crystalline networks. At CPI, she leads education, outreach, and research engagement initiatives, including undergraduate research programs, professional development for graduate students and postdocs, and fostering collaborations in sustainability.
Karen Igou
Lindsey Walker
Lindsey Walker
Senior Program Manager for Community Engagement, Pathways to Green Schools
Karen Igou of Green Building United and Lindsey Walker of the National Wildlife Federation will talk about the benefits of the Pathways to Green Schools Program and the Eco-Schools Program.
Lindsey Walker
Lindsey Walker
Lindsey Walker
Senior Manager, Education & Community Conservation, National Wildlife Federation
Lindsey Walker is the Senior Manager of Education & Community Conservation for National Wildlife Federation’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Center. Along with her team, she partners with community groups to create native pollinator habitats and small-scale watershed r
Senior Manager, Education & Community Conservation, National Wildlife Federation
Lindsey Walker is the Senior Manager of Education & Community Conservation for National Wildlife Federation’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Center. Along with her team, she partners with community groups to create native pollinator habitats and small-scale watershed restoration projects at community-based sites, organize environmental education events, and implement NWF’s Garden for Wildlife and EcoSchools programs locally. Previously, Lindsey led volunteer and community engagement programs at Fairmount Park Conservancy in Philadelphia and holds a Master’s of Environmental Studies from the University of Pennsylvania.
Elisa King
Matthew Willmes
Estelle Smith
Education & Outreach Coordinator, Plastic Free Delaware
Elisa is a lifelong Delawarean with a passion for environmental stewardship and food system resiliency. For the last decade, Elisa has worked with various Delaware based organizations and started her own consulting business promoting sustainable and urban agriculture initiatives. Thro
Education & Outreach Coordinator, Plastic Free Delaware
Elisa is a lifelong Delawarean with a passion for environmental stewardship and food system resiliency. For the last decade, Elisa has worked with various Delaware based organizations and started her own consulting business promoting sustainable and urban agriculture initiatives. Through this work, community engagement became a focus as the coordinator for small and large community events including establishing a farmer's market. Elisa is excited to help spread the word and increase engagement for Plastic Free Delaware to reach all Delawareans in particular those most impacted by waste and pollution. In her free time, you can find Elisa volunteering with the Delaware Urban Farm & Food Coalition and the Delaware Community Benefits Agreement Coalition as well as taking flamenco classes, walking at Bellevue State Park, and enjoying time with her family.
Estelle Smith
Matthew Willmes
Estelle Smith
ENROADS Climate Ambassador, ENROADS
I am a junior Energy and Environmental Policy major at the University of Delaware with minors in Environmental Humanities and Resource Economics. My main focus is environmental and economic justice.
Matthew Willmes
Matthew Willmes
Matthew Willmes
Student at the University of Delaware Climate Hub
I am Matthew Willmes, an Energy and Environmental Policy major at the University of Delaware. I will be pursuing my Master's in Public Policy next year through a 4+1 program. I have presented Enroads twice before and am excited to share it again!
Mark Warner
Matthew Willmes
Matthew Willmes
Professor, University of Delaware
I am a physiological ecologist who studies how the environment influences the physiology and success of marine microalgae and coral reefs. Specifically, I study how climate change is affecting the health of reef building corals and their symbiotic algae.
Deanna Benner
Arthur Trembanis
Deanna Benner
NP/Co-Chair of ChristianaCare's Environmental Sustainability Caregiver Committee
Deanna Benner is a Women's Health Nurse Practitioner who is leading sustainability initiatives at Christiana Care to make health the heart of climate action to help make the future healthier for all.
Wylie Feaster
Arthur Trembanis
Deanna Benner
Climate Community Planning Specialist, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC)
Wylie Feaster currently serves as a Climate Community Planning Specialist with the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC). In this role, he helps plan and execute all stakeholder engagement efforts to
Climate Community Planning Specialist, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC)
Wylie Feaster currently serves as a Climate Community Planning Specialist with the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC). In this role, he helps plan and execute all stakeholder engagement efforts to support the development of the 2025 Delaware Climate Action Plan. Prior to his current position, he worked in DNREC's State Energy Office where he helped manage multiple energy efficiency and renewable energy rebate programs and contributed to the planning of federal grant initiatives under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Wylie graduated from the University of Delaware in 2023 with a B.A. in Environmental Studies.b
Sabrina Shultz
Arthur Trembanis
Arthur Trembanis
Climate and Transportation Policy Specialist, DNREC Division of Climate, Coastal and Energy - Clean Transportation
Sabrina Shultz is a Climate and Transportation Policy Specialist with the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, leading programs and initiatives that promote alternative fuel vehicles and reduce g
Climate and Transportation Policy Specialist, DNREC Division of Climate, Coastal and Energy - Clean Transportation
Sabrina Shultz is a Climate and Transportation Policy Specialist with the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, leading programs and initiatives that promote alternative fuel vehicles and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector. Sabrina provides guidance and support to state agencies, local governments, community groups, and individuals to ensure that Delaware's infrastructure supports the mitigation of climate change and the movement of all people.
Arthur Trembanis
Arthur Trembanis
Arthur Trembanis
Professor of Oceanography and Robotics, University of Delaware
Dr. Art Trembanis is a professor at the University of Delaware who studies coastal and marine environments using autonomous robots, sonar, and artificial intelligence. He leads field programs around the world that explore shipwrecks, map habitats, and investigate how coastlines
Professor of Oceanography and Robotics, University of Delaware
Dr. Art Trembanis is a professor at the University of Delaware who studies coastal and marine environments using autonomous robots, sonar, and artificial intelligence. He leads field programs around the world that explore shipwrecks, map habitats, and investigate how coastlines change. His work connects cutting-edge technology with real-world environmental challenges.
Michael Blacketer, PhD
Educator, Mt. Cuba Center
Michael Blacketer, PhD is an educator at Mt. Cuba. His education includes a bachelor's degree in Community and Environmental Planning, a master's in Ecological Landscape Design, and a doctorate in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management. Also a Delaware Master Gardener, Michael’s interests are rooted in the expl
Educator, Mt. Cuba Center
Michael Blacketer, PhD is an educator at Mt. Cuba. His education includes a bachelor's degree in Community and Environmental Planning, a master's in Ecological Landscape Design, and a doctorate in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management. Also a Delaware Master Gardener, Michael’s interests are rooted in the exploration of human-environment interactions across spatial, temporal, biological, and social scales; he enjoys discussing these phenomena with others through mutual interests in organic gardening, restoration ecology, outdoor recreation, and scientific research.
YOU make YES! possible!
Won't you join us in making YES! possible for even more schools and students to attend at no cost in 2026? Please join other generous donors and sponsors to inspire and empower Delaware's future environmental leaders through their support. Together, we can make the 2026 YES! Summit our most impactful year yet!
Thank you for your generosity and support!