2025 WORKSHOP SPEAKERS

Director of Workforce Development at the University of Delaware

Anil is the Director of Workforce Development at the Center for Clean Hydrogen, University of Delaware. Prior to this, Anil worked at General Motors in several roles with increasing responsibilities in the areas of Engine and Battery R&D, Technology Commercialization & Licensing, and Hydrogen Fuel Cells. Anil is passionate about building things that people can touch and feel to help increase their knowledge, understanding, and skills, so they can eventually have their own ‘aha moments’ and provide humanity with the insights needed to create a better future.

Delaware State Climatologist, University of Delaware Center for Environmental Monitoring and Analysis

Dr. Kevin Brinson is the State Climatologist of Delaware and serves as Director of the Center for Environmental Monitoring and Analysis, or CEMA, at the University of Delaware. He is also a research faculty member in the Department of Geography and Spatial Sciences at the University of Delaware. Dr. Brinson's research is primarily focused on hydroclimatic extremes, such as drought and high-intensity rainfall events, and their effect on agriculture and and the transportation system. He has also worked with environmental sensors for over 20 years, and oversees the densest statewide mesoscale meteorological network in the United States, the Delaware Environmental Observing System.  

YES! Student Leader, Youth Environmental Summit

Vaishnavi Sakthi is a high school researcher passionate about environmental sustainability and biotechnology. She is currently exploring the role of fungi in plastic degradation and its impact on ecosystems. With a strong academic background and leadership in STEM initiatives, Vaishnavi is dedicated to driving innovative solutions to global challenges.

Upper School Science Teacher, Tower Hill School

Lauren Helfgott graduated from Denison University (Granville, OH) with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. After spending 13 years in direct medical sales in the field of blood platelet aggregation, Lauren earned her Masters Degree and Secondary Certification in Education, with a focus on Multicultural Education. She is finishing up her 10th year of teaching upper school science.

Climate Community Planning Specialist, DNREC

Originally from Hastings-on-Hudson, New York, 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 BA in Environmental Studies.

Instructor, University of Delaware Department of Africana Studies

Jeffrey is an activist, educator, speaker, singer-songwriter, and renewable energy social venture owner. He was a community and union organizer and worked in community economic development at the local and national level. He was active in the Free South Africa Movement and the Peace Movement. He is currently working on initiatives for environmental justice as well as racial, social, and economic justice. Jeffrey is a vegan and former journalist.

Director, University of Delaware Water Resources Center

Gerald is Director of the University of Delaware Water Resources Center (UDWRC) one of the 54 Congressionally chartered National Institutes for Water Resources (NIWR) established by the Water Resources Research Act of 1964 and supported by the U.S. Department of Interior at land grant universities in the 50 states, District of Columbia, and island territories of Guam, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands.  Dr. Kauffman is President of NIWR and holds faculty appointments in the Biden School of Public Policy and Administration, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, and Geography Department and studied at the two oldest land grant schools in the nation, Delaware (est. 1743) and Rutgers (est. 1766). 

Project Manager, Mead & Hunt

20 years of experience in community planning and real estate in both the public and private sectors. Experience includes land use planning, community development, affordable housing, real estate development, zoning, market research, real estate asset management, property management, and GIS mapping. I currently serve as Past President of the the American Planning Association Delaware Chapter and I am an active member of the Urban Land Institute Delaware Council.

Deputy Director of Environmental Change and Security Program  & Director of China Environment Forum, Wilson Center

Jennifer Turner has served as Director of the Wilson Center’s China Environment Forum for 25 years. She is a widely-quoted expert on U.S.-China environmental cooperation, as well as climate-related challenges and governance issues facing the world’s most populous country. She also created the Turning the Tide on Plastic Waste in Asia project that generates storytelling in webinars, blogs, and podcasts and publications on how China and Southeast Asia are working to reduce plastic pollution. Together with the Wilson Center’s Serious Games Initiative her team has developed an educational digital game, The Plastic Pipeline, to raise public awareness on the plastic product lifecycle and policies and citizen action to slow plastic waste leakage into the ocean.

Program Coordinator of China Environment Forum, Wilson Center

At the Wilson Center, Jennifer uses her experience in policy analysis, program implementation, and multi-stakeholder engagement to advance sustainable development and environmental cooperation between China and the United States. She works alongside the Program Director and manages the production of webinars, in-person meetings, events, and podcasts produced for CEF's Cool Agriculture, Vulnerable Deltas, and China JET projects, and serves as the managing editor for New Security Beat blogs published under the China Environment Forum's column. She holds an M.A. in International Affairs from American University's School of International Service, with a regional focus on East Asia and the Indo-Pacific, and a minor in Chinese Language.

Program Coordinator, Wilson Center

Sonja R. O’Brien (she/her) is the program coordinator for the Serious Games Initiative at the Wilson Center, supporting a portfolio focused on science communication, education, and game-based approaches to critical policy topics such as disinformation. Previously, she co-led logistics for the Global Symposium for Technology-facilitated Gender-based Violence.  She is passionate about effective and informed policy that takes a holistic approach while understanding the intersectionality and needs of the individual.

Director of DNREC Climate, Coastal and Energy, DNREC

Dayna Cobb serves as the Director of DNREC’s Division of Climate, Coastal and Energy, leading initiatives in climate sustainability, coastal management, and energy policy. With a background as a chemist, she shifted her career focus to environmental impact after a pivotal moment of reflection inspired by her son. Driven by the motto “Service is my purpose, and my perspective is my gift,” Dayna is passionate about creating a more sustainable and resilient Delaware through innovative solutions and inclusive leadership.

Marine Education Specialist, Delaware Sea Grant/University of Delaware

David Christopher is the Marine Education Specialist for Delaware Sea Grant at the University of Delaware.  David has B.A. in Biology from St. Mary’s College of Maryland and an M.Ed. from Goucher College and has over 20 years of experience in the marine education field.  David is active in the Delaware Association for Environmental Education, the Mid-Atlantic Marine Education Association, and National Marine Educators Association (NMEA) and formerly served as NMEA president from July 2021-July 2022.  In 2024, NMEA honored David with the James Centorino award for outstanding work and leadership in marine education at the local, regional, and national level.

Director, Delaware Center for Geographic Education

Mary Schorse is an Assistant Research Professor in the Department of Geography and Spatial Sciences at the University of Delaware and Director of the Delaware Center for Geographic Education (DCGE). With a Ph.D. in Geography and over nine years of teaching experience, Mary specializes in sustainability policy, natural resource management, and advancing geospatial education. She has championed initiatives such as creating standards-based geography curricula, developing geospatial career pathways, and helping community-based reforestation efforts, reflecting her dedication to environmental stewardship and innovative education.

Vice-Chair of Natural Resources & Energy, Delaware House of Representatives

Representative Phillips is a dedicated advocate for environmental justice, focusing on expanding urban green spaces and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in parks. With a Bachelor of Science in Environmental and Marine Science and a Master’s in Energy and Environmental Policy from the University of Delaware, she brings expertise in wildlife studies and environmental fieldwork to her initiatives. As Miss Delaware 2021, she empowered young people through professional development and community gardening projects, teaching sustainable practices. A passionate outdoor enthusiast, she is committed to increasing access to environmental careers and fostering community engagement.

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.    

Legislative Manager, Sustainable Energy and Environment, Friends Council on National Legislation

Daren is FCNL’s legislative manager for sustainable energy and environment. He lobbies Congress to support action to respond to the climate crisis and prevent the further degradation of our communities and our planet. His work focuses on securing renewable energy access for all, supporting resilient food systems, and increasing funding for international climate finance.