Tom Kiernan is president and CEO of American Rivers, leading the 78 staff members who make American Rivers the nation’s most trusted and influential river conservation organization. Tom has dedicated his career to protecting the nation’s lands and waters and diversifying the conservation movement. Before joining American Rivers, Tom led the American Wind Energy Association, growing the organization and advancing a clean energy policy agenda to fight climate change. He also served as president of the National Parks Conservation Association, where he and his team established the Community Partners Program—one of the first diversity programs at any major conservation organization. He co-founded the Rocky Mountain Outdoor Center on the Arkansas River in Colorado and worked at North Carolina’s Nantahala Outdoor Center guiding trips. Today, Tom is an avid rower who spends most mornings on the Potomac River.

Christina Ngo serves as Arizona State University’s executive director of social embeddedness within the Office of University Affairs. Christina’s work focuses on advancing the mission of the New American University by evaluating university-wide social embeddedness efforts and initiatives. She facilitates and amplifies collaborative, mutually beneficial partnerships and innovations across the university and throughout their communities.

Carner Derron is the associate director of marketing & communications at Aspen Digital, a program of the Aspen Institute. Carner elevates Aspen Digital’s reputational and programmatic impact where technology and information challenges meet democracy and diverse communities. Both a strategist and implementer, she brings to life the story of her team’s mission to connect and spark policy action among those crucial to making our interconnected world accessible, safe, and inclusive—both online and off. Bringing expertise in brand development, thought leadership, and media relations, Carner joined this Aspen Institute policy program in 2020 and has a background in social impact marketing and communications. Most recently, she supported major nonprofits and corporations at the global firm Weber Shandwick. Prior to that, she worked at the DC-based agency Little Unicorns.

Liane Stegmaier joined Brooklyn Community Foundation in 2011 and has spent over a decade building awareness, engagement and partnership for its work throughout the borough. As chief of staff, she leads the Foundation’s communications team, while serving as a key strategic advisor to the Foundation’s president and CEO and overseeing the execution of the strategic plan. Prior to joining Brooklyn Community Foundation, she led communications for the Lupus Research Institute and the S.L.E. Lupus Foundation and worked on the NYC2012 Olympic Bid. Liane graduated with honors from New York University’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development.

​​Nyla McFadden is the assistant director of programs at The Climate Initiative. Previously, Nyla served as an educator for thirteen years. She firmly believes in the importance of education grounded in critical literacy to produce informed and responsible citizens. Critical literacy comprises four essential skills: thinking critically, reading, writing with a purpose, and speaking up. All these objectives strengthen students’ abilities to actively improve themselves and the society in which they live. This is the philosophy that Nyla uses to support TCI’s education programs and instruction. Nyla received a bachelor of arts in English from Johnson C. Smith University, a master of arts in liberal studies from Wake Forest University, and a graduate teaching certificate from the University of North Carolina, Charlotte.

A mission-driven servant leader with over two decades of experience in communications and brand strategy, Bana is a passionate storyteller dedicated to shedding light on the strengths and challenges of military family life. Bana is a recipient of the Iron Mike Award and the Dr. Mary E. Walker Award, in recognition of her volunteer service as a military spouse. She is a member of the 2021 scholar cohort of the George W. Bush Institute’s Stand-To Veteran Leadership Program. Bana graduated from Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and Martin J. Whitman School of Management with degrees in public relations and marketing management. When she’s not on a soapbox defending the Oxford comma, you can find her exploring the nearest national park. An Army spouse of over 15 years—and a dozen PCS moves—Bana lives with her husband and four children outside San Antonio, Texas.

Becky Plunkett leads a team at the Craig Hospital Foundation that is passionate about providing exceptional donor experiences—all to support patients, programs and research at Craig Hospital. While she currently serves as the senior director of donor engagement & operations, she has also worked in corporate giving, engagement, annual giving and events at the Craig Foundation. Before joining the Craig Foundation, Becky worked in donor relations at Mental Health America of Colorado (now Mental Health Colorado). She also served as a case manager for people experiencing mental health issues and homelessness at the Mental Health Center of Denver. Becky holds a master of nonprofit management from Regis University and a bachelor of arts in sociology and religious studies from the University of Denver. She enjoys engaging in her community, traveling and sharing meals.

Nancy A. Parker is the executive director of the Detroit Justice Center, an abolitionist organization fighting to end mass incarceration and create just cities. Nancy earned her law degree from Washington University in St. Louis School of Law and received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan. At the Detroit Justice Center, Nancy directly represented returning citizens in traffic and family court matters and provided legal support to grassroots organizations fighting for racial justice. She served as co-counsel in the federal civil rights lawsuit against the Detroit Police Department that resulted in a million dollar judgment against the city. She is part of the Stop ShotSpotter Detroit Coalition that has been successful in securing $7 million for Detroiters. Nancy’s work and life is focused on liberating Black people. Her passion is fueled every time she looks into the eyes of her two young daughters.

Daria Devlin is a passionate advocate for health and wealth equity in the City of Erie, where she was born and raised and now lives and works. In her current role as director of social impact for the Hamot Health Foundation, Daria works to address the social determinants of health that impact Erie residents and neighborhoods. Previously, Daria served as executive director of the Erie Center for Arts and Technology, where she oversaw a $12 million neighborhood transformation project to create a community hub for healthcare, education and job training. She has over 15 years of experience in nonprofit program development and leadership. Daria is a proud graduate of Erie’s Public Schools and holds a bachelor of arts from Colgate University and a master of education from Edinboro University. She is an active volunteer in her community, serving on the local school board, port authority and at area food banks.

Ebony Furr is the director of admissions at Merit America, where she manages the admissions process from application to program kick-off. She assesses candidates, answers questions and supports prospective learners. Ebony comes to Merit America following a 14-year career in the U.S. Army, where she served as an enlisted medic and human resources sergeant for 10 years before commissioning as an engineer officer. She served as a drill sergeant during her enlisted time and has been deployed to Iraq and Cuba. Ebony has an MBA with a leadership concentration from the University of Houston Downtown. She is passionate about fitness, serving the community and helping others. She runs a personal training business called Ebony Furr Fitness and is an Instagram and YouTube sensation, with over 16,000 followers.

Meredith Whipple is the chief of staff at Public Knowledge. She previously worked on Public Knowledge’s communications team and has an extensive background in internet policy. She previously held positions at the Center for Democracy and Technology, Hewlett-Packard, Consumers Union, the Berkman Center for Internet and Society and the Federal Communications Commission. Meredith earned her master’s degree in public affairs from the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas in Austin and her bachelor’s degrees in communications and political science from the Ohio State University in Columbus. In her free time, Meredith is active in the performing arts scene in DC.

Liz Gordon-Canlas is the managing director of Zora’s House, a space for women and gender-expansive people of color to dream, connect and create. Prior to Zora’s House, Liz spent more than 10 years in higher education, at Columbus College of Art & Design, The Ohio State University, Miami University and Ohio University. Her experience advocating for more than 25,000 university staff members as the chair of the University Staff Advisory Committee at Ohio State made her passionate about shared governance and how organizations engage with policies. As a transracial adoptee, she is also deeply passionate about research related to the lived experiences of adult adoptees. Liz earned her bachelor of arts from Wright State University and masters of education from Ohio University. When not at Zora’s House envisioning a utopic future for women of color everywhere, she loves weightlifting, traveling, live music and spending time with her husband and two children.