Speakers
Regina Romero is Tucson's first Latina Mayor. She is a member of the Climate Mayors Network and a nationally-recognized voice on climate action. She declared a climate emergency for the City of Tucson in 2020 and led the City to adopt its first Climate Action Plan in 2023
Jennifer Allen is a lifelong organizer and advocate for environmental and social justice. Jennifer serves on Pima County's Board of Supervisors for District 3 where she continues combining community organizing and policy experience to serve our community.
Alex Sexsmith is Chair of the AIA's Committee on the Environment and has his own architectural firm, Sexsmith Architects. Alex's architectural experience brings deep knowledge about building a more creative and sustainable future.
John "Skip" Laitner is an award-winning economist, author, and lecturer whose research focuses on developing climate economic policy models. Laitner authored over 340 works on subjects across economics and worked with the EPA for nearly 10 years.
Derrick Lemoine is Director of Graduate Studies and Professor of Economics for the Eller College of Management. Derek has expertise in sustainable economics with many publications.
Natalie Shepp is the Climate and Community Engagement Manager at Pima County’s Department of Environmental Quality. She creates community-led initiatives for reducing air pollution, emphasis on climate change, environmental justice, and community health.
Julie Dittmer is Julie Dittmer is the founder and chair of the Responsible AI Data Center Advisory Panel of Southern Arizona (RADCAP). Born and raised in Tucson, she holds a B.A. in Law from the University of Arizona. She is a Tucson-based writer and policy researcher focused on constitutional protections, public accountability, and development policy.
Jason Laros previously served as City of Tucson's Energy Manager and has since founded Resilience Developers to encourage living sustainably. Jason brings decades in design experience with a focus on sustainable energy and water efficiencies in buildings.
Matt McDonnell is a Regulatory Innovation Expert with Current Energy Group. He’s an accomplished energy and policy attorney with experience supporting power systems planning, grid modernization, and community solar, to name a few.
Dan Stormont is a Certified Water Harvesting Practitioner and Watershed Management docent and has been active in the Tucson Community for years. He also serves as the Chair of the City’s Commission on Climate, Energy, and Sustainability.
Dre Thompson has a background community development, education, and energy efficiency prioritizing on collaboration and impact. She support small businesses, affordable housing, and clean energy projects through her work as CEO of Tucson Industrial Development Authority and President of Groundswell Capital.
Duran Andrews is a member of the Tohono O'odham Tribe and has been with the San Xavier Co-Op Farm for 8 years, and the Farm Manager for the last 5. During this time, the farm has successfully refocused back to the mission of self sustainability and caretaking for the land, the animals, the water, and the people.
Bruce Plenk is an energy expert currently consulting with Solar Possibilities. Previously he worked as the Solar Energy Coordinator at the City of Tucson for almost six years. Bruce specializes in solar knowledge but brings energy policy knowledge.
Ayman M Mostafa, Ph.D. is a director of the University of Arizona Center for Urban Smart Agriculture and Director of Maricopa County Cooperative Extension. He has special interests in optimal systems for sustainable water use and insect control, for field crops and urban agriculture in Arizona.
Josie Kohlan, is Director of Sustainability for Goodmans. She serves on the Board of Directors for Arizona Forward and is an experienced sustainability advocate for American Institute for Architecture-Arizona. She is passionate about sustainable design and community engagement, working to foster improvements in the built environment across Arizona's diverse sectors.