Since formally launching Mobilize Green in 2014, Leah has worked to jumpstart green careers for diverse youth while advancing environmental equity in communities. Leah believes that young people can solve the worlds’ environmental challenges; that those young people must reflect the values and rich demographic mix of the communities they serve; and that if we can create a diverse and inclusive environmental movement and workforce then we can create a just and equitable planet.

Leah is an attorney. She served as the Chief of Staff and Legal Counsel to a Member of Congress and was partner in a top DC law firm. Recently, Leah served on the advisory board of the Center for American Progress’ Leadership Institute, a former national initiative advancing a new generation of progressive policy leaders of color, and she served on the National Park Service Centennial Advisory Committee.

Austin began his federal career with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) where he served in a variety of management positions for more than ten years, including time working as a Division Chief in the Water Program Office. As a Mike Mansfield Fellow with EPA, Austin spent two years in Tokyo, Japan working with the Japan Ministries of Construction and Environment. He also served on several hurricane relief efforts including the Hurricane Mitch federal response team in Nicaragua, providing hurricane relief assistance.

Austin began his National Park Service career at Gateway National Recreation Area as an interpretive park ranger, resource management specialist, and then law enforcement ranger. He later served as deputy superintendent of Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, superintendent of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in Utah/Arizona, acting deputy superintendent at Yosemite National Park in California, superintendent at Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio, and regional director for the Southeast (current South Atlantic-Gulf) Region.

Judy Braus accepted the position of Executive Director of NAAEE 2011. She was formerly the Sr. Vice President of Education and Centers at the National Audubon Society. She has been actively involved in national and international environment and education efforts for almost three decades. Judy has successfully managed the education and outreach departments at the National Audubon Society, World Wildlife Fund, and the National Wildlife Federation. She was also the manager of environmental education programming at the U.S. Peace Corps. She helped create and direct TogetherGreen, a $20 million alliance between Audubon and Toyota which provides Fellowships, Grants, and Volunteer Days. TogetherGreen helps people take action at home and in their communities to improve the health of the environment.

Deoudes has guided the evolution and growth of several nonprofit organizations, setting and achieving aggressive programmatic and financial goals. Prior to NEEF, Meri-Margaret was president and CEO of EarthShare, a strategic advisor and programmatic partner to the business sector, developing dynamic engagement and philanthropy programs focused on creating tangible sustainability progress.

Meri-Margaret has an extensive background in developing holistic corporate alliances, special events, and employee engagement programs for prominent health-focused nonprofits, including the March of Dimes and Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Meri-Margaret has worked in the environmental community—including multiple roles at the National Wildlife Federation—to create, market, and fund programs that promote the benefits of outdoor activity and nurture the next generation of environmental stewards.

Dr. Penelope Fenner-Crisp began her 22-year EPA career in 1978 in the Office of Drinking Water as a Senior Toxicologist. From 1987-1989, she served as the Director of the Health and Environmental Review Division in the Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, overseeing staff responsible for conducting human health and ecological assessments for new and existing commercial chemicals. She is an expert toxicologist.

She is currently a member of the Board of the EPA Alumni Association and the Board of Directors of GreenBlue, an environmental non-profit in Charlottesville, VA, dedicated to the sustainable use of materials in society. She taught for several years in the Principles of Risk Assessment course sponsored by the USDA Graduate School, is the author of 50 scientific papers, a book chapter, and co-author of the chapter on pesticides in the EPA Alumni Association’s Environmental Protection: A Half Century of Progress.

Carolyn is the Deputy Director at ECOS. She also supports the Cross Media Committee, Federal Facilities Forum, and ERIS. Before holding her position as Deputy Director, she was a Senior Project Manager at ECOS working with the Waste Committee, the ECOS-DOD Sustainability Work Group, the Federal Facilities Forum, the Quicksilver Caucus, and the Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council (ITRC). She joined ECOS in September 2002 after working with the National Science Resources Center at the Smithsonian Institution to help develop an inquiry-based science curriculum. Prior to that she was a high school chemistry teacher in Asheville, North Carolina and Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Carolyn holds a B.S. in chemistry from Davidson College and a M.P.A. with a concentration in nonprofit management from George Mason University. She is originally from Florida.

Mr. Reeder is an Executive in Residence with AU's School of Public Affairs and Center for Environmental Policy. Prior to joining AU, he served over 30 years at the US Environmental Protection Agency, most recently as Deputy Chief of Staff. Previously, Mr. Reeder held several positions throughout EPA, including special assistant in EPA's Office of Water, director of EPA's environmental cleanups at federal Superfund sites, and director of EPA's Office of Congressional Affairs. He served on assignment to the US Senate during consideration of agricultural and environmental legislative reforms, and was awarded the EPA Administrator's Gold Medal for his work on reforming the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. He was a member of the federal career Senior Executive Service for 17 years.

Prior to government service, Mr. Reeder served overseas on active duty in the US Army, and was awarded the Army's Commendation Medal for "exceptionally meritorious service" upon completion of his tour.

Walter A. Rosenbaum was Director Emeritus of the Bob Graham Center for Public Service. During the academic years 2003-2005 he was a Visiting Professor in the Program in the Environment, University of Michigan, and, earlier, a Fellow in the Global Environmental Assessment Program and a Visiting Scholar at the International Center of Harvard University, and an Adjunct Professor Department of Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health, Tulane University Medical College. He has previously served as a Special Assistant to the Assistant Administrator for Policy Planning, U.S. EPA. He is also Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences. His research and publications focus on U.S. environmental and energy policy, the politics of risk assessment, and regulatory science.