Waterfront Conference 2024: Full Schedule

5:00pm EDT

Pre-Event Floating Reception (RSVP required)

Take a cruise through New York Harbor and celebrate our community. Limited availability; please reserve your spot when registering for the conference.

Confirmed participants should arrive to pier 81 (West 41st St. at the Hudson River) by 4:45pm for checkin and boarding.

Tonight’s cruise presents the inaugural Dr. Edward Williams Waterfront Champion Awards, honoring community-based organizations and individuals who have championed community resilience in the face of systemic injustices and the climate crisis. Named in memory of Dr. Edward Williams, the founder and CEO of Regional Ready Rockaway, this accolade celebrates his lasting legacy and profound impact on the region. The 2024 recipients are Regional Ready Rockaway, South Bronx Unite, and Robert Markuske of the New York Harbor School.

Monday May 20, 2024 5:00pm - 7:00pm EDT
Pier 81, Manhattan 41st Street at the West Side Highway

8:00am EDT

Waterfront Alliance Corporate Council Breakfast

invite only

Speakers

Jessica Grannis

Senior Advisor, NOAA

Jessica Grannis is a NOAA senior advisor, with a focus on implementing NOAA’s Inflation Reduction Act programs.Prior to joining NOAA, Jessica served as the program director for coastal resilience at the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, where she oversaw the National Coastal... Read More →

Tuesday May 21, 2024 8:00am - 9:00am EDT
Studio (2nd Floor)

8:00am EDT

General Attendee Breakfast

Tuesday May 21, 2024 8:00am - 9:00am EDT
Events Hall (2nd Floor)

Networking/Food

8:00am EDT

WEDG® Breakfast: South Battery Park City Resiliency

WEDG® (Waterfront Edge Design Guidelines) Associates and enthusiasts are invited to join a breakfast and overview of the WEDG Verified South Battery Park City Resiliency project. Enjoy breakfast while learning about the resilience, ecology, and access of this project, including an in-person glimpse into the site's construction from the terrace.

Speakers

Angela Howard

Asst. VP, Construction, Battery Park City Authority

Angela M. Howard rejoined BPCA in 2023 as the AVP of construction and site management. With over 30 years of experience in construction management, Angela most recently completed the design and construction of a new 120-bed shelter in her role as SVP of real estate at Covenant House... Read More →

Joseph Sutkowi, WEDG

Chief Waterfront Design Officer, Waterfront Alliance

Joseph Sutkowi, WEDG, is the Chief Waterfront Design Officer at the Waterfront Alliance. Joseph leads the WEDG® (Waterfront Edge Design Guidelines) program and oversees Waterfront Alliance’s resilience planning project in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. He brings significant experience... Read More →

Tuesday May 21, 2024 8:00am - 9:00am EDT
Keeping History Room (3rd Floor)

Networking/Food

8:00am EDT

Waterfront Scholars Breakfast, Presented by NYC Economic Development Corporation

The diverse group of college and graduate students who make up the 2024 Waterfront Scholars cohort are invited to a special breakfast to meet with with Waterfront Alliance leadership and begin their journey at the conference.

The 2024 Waterfront Scholars program has been generously sponsored by the NYC Economic Development Corporation.

Tuesday May 21, 2024 8:00am - 9:00am EDT
Room 115 (1st Floor)

Waterfront Scholars

9:00am EDT

Opening Plenary

KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Jessica Grannis, Senior Advisor, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminitation

PANEL
Building for Regional Resilience: The Need for Regional Collaboration

New York and New Jersey are each creating strong plans to build climate resilience for their state, from the Climate Resiliency Design Guidelines to staffing a Chief Climate Resilience Officer. However, climate change does not see state lines and the need for regional collaboration is critical to ensuring preparedness in the future. This panel discusses the states’ plans and ideas for collaboration in the future.

INTERVIEW
Capstone Project on Legislation Impact

The Waterfront Alliance and the NYU Capstone team undertook a comprehensive analysis to assess the impact of the two key pieces of legislation that aim to foster urban resilience: the Flood Risk Disclosure Laws in New York and New Jersey and the Climate Resiliency Design Guidelines for New York City, known as Local Law 41. This capstone project analyzed both policies, identified areas of improvement and provided insights into the challenges around implementation, and provided recommendations to strengthen policy efforts. Team leader Camilla Fernandez relates the findings.

Speakers

Jessica Grannis

Senior Advisor, NOAA

Nick Angarone

N.J. Chief Resilience Officer, NJ DEP

Nick Angarone, PP/AICP is the New Jersey Chief Resilience Officer and manager of the Office of Climate Resilience at the Department of Environmental Protection. As chief resilience officer, Nick coordinates statewide resilience policy as vice-phair of the Interagency Council on Climate... Read More →

Sonia Brubaker

Chief Resilience Officer/Director, City of Miami, Office of Resilience & Sustainabity

Sonia Brubaker is the chief resilience officer for the City of Miami. Also serving as the director of the Office of Resilience and Sustainability, she’s responsible for leading resilience expertise across the municipality to effectively address climate change challenges. She has... Read More →

Stephen Hammer

CEO, The New York Climate Exchange

Dr. Stephen Hammer was selected as the founding CEO of the New York Climate Exchange in November of 2023. As CEO, Dr. Hammer leads a first-of-its-kind collaborative model for accelerating climate change solutions for New York City and beyond.As one of the world’s leading experts... Read More →

Suzanna Randall

Chief Resiliency Officer, NYS DEC

Suzanna Randall is DEC’s first-ever chief resiliency officer. In this important new role, Suzanna is building DEC’s Bond Act Office, serving as the agency lead on developing and implementing all major components of the Bond Act, and ensuring that federal funding for resilience... Read More →

Cortney Koenig Worrall

President, Waterfront Alliance

Cortney Koenig Worrall is president and CEO of the Waterfront Alliance with national expertise in climate resilience policy, organizational development, campaign planning, community outreach, storm water planning, and public participation processes. In her tenure she has redefined... Read More →

Doug Parsons

Host/Director, America Adapts Media

Doug Parsons is the director of America Adapts Media and host of "America Adapts – The Climate Change Podcast." Doug first started in the adaptation field in Queensland, Australia, focusing on the impacts of climate change on the agriculture sector. Upon returning to the United... Read More →

Camila Fernandez

NYU Wagner Graduate, New York University

Camila Fernandez is a part-time student in the MPA–PNP degree program at NYU Wagner, specializing in finance. She works as an asset manager at Enterprise Community Investment, a national nonprofit organization that focuses on increasing housing opportunities for people across the... Read More →

Tuesday May 21, 2024 9:00am - 10:30am EDT
Safra Hall (1st Floor)

Mainstage

10:30am EDT

Break / Visit the Expo

Tuesday May 21, 2024 10:30am - 11:00am EDT
Events Hall Foyer (2nd Floor)

Networking/Food

11:00am EDT

Maintenance as a Key Climate Resilience Strategy and Ongoing Commitment

Panel sponsored by AECOM

This panel explores how maintenance of green infrastructure is a critical part of climate resilience and discusses maintenance vs. adaptive management. Topics to be covered include processes, funding, governance, and the role of community-based organizations in this role, along with the recognition of ancillary community benefits and potential jobs programs.

Speakers

Adam Ganser

Executive Director, New Yorkers for Parks

Adam Ganser has spent his career as a leader advocating for, designing, and developing creative urban scale public realm ideas that emphasize economic, environmental, and social impacts.As executive director of New Yorkers for Parks, Adam has led a citywide advocacy campaign to increase... Read More →

Maggie Scott Greenfield

Consultant, The RAIN Coalition

From 2005–2023, Maggie Greenfield served in various roles for the Bronx River Alliance, including as executive director for the Alliance and Bronx River administrator for NYC Parks (2017–2023). Maggie secured and guided investments of more than $250 million in greenway and ecological... Read More →

Marit Larson

Assistant Commissioner of Natural Resources and Planning, NYC Parks Department - Division of Environment and Planning

Marit Larson is the assistant commissioner of natural resources and planning at the NYC Parks Department. She oversees the Natural Resources Group, which conducts restoration, management, native plant propagation, stewardship, design and construction, and monitoring and assessment... Read More →

Jaclyn Rhoads

Assistant Executive Director, Assistant Executive Director, Pinelands Preservation Alliance

Dr. Jaclyn Rhoads is the assistant executive director of Pinelands Preservation Alliance. She started working in the Pinelands in 2004 after receiving her doctorate degree in environmental policy from Drexel University. She manages the policy and science staff at Pinelands Preservation... Read More →

Caleb Stratton

Chief Resilience Officer, City of Hoboken, N.J.

Caleb Stratton is the chief resilience officer and assistant business administrator of Hoboken, New Jersey. He is responsible for orchestrating and executing municipal operations across seven departments and with a staff of over six hundred. He manages delivery of the city’s capital... Read More →

Tuesday May 21, 2024 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Safra Hall (1st Floor)

Track A: Urban Climate Resilient Design

11:00am EDT

Resilience Hubs – Preparing Communities in the Wake of Poor Infrastructure

The entire nation is facing increasing climate hazards, including flooding, extreme heat, wildfires, and poor air quality. Resilience hubs are making their debut in cities across the nation and serve to support residents before, during, and after a natural hazard. They can play a role in preparation and protection related to extreme heat, flooding, extreme weather, and emergency preparedness. This panel discusses the form they can take, their necessity, effectiveness, and impact, as well as the potential need to see more hubs across the country.

Speakers

K. Baja

Senior Director, DSI, USDN

Baja (she/ki) is an energy rooted in empathy, love, and compassion. She coaches, facilitates, and leads workshops, retreats, and trainings that nurture heart-centered self- and collective-liberation while supporting deeper connectivity to nature’s genius and shifting of power. Baja... Read More →

Sonia Brubaker

Chief Resilience Officer/Director, City of Miami, Office of Resilience & Sustainabity

Dr. Estelle-Marie Montgomery

Executive Director, FH Faunteroy Community Enrichment Center

With nearly 25 years' experience in organizational development, transformation, and innovation, Dr. Estelle-Marie Montgomery was recruited to spearhead the FH Faunteroy Community Enrichment Center's growth and transformation into an Ideal Community Resilience Hub. She oversees the... Read More →

Michael Partis

Executive Director, Red Hook Initiative

As an anthropologist and educator, Michael Partis has a deep understanding of the historical and social roots of injustices faced by the Red Hook community. Michael most recently was the executive director of the Bronx Cooperative Development Initiative, a nonprofit focused on community... Read More →

Tuesday May 21, 2024 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Room 115 (1st Floor)

Track C: Centering and Preparing Communities for Climate Change

11:00am EDT

Harbor Deepening and Green Infrastructure – The Marriage You May Not Know About

The region’s economy and supply chains from the mid-Atlantic, New England, and the Midwest depend on the Port of New York and New Jersey. To maintain the industry, dredging is required for ongoing maintenance and to accommodate newer, larger ships. Dredge material can have beneficial reuse for green infrastructure, nature-based climate resilience projects, and wetlands restoration. This panel explores how both harbor deepening and green infrastructure in the region face challenges in coming together through complementary and progressive policy, and the ways to turn sound policy for multiple benefits into reality.

* Engineering PDHs are pending for this session

Speakers

Robert Acker

Senior Coastal Engineer, Arup

Robert Acker has 14 years of experience in coastal engineering and numerical modeling experience. Past coastal engineering work includes the application of state-of-the-art wave, hydrodynamic, and sediment transport models; experience with the techniques and equipment used to collect... Read More →

Pippa Brashear, WEDG

Resilience Principal & Partner, SCAPE

Pippa Brashear, RLA, is Resilience Principal and Partner at SCAPE. A leading national expert on resilience planning and design for climate adaptation, Pippa works with multi-disciplinary teams to develop landscape strategies and next-century infrastructure that integrate environmental... Read More →

Andrea Rosenthal

Vice President, AECOM

Andrea Rosenthal is a vice president at AECOM, where she manages multi-disciplinary environmental teams obtaining permits and preparing environmental impact assessments for complex infrastructure projects. She has specialized experience in waterfront and marine construction including... Read More →

Paul Tumminello

Program Manager, US Army Corps of Engineers, New York District

Paul Tumminello is the chief of the civil works project management branch responsible for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' New York District’s civil works program. The program includes the planning, design, construction, and overall project management of navigation, flood risk management... Read More →

Tuesday May 21, 2024 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Studio (2nd Floor)

Track D: A Future-Proofed Maritime Industry

11:00am EDT

Accountability and Systems Change: An Enforced Circular Economy for Plastics

With organizations like PepsiCo and others missing targets on plastic reduction and the use of recycled plastic content, is there hope for the plastics crisis? This panel looks at the role of policy, laws, and regulation in the creation and enforcement of a circular economy that addresses the root of the plastics crisis. The panel will uncover the role of nonprofits, corporations, and government in developing strategies and addressing the crisis through systemic change.

Speakers

Nandini Checko

Plastic Pollution Project Director, Association of NJ Environmental Commission

Nandini Checko is the plastic pollution project director for the Association of N.J. Environmental Commissions (ANJEC). ANJEC is a 55-year-old statewide nonprofit working to educate, empower and mobilize N.J. environmental commissions, green teams, and municipal officials to protect... Read More →

Danielle Holly

Lead, North America, The Ellen MacArthur Foundation

Danielle Holly is a senior social sector executive who has spent her career scaling mission-oriented organizations and programs. Currently, as Lead, North America at the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Danielle is focused on accelerating the circular economy and driving sustainable business... Read More →

Melissa Miles

Executive Director, New Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance

Melissa Miles (she/her) is an environmental and climate justice advocate who began her career as a community organizer while living in an environmental justice community in Newark, New Jersey. She holds a master's in anthropology from the New School, yet maintains that her knowledge... Read More →

Kara Napolitano

Education Director, SMR/ Balcones Recycling

Kara Napolitano is the education director for Balcones Recycling's Sunset Park Materials Recovery Facility, the largest facility of its kind in the country that processes the majority of New York City’s residential metal, glass, and plastic recycling. Through the Recycling Education... Read More →

Ann Tracy

Chief Sustainability Officer, Colgate-Palmolive

Ann Tracy is Colgate-Palmolive's chief sustainability officer. She is a member of Colgate’s senior leadership team and leads Colgate’s Global Sustainability strategy and key initiatives, integrating a strong technical foundation across the enterprise sustainability and social... Read More →

Tuesday May 21, 2024 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Room 118 (1st Floor)

Track E: The Systems Change Imperative

11:00am EDT

Restoration and Wetlands Mitigation—The Challenges of Jurisdiction, Locations, and Historic Contamination

Waterfront and coastal improvement projects are often dependent on suitable sites for restoration or offsets. However, at times projects in the region and New York City can lack suitable locations for wetlands and habitat restoration and offsets, which leads to bottlenecks in permitting and project completion. As climate change bears down on the region, the challenges will intensify and project delivery for critical climate resilient infrastructure could be significantly delayed. This panel discusses the reforms and policies needed to improve the current reality, mechanisms to plan for the future, possible solutions for legacy contamination at sites, and suggested next steps for moving forward.

Speakers

Brian Craine, WEDG

Vice President, Director of Ports and Marine, Matrix New World

Brian Craine is a highly experienced manager with over 18 years of expertise in handling marine infrastructure projects and programs. He possesses extensive knowledge in waterfront inspections, design and construction implementation, and asset management. Brian brings a unique perspective... Read More →

Terry Doss

Director and Chief Restoration Scientist, NJSEA - Meadowlands Research & Restoration Institute

Terry Doss, CERP, is a restoration ecologist who serves as director and chief restoration scientist for the Meadowlands Research and Restoration Institute, NJ Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA). Over the past 35 years, Terry has served as a local leader in restoring the natural... Read More →

Heather Gierloff

Hudson River Programs Supervisor/Estuary Program, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

Heather Gierloff has been at the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation for more than 20 years and is the Hudson River programs supervisor and estuary coordinator. She supervises and coordinates the Hudson River Estuary Management Program with four DEC Hudson-focused programs... Read More →

Robert Pirani

Program Director, New York - New Jersey Harbor & Estuary Program, Hudson River Foundation

Robert Pirani is the director for the New York/New Jersey Harbor & Estuary Program (HEP) and senior director for engagement and policy at the Hudson River Foundation. HEP is a collaboration of government, scientists and the civic sector that helps protect and restore the harbor’s... Read More →

Max Taffet

SVP OSW and PortNYC Planning, NYCEDC

Max Taffet is a maritime and port planner working to implement innovative waterway and waterfront projects for the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC). NYCEDC holds economic development and maritime contracts on behalf of City of New York, managing over 300 miles... Read More →

Tuesday May 21, 2024 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Keeping History Room (3rd Floor)

Track E: The Systems Change Imperative

12:00pm EDT

Lunch

Tuesday May 21, 2024 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
Events Hall (2nd Floor)

Networking/Food

12:00pm EDT

Lunch Program: Using WEDG® to Your Advantage—Advocates, Design Teams, Agencies

How you use WEDG® (Waterfront Edge Design Guidelines) depends on your relationship to a waterfront project. WEDG is a tool to help create resilient, ecological, and accessible waterfronts across communities. Community-based or environmental advocates can use WEDG to push public and private developers to create better outcomes, ensure accountability toward community goals, and build capacity around waterfront issues. Design teams can quantify project goals and advocate to their clients. Local and state agency leaders and staff can create structures to ensure that communities benefit from waterfront projects.

This working lunch opens with a short presentation on utilizing WEDG from different perspectives, followed by small-group discussion on best practices and strategies.

Note: Please get your lunch on the main buffet in the 2nd floor foyer and then come to the room.

This program is open to all.

Speakers

Joseph Sutkowi, WEDG

Chief Waterfront Design Officer, Waterfront Alliance

Tuesday May 21, 2024 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
Studio (2nd Floor)

Networking/Food, WEDG

1:00pm EDT

Heather M. Morgan Climate Risk Adaptation Lecture

The Heather M. Morgan Climate Risk Adaptation Lecture honors the memory of Heather Morgan, noted climate risk adaptation expert, and her contributions to the field of sustainability. Heather dedicated her career to redefining the relationship between our human inhabitation and the natural system utilizing a transdisciplinary approach. She used her formidable oratory skills to educate people and empower them to advocate for their communities because she felt that unless people understood the dynamic, there would be no real progress. Heather was herself a force of nature who brought boundless energy, genuine integrity, and limitless passion to her work.

Each year the Morgan Lecture series highlights outstanding women in climate and climate resilience leadership.

The Lecture series is supported by an endowed fund in order to bring top speakers to the Waterfront Conference. Fund supporters are:

Premier Corporate Sponsor
AECOM

$10,000 and above
Battery Park City Authority
J.M. Kaplan Fund

$5,000 – $9,999
SiteWorks Landscape Architecture

$1,000 – $4,999
Nora Madonick, CEO, Arch Street Communications
Biohabitats

Up to $999
Susan Ainsworth
Nanci Bateman
Pierre Boucicaut
Emory G. Lee
Craig McCaw
Kate McLetchie-Sheldon
Morgan Landscape Group
Jackie Snyder
Marc Tuozzolo

Speakers

Laurian Farrell

Deputy Commissioner, Department of Environmental Protection

Laurian Farrell (she/her) is the deputy commissioner for the Bureau of Coastal Resilience at the City of New York – a bureau tasked with leading the coastal resilience efforts for NYC’s 520-mile shoreline. Laurian has worked in the private, public and philanthropic sectors for... Read More →

Tuesday May 21, 2024 1:00pm - 1:40pm EDT
Safra Hall (1st Floor)

Mainstage

1:40pm EDT

Break / Visit the Expo

Tuesday May 21, 2024 1:40pm - 2:00pm EDT
Events Hall Foyer (2nd Floor)

Networking/Food

2:00pm EDT

Measuring Climate Resilience – Models and Methods

Tracking carbon mitigation and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is fairly straightforward compared to tracking climate resilience. The development of clear metrics for measuring progress and effectiveness in bringing resilience to communities, cities, neighborhoods, and countries is underway and evolving. This panel reviews models that exist and are currently being established, as well as the challenges and progress that can be expected in advancing these metrics.

Speakers

Kate Boicourt, WEDG

Director, Environmental Defense Fund

Carrie Grassi

New York/Northeast Regional Lead for Resilience, WSP

Carrie is the New York/Northeast regional lead for resilience at WSP. She has over 20 years of experience in climate resilience and open space planning, community engagement, program and project management, and interagency coordination. Most recently, Carrie was the deputy director... Read More →

Holly Neber

CEO, AEI Consultants

Holly Neber is CEO of AEI Consultants, a national property consulting firm. She currently chairs the development of an ASTM Guide for the assessment of physical climate risk and resilience for commercial properties known as the Property Resilience Assessment. Holly previously served... Read More →

Tuesday May 21, 2024 2:00pm - 2:50pm EDT
Room 115 (1st Floor)

Track A: Urban Climate Resilient Design

2:00pm EDT

Breaking Barriers to Ensure Green and Blue Career Pathways

Breaking barriers to ensure green and blue career pathways for the existing workforce is a crucial step towards a sustainable future. As various industries prepare for a changing climate, businesses and organizations are increasingly looking for ways to address an aging workforce and attract new staff. This panel reviews the progress on various employment initiatives across the region, including the American Jobs Act, and how to reduce the barriers to bringing frontline communities and worker from other sectors to these careers.

Speakers

Preston Anderson

Assistant Vice President, Workforce Development, NYC Economic Development Corporation

Preston Anderson joined NYCEDC’s Economic Mobility Team in March of 2024 as the assistant vice president, workforce development, where he collaborates with EDC’s innovative industries department to support effective workforce planning. In his previous role at EDC, he managed the... Read More →

Andrea Bonilla

External Affairs Manager, Vineyard Offshore

Andrea Bonilla is the external affairs manager for Vineyard Offshore, where she works to support community engagement, outreach, communications, and permitting activities.Andrea’s professional experience ranges across a wide set of industries focused on stakeholder and community... Read More →

Kerry Bowie

Founder & Executive Director, Browning the Green Space

Kerry Bowie is the general partner of Malaika Ventures and the co-founder, president, and executive director of Browning the Green Space (BGS). With 25 years of experience in private, public, and nonprofit management, Kerry previously served as associate commissioner and director... Read More →

Bryan Gray

Development Director, Community Offshore Wind

Bryan Gray is the development director for Community Offshore Wind, supporting the project's permitting, stakeholder relations, safety, contracts, and construction preparation. Bryan served as the director of gas construction at NG, the director of CNG & portable pipelines and gas... Read More →

Tuesday May 21, 2024 2:00pm - 2:50pm EDT
Room 118 (1st Floor)

Track B: Opportunities in Renewable Energy

2:00pm EDT

The Land Connection — Offshore Wind and Converter Stations are Coming

Panel sponsored by Attentive Energy

Offshore wind has many on-land components that allow for the electricity they generate to be brought into the existing grid and to our homes. Converter stations and in-water/over-land cabling will be coming to neighborhoods across the region, but are communities ready? This panel will explore what comprises offshore wind’s land-based components; the community-based challenges and strategies necessary for siting; and community benefits that can be aligned.

* Engineering PDHs are pending for this session

Speakers

Sarah Dougherty, WEDG

Community Engagement Manager, Offshore Development, Invenergy

Sarah Dougherty is currently the community engagement manager with Invenergy’s Leading Light Wind offshore wind project. Sarah has over a decade of experience working on climate change and sustainability initiatives in the public, non-profit, and private sectors. Trained as an urban... Read More →

Liz Grisaru

Policy Advisor, NYS Dept of Public Service

Liz Grisaru has worked in the energy and environmental protection fields since 1992, when she joined the New York State Attorney General's Environmental Protection Bureau. Since that time, she has practiced law in both the public and the private sectors but in recent years transitioned... Read More →

Anjuli Ramos Busot

Director, NJ Sierra Club

Anjuli Ramos-Busot is the state director for the New Jersey Chapter of the Sierra Club, and is both a long-standing environmental scientist and activist. Anjuli earned her bachelor's degree in chemistry from the University of Puerto Rico before getting her M.S. in environmental chemistry... Read More →

Roberta Zwier

Vice President, Environmental Management, Rise Light & Power

Roberta Zwier, PMP serves as the vice president, environmental management at Rise Light & Power, where she is responsible for managing environmental permitting and compliance matters for development projects and existing assets.Roberta brings over fifteen years of experience permitting... Read More →

Tuesday May 21, 2024 2:00pm - 2:50pm EDT
Studio (2nd Floor)

Track B: Opportunities in Renewable Energy

2:00pm EDT

Cloudburst Solutions for Communities – What Works Where, How, and Why?

Historically significant extreme weather fueled by climate change is bringing sudden, short-duration, heavy rainfall to cities across the country. This panel will explore solutions to mitigate these “Cloudburst” events using examples of both upgraded and new critical infrastructure being implemented. The discussion focuses on stormwater management planning, design, construction, and operations/maintenance, as well as the opportunities for integrating green infrastructure, public realm amenities, and sustainable practices.

* Engineering PDHs are pending for this session

Speakers

Karen Appell

Vice President and Climate Change Lead, New York Metro, AECOM

Karen is the Climate Change Lead for the Water group in the New York Metro at AECOM where she oversees the Extreme Weather Initiative for the region. With more than 25 years of experience, Karen manages multidisciplinary teams that develop strategic solutions for the planning, design... Read More →

Melissa Enoch

Acting Assistant Commissioner, NYC Environmental Protection

Melissa Enoch is the acting assistant commissioner for the Bureau of Environmental Planning and Analysis (BEPA) at the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). BEPA oversees many of DEP’s planning initiatives and environmental services, including planning and implementation... Read More →

Erin Morey

Director, Climate Resilience Planning, MTA Construction & Development

Erin Morey is the director of climate resilience planning at Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Construction & Development. Her work focuses on shaping climate resilience strategy and integrating proactive climate actions into the MTA’s capital program. Erin has over 12... Read More →

Trine Stausgaard Munk

Head of Sustainability, Ramboll

Trine Stausgaard Munk has worked with cities, infrastructure owners, and communities across the world to address complex issues of climate resilience and sustainability through integrated planning and place-based design. Mrs. Munk is widely recognized for her dedication to stakeholder... Read More →

Tuesday May 21, 2024 2:00pm - 2:50pm EDT
Safra Hall (1st Floor)

Track C: Centering and Preparing Communities for Climate Change

2:00pm EDT

The Blue Highway Has Arrived

Long discussed as an innovation to New York and New Jersey’s supply chain, blue highways are moving from vision to reality. The opportunity to move more freight via water instead of roadways is being met with commitments from the private sector and New York City. Some of the benefits of blue highways include reducing truck traffic, decreasing pollution burdens on local communities, and providing an outlet for supply chain bottlenecks during times of emergency. This panel discusses the current commitments from the governmental and private sectors, the challenges each will face in implementation and expansion, and the support that is necessary from advocates and local communities.

Speakers

Natasha Avanessians

Senior Advisor, Office of the NYC Deputy Mayor for Operations

Natasha is a senior advisor for the NYC Deputy Mayor for Operations, supporting NYC Department of Transportation's major infrastructure projects, including reconstructing the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, transitioning to sustainable freight movement, and retrofitting the city's curb... Read More →

Paul Lipson

Principal, Barretto Bay Strategies

Paul Lipson is an urban solutions consultant with a specialization in freight decarbonization, procurement localization, and the repurposing of urban brownfield sites. He is principal at Barretto Bay Strategies, a firm that advises public agencies, OEMs, and clean tech firms, each... Read More →

Diniece Mendes

Director, Freight Mobility, New York City Department of Transportation

Diniece Mendes is an experienced civil engineer and transportation professional with nearly a decade of progressive public sector experience. As the director for freight mobility at NYCDOT, Diniece is at the forefront of advancing transformative urban freight policies, programs, and... Read More →

Jennifer Sun

Executive Vice President, Planning, NYCEDC

Jennifer Sun is executive vice president of the planning division at NYCEDC. The planning division is responsible for place-based development and sustainable infrastructure in NYC through planning, community engagement, and public-private partnerships. A priority initiative for... Read More →

Tuesday May 21, 2024 2:00pm - 2:50pm EDT
Keeping History Room (3rd Floor)

Track D: A Future-Proofed Maritime Industry

2:00pm EDT

Stormwater Utilities as a Key Solution to Resilience Funding

Stormwater utilities have played a key role in bringing funding to green infrastructure, storm sewer system redesign, and maintenance for two decades in the United States. As the impacts of climate change grow, stormwater utilities can play a significant role in providing additional funding to critical projects. However, the political and logistical complexity of developing successful stormwater utilities are steep. We will explore the basics of stormwater utilities, regional efforts to implement stormwater fees, and the roadmaps for success.

Speakers

Ivan A. Boykin

Vice President, Finance, DC Water

Ivan Boykin is the vice president of finance for DC Water, where he works with the senior leadership team to navigate strategic decisions and ensure smooth financial operations. As part of his role, Ivan oversees debt management, cash management, risk management and accounts receivable... Read More →

Lee Clark

Program Manager, New Jersey Future

Lee Clark is responsible for managing the New Jersey Future Funding Navigator program, a statewide effort to help under-resourced localities access funding for drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater needs. His main focuses are engaging with municipal officials and stakeholders... Read More →

Michael Dulong

Legal Program Director, Riverkeeper, Inc.

Michael Dulong directs Riverkeeper’s legal program, helping to stop unlawful polluters and shape water quality policies throughout the Hudson Valley. His work in New York City focuses on supporting community organizations in their efforts to reduce polluted sewage and stormwater... Read More →

Tyler Taba, WEDG

Director of Resilience, Waterfront Alliance

Tyler Taba joined Waterfront Alliance in January 2022 as the senior manager for climate policy and was quickly promoted to director of resilience. He is charged with developing climate change policy and strategy, leading the coordination and convening of the Rise to Resilience coalition... Read More →

Tuesday May 21, 2024 2:00pm - 2:50pm EDT
Events Hall (2nd Floor)

Track E: The Systems Change Imperative

2:50pm EDT

Break

Tuesday May 21, 2024 2:50pm - 3:05pm EDT
Events Hall Foyer (2nd Floor)

Networking/Food

3:05pm EDT

Ports and Offshore Wind – Designing for Resilience

Port facilities—including offshore wind infrastructure—play a key role in solutions to solving the climate crisis, but the impacts of climate change and sea-level rise will nonetheless affect them. All waterfront sites, including industrial ones, are on the frontlines of climate change. This session begins with a discussion of the hazards that port facilities face, including sea-level rise and coastal storm risks, increasing precipitation, and extreme heat, and examines how those differ across the country. This panel of leaders in port and offshore wind design, sustainability, and resilience will discuss the design solutions that can build resiliency for ports, turbines, and supply chains.

* Engineering PDHs are pending for this session

Speakers

Shani Leibowitz

SVP, Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation

Shani Leibowitz is the senior vice president of transportation and planning at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, managing the planning and transportation departments, focusing on strategies to support and guide the Yard's growth. Accomplishments include development of BNY’s Master Plan, creation... Read More →

Joseph Sutkowi, WEDG

Chief Waterfront Design Officer, Waterfront Alliance

Mike Taylor

Head of Ports, Equinor

Mike Taylor serves as head of ports for Equinor’s U.S. renewables portfolio, where he is responsible for acquiring and developing the port facilities required to support Equinor’s offshore wind activities in the United States.Since joining Equinor’s renewables organization in... Read More →

Tuesday May 21, 2024 3:05pm - 3:55pm EDT
Safra Hall (1st Floor)

Track A: Urban Climate Resilient Design

3:05pm EDT

Changing the Narrative – The Role of Coalitions to Uproot the Spread of Misinformation

A major barrier to the community uptake of renewable energy sources comes from widely spread, fossil fuel-backed misinformation. Coalitions are now being formed to begin to combat these narratives. This panel explores the roots of this misinformation and how multiple coalitions of academics, civic organizations, and individuals are doing their part to move communities to a just energy transition.

Speakers

Aria Cochran

Director of Communication, Waterfront Alliance

Aria Cochran is the director of communications at Waterfront Alliance where she works collaboratively across all departments to elevate the organization’s mission through digital and traditional media. Prior to joining the Waterfront Alliance, Aria served on the communications teams... Read More →

Julie Tighe

President, New York League of Conservation Voters

Julie Tighe was named president of the New York League of Conservation Voters and the NYLCV Education Fund in 2018. Her priorities for NYLCV include expanding the use and production of renewable energy, greening the transportation sector, and reducing waste. Prior to joining NYLCV... Read More →

Marc Weiss

Co-Founder, NY Renews

Marc Weiss is a co-founder and steering committee member of NY Renews, a statewide coalition of almost 400 organizations founded in 2015. NY Renews is the force behind New York's 2019 landmark climate justice law which mandates de-carbonizing every sector of the state’s economy... Read More →

Tuesday May 21, 2024 3:05pm - 3:55pm EDT
Room 118 (1st Floor)

Track B: Opportunities in Renewable Energy

3:05pm EDT

Environmental Gentrification: Green Infrastructure in Environmental Justice Communities

Panel sponsored by Skanska

There is concern that climate-resilient infrastructure that is green and provides multiple community benefits can lead to increased rents and home prices, which push out longtime residents. The session explores this dynamic, how much it may or may not manifest, the measures that must be taken for prevention, and what it would mean to limit green infrastructure benefits in the communities that need them most.

Speakers

Michael Brady

Founder & Partner, Canon Strategy Group

Michael Brady serves as founder and partner of Canon Strategy Group (CSG), a firm committed to finding compromise and solutions when solutions and strategy are not readily apparent.Until recently, Brady was the CEO of Third Avenue Business Improvement District—the oldest and largest... Read More →

Bernadette Callahan

Principal, Green Infrastructure Leader, Stantec Consulting Services Inc.

Bernadette Callahan is a senior water resources engineer with 19 years of experience in land development and green stormwater infrastructure design. She combines technical expertise with creativity to address the pressing challenges of urban water management. Throughout her career... Read More →

Melissa Checker

Professor, City University of New York

Dr. Melissa Checker researches environmental racism, environmental justice activism, the politics of urban sustainability, and contemporary environmental movements. She is the chair and Hagedorn Professor of Urban Studies at Queens College, CUNY. She also serves on the faculties of... Read More →

Yadiel Rivera-Díaz, WEDG

Partner, Marvel

Yadiel Rivera-Díaz is a landscape architect with 16+ years of expertise in landscape architecture, architecture, and urban design, joined Marvel in 2017 to lead its landscape architecture practice. Yadiel firmly believes that good design should be accessible to everyone, and community... Read More →

Tuesday May 21, 2024 3:05pm - 3:55pm EDT
Events Hall (2nd Floor)

Track C: Centering and Preparing Communities for Climate Change

3:05pm EDT

The Truck Congestion Crisis and Ports: A Crisis with Interrelated Solutions

Truck congestion near port terminals, on roads, bridges, and in neighborhoods is reaching a crisis point. With new local legislation proposed to curb neighborhood truck traffic and the push to decrease the size of highways such as the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, the time for comprehensive solutions is here. This panel explores the impact of truck traffic on local communities, current and ongoing analysis of the problem of truck congestion, the solutions proposed that need investment, and prioritization by industry, government, and the Port Authority.

Speakers

Kim Gaddy

Executive Director, South Ward Environmental Alliance

Kim Gaddy is the national and New Jersey environmental justice director for Clean Water Action. She has been advocating for communities impacted by industrial pollution and the goods movement system in Newark and across the country for 23 years.Kim develops and implements Clean Water... Read More →

Zach Miller

Director of Metro Region Operations, Trucking Association of New York

Zach Miller is the director of metro region operations for the Trucking Association of New York (TANY). He previously served on TANY's board as the metro region vice chair. He also served as the head of media and business development at TruckTractorTrailer.com and co-founded NewYorkTruckStop.com... Read More →

Mike Stamatis

President and CEO, Red Hook Terminals

Michael Stamatis, president and CEO of Red Hook Terminals, began his career in the early 80s as a dock laborer handling break-bulk bananas for the global corporation Noboa. Working his way up through the company, he engaged in international trade, farming, commercial ocean transportation... Read More →

Leslie Vasquez

Clean Air Program Organizer, South Bronx Unite

Leslie Vasquez is the clean air program organizer at South Bronx Unite. As an immigrant from the Dominican Republic and a resident of the Bronx, she channels her firsthand experience and deep-seated passion for addressing environmental and social inequities into advocating for equitable... Read More →

Tuesday May 21, 2024 3:05pm - 3:55pm EDT
Keeping History Room (3rd Floor)

Track D: A Future-Proofed Maritime Industry

3:05pm EDT

Delivering Climate Resilience Infrastructure at a Faster Pace with Better Results

Alternative Delivery, Private-Public Partnerships (P3), and Procurement Reform
Panel sponsored by Arcadis

The length of time to bring climate resilience infrastructure online is daunting and exceeds the projected threat timelines for major climate impacts to our region. Improvements in project delivery can cut through long timelines and bring solutions more quickly to the most threatened areas. This panel will discuss some of the leading techniques and processes, from design through construction, that could play a major role. This includes progressive design, procurement reform, alternative delivery, collaboration across multiple jurisdictions, and more. The conversation will also cover challenges in New York City, putting them into the context of solutions from other parts of the country. Project discussions can include New Jersey’s climate resilience planning, lower Manhattan’s Financial District and Seaport Climate Resilience Master Plan, the Harbor and Tributaries (HATS) study, as well as areas that have yet to see major climate resilience planning. The conversation will allow for higher level conversations along with specific next steps for reform, the role of the design community, and opportunities for regional leadership.

Speakers

Carly Foster

Water Management Practice Director, Arcadis

Carly A. Foster AICP, CFM is Arcadis’ national water management practice director and founder of Arcadis’ national funding team. Carly is a professional community resilience and infrastructure planner and funding specialist by trade, and is also a local elected official in her... Read More →

Alison Landry

Chief Infrastructure Officer, Office of the NYC Deputy Mayor for Operations

Alison Landry is a licensed architect who provides leadership for capital project initiatives. As the Chief Infrastructure Officer to New York City’s Deputy Mayor for Operations, she works to modernize the city’s capital processes and improve our built environment, ensuring reliable... Read More →

Dennis Reinknecht

Director, Resilience Engineering and Construction, NJ DEP

Dennis Reinknecht, CPM is the director of resilience engineering and construction for the watershed and land management program within the New Jersey DEP. He has 36 years of professional experience with the department, primarily focused on project management, climate change and flood... Read More →

Alexis Taylor

Vice President of Climate Resilience, NYC Economic Development Corporation

Alexis Taylor is vice president of climate resilience for NYC Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) where she is responsible for leading a portfolio of resilience and waterfront projects, which include neighborhood-scale resilience projects like the Financial-District & Seaport... Read More →

Tuesday May 21, 2024 3:05pm - 3:55pm EDT
Studio (2nd Floor)

Track E: The Systems Change Imperative

3:05pm EDT

Insurance Innovation for Climate Change

The financial sector and insurance industry will likely force more change than regulation, yet it is unclear how and if the insurance industry will innovate with new products and responses. What reform in the insurance industry is needed? What has the industry already undertaken? What is the threat that un-insurability issues facing Florida, California, and Louisiana will move up the East Coast?

Speakers

Talley Burley

Senior Policy Advisor, NYC Office of Climate & Environmental Justice

Talley Burley is a senior policy advisor at the New York City Mayor’s Office of Climate & Environmental Justice. Her work focuses on buildings-level policy, with a focus on housing to ensure New Yorkers have access to affordable financial resources, like flood insurance, to help... Read More →

Max Clarke

CEO, Plover Parametrics, Inc.

Max Clarke is a co-founder and CEO of venture-backed insurtech Plover Parametrics, Inc. Plover is a tech-enabled specialty brokerage helping retailers obtain solutions for climate and emerging risks. Plover focuses on bringing specialty products to disrupted markets, specializing... Read More →

Jenna Howard

Senior Vice President, Lockton

In her role as senior vice president at Lockton, Jenna Kirkpatrick Howard works with organizations to identify, assess, and manage their financial, operational, and reputational risks. Jenna has been at Lockton for 13 years. By understanding the goals of her clients, she leads the... Read More →

Kate Stillwell

President of Parametric Insurance, Neptune Flood

Kate Stillwell works to close protection gaps and deploy more private capital toward post-disaster funding. Kate founded Jumpstart, which she continues to lead within Neptune. Jumpstart provides first-of-its-kind parametric insurance for consumers.Kate is a licensed structural engineer... Read More →

Tuesday May 21, 2024 3:05pm - 3:55pm EDT
Room 115 (1st Floor)

Track E: The Systems Change Imperative

4:00pm EDT

Closing Plenary

Climate Success Stories: Exploring Lessons Across Sectors

Optimism for living in a climate-changed future requires taking stock of, and learning from, the growing number of successes. This session explores the work from various different sectors and agencies that have protected people and infrastructure from climate change.

Speakers

Doug Parsons

Host/Director, America Adapts Media

Joseph Sutkowi, WEDG

Chief Waterfront Design Officer, Waterfront Alliance

Tim O'Brien

SVP, Ferries & Transportation, Hornblower Group

Timothy O'Brien is the senior vice president of Hornblower Group’s ferries and transportation division, where he leads public-private partnership management and implementation for NYC Ferry and eight other domestic ferry operations across the U.S. Tim also leads the contract management... Read More →

Dianne Dillon-Ridgley

Board Chair, Center for International Environmental Law

For four decades, environmentalist and human rights activist Dianne Dillon-Ridgley has been a leader in sustainability and conservation. Appointed by three U.S. Presidents, she has served on twenty-three U.S. delegations at the UN and other global meetings. From 1997 to 2014, she... Read More →

Tuesday May 21, 2024 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Safra Hall (1st Floor)

Mainstage

5:00pm EDT

Reception

Tuesday May 21, 2024 5:00pm - 6:00pm EDT
Events Hall (2nd Floor)

Networking/Food