Illuminating Environmental Career Paths for People of Color

Please join us for this great virtual event!

A diverse group of panelists will discuss their experiences in STEM, including obstacles and barriers they have faced in the environmental field. They will give advice to students on how they might pursue a similar path, sharing valuable lessons learned. The panel will be followed by two keynote speakers that will discuss actionable steps local leaders can take to develop opportunities for people of color as part of their diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.

Speakers:

Brigitte Griswold, Groundwork Hudson Valley (Keynote Speaker)
As Executive Director of Groundwork Hudson Valley, Brigitte oversees the organization’s efforts to create sustainable environmental change in Yonkers through community-based partnerships that promote equity, youth leadership, and economic opportunity. Brigitte is a 2009 Fellow of Green for All, a national organization dedicated to building an inclusive green economy, and a 2010 Fellow of the Center for Whole Communities, which promotes stronger connections between people, land, and community.

David Muñoz, PhD, Penn State University (Keynote Speaker)
Dr. David Muñoz will share his story in the environmental sciences from the coast of Carolina to the mountains of Costa Rica. Just like people, animals have to adapt when events cause their homes to change. How do they do this? Learn how science opened the door to a whole new world. David is currently a Research and Equity Specialist at Penn State University where he works to create cultural and structural change for the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management.

Fazena Bacchus, Mott MacDonald
Fazena Bacchus is a water resources engineer at Mott MacDonald. Her professional experience encompasses a wide range of projects involving design related to water and wastewater infrastructure, coastal resiliency, and stormwater management. Fazena earned a B.S. in Earth and Environmental Engineering from Columbia University in 2016 and a M.E. in Environmental Engineering with a concentration in Water Resource Management from Manhattan College in 2018.

Jerome Cunningham, Groundwork Hudson Valley
Jerome is the Development and Communications Associate at Groundwork Hudson. He is a graduate of CUNY’s City College of New York, where he received his Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Advertising, and Public Relations. Jerome is a self-proclaimed ‘Harlemite’, born and raised in the Sugar Hill district.

Victor Medina, Groundwork Hudson Valley
Victor is the Youth Programs Manager at Groundwork Hudson. He holds a B.A in Geography, Globalization, and Urban Studies and Planning as well as a certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) from the University of Albany. In addition, Victor holds a certificate in Community Leadership and Social Change from Tisch College at Tufts University.

Moderated by Angelo Piccirillo

Registration Deadline: January 8th, 2021. A Zoom link will be sent 24 hours before the event.

For more information, contact:
Dr. Danielle Begley-Miller at 914 762-2912 x119
or dbegley-miller@teatown.org