As the Climate and Lands Coordinator at The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Amy Gutierrez focuses on climate and stewardship issues in the state of Georgia. She believes that a rapid transition to clean energy could lessen the effects of climate change and protect critical biodiversity. But what about when the transition itself poses a threat to biodiversity? It doesn’t have to—and that’s where the Low Impact Solar Siting Tool comes in. At TNC, says Gutierrez, “we’re looking for win-win scenarios.” 

As Executive Editor of Climate Tech VC (CTVC), Grace Donnelly tracks and reports on venture capital investment into climate technology companies. “Knowing where money is coming from is a great way that journalism helps track power dynamics in our world.” It’s also a good indicator of what solutions the market believes will work.

“Climate tech” includes companies working on energy, on carbon management, land use, building built environments, food and agriculture, and all kinds of different industries and sectors that need to reduce emissions in order to meet our climate goals, Donnelly explained. A business journalist by trade, Donnelly joined CTVC in February 2023. 

Fred Wagner, Partner at Venable, LLC in Washington, D.C. has been a practicing environmental lawyer for 35 years. The debate around a definition of Waters of the United States (WOTUS) has persisted his entire career, and is likely to continue. The recent Sackett v. EPA introduces new uncertainty into an already fraught regulatory landscape. 

“If you've been looking for certainty over the last three or four decades over the definition of WOTUS, you've been sorely disappointed.”

Fred Wagner saw the debate over what constitutes Waters of the United States (WOTUS) begin the year he graduated law school, and he’s been at the center of his work ever since—on behalf of those trying to apply for permits under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, on behalf of the government trying to enforce, Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. He’s even written a Supreme Court Amicus brief in the second litigation dealing with the recent Sackett v. EPA case decided by the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS). 

Mike Rolband’s environmental career has spanned more than 40 years. What started as a path in construction and real estate development eventually led to his development of one of the first mitigation banks in the country. Now, Rolband serves as Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin’s Director of the Department of Environmental Quality.

Jessie Mahr, Director of Technology at Environmental Policy Innovation Center (EPIC), has dedicated her career to all things wetland. She believes better technology and better data are the keys to impactful environmental decision-making.