In this episode, we feature Joan Valle, the Chief of Regulatory for the Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District. With over 20 years of experience in environmental planning, Joan shares her expertise in managing teams and programs related to key environmental regulations such as CEQA, NEPA, and the Clean Water Act. Joan discusses her passion for finding win-win solutions with resource agencies and stakeholders, as well as her active role in lobbying state and federal decision-makers for policies that benefit Riverside County and beyond. She also talks about her involvemen ..read more

In this episode, we feature Claudia Garcia, who serves on the state board for AEP and is the director at large, as well as the liaison for the state board's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity committee. Alongside her, we have Chief Esparza, a dedicated DEI consultant working closely with the AEP state board to foster inclusive cultures within the organization. We discuss integrating DEI practices within AEP, and strategies for making inclusivity a cornerstone of professional communities, and how to effectively advocate for change ..read more

We're thrilled to host Clayton Tschudy, the Executive Director of San Diego Canyonlands. Clayton has over twenty years of experience dedicated to restorative landscape design in California. His expertise as a botanist includes native plant ecology of California and drought-tolerant landscaping. A recognized leader in habitat restoration, Clayton has collaborated with cities like San Diego and Chula Vista, along with numerous local entities and private landowners to enhance and preserve environmental heritage of the impacted regions. Today, he joins us to share his journey, insights, and his ap ..read more

Co-host Corinne Lytle Bonine joins the podcast as we feature Jenny Vick, West Coast Offshore Wind Lead for HDR.  As an established environmental consultant, Jenny has over 18 years of environmental and project management experience preparing CEQA and NEPA documents for a wide range of marine and coastal projects, including renewable energy, substations, transmission, and ports.   Jenny discusses the exciting opportunities and challenges in developing offshore wind in the Pacific Ocean – and keeping on the cutting edge of this rapidly evolving industry.   She earne ..read more

This episode is a feature in our CEQA Series; our host Konnie Dobreva speaks with guests Tim Haile, Executive Director at Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) and Meghan Macias, Director of Technical Services at EPD Solutions  Konnie, Meghan, and Tim discuss the impacts of SB 743 on VMT mitigation and TDM programs designed to reduce emissions, urban sprawl and promote use of alternative transportation.  Tim Haile, an award-winning transportation expert, emphasizes the importance of innovative transit programs and the need for sustainable, equitable, a ..read more

In this episode, co-hosts Corinne and Jessa feature Pedro Peterson, Ph.D. - who manages the Local Planning Section at the California Air Resources Board (known as CARB). CARB provides resources and guidance to local governments on how to align land use and mobility policies with the State’s climate, air quality, and equity commitments. He has previously led teams at CARB overseeing investments from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund on affordable housing and transportation. Before joining CARB, he was a Senior Planner with the City of San Francisco, and independent consultant for the Inter-Amer ..read more

In this episode, we delve into the world of Generative AI with Gayani Weerasinghe, an intellectual property attorney and Hobson Lane, an AI developer, professor, and social impact entrepreneur.   As generative AI continues to evolve and become more integrated into our lives, we wanted to launch a miniseries on the practical applications and limitations of AI to frame discussions on how we can use it within the environmental industry. We discuss the legal considerations of using this powerful tool, as well as the opportunities it presents – including greater accessibility.  Disclaimer ..read more

In this episode. we feature an interview with our guest Dr. Cheryl Croshere.  Join us as we dive into the world of sustainable transportation with Cheryl, an advocate, researcher, and consultant. With a diverse academic background spanning women's studies, transportation planning, and cultural anthropology, Cheryl brings a unique perspective to the table.   Cheryl discusses her lifelong passion for sustainable transportation. Discover how she combines the power of data, storytelling, and genuine human connections to inspire individuals to envision a future with alternative modes ..read more

In this episode, I am joined by a guest co-host, Konnie Dobreva and we feature Jenny Delumo.  Jenny is a Senior Planner and Transportation Review Team lead at the San Francisco Planning Department where she reviews complex transportation projects for environmental impacts and works on transportation policy. In addition to transportation and environmental planning, she has experience in sustainable development, redevelopment, and inter-agency collaboration.  Jenny discusses the importance of finding a mentor, being a mentor, and being a champion for others' success. Join us as we lear ..read more

In this episode, I am joined by a guest co-host, Corinne Lytle Bonine and we feature Kevin Cunningham.  Kevin is an environmental practitioner with a strong background in managing the preparation of various CEQA compliant documents for public infrastructure and land development projects. He also has expertise in navigating the regulatory landscape through developing and overseeing the permitting process for projects involving jurisdictional waters.  Kevin is actively engaged in mitigation negotiation where he focuses his efforts on looking for opportunities to strike a balance betwee ..read more