Presentations
I have been asked to speak on various panels, rallies, press conferences, webinars, and summits. Here is a small compilation of some of those events.
CEEJH Environmental Justice Symposium
September 2024: I presented on behalf of PennFuture with ArchBishop Marcia Dinkins of the Black Appalachian Coalition, Taysha DeVaughan of The Alliance for Appalachia, moderated by Chelsea Barnes of Appalachian Voices. We discussed the impacts facing communities across Appalachia, rooted in the region’s long history in fossil fuel energy production. These extractive industries have left our communities falling behind in numerous quantitative ways – higher rates of poverty, lower wages, lower life expectancy, higher unemployment.
PROSPER Act Press Conference
June 2024: I was a speaker at the PROSPER Act press conference. The PROSPER Act, introduced by Representative Lindsay Powell, establishes robust incentives for clean energy companies to create green jobs in Pennsylvania, prioritizing communities most affected by the transition from fossil fuels.
Other speakers included Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato, State Representative Nick Pisciottano, and Alyssa Lyon of the Black Environmental Collective, UrbanKind Institute.
Celebrating EV Investments in Pittsburgh Press Conference
November 2023: I led a press conference with IBEW Local 5 that celebrated the over $36 million in federal funding for Pennsylvania to help build out more electric vehicle (EV) charging stations thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act!
Other speakers included Representative Dan Miller, Alissa Burger of CALSTART, Tom Platt of IBEW Local 5, and Fred Kraybill who serves on PennFuture’s President’s Council.
Citizens Climate Lobby Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference
February 2024: I was asked to speak on a panel at the Citizens Climate Lobby’s Mid-Atlantic Conference at the College of William and Mary. The topic was “Climate Legacy and Inheritance: Uniting Generations for Action.”
Other speakers included Megan Zimmerman of Alexandria Library, Peter Handler of Citizens Climate Lobby Philadelphia, and Ben Hurley at the University of Delaware.
Celebrating Inflation Reduction Act Investments in Pennsylvania
March 2023: The Climate Action Campaign held a celebratory event at Yards Brewery in Philadelphia with Senator Bob Casey and Department of Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm. I got to say a few words about our work in Pennsylvania in front of the Senator and Secretary and a few key stakeholders in the Greater Philadelphia Area.
Tuesdays with Toomey Press Rally
April 2021: I spoke to the Tuesdays with Toomey group to discuss why passing the Build Back Better Act is critical in order to meet our state and national climate goals.
Climate Change: How Can We Get Involved Panel
June 2019: I was honored to speak on a panel hosted by the Audubon Society entitled, “Climate Change: How Can We Get Involved?” with Forest Hills Councilwoman Patricia Demarco and Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto after the screening of Paris to Pittsburgh.
“Solar Panel” Panel in Homewood, PA
Clean Air Rally in Pittsburgh, PA
March 2018: I spoke at PennEnvironment’s Clean Air Rally in Pittsburgh to discuss PennFuture’s legal case regarding Clean Air violations from U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works and offering pragmatic solutions to address this issue. I was quoted in the Pittsburgh City Paper, “Our health should not be determined by our zip code.”
Air Quality Expo in Clairton, PA
May 2016: I spearheaded the Air Quality Expo in Clairton, PA and led the presentation of the premiere of our mini-documentary that showcased Clairton residents discussing their experience with poor air quality in their community. I also moderated a breakout discussion with public health experts and later presented an award to young Clairton air quality advocates.
Philadelphia’s Climate Justice Panel
October 2022: I spoke on the Philadelphia’s Climate Justice panel hosted by Clean Air Council and PA Interfaith Power & Light. We discussed the Community Health Act in City Council, the Whole-Home Repairs Act in Harrisburg, and the Inflation Reduction Act. State Representative Donna Bullock (195th District) and State Representative Rick Krajewski (188th District) were also moderating the panel.
Build Back Better Presser in Scranton, PA
October 2021: I was honored to advocate for the passage of the Build Back Better Act alongside Congressman Matt Cartwright, Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti, Bernie McGurl of the Lackawanna River Conservation Association, Representative Marty Flynn, and Molly Parzan at Conservation Voters of PA in Scranton, PA.
September 2018: I spoke on this "Solar Panel" panel with Henry McKay of Solar United Neighbors, Eva Resnick-Day of the Sierra Club, Knowledge Murphy of Black Man Green Plan, Mark Maskas of Tesla, and Jerry Jordan, a solar owner and Homewood resident, to discuss the benefits of going solar in Homewood, Pennsylvania.
NEPA Federal Community Benefits Resource Fair
June 2024: I was one of the panelists for the NEPA Community Benefits Fair—a free resource fair and town hall to learn more about the consumer energy benefits from the Inflation Reduction Act.