Motunrayo Kemiki is the program manager at the BLM's National Renewable Energy Coordination Office, where she provides program oversight for the advancement and responsible permitting of renewable energy projects on public lands. Prior to joining the BLM, she worked at the Office of Renewable Energy Programs at the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) from 2014 to 2022, where she was responsible for managing reviews of engineering and technical plans submitted for offshore renewable energy projects in the Outer Continental Shelf.

She also worked as a project manager at the Department of Energy (DOE) Loan Program Office, where she managed technical due diligence of multimillion-dollar renewable energy projects including biofuel, energy efficiency and transmission projects under Title XVII of the Energy Policy Act. She earned a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering from Pennsylvania State University (2006) and an MBA from the University of Maryland, College Park (2010).

Dr. Meaghan Gade is the Energy and Wildlife Program Manager for AFWA, where she represents the collective voice of the state agencies to ensure their perspectives are heard at a national level. Meaghan collaborates with state, federal, non-governmental organizations, and industry stakeholders to develop strategies and solutions to avoid, reduce, and mitigate energy and wildlife conflicts. Before joining AFWA, Meaghan was a research scientist at Yale University focused on landscape and climate change impacts on wildlife. She holds a doctorate in environmental and natural resources from Ohio State University and is an enthusiastic home gardener.

Kali Anderson leads environmental strategy, permit acquisition, and environmental compliance of Intersect Power's portfolio within ERCOT, SPP and WECC (minus CAISO) across wind, solar, storage and green hydrogen assets. Kali is passionate about designing renewable energy infrastructure that minimizes environmental impacts and maximizes energy generation. Working in the utility-scale renewable energy space since 2007, she has a wealth of experience in all phases of the development cycle, from initial site selection through construction and operational compliance. Kali served on the board of Real & Renewable, a grass-roots micro-grid renewable energy organization in Minnesota. She holds a Master of Science degree in geology & paleoclimate research from the University of South Florida and a Bachelor of Science in geology from the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire.

Michael Dax oversees policy and research in Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Utah with the goals of restoring and maintaining habitat connectivity and wildlife migration throughout the western United States. Michael grew up in upstate New York. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Brandeis University. After college, he spent 4 years working as a tour guide, cross-country ski instructor, and trail groomer at the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone National Parks. He then received a master's degree in environmental history from the University of Montana where he began work on his book, Grizzly West, which focuses on the attempt to reintroduce grizzly bears to the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness in Montana and Idaho. He has completed thru-hikes of the John Muir Trail, Appalachian Trail and Annapurna Circuit. When not working, he can be found brewing beer, backpacking, fishing, or skiing. Michael lives in South Fork, CO.

Kathy Dietz is responsible for the development of clean energy solutions in the Midwest and Northeast at Vistra. She has been with Vistra for over 12 years with roles in operations as the Plant Manager for a natural gas plant, as well as project management for corporate initiatives and renewable development. She is currently responsible for identifying and evaluating investment opportunities in new renewable generating assets. This includes oversight and coordination of diligence, technical evaluation, financial modeling, permitting, and contracting. Kathy has a BA and MBA from Texas Tech University.

Kara Donohue manages Southern California Edison’s (SCE) Avian Protection Program and serves as SCE’s Avian Power Line Interaction Committee (APLIC) representative and is a former APLIC chair. As SCE’s avian program manager, Kara guides SCE’s compliance with state and federal laws and regulations protecting bird species through input into the avian-safe construction of facilities, management of nests on structures and in work areas, and avoidance, minimization, and mitigation strategies for special-status bird species. Kara has a bachelor’s of science in Anthropology-Zoology from the University of Michigan and a master’s of science in Raptor Biology from Boise State University.

Daniel is a Principal within Integral’s Marine, Coastal, Climate, and Technology Services group and leads Integral’s Offshore Wind practice. He brings over 25 years’ experience in conducting and managing environmental and seafloor surveys for offshore wind, oil and gas, and telecom/data clients. Daniel’s extensive field experience includes projects in multiple frontier offshore basins, remote regions, and most global oceans, including high latitude waters from Antarctica to the Arctic.

Liesl Eathington is a Research Scientist in the Department of Economics at Iowa State University. She studies economic, demographic, social, and environmental indicators to characterize regional change in Iowa and the Midwest. Liesl conducts applied research to support local policy development and decision-making. She also collaborates with colleagues in ISU Extension and the ISU Center for Industrial Research and Service on local development initiatives. Liesl’s educational background includes a Master of Business Administration from Iowa State University and a Bachelor of Science degree in finance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Zac has a family background in farming and ranching. He holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Bethel College and a master’s degree in geography from Kansas State University. Schooling and previous employment experiences have given him the opportunity to work with landowners, public agencies, and NGO’s on a wide range of research and conservation projects. Following graduate school, Zac started his career working with USFWS’s Habitat and Population Evaluation Team doing habitat and species distribution modeling focused on non-game Federal trust species. After a stint doing private lands conservation, Zac transitioned to a regulatory role with KDWP where his primary responsibilities include non-game species and habitat conservation as well as energy development siting consultations and permitting. Zac understands the economic and conservation priorities at work in the Kansas landscape and hopes to act as a bridge between those, when possible. He, his family, and their ever-expanding array of pets make their home on a few acres outside of Iuka, KS.

Aaron Facka serves as the Senior Wildlife Biologist for the western region of Wildlands Network conducting and coordinating research on species restorations and reintroductions, core habitats and connectivity across landscapes. Aaron received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from New Mexico State University and his Doctor of Philosophy in Zoology from North Carolina State University. Aaron’s research focuses on mammalian ecology and conservation in montane and grassland ecosystems. Aaron has worked extensively with private landowners and industry to promote novel conservation solutions.

Lisa Gilbane grew up in Connecticut and has lived in California for over 20 years. She received her bachelor's degree in biology with a focus on molecular and microbiology from the University of Southern California before returning to school to earn a Master’s from California State University, Fullerton.

In 2008, she began working for Minerals Management Service, (now BOEM) as a biologist focusing on benthic ecology studies and environmental analyses. From the high intertidal to the continental slope, she is interested in benthic communities and how they are affected by natural and anthropogenic impacts. In 2020, Lisa Gilbane became a section manager within the Office of Environment for the Pacific Office of BOEM working on research, assessments, and consultations related to oil and gas and renewable energy offshore projects.

Josh Gillespie serves on the Board of the American Planning Association’s (APA) Virginia chapter. The Virginia chapter is active in legislative affairs and committed to interdisciplinary approaches to physical planning and increasingly focuses on environmental planning and the recreational economy. Josh’s daily work as Community Development Director of Louisa County, Virginia involves directing community planning, land development, buildings, environmental management, and code enforcement programs for a rapidly growing rural county with two historic towns. Louisa County is also home to the Green Springs National Historic Landmark District, Virginia’s largest rural historic district, thirteen (13) agricultural and forestal districts, and a substantial wildlife population. It takes a multitude of approaches to sustain successful farms, forests, historic estates, battlefields and open spaces and provide public services to residents and visitors including multi-generational families, newcomers as well as recreational visitors to Lake Anna and many farm wineries and breweries.

Josh resides in Goochland County, Virginia where he has served for years as Chair and Vice-Chair of the Design Review Committee (volunteer) providing for careful promotion of rural values and character. From his roots in the developing Upstate South Carolina’s Greenville community where he fell in love with the Appalachian Mountains, he was called to planning, preservation and change management. Growing up with one forester at Bowater and one wetlands specialist at the Army Corps of Engineers as uncles spurred his interest in the technical aspects of environmental management. Mr. Gillespie holds a B.A. in History and Political Science (double major) from Furman University and a Master’s of Historic Preservation from the University of Georgia’s School of Environment and Design.

Quentin Hays has 25 years of experience as a professional wildlife biologist, including working within academia, at nonprofit organizations and for government agencies. His research background and knowledge centers on avian ecology and mammalogy, as well as habitat restoration. He has spent much of the past 15 years focusing on the interaction of wildlife and utility-scale alternative energy development. Currently, much of Quentin’s work is in the Southwest, including managing large wind energy, solar and transmission projects in New Mexico and Arizona. His current focuses include complex mitigation planning, permitting strategy, and engagement with regulatory and management agencies on behalf of clients. Quentin is a past president of both the New Mexico and Oregon chapters of The Wildlife Society.

Jennifer provides resources and training for pollinator and beneficial insect habitat management and restoration in a variety of landscapes. She oversees a team of five USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service partner biologists and works closely with the NRCS. Jennifer has authored a number of publications and articles, and is co-author of several books, including Farming with Soil Life, Farming with Native Beneficial Insects, 100 Plants to Feed the Bees, and a roadside revegetation manual. Jennifer has a master's degree in entomology from the University of Kansas. Along with work as a research specialist conducting invertebrate field research and identification, Jennifer was an instructor in biology and environmental science at Iowa State University and Des Moines Area Community College prior to joining Xerces in 2009.

Scott Johnston has worked for the USFWS for 35 years, in multiple positions including the California Condor Recovery Project and the Hawaiian Crow Recovery Program. After a stint in Washington, DC working on ESA policies and as the National Ecosystem Coordinator for the Fish and Wildlife Service Director, Scott moved onto the Northeast Regional Office in Massachusetts as the Migratory Bird Program Branch Manager for Populations. During his time in the Northeast, Scott began a multi-year collaboration with BOEM, NOAA, and many other partners on offshore wind. He is now back in Headquarters as the Migratory Bird Program National Lead for Offshore Wind. Scott holds a B.A in Wildlife Management from Humboldt State University (Cal Poly) and an M.A in Biology from UCLA.

Stevee Kennard is a Senior Environmental Manager with 9 years' experience working to develop, construct and operate utility scale wind and solar projects throughout the United States. Her regional experience primarily lies within the central and southern plains states, as well as the desert southwest, where her responsibilities include managing the environmental due diligence for all stages of a project's lifecycle, ensuring implementation of best management practices for regulatory and permit compliance. She helps to develop strategies to avoid and minimize wildlife and environmental impacts, and has facilitated mitigation efforts when needed. In her tenure at EDPR she has helped construct over 1.3GW of renewable energy and is active in several industry wildlife organizations - she currently serves as a member of the Solar Task Force for the Renewable Energy Wildlife Research Fund. Stevee earned a master's degree in environmental science from Florida Atlantic University where her research focused on aquatic plant community restoration in central Florida.

Sherry Liguori manages the Environmental program for Rocky Mountain Power/PacifiCorp Transmission and Distribution Operations, where she has worked for 20 years as a biologist and environmental manager. She was a conservation scientist for HawkWatch International from 2001 to 2003, and currently serves on their board of directors. She has served on both the management board of the Intermountain West Joint Venture and the Wyoming Sage-grouse Implementation Team for over a decade. She is a former Chair of the Avian Power Line Interaction Committee (APLIC). Sherry started her career as a biologist for the NJ Endangered and Nongame Species Program, conducting research, conservation, and management of raptors, shorebirds, and songbirds in the 1990s. She has a B.S. in Natural Resource Management and Wildlife Biology and a M.S. in Ecology and Evolution, both from Rutgers University. She has authored and contributed to numerous publications, including Endangered and Threatened Wildlife of New Jersey and various APLIC documents related to mitigating bird electrocutions and collisions with power lines. Sherry was the first woman and youngest person to receive APLIC’s Morley Nelson Award for raptor conservation. Sherry’s passion for raptors, other wildlife and the natural world are not only evident in her work. Her hobbies include wildlife photography, bird watching, hiking, jogging, gardening, and ‘weaving’ nature into her quilts and other fiber arts.

Rachael Merica is the Manager of Pre-Construction & Engineering within Vistra Corp.’s Development team, covering clean energy projects within the Midwest and Northeast regions. Rachael has more than 7 years of project management experience across coal, natural gas, and renewable technologies. The project development process requires technical management and support of site fatal flaw analysis, preliminary design, site surveying, environmental and local permitting, and capital cost estimating. The Pre-Construction and Engineering team is also responsible for coordination of project activities across internal and external stakeholders for long lead equipment procurement, design phase engineering, and constructability assessment. Rachael holds a bachelor’s degree in energy engineering from the Pennsylvania State University and an MBA in energy from the University of Oklahoma.

Brian Ross leads GPI’s renewable energy market transformation efforts in the Midwest and nationally. For 30 years, he has worked extensively with local, regional, and state governments on climate and energy planning, renewable energy policy and land use and natural resource regulation. Brian currently leads efforts at the state and national level to integrate renewable energy and community co-benefits to enhance natural systems, meet host community land use priorities and support agriculture business models. He helped create the ground-breaking PV-SMaRT initiative on solar and water quality and now leads a new U.S DOE SolWEB initiative on solar and ecosystem services in the Midwest. Brian has written numerous model ordinances for local governments and adapted models for local implementation. He works nationally with the SolSmart program and wind, solar, hydrogen and electric vehicle initiatives.

Trained and licensed as a Professional Landscape Architect and Certified GIS Professional, Professor Seeger’s research and outreach has focused on the integration of geospatial and collaborative design technologies and data visualization. Professor Seeger directs the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Indicators Program and is the faculty-lead for the ISU Data Science for the Public Good (DSPG) Young Scholars program. These programs aim to develop local and current datasets that can be used as indicators in the community planning, design and decision-making processes. Professor Seeger holds a bachelor's degree in environmental design with an emphasis on Range Management and a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from North Dakota State University as well as a Master of Landscape Architecture from Iowa State University.

Misti Sporer has 17 years of experience in the energy sector. She leads her team to provide environmental siting and permitting support for the development, construction, and long-term operations of wind, solar, and battery storage projects throughout the entire US. Prior to working for the private sector, she was the biologist for the Western Area Power Administration and a staff biologist for the U.S. Forest Service. Misti is a former Chair of the Avian Power Line Interaction committee (APLIC) and is currently a member of the Board of Directors for the Renewable Energy Wildlife Institute (REWI). She is an alumna of the University of Wyoming (BS-Biology and Anthropology) and the University of Colorado (MS-Environmental Science).

Tiffany Sprague is a wildlife biologist and the statewide energy lead in the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Project Evaluation Program. Her primary focus is engaging with developers, consultants, land managers, researchers and other stakeholders on renewable energy projects, partnering on opportunities to conserve wildlife and habitat during planning and operation of solar, wind, hydrogen, storage and transmission facilities. Tiffany has a Master of Science in applied biological sciences from Arizona State University. Her 23-year career with nonprofit organizations and federal and state governments has impressed upon her the importance of collaboration to achieve common goals, while her background as a biologist and researcher provides knowledge of wildlife conservation needs.

Emma Tajchman has been part of the Savion team for 5 years and manages permitting and environmental diligence for solar and battery energy storage projects focused in the Central United States. Prior to her time at Savion, she worked in local government as the environmental health and zoning director, where she developed renewable energy regulations and permitted projects through construction. Emma has a bachelor's degree in biology and life sciences from Emporia State University.

Sergio Trevino is responsible for project siting and development, including initial site identification and diligence, land acquisition, permitting, and pre-construction. He has extensive experience in developing and permitting complex energy projects from greenfield into operation by ensuring each project is supported by local and community stakeholders while complying with all local, state, and federal guidelines. Prior to joining Ranger Power, Sergio was a Development Manager at Pioneer Green Energy, bringing over 1,200 MW of renewable energy projects into operation. Sergio has a JD and BA from the University of Texas at Austin.

Amber serves as Director, Environmental Affairs at Lightsource bp where she oversees environmental due diligence and environmental permitting for utility scale solar projects, primarily in the Midwest and Western state regions. Though relatively new to Lightsource bp, Amber has worked in the energy industry for her entire career, spending the last 15 years focused on the renewable energy space – helping to develop and permit wind, solar, and battery storage projects. Throughout her career, she has had the opportunity to participate in various industry work groups and task forces and thrives off the collaboration between industry, agencies, and others to advance renewable projects across the country. She holds an MBA from the University of Wisconsin Whitewater and a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and Environmental Studies from Lawrence University. Based out of Madison, Wisconsin Amber is an avid outdoor enthusiast and, when not working, finds every opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors.