Breakout Speakers

Michele Adams, P.E., LEED AP is a Water Resources Engineer and Founding Partner of Meliora Design. Her work encompasses environmentally sensitive site design and sustainable water resources engineering. Michele seeks to combine engineering with an understanding of natural systems and stormwater techniques that maintain or restore a site’s natural hydrology. She has extensive design experience in green infrastructure, landscape restoration, and designing for resiliency. Michele was one of the authors of the Pennsylvania Stormwater Manual and currently serves on the U.S. Green Building Council’s Water Efficiency Technical Advisory Group, and the International Living Future Institute Water Group. She is a co-author of Design for Flooding: Architecture, Landscape, and Urban Design for Resilience to Climate Change (Wiley, 2011) and the NYC Parks High Performance Landscape Guidelines.

Bethany is the Sustainability Manager for the City of Reading. Her projects include energy efficiency, environmental compliance, and natural resources management. Bethany graduated from Alvernia University with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Biochemistry and a Master of Arts, Leadership Sustainable Community Development.

Carol has over 20 years experience in technical training/e-learning development in customer relations management industry working with clients to meet their new install or optimization needs and develop/deliver training modules. Carol started recording local (to her) activism in 2019. Focusing mainly on smaller groups with minimal budget, she donates spare time to volunteer and nonprofit organizations. Using basic tools like an old iPhone and iMovie (on an old Mac), she films, edits and publishes videos to document activism and help highlight people doing good in their communities.

Ray is a retired business executive and has been volunteering with Open Land Conservancy (“OLC”) for 20 years. He oversees routine maintenance and special projects for OLC.

Marguerite DiGiorgio is PDE’s Engagement Assistant Coordinator. In this role, she supports the Schuylkill Action Network by facilitating the connection of partner organizations that are focused on source water protection and engages the public through PDE-organized stormwater education and community events.
Marguerite comes to PDE with a bachelor’s degree from Temple University and a master’s degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst with dual certificates in public history and cultural landscape management. Prior to this position, DiGiorgio worked for the National Park Service, where she organized regional and national professional development programs for landscape-based park staff. Additionally, as a part of the Frederick Law Olmsted Center of the National Park Service, she consulted on horticultural issues at National Park sites across the region.
When not at work, DiGiorgio loves to craft. She has a rotating list of crafty hobbies that include embroidery, knitting, and watercolor painting. One of DiGiorgio’s favorite places to visit in the Delaware Estuary is the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge in Philadelphia.

Abe Doroshow is a recent graduate of the Master of Environmental Studies program at the University of Pennsylvania and current member of the Biogeochemical Cycles Laboratory under Dr. Jon Hawkings. An analytical chemist by training, he is interested in studying contaminant fate and transport to understand how humans have impacted our environment over time.

Brent M. Erb, Ed.D. is a seasoned park and environmental education center manager specializing in the interrelationships between humans and nature, with special attention to the social aspects of natural, cultural, and historic resource management, policy, workforce development, and environmental education. A first-generation college graduate and U.S. Coast Guard veteran, Dr. Erb earned his Doctorate in Education from Kutztown University, a Master’s in American Studies from Penn State University, and a B.S. in Natural Resources from Colorado State University. He currently serves as the Director of Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center, a Pennsylvania State Park in Reading, Pennsylvania.

Anna CK Erb, DSW, LCSW, is a social worker, educator, and leader whose career includes teaching, clinical practice, strategic planning, and software development. She began as a special education teacher before moving into community-based services supporting adults living with intellectual and developmental disabilities and co-occurring mental health conditions. She has partnered with state agencies and nonprofits to shape data-driven strategy, amplify the impact of mission-driven organizations, and translate policy into practice. Dr. Erb holds a DSW from the University of Pennsylvania, an MSW from Temple University, and a B.S. in Education from Millersville University.

Zihan Geng grew up in Shanxi, China, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Pennsylvania State University, where she built a foundation in analytical and environmental chemistry. She is currently pursuing her Master of Chemical Sciences degree at the University of Pennsylvania, concentrating in organic chemistry and environmental chemistry under the mentorship of Professor Jon Hawkings. Her research focuses on trace metal speciation and transport in urban river systems, particularly examining how rainfall events influence the flux and distribution of labile metals in sediments and runoff.

As the Source Water Protection Manager for PDE, Allison Hartman manages the Schuylkill Action Network and the Delaware River Improvement Partnership. Allison has a degree in Marine Science from Stockton University and comes to PDE after spending the last decade in environmental education. Most recently, she was working for NOAA at the Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary, and before that she was the Director of Education for the Pinelands Preservation Alliance.
Allison was born and raised in Ocean City, New Jersey, and she is still a beach kid at heart. She is an American Canoe Association certified kayak instructor and loves to go out paddling whenever possible. When not kayaking, Allison can be found knitting or in a ceramics studio.

Dr. Max Harleman is an Assistant Professor of Public Administration at Villanova University. His current research uses quantitative, qualitative, and geospatial methods to explore issues of environmental justice, resilient energy economies, and the remediation of environmental hazards. In the classroom, Dr. Harleman aims to develop students’ policy writing, policy analysis, data analysis, and analytical skills. To achieve this, several of his courses incorporate community-based engaged learning opportunities in which students complete real-world projects for local governments and nonprofit organizations. He is a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (Grenada, 2013–2015).

   

Deb is the City of Reading Utilities Manager. The City owns, operates, and maintains a regional wastewater system with four pump stations and a 20.5 MGD (million gallons per day) treatment plant as well as a regional separate stormwater system with outfalls on three different water bodies. Most of her tenure at Reading has involved a court-enforced US Department of Justice Consent Decree from the initial negotiation with federal and Commonwealth regulators through numerous interim improvements, studies, and capital projects. Most recently, Deb was tasked with obtaining and maintaining regulatory compliance with a new liquid treatment and upgraded solids handling facilities, overseeing the final design of the remaining two capital projects in the Consent Decree and the closeout of several construction projects in anticipation of satisfying the final Consent Decree requirements.

Deb was at Reading 15 years before leaving and serving as the Public Works Director for a small central Pennsylvania borough that is home to a large public university. She returned to Reading in January 2021. A certified operator for both water and wastewater as well as a licensed professional engineer, Deb has operated wastewater facilities ranging from 0.3 MGD to 28.5 MGD including oxidation ditches, two-stage activated sludge, and trickling filters, both aerobic and anaerobic digestion, and septage, sludge, and leachate receiving facilities.
Deb has Bachelor of Science from Albright College as well as second bachelor’s degree from The Pennsylvania State University, and a master’s in business administration from Saint Joseph’s University.

30 years experience in abandoned mine reclamation and AMD assessments and implementation projects; Co-Chair and Coordinator of 27 Annual Conferences on Abandoned Mine Reclamation; Author; Environmental Educator; Grant writer; Grant administrator; Managed many projects in the Upper Schuylkill Headwaters concentrating on AMD work on abandoned mine lands and mapping of mine pools over the last 30 years

Ben Langey, PWS is a wetlands biologist working for Ducks Unlimited in Southern New Jersey. Ben completed his masters thesis research in the Fork Aquatic Ecosystems Lab at West Chester University investigating the impacts of road salts on the biogeochemistry and vegetation composition of inland freshwater wetlands. Prior to his role at Ducks Unlimited, Ben worked in private consulting for 10-years, most recently as a biologist and wetlands scientist for GHD’s Natural Resource Services. Ben holds a BS in Environmental Science from Gettysburg College and a MS in biology for West Chester University of Pennsylvania.

Samantha Huxley began her career with Rippled Waters Engineering in 2020 after earning a degree in Environmental Studies. Since joining RWE, she has contributed to numerous restoration design projects through field work and technical analysis. Her experience includes conducting Bank Erosion Hazard Index and Near Bank Stress evaluations for stream restoration projects in New Jersey, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. Ms. Huxley is skilled in using ESRI ArcMap GIS for mapping and data analysis to support restoration design, and she routinely evaluates land use and soils data to inform green infrastructure design.

PSU bachelors in environmental systems engineering. Currently working for PennDOT as a project manager. Volunteer for the Neshaminy Watershed Association as Treasurer.  Society of freshwater science genus level taxonomy certified.  Passionate birder and a proud cat dad.

Jim MacKenzie graduated from Penn State University with a BS in Landscape Architecture in1986. In 1994 he became co-owner of Octoraro Native Plant Nursery and managed the business as President until 2025. Jim remains engaged in the nursery during the transition to new owners Claire and Kevin Zuidervliet.

He is actively involved with the Pennsylvania Landscape and Nursery Association (PLNA) on the Government Relations Committee. From 2003-2008, Jim served as Vice-Chair of the Statewide Water Resources Committee.

He was recently appointed to the board of directors of the Center for Plant Excellence, a partnership among the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Penn State Extension and industry leaders to address emerging challenges and opportunities.

Shaelyn works as the River Protection and Environmental Rights Advocacy Associate for Delaware Riverkeeper Network and Green Amendments For The Generations. Her unique career path has given her experience across many fields, including science education & communication, policy research, community organizing, nonprofit growth & development, data analytics, and environmental advocacy. She holds a B.S. in Chemistry and a minor in Politics & Public Policy from Carnegie Mellon University.

Ayashe joined the Schuylkill River Greenways team in January 2023 as the Education Director. She holds a B.A in Global Studies and Spanish from the University of North Carolina and a Master’s in Environmental Studies from the University of Pennsylvania. She manages educational events and volunteer programs focused on the environment, history, recreation, and watershed health. Ayashe loves to spend her time exploring new places to hike and paddle, reading, and finding the best vegetarian foods that the watershed has to offer!

Ivy Rose, PWS is a Project Manager and Wetland Scientist with Princeton Hydro LLC’s Regulatory Compliance and Wildlife Surveys Department. Ivy has supported a variety of both small and large-scale restoration projects within the Mid-Atlantic through conducting wetland delineations and habitat assessments, leading federal, state, and local environmental permitting and regulatory compliance, leading wetland and riparian zone mitigation monitoring efforts, ecological community surveys, and other flora and fauna surveys.

Kyle joined Natural Lands in 2025 and leads the land protection program, overseeing a team dedicated to conserving open space. Previously, Kyle was the land stewardship and ecology manager at Longwood Gardens and led an interdisciplinary team at the New Mexico State Land Office focused on restoring nine million acres of state trust land. A trained forester, Kyle also worked as forestry program coordinator and assistant professor at New Mexico Highlands University. Kyle holds a BS in English from Grove City College, an MS in Forestry from Michigan Technological University, and a Ph.D. in Forest Biology from Purdue University.

Ms. Srinivasan is an Environmental Scientist with high proficiency in geospatial analysis and technical writing. She serves as a cartographic designer that collects, processes, analyzes, and presents geographic data, using an extensive range of GIS methodologies, for Princeton Hydro’s diverse project portfolio which includes coastal and riverine flood risk, stream restoration, and watershed management. She has served as lead author for feasibility studies and environmental resource inventories. Through maps, graphics, interactive web applications, and narrative text, Ms. Srinivasan effectively communicates complex environmental information to guide public and stakeholder understanding of the firm’s project goals and influences within an environmental context.

Fred Stine has worked as a community organizer for the Delaware Riverkeeper Network since 1994. Working on issues that include floodplain protection, stormwater management, land preservation, community resiliency and habitat restoration, Fred has helped organize and train hundreds of concerned citizens on how to review permit applications and development site plans, conduct file reviews, prepare testimony, monitor water quality and generally how to effectively advocate for the creeks and streams and other natural that flow through their community. He earned his B.A. in Urban Studies and Community Development from Rutgers University – Camden.

Heather’s background is centered around connecting people with plants, including working in public horticulture and urban forestry. She has a passion for supporting equitable access to green spaces and conserving forest resources. She works with landowners to establish conservation practices to improve the quality of nearby streams, such as planting and maintaining riparian buffers. In her free time, Heather enjoys going on hikes and mycological forays.

Prem Trivedi, Riverways’ Director of Science and Outreach, brings five years of experience in freshwater ecology and environmental education. Prior to joining Riverways, Prem worked at the Center for Aquatic Sciences where he was responsible for running their Community And Urban Science Enrichment (CAUSE) Program, a comprehensive year-round youth development program that focused on environmental science & stewardship. This program recruited students from environmental justice and underserved communities in Camden, NJ, and helped participants become environmental advocates. Since joining Riverways, he has led the development of the Youth Council and expanded outreach to diverse communities across Philadelphia and Camden.

Ms. Velez serves as a Communications Coordinator at Princeton Hydro, bringing a creative foundation in illustration and animation to her role. She manages the organization’s social media presence and leads content creation efforts aimed at fostering meaningful engagement with the public. Her work includes designing visually compelling graphics, writing informative and accessible posts, and producing videos that align with the mission-driven firm’s values. Through strategic storytelling and design, Ms. Velez helps translate complex ecological and engineering concepts into content that resonates with diverse audiences.

Calen’s background has revolved around streamside forest ecology. He has a passion to further the success of these unique ecosystems through research. He has worked both professionally and non-professionally to further the education, implementation, and conservation of riparian forests in urban, suburban, and rural areas. In his free time, he is an avid fly fishermen and hunter.

Alex Wynne was hired after completing an environmental and justice internship with Riverways. He is currently a student at Temple University, enrolled in both a bachelor’s in environmental studies program, with a minor in community development, and a master’s in sustainability. His research is oriented around climate adaptation, community engagement and activism, and green infrastructure.