We’re a Social Impact Network …
“A group of individuals … seeking to solve a difficult problem in society by working together, adapting over time, and generating a sustained flow of activities and impacts.” (P. Plastrik, et. al. Connect>Innovate>Scale Up: How Networks Create Systems Change (2022)).
INDIVIDUALS
Local government GSI practitioners in the U.S. and Canada who are planners, landscape architects, engineers, environmental scientists, etc.
PROBLEM
How do we utilize GSI to comply with regulatory requirements to manage stormwater, while also realizing co-benefits that will ameliorate historic inequities in disadvantaged communities?
ACTIVITIES
(1) Peer Learning; (2) Re-grant Program; (3) Leadership & community engagement training; (4) Evidence-building.
IMPACTS
Innovations in GSI practice that will ensure that GSI implementation lives up to its promise as a solution to both stormwater management and improving livability in disadvantaged communities.
… WORKING IN THE U.S. & CANADA …
…TO EFFECT A THEORY OF CHANGE FOR EQUITABLE GSI IMPLEMENTATION
Our Theory of Change Includes 3 Pillars:
- LEADERSHIP: Building members’ leadership skills through training programs like the Adaptive Leadership Program.
- IMPLEMENTATION: Providing members with opportunities to innovate solutions to effective GSI implementation through our Peer Learning & Re-grant Programs, which have resulted in groundbreaking products like The Equity Guide for GSI Practitioners.
- EVIDENCE-BUILDING: Making the case for GSI through studies like the State of Public Sector GSI and others available in the GSI Library.
OUR LEADERSHIP
MEMBERS OF THE STRATEGIC PLANNING & POLICY COMMITTEE (SPPC)
Alfred Walfall
Philadelphia, PA
Alfred is a Civil Engineer with the City of Philadelphia
Irene Ogata
Tucson, AZ
Irene is the Urban Landscape Manager for the City of Tucson
Katherine England
Boston, MA
Kate is a planner and the Director of Green Infrastructure
Heidi Horlacher
Vancouver, BC
Heidi is a Senior Water Resources Specialist
Torrey Lindbo (Co-Chair)
Gresham, OR
Torrey is the Water Resources Science & Policy Manager
Beatrice Ohene-Okae
Washington, District of Columbia
Beatrice is an Environmental Protection Specialist at Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE)
Claire Maulhardt
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Claire is the City Beautiful H2O Program Manager at Capital Region Water
Sally Hoyt, PE
Raleigh, NC
Sally is the Stormwater Plan Review Supervisor and Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) Advocate at City of Raleigh Municipal Government
Lisa Sasso
Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District, Milwaukee, WI
Lisa is a Project Manager for MMSD
Andy Szatko
Omaha, NE
Andy is the Green Infrastructure Maintenance Project Manager
Sarah Anderson
Denver, CO
Sarah is the Green Infrastructure Manager at the City and County of Denver
Matt Wilson
Toronto, Canada
Matt is a Senior Engineer for the City of Toronto
STAFF
Tashalee Cruz
Program Manager (Hartford, CT)
Raised in the South Bronx, NY, Tashalee holds a B.A. in Sociology and an A.A.S. in Baking & Pastry Arts. Prior to joining the Exchange in 2023, she was the founder & owner of Velia’s Virtual Solutions, a virtual assistant agency empowering teams by streamlining processes & establishing company standards.
Barbara L. Hopkins, Esq, ASLA
Executive Director (Parkville, MD)
Trained as both a lawyer & landscape architect, Barbara spent 13 years as ED of an urban land trust before joining the Exchange in 2022. Prior to that, she practiced law, consulted, & worked for 11 years at Baltimore City Community College, serving as vp for institutional advancement, among other roles.
Veronica Hotton, Ph.D
Education Manager (Portland, OR)
Veronica holds a Ph.D in Education and an MA in Geography, among other degrees. She was previously the Program and Learning Manager for Ecochallenge.org, a nonprofit that focuses on sustainability & climate change education. Veronica also taught at Portland State University.
Yanina Salerno
Office Manager (Asheville, NC)
A graduate of the WNC Nonprofit Pathways Program, Yanina also holds a certificate in Business Administration Tech & a Diploma in Natural Resources Management-Forest Technology. Prior to coming to the Exchange in 2023, she founded Activated Earth to provide enriching experiential learning & reconnecting opportunities in nature.
