Environmental Leadership Chronicles

What part does CEQA really play in why we can't have nice things? Abundance by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson makes the case that systemic barriers, not lack of resources or will, prevent progress on ambitious projects. Environmental regulations, including CEQA and NEPA, are part of that conversation. In this live panel recording from the 2026 AEP Conference, we are joined by environmental professi...

In this episode, we are joined by Armando Quintero – Director of California State Parks.  Armando spent more than two decades with the National Park Service, serving as a park ranger at Sequoia, Point Reyes, and the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. He later led the Sierra Nevada Research Institute at UC Merced, served on the California Water Commission, including as its chair, and was elected...

California's state parks belong to all of us, and protecting them, funding them, and making sure everyone feels welcome in them takes intentional leadership. In this episode we're speaking with Kindley Walsh Lawlor, the inaugural President and CEO of Parks California, the nonprofit partner to California State Parks. Since joining in 2018, Kindley has built an organization focused on designing inno...

In this episode, we have a panel of environmental policy and planning experts joining to discuss the CEQA fair argument standard.  Corinne Lytle Bonine has over 18 years of environmental permitting experience and serves as the Director of Environmental Permitting  for the Western Region and Wind nationwide at AES. She also serves as the Administrative Vice President for AEP's State Board of Direct...

Florentina Craciun is an urban planner with over 16 years of experience in environmental compliance. As a Senior Planner at LSA , she guides agencies and private clients through CEQA for projects like housing and commercial developments, historic building adaptive reuse, and public infrastructure.  Florentina earned her Master's in Urban Planning from UCLA with an emphasis on environmental plannin...

Senator Catherine Blakespear represents California's 38th Senate District, covering northern San Diego County and southern Orange County. Senator Blakespear is a lawyer and former journalist with local government experience and elected the State Senate 2022. She currently chairs the Senate Environmental Quality Committee— a committee that covers legislation related to environmental quality, air qu...

We're honored to welcome Assemblymember Tasha Burner, who represents California's 77th Assembly District, encompassing coastal communities from Carlsbad and Encinitas south through La Jolla to Coronado.   Assemblymember Boerner has served in the State Assembly since 2018 and currently chairs both the Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee and the Assembly Select Committee on Sea Level Ri...

In this episode, we feature Anne Middleton, a conservation professional whose career has taken her from Montana to Cameroon and now to California, bridging the nonprofit, public, and private sectors. From investigating international wildlife crime with the Environmental Investigation Agency to procuring sustainable ebony wood in Cameroon for Taylor Guitars, Anne's journey reflects her commitment t...

In this episode, we feature Xela Brainin Godinez, a student at CSU Channel Islands studying Environmental Science and Resource Management with a marine and coastal emphasis. Having served as a AEP Student Council Member and participant on the People & Culture Committee, Xela brings a fresh perspective on entering the environmental profession.  From hands-on conservation work with white abalone...

In this episode, we're excited to feature Andrea Doonan, an ecological landscape designer based in San Diego who is transforming how we think about residential landscapes. Andrea specializes in designing spaces that connect people with nature while incorporating regenerative and sustainable practices.  Her award-winning landscapes have been featured on garden tours and in publications throughout C...

In this episode, we welcome Josh Metz, Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Monterey Bay DART Initiative. Josh shares his winding career path from environmental biology and landscape architecture to leading regional economic development at the Fort Ord Reuse Authority and co-founding Monterey Bay DART. Topics covered include the origins of MB DART (Drones, Automation, and Robotics Technology),...

In this episode, we meet with Erika Rodriguez, Founder and CEO of Nadi Marketing and Chair of the first-ever San Diego Climate Week. Erika shares her life-changing experience surviving a Category 4 cyclone in Fiji, how that moment shifted her career toward climate advocacy, and the story behind launching a partnership-focused marketing agency that serves sustainable and purpose-driven organization...

In this episode, we explore the landscape of solid waste management and CEQA compliance with Lisa Wood, Environmental Planner with TRC Companies, and Steve Weihe, Recycling Specialist II at the County of San Diego. Lisa brings decades of experience and was instrumental in updating CEQA guidelines for solid waste impacts – moving beyond the outdated "is there landfill capacity?" question to compreh...

In this episode, we’re joined by Leslie Moulton-Post, President and CEO of Environmental Science Associates (ESA). A recognized leader in the environmental industry, Leslie has spent over 40 years at ESA, guiding some of California’s most complex infrastructure and water projects and helping shape the firm’s growth as a leading employee-owned environmental planning and science company.  In her rol...

In this episode, we’re joined by Taylor Morgan, a key member of the People Resources team at Ascent. With over six years of experience in human resources, Taylor brings a thoughtful and strategic approach to building more inclusive workplaces—focusing on DEI programming, employee resource groups, equitable recruiting, and professional development.  Taylor shares her journey into working with envir...

Welcome to the Environmental Leadership Chronicles podcast, a podcast series from the California Association of Environmental Professionals. In this episode, we are joined by John Dietler, Ph. D., Senior Vice President of Operations for the West at SWCA Environmental Consultants. John shares his career journey from starting as a field archaeologist to becoming a key leader in overseeing operations...

In this episode, we meet with Megan Musolf (she/her), Assistant Long-Range Planner for the City of Carpinteria. Megan shares her journey from studying Environmental Studies at UC Santa Barbara to building a career as a planner in the public sector, where she works to implement the City's Housing Element programs through zoning code amendments. We discuss how student advocacy shaped her housing pol...

In this episode, we meet in person with Lesley Owning, a seasoned Principal Planner and Environmental Planning Group Manager at Helix Environmental Planning. With over 13 years of experience, Lesley manages CEQA and NEPA requirements for diverse projects, from infrastructure to renewable energy. Lesley highlights her career journey and key transitions that led her to her current leadership role. S...

This episode is a brief 2025 AEP Conference Recap for our podcast listeners and viewers! This year’s gathering brought environmental professionals together at Zachari Dunes in Oxnard, California, in early April. Centered around the theme “Seeds of Change, Waves of Progress,” the conference offered a blend of insightful keynotes, dynamic breakout sessions, and meaningful networking opportunities. A...

We’re joined by Bridget Fithian, Executive Director of the Sierra Foothill Conservancy and a leader in land conservation across the Central Sierra. Born and raised in Mariposa, Bridget’s deep connection to open spaces has shaped her career in conservation, where she has helped protect over 30,000 acres of land through innovative partnerships and creative solutions.  Under her leadership, the Sierr...

In this episode, we're joined by Cynthia R. Harris, Director of the Institute for Environmental Sovereignty at the National Congress of American Indians. A respected leader in environmental law and tribal sovereignty, Cynthia brings deep expertise in climate adaptation, water conservation, and green infrastructure, all while advocating for tribal self-determination.  Before joining NCAI, she led t...

Welcome to the Environmental Leadership Chronicles, brought to you by the California Association of Environmental Professionals. In this episode, we are thrilled to feature Cameron Lukos, a GIS analyst and biologist at GPA Consulting, who is pioneering the integration of technology and biology in environmental science. Cameron discusses his dual role in providing GIS support across various departm...

In this episode, we're thrilled to feature Shelby Rust Busó, the Chief Sustainability Officer for the City of San Diego. As a key figure in San Diego's climate action plans, Shelby brings a wealth of experience in sustainable building design, mobility, local food systems, and resiliency planning. Her role is crucial in implementing San Diego's ambitious Climate Action Plan, which aims to achieve n...

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...

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...