Panel 1: Addressing Increased Environmental Stressors in Greater Houston

Andy Escobar
Campaigns Manager for CEER (Coalition for Environment, Equity, and Resilience)

Andy Escobar (he/they | el/elle) has been with Coalition for Environment, Equity, and Resilience (CEER) since 2021 and currently works as Campaigns Manager. He was born/raised in northwest Houston on the Jones Road Ground Water Plume Superfund Site and proudly identifies as a bisexual man of non-binary/gender non-conforming experience. They come from a traditional working class, disabled, Tejano Mexican American household with roots in the Rio Grande Valley. He became a First Generation college graduate from The University of Texas at Austin with three bachelor’s degrees. They hold over ten years of facilitation and community organizing experience across progressive movements. He currently serves as the Director of DEI of Impulse Houston – a chapter of the global non-profit Impulse Group – to connect, engage, and support gay/bi/queer people across the Greater Houston area. They also work locally with Tecolotl as a Language Justice Spanish Interpreter across Houston. Andy is a stereotypical Taurus, millennial, and dog parent that has not eaten meat since 2007 and is passionate about building a better world.

Denise MA 
Water Conservation Program Coordinator for Harris-Galveston Subsidence District

Denise eared her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from St. Mary’s University and her Master of Arts in Education from Relay Graduate School of Education. She began her career as a high school Biology and AP Environmental Science teacher. Wanting to make a bigger impact in conservation and environmental sustainability, Denise joined the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District in 2023, where she supports the District’s award-winning water conservation programs.

Dan Potter, Ph.D.
Director of the Houston Population Research Center at the Kinder institute for Urban Research

Dr. Potter has built and leads a full-service survey research team that has worked with local nonprofits, school districts, health agencies, and other community organizations to gather critically important data that articulates the needs of Houston-area residents while working with experts to help identify solutions. This work includes the Greater Houston Community Panel (GHCP), a longitudinal, panel study of more than 7,000 adult residents in Houston and Harris County, which uses quarterly surveys to examine topics like health and well-being, civic engagement and participation, safety and experiences with crime, social connectedness, and financial stability. One of the hallmarks of this work is the Kinder Houston Area Survey, which is entering its 44th year, making it the longest running survey study of any major metropolitan area in the country. 

Prior to being Director, Dr. Potter was the Senior Director of Research at the Kinder Institute, where he grew the institute from one research center to five research centers. In addition to the Houston Population Research Center, Dr. Potter established and directed the early build out of the housing and neighborhoods, community and public health, and economic mobility and inequality research centers. 

Dr. Potter was also previously the Associate Director for Regional Research at the Houston Education Research Consortium (HERC), the education research center at the Kinder Institute, where he grew HERC from having a partnership with one school district to having partnerships with 11 school districts in the Houston area who serve over 715,000 students.

Dr. Potter has authored journal articles, research reports/briefs, and book chapters. Dr. Potter earned his Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Virginia.

Erica Villarreal 
Environmental Educator, Channelview ISD

Erica Villarreal is a first-generation Latina, environmental educator, and youth mentor from Channelview, Texas. For the last three years, she has led student-driven environmental justice initiatives addressing climate resilience through place-based learning and cross-sector collaboration. 

Erica serves as advisor to the Channelview Interact Club and North Channel Rotaract Club, she collaborates with CELF, the Galveston Bay Foundation, NWF and many more. She helps students transform lived experiences into leadership and community growth through service. 

Erica is pursuing an MBA with a Certification in Environmental Management and is passionate about mobilizing youth as the bridge between grassroots impact and systemic change.

Panel 2: From Policy to Pavement: Advancing Environmental Justice in a Shifting Political Landscape

Daniel Cohan, Ph.D.
Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Rice University and author

Dr. Cohan’s research specializes in the development of atmospheric models and their application to air quality management, energy policy, and health studies. He received a B.A. in Applied Mathematics from Harvard University, a Ph.D. in Atmospheric Chemistry from Georgia Tech, and served as a Fulbright Scholar to Australia. Dr. Cohan is a recipient of a National Science Foundation CAREER award and was a member of the NASA Air Quality Applied Sciences Team. He is the author of over 50 peer-reviewed publications, 70 articles in popular media, and the book, Confronting Climate Gridlock, published by Yale University Press in March 2022.

Jennifer Hadayia, MPA  
Executive Director Air Alliance Houston

Jennifer Hadayia, MPA has been the Executive Director of Air Alliance Houston since 2021. AAH is the longest running advocacy non-profit in Houston and Harris County that is singularly focused on air quality. AAH was named Advocacy Organization of the year in 2024 by Powerhouse Texas. 

Jen has worked for almost 30 years in public health and health equity with state and county health departments and non-profit organizations across five states and the District of Columbia. Prior to leading AAH, Jen was senior staff at Legacy Community Health Services, Inc., the largest FQHC in the state of Texas, where she ran the public health department. 

She was also Harris County’s first-ever Health Equity Coordinator and developed their first Health Equity Framework that is still in use today. 

Jen was born and raised in Houston and is a proud resident of Houston’s Near Northside, where she lives with her husband and a variety of rescue pets, including a 38-year-old box turtle. Jen holds an MPA from Columbia University and a BA from Yale University. 

Jarvis Johnson
Environmental Strategist for Black United Fund of Texas (BUFTX)

Known for his leadership on equity, public health, and environmental justice, Johnson has championed policies to protect communities most impacted by pollution and neglect. Rooted in Houston’s Fifth Ward, his work bridges the gaps between government, grassroots advocacy, and faith-based leadership. Today, he remains a powerful voice for frontline communities—fighting for clean air, green jobs, and public accountability in the face of climate and political crises.

A former Texas State Representative, Jarvis D. Johnson has dedicated his life to service, leadership, and creating opportunities for others. As a program director, community organizer, entrepreneur, strategist, consultant, and developer, he has consistently championed positive change that empowers communities and improves lives.

Jarvis attended Texas Southern University (TSU), where his dedication to service was clear from the start. While completing his studies, he volunteered five days a week as Youth Director at the Phoenix Outreach Youth Center in Houston’s 5th Ward, serving as both mentor and role model to local youth. He also served as Executive Director of the International Traveling Classroom, leading underserved students on college tours across the United States and Africa, emphasizing education, community service, and business opportunities. In addition, Jarvis worked as a Mental Health Counselor with the Child Development Institute and MHMRA, providing support for youth detained in the justice system. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication with a concentration in Interpersonal Communication from TSU.

After graduation, he served for 20 years as Texas Regional Director for D.A.R.E. America, where he dedicated his work to keeping young people focused on education and steering them away from drugs and violence.

 In 2005, Johnson was elected to the Houston City Council representing District B, becoming one of the youngest Council Members in the city’s history. He immediately prioritized ensuring residents of District B were hired on major development projects. During his final term, he secured a $3.5 million federal grant to establish a performing arts division of Texas Southern University in the 5th Ward, bringing higher education and cultural opportunities directly into an underserved community. In recognition of his service, he was honored with the President’s Award by Texas Southern University in December 2011.

Johnson went on to serve 4 regular session (2017-2023) sessions in the Texas House of Representatives for District 139. First elected to complete the unexpired term of the Representative who became Mayor of Houston, he later won re-election to continue representing his district. In his first full term, he was named Freshman Legislator of the Year for his effectiveness in passing legislation.

During the 85th Legislative Session, Representative Johnson focused on criminal and juvenile justice reform, strengthening public education, expanding opportunities for youth and senior citizens, promoting police accountability, and addressing mental health needs across Texas. Deeply committed to improving foster care—an issue close to his heart, as his grandparents fostered 76 children—he championed legislation to protect the most vulnerable youth.

In the 86th Legislative Session, he served on the Appropriations Committee and the Culture, Recreation & Tourism Committee, continuing his advocacy for criminal justice reform, mental health services, and better outcomes for youth aging out of the foster care system. 

In the 87th and 88th Legislative Sessions, he has remained a dedicated voice on the Appropriations and Urban Affairs Committees, pushing forward initiatives to expand opportunity, improve accountability, and strengthen communities.

Johnson has consistently emphasized support for senior citizens, expanded business opportunities, addressed environmental justice and workforce development assuring that members of his district facing health and employment barriers are given access to meaningful jobs and healthcare.

While in college, Jarvis operated the Phoenix Youth Outreach Center, and later, as a Council Member, he established four early childhood development centers across Texas to give children in underserved communities a strong start in life. 

After serving on Council, he continued his commitment to being the change he encouraged others to be—driving economic growth as both an entrepreneur and nonprofit leader. He went on to build several businesses, including restaurants and catering services (Aunt Bea’s and Bea-Dot Café), a tour bus company, and today serves as an International Consultant and Environmental Advocate.

Through every endeavor, Jarvis has remained focused on creating opportunities, providing jobs for young people and offering second chances to individuals reentering society. His passion for service also extends globally. As an International Advisor, he has worked in Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Haiti, and Panama to advance education, business, and development initiatives.

A native Houstonian, Jarvis is the proud father of two young adults: Nalyah, with dual degrees in Business and Spanish, and Jarvis II, a senior in college and a basketball coach.

The Honorable Jarvis D. Johnson remains steadfast in his commitment to ensuring that every Texan has the freedom to shape their own destiny without restraints or limitations. Guided by faith, resilience, and a lifelong dedication to service, he continues to be a powerful advocate for justice, opportunity, and community empowerment.

Melanie Oldham 
Founder and Executive Director, Better Brazoria: Clean Air and Water

Melanie has been a frontline community leader for decades, fighting for clean air and water in Freeport and surrounding areas.

Her 40 year career as a healthcare professional prepared her for her twenty years and counting long role a Public Health Advocate/Activist.

She has volunteered with the Sierra Club Houston and Sierra Club Lone Star Chapter, serving on the Executive Committee of both chapters for 10 years.

She has spoken in opposition to proposed US oil and gas/LNG export projects, petrochemical industry expansion, industry tax abatements, and CCUS (carbon capture, utilization and storage) projects in Texas and advocated for methane regulation, while in BC, Austin, DC, NYC, the Netherlands, Germany and at COP 28 in Dubai. 

Panel 3: Overcoming Financial Hurdles to Achieve Environmental Goals

Elisa Macia Donovan 
Vice President and General Counsel, Coastal Prairie Conservancy

Elisa Maciá Donovan serves as Vice President and General Counsel for the Coastal Prairie Conservancy, a land trust dedicated to safeguarding over 33,000 acres of farms, ranches, and natural habitats across nine counties in Texas’ Mid to Upper Gulf Coast. Elisa oversees land conservation projects, secures funding, and champions efforts to preserve the imperiled coastal prairie ecosystem.

As the leader of both the Texas Coastal Prairie Initiative and the Texas Grasslands and Savannas Initiative, she has successfully forged regional partnerships that expand private land conservation in these critical habitats. Elisa is also the founder and President of Nature’s Burial, LLC, the Conservancy’s innovative venture that opened Texas’ first certified conservation burial grounds in 2025, blending land restoration with sustainable revenue generation.

Her commitment to environmental advocacy extends to her participation in the San Jacinto River Regional Flood Planning Group, contributing to the development of Texas’ inaugural flood plan. Elisa’s leadership roles include serving on the board of the Texas Land Trust Council, where she is currently chair-elect.

Elisa earned her Bachelor of Science in Materials Science and Engineering from Rice University and a Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School. With over two decades of legal experience in business, real estate, and energy law, she transitioned in 2017 to pursue her passion for wildlife habitat protection.

When not advancing conservation efforts, Elisa enjoys cycling the scenic backroads of Colorado County and spending quality time on her family farm with her husband, Barry, and their three sons.

Sara Martinez
Senior Director of Community Impact

Sara Martinez joined Greater Houston Community Foundation in November 2023 to lead the development and implementation of the Greater Houston Disaster Alliance and serve as a critical leader of GHCF’s Community Impact team. As a nonprofit leader, Sara is committed to creating a more equitable and just world and drives toward that commitment through effective communication, change management leadership, and organizational development. Since joining the Community Foundation, Sara has co-led the work to build out the Disaster Alliance’s infrastructure, strengthen community preparedness and explore strategic opportunities to build resilience. In 2024, she worked collaboratively to administer two disaster recovery funds that granted $8.6 million to 35 unique nonprofits, accelerating recovery for over 4,100 households.

Before joining GHCF, Sara spent more than a decade at the Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County, most recently as its VP of Communications and Development where she led Board engagement, built an integrated communications and fundraising team, and raised more than $30M for the Coalition and its partners. Originally from West Virginia, Sara holds a BA in History from Wheeling University (formerly Wheeling Jesuit University). Outside of work, Sara is an avid reader, crossworder, and knitter, and enjoys riding her Peloton, doing Pilates, and spending time with her husband, son, and two rescue cats.

Mary Vazquez
VP Community Outreach, United Way Nonprofit Connection

Mary Vazquez serves as the Vice President of Community Outreach at United Way of Greater Houston, where she leads key initiatives that strengthen the region’s nonprofit infrastructure and supports over 1 million individuals and families in need annually. Her portfolio includes oversight of the 2-1-1 Texas/United Way HELPLINE, five United Way Centers, the United Way Nonprofit Connection, and disaster recovery efforts across a four-county area.

With more than 30 years in the nonprofit sector, Mary has a proven track record of developing high-impact programs and building strategic partnerships that expand access to critical community resources. She is also a trailblazer within the organization, rising through the ranks to become United Way of Greater Houston’s first Latina executive officer.

Over the last decade alone, Mary has led transformative projects including the distribution of over $100 million in disaster recovery funding, the construction and renovation of multiple community facilities, and strategic turnarounds that have dramatically increased program capacity and long-term sustainability. Her leadership continues to shape a stronger, more resilient nonprofit ecosystem throughout the Greater Houston area.

Panel 4: Advancing a Diversified Portfolio of Green Infrastructure and Nature-Based Solutions

Colley Hodges
Director of Sustainability, Houston Zoo

Under Colley’s leadership, the Houston Zoo’s sustainability department was recognized by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums as the top sustainability program in the country in 2024. Colley is responsible for implementing the Zoo’s Sustainability Action Plan and wildlife-saving initiatives like single-use plastic reduction and bird-safe buildings. An architect, he has served on technical advisory groups for the U.S. Green Building Council, International Living Futures Institute, and AZA, as well as on the boards of several environmental non-profits.  In 2021, he was named a 40 Under 40 honoree by both the Houston Business Journal and Building Design + Construction magazine.

Stephanie Piper, Ph.D. 
Director of Texas Community Resilience at American Forests

Dr. Stephanie Piper works at the intersection of ecology and community resilience, aiming to provide benefits and protection from climate change to all communities. Her research interests include urban ecology, reforestation, extreme heat, and applying science to improve and protect the environment. Before joining American Forests, Dr. Piper was a researcher at Houston Advanced Research Center, where she managed the largest single day heat mapping campaign in the US. She completed her PhD in Plant Biology at the University of California, Riverside, where her research focused on urban air pollution and its effects both in the city and in adjacent natural areas.

Deepa Poduval
Senior Vice President and the Global Sustainability Leader, Black and Veatch

Deepa Poduval is a Senior Vice President and Global Sustainability Leader for Black & Veatch. In this role, as part of Black & Veatch’s leadership team, Deepa is responsible for building and implementing the company’s Sustainability strategy spanning corporate, client and community initiatives to advance environmental, social, and governance ambitions.

Deepa brings over 20 years of cross-industry strategic consulting experience advising clients on multi-billion-dollar sustainable infrastructure investments. This deep knowledge of sustainability solutions, and substantial finance, utility, and energy industry expertise help her activate Sustainability as a critical value creation function to fulfill the company’s vision to be THE leader in sustainable infrastructure.

Deepa serves as Executive Sponsor for WAVE, Black & Veatch’s employee resource group for women, as Board Member at Large, Committee on Sustainability for ASME, and as executive mentor for CEO Action, mentoring senior diverse leaders as part of the largest business-led initiative to support DE&I, supported by over 2,500 CEOs globally. Deepa is a well-known industry thought leader and was named one of the Top 50 Women Leaders of Houston by Women We Admire in 2023, 2024 and 2025.

Amanda Tullos, FAIA, LEED AP BD+C, ID+C, LFA, SITES AP, FITWEL Ambassador, ENV SP
CEO and  Founder GreeNexus Consulting, a sustainability consulting firm

Amanda is a licensed architect, member of the American Institute of Architects and the U.S. Green Building Council; her accreditations include: LEED accredited professional for buildings and interiors, Living Future Accredited, SITES AP, and FITWEL Ambassador. Her work has resulted in certification of over 150 LEED certified projects and more than 15 million square feet of space, including 10 Platinum certifications.

With personnel across the globe and offices in Houston and Austin and Amanda at the helm, the mission of GreeNexus Consulting is to create a profitable, just, and regenerative legacy for people, nature, and the built environment. GreeNexus worked as the sustainability consultant on the first project registered and built with the Living Building Challenge in Texas- The Monarch School Outdoor Learning Studio. GreeNexus Consulting also earned the Just 2.0 label in 2023. Just is the Social Justice label for businesses recognized by the International Living Future institute.

Amanda earned a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Houston in 2003 and Architecture License in 2006.