Jennifer Browning, Executive Director, joined Biodiversity Project as the Executive Director in the fall of 2007. She brings to the position 15 years of experience in the field of environmental education and communications, as well as a dedication and passion for protecting the environment. In addition to the traditional executive director duties, she works directly with the Mississippi River Network, guiding this 10-state, 42-member coalition in implementing a national public education and a policy campaign. Prior to joining Biodiversity Project, she worked for ten years as a consultant for organizations such as the Field Museum, National Wildlife Federation, Chicago Botanic Garden, USDA National Forest Service and The Nature Conservancy. Jennifer holds a B.S. in ecology from the University of Illinois and offers a combination of expertise in the natural sciences, leadership development and best communication practices.

Email: jbrowning at biodiverse.org

Rebeca Bell, Communications Director, assists in the development of key messages and creation of all of Biodiversity Project’s communication materials, including brochures, websites and workshop materials. She also manages Biodiversity Project’s media relationships and plays a key role in shaping and implementing communications projects, programs and campaigns. Since joining Biodiversity Project in 2009, she now oversees communications projects and staff and guides evaluation processes for all of our work. With a background in grassroots organizing, rhetoric and writing, Rebeca manages our communication efforts so they are both inspirational and persuasive. She holds a degree in political science from Denison University and a Master’s degree in writing and rhetoric from DePaul University.

Email: rbell at biodiverse.org

Megan Kelly, Project Manager, has over ten years of project management experience specializing in land use planning, sensitive resource preservation and land conservation. Meg facilitates project-based coalitions, focused on issues such as water quality and stormwater management, habitat conservation planning and establishing priorities for the newly implemented Illinois Coastal Management Program. Prior to joining Biodiversity Project, Meg served as Project Manager at D. R. Horne & Company, a real estate consulting firm specializing in preservation of sensitive resources. She holds a Master of Urban Planning from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, and a Bachelor of Arts in Urban and Environmental Affairs from Marquette University.

Email: mkelly at biodiverse.org

Amy Sauer, Mississippi River Program Manager, joined Biodiversity Project in September 2011 and manages the Mississippi River Network, coalition of 42 organizations dedicated to protecting and restoring the Mississippi River for the well-being of the land, water and people of the country’s greatest River. Amy holds a M.S. in environmental science from American University and both a B.S. in biology and an M.Ed in secondary education from Xavier University. Her previous experience includes working in the Office of Water at U.S. EPA and the Environmental and Energy Study Institute, both in Washington, DC.

Email: asauer at biodiverse.org

Annette Gomberg, 1 Mississippi Outreach Coordinator, joined Biodiversity Project in August 2012. She will work with Mississippi River Network members implement the public communications campaign throughout the ten-state River region. The goal of the campaign is to protect and restore the Mississippi River by inspiring people to take action. Annette develops and disseminates campaign materials as she actively increases the campaign’s presence in the national media. In addition, she is in charge of educating and promoting River Citizens through the website, social networking sites and a monthly newsletter. Prior to joining Biodiversity Project, Annette worked in Tennessee, increasing public awareness of solar power and sustainability. She holds a B.A. from the University of South Florida in history with a focus on activism and social change, and is a certified yoga teacher through Yoga Alliance.

Email: agomberg at biodiverse.org

Laura Brown, Communications Coordinator, joined Biodiversity Project in September 2011. Laura received her B.A. in political science with a minor in art history at Colorado College and an M.A. in urban planning and policy with an emphasis on environmental planning at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She assists the Communications Director and Program Manager on a suite of projects. Prior to joining Biodiversity Project, Laura lived in Nashville where she worked for a land conservation organization and in New York where she held a publicist position at an art and culture communications firm. As an Evanston native, Laura is thrilled to be back in Chicago to live in, learn from, and explore this great city and region.

Email: lbrown at biodiverse.org