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, 30-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 Manager, 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. In addition, she manages 1 Mississippi, the public education and outreach campaign for the Mississippi River Network. 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 39 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

Nancy Paraskevopoulos, Mississippi River Campaign Manager, joined Biodiversity Project and the Mississippi River Network in January 2011. Nancy works with the 39 member organizations of the Network to implement the public communications campaign, called 1 Mississippi, throughout the ten-state River region. She builds member capacity, refines campaign strategy and recruits and trains campaign volunteers and interns. After graduating with a B.A. in comparative English from the University of Cincinnati, Nancy moved to Chicago to work with environmental nonprofit organizations. She has a sound background in student and community organizing and is excited to put those skills to use for the Mississippi River.

Email: nparas at biodiverse.org

Laura Brown, Office Manager, joined Biodiversity Project in September 2011. Laura received her B.A. in political science with a minor in art history at Colorado College and is currently pursuing a M.A. in urban planning and policy with an emphasis on environmental planning at the University of Illinois at Chicago. 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