With 20 years of experience in the energy sector, Erica is a results-oriented leader dedicated to driving innovation, growth, and sustainability. Currently, she serves as the Head of Sustainability Consulting and Energy Services at Siemens, where she inspires high-performing teams and crafts strategic plans that enhance business expansion and profitability. In this role, Erica leads a team focused on optimizing energy costs and advancing sustainability initiatives for clients. Recognized as a trusted advisor, she consistently ranks among the top sales performers by leveraging deep, trusted relationships to drive substantial revenue growth.

 Throughout her career, Erica has developed a comprehensive understanding of business operations, the competitive landscape, and market opportunities. Her recent collaboration with the Building X team exemplifies her commitment to innovation, as they created digital solutions that address current industry demands while anticipating future trends. This forward-thinking approach has been instrumental in driving long-term business growth and improving revenue and margin performance.

 Erica prioritizes fostering strong relationships within management and operational teams, ensuring business continuity while championing a culture of innovation, positivity, and professional development. She is dedicated to promoting an environment that supports organizational growth and aligns with Siemens’ long-term success.

 Erica holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Management from the University of South Carolina and an Associate of Arts from Midlands Technical College. With strong communication, negotiation, and technological skills - she continues to drive operational efficiency and business growth in the sustainability sector.

Jennifer Druce currently serves as the Director of the Product Development Program at the South Carolina Department of Commerce. Her focus is to support the State’s recruiting efforts by ensuring competitive real estate options are available for potential businesses. She works with the local communities to identify, evaluate and improve viable properties and also serves as the Agency’s key contact for all real estate related matters. In her role, Jennifer oversees a product development fund that is utilized to support local projects and collaborates with other state and federal agencies related to the development process.

Prior to working for the South Carolina Department of Commerce, Jennifer worked for a national industrial development firm in Atlanta, GA and on an industrial brokerage team in Las Vegas.

A graduate of the University of Georgia, Jennifer holds a BBA in Real Estate. She is also a South Carolina Certified Economic Developer (SCCED), a LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP) and a Certified Public Manager (CPM).

Christiane Farrell is the Assistant Town Administrator for the Town of Mount Pleasant. She has 25 years of local government experience in planning and development and administration. Christiane worked for the Planning Department of Mount Pleasant for 18 years, serving as Planning Director for eight of those years. As Planning Director, she was involved in many special planning projects to include the adoption of three Comprehensive Plans for the Town, a Master Bike and Pedestrian Plan, Workforce Housing efforts, and numerous outreach efforts that encourage and improve communication with the public.

In her current position as Assistant Administrator, Christiane assists the Administrator with the general management of the Town. She supervises the Town’s offices of Communications, Economic and Business Development, Human Resources, Emergency Management and Resilience, and Risk Management, while still overseeing the Planning Department. Christiane is involved in the development, implementation, and oversight of the Town’s Strategic Plan, assists with the development and oversight of certain Capital Projects to include seeking federal funding opportunities, and works on special projects such as the Town’s All America City awards, staff development projects, and coordination with Town partners such as Dominion Energy and the Charleston and Mount Pleasant Chambers of Commerce.

Ms. Farrell is a member of the International City Managers Association, the American Planning Association, and is an Alliance for Innovation ambassador. She currently serves on the Charleston County Greenbelt Advisory Board, the College of Charleston Master of Public Administration program Advisory Committee and is a member of the Charleston Trident Association of Realtors, Commercial Investment Division.

Christiane graduated from the College of Charleston where she also received a Master of Public Administration.

Kristen knows the value of bringing together diverse groups to create solutions for nature and people. In her role as Senior Vice President for Conservation, Kristen works with key stakeholders and partners to help fulfill Sustain SC’s mission.

Prior to joining Sustain SC, Kristen spent more than 25 years with The Nature Conservancy where she built conservation programs in the Midwest, South Carolina, and the Southern Appalachians. It was during this time Kristen learned how to create change through real-world solutions, policy expertise, sustainable financing, and collaborative partnerships. Believing strongly that the key to success is trusted relationships, Kristen’s depth of experience includes negotiating complex land transactions to expand public lands and managing natural resources in partnership with agencies, non-profits, and public utilities.

Kristen has called Greenville home for twenty years and enjoys engaging in, and giving back to her community. She was appointed by Greenville City Council to serve on their Sustainability Committee and is a graduate of Leadership Greenville and the Urban Land Institute’s Sustainable Leadership Program. Kristen’s alma mater, University of Tennessee, is, located in the shadow of the Smoky Mountains where she grew up, and where her love of conservation was fostered.

Marilyn L. Hemingway is founder and president of the Gullah Geechee Chamber of Commerce, the Gullah Geechee Chamber Foundation Inc, and The Hemingway Group, a communications firm.

A native of Georgetown, SC, Marilyn’s Gullah Geechee roots extend along the entire coast of South Carolina from Horry to Beaufort counties and includes a long line of family civic, business, education, and political engagement.

An advocate for environmental justice and green, renewable energy, Marilyn created the annual Gullah Geechee Environmental & Energy Conference hosted in South Carolina and Georgia with plans to expand to North Carolina and Florida.

As a civic leader and entrepreneur, Marilyn leads the Gullah Geechee Seafood Trail, celebrating and promoting the Gullah Geechee Maritime Heritage, seafood businesses, and creators launched in 2024 as a global tourism destination marketing tool through the Saltonstall-Kennedy grant program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

In 2024, in partnership with 7 Dimensions Outreach and Solar United National (SUN), the Gullah Geechee Chamber Foundation developed a solar-powered, electric vehicle charging station at their headquarters in Georgetown, SC. This is the first renewable energy project of this type developed by two Black Women-operated organizations in the state of South Carolina.

Ms. Hemingway earned her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of South Carolina and is a certified Impact Economics Consultant (College of Charleston), and in 2020 completed Sea Level Rising and Energy certifications through the NAACP. She is currently completing Economic Development certification through the SC Department of Commerce/SC Economic Development Association.

Marilyn was recognized in 2020 by the *Post and Courier* as “12 African American Leaders to know in South Carolina.” She is a recipient of the 2020 Conservation Voters of South Carolina Harriet Keyserling Community Advocate Award, the Georgetown NAACP Branch #5520 Leadership Award, and the SC African American Heritage Commission 2021 Herbert A DeCosta Trailblazer award.

In 2022, Marilyn received the Brookgreen Gardens Huntington Exemplary Service Award for working to improve race relations and a presidential appointment to the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Commission National Heritage Area.

In 2024, she was elected chair of the Commission’s Economic Development and Tourism Alliance committee. In 2023, she completed the Riley Institute’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion cohort through Furman University and was recognized by *SCBizNews* magazine as one of the 50 Most Influential People in South Carolina.

Hanes Hilliard is a Global Sustainability Specialist at TD SYNNEX (NYSE: SNX), a Fortune 100 technology company with over twenty thousand global employees. In this role, Hanes focuses on advancing environmental sustainability across company operations and engaging stakeholders, including employees and business partners, in sustainability efforts.

In previous professional roles within the sustainability field, Hanes contributed to waste diversion strategies for large events, conducted research for ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) investing, and curated content for a sustainable solutions portal.

Currently based in Greenville, SC, Hanes enjoys introducing the outdoors to his wife and young daughter and is active in volunteering with organizations that promote circular practices, such as Loaves & Fishes. In the past, he has also volunteered with Sustaining Way and the Lifecycle Building Center in Atlanta.

Hanes holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from Georgia Southern University and Graduate Certificates focused on Sustainability from Georgia Tech and Cornell.

Hanes’s passion for sustainability was ignited during a wilderness expedition as a teenager, where he learned principles of environmental stewardship and team leadership. Embracing the philosophy of “Leave No Trace,” he strives to incorporate this principle into all areas of life and continues to foster a love for the wilderness through additional skill-building expeditions.

Kirsten Lackstrom is a Program Manager with the South Carolina Office of Resilience (SCOR), where she manages and leads activities for two grants funded by the Environmental Protection Agency. First, the Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) supports the Palmetto Air Quality Collaborate, a climate planning effort that includes developing statewide greenhouse gas inventories and projections; identifying measures, strategies, and funding opportunities for reducing greenhouse gases; and stakeholder and community engagement. Second, the South Carolina Solar For All grant will provide $124 million in funding to incentivize solar projects and deployment of zero emissions technologies, increase access to solar to low-income households and communities, and support workforce development and training.  

Prior to working at SCOR, Kirsten served as Research Faculty and a program manager in the University of South Carolina Department of Geography where she led research on climate impacts, planning, decision making, and communications. Kirsten earned a Ph.D. in Geography from the University of South Carolina, an M.A. in International Relations from Boston University, and a B.A. in Political Science from Gettysburg College. Kirsten enjoys traveling and spending time outdoors with her family and two dogs. 

Yuse (/juːsiː/ YOO-see) joined the AGRU America marketing team in Georgetown, South Carolina, on July 6, 2017, and became the Business Unit Manager in 2020. After graduating from Georgetown University with a B.S. in Human Science in 2010, he went to work as a copyeditor for the Science/AAAS custom publishing group. In 2015, Yuse left Science to start his own business and traveled extensively through Asia. In 2017, he began working for AGRU America as a technical writer within the marketing group. Today, he leads the marketing team at AGRU America, driving strategic marketing and outreach objectives. Yuse is co-chair of the International Geosynthetics Society Sustainability Committee and has published articles in Performance Plastics and Geosynthetics Magazine.

Cassie LaValley serves as the Assistant Director of Sustain Coastal at Coastal Carolina University and the Vice-Chair for Keep Horry County Beautiful. She brings a diverse array of experiences from the private, nonprofit, and public sectors. During her career she's focused on promoting sustainable living, environmental policy and education, sustainable operations, and renewable energy solutions.

"Being a sustainability professional in one of the fastest growing counties in the state, I believe it’s my duty to demonstrate that conservation and growth/development are not mutually exclusive. Joining Sustain SC's SLI program will help to expand my knowledge of sustainability in business operations without compromising a company’s bottom line. "

Samantha Maich currently works as a Sustainability Specialist for Milliken & Company in their Chemical Division. In this role, she leads Milliken’s annual EcoVadis assessment, uses her background in regulatory to provide insights into the evolving regulatory landscape, creates education materials for associates, and coordinates all internal sustainability assessments for new products.

Katie McKain is the Director of Sustainability for the City of Charleston’s Office of Resilience and Sustainability, where she has dedicated over a decade to advancing equitable climate action.

In her role, Katie shapes and implements Charleston’s sustainability goals, playing a pivotal role in developing the city’s Climate Action Plan and driving the innovative policies and programs that bring it to life.  Her unique approach combines creativity and human-centered design with data-driven decision-making, ensuring that Charleston’s sustainability initiatives are not only impactful but also deeply rooted in the needs of the community.

Katie is a certified planner, energy manager and master rain gardener.   She holds dual master’s degrees in Urban Design and Landscape Architecture from the University of Colorado Denver, building on her undergraduate foundation at Purdue University.

Cindy McMahan is a seasoned professional who has worn many hats throughout her career. Her past experiences include roles as a controller, office manager, executive administrative assistant, and auditor. She has been involved in nearly every aspect of running a business, fully immersing herself in the day-to-day details. However, her true passion has always been helping people.

This innate drive to support and empower others led Cindy to transition into the role of Director of Culture and Engagement at Heritage Landcare. Since joining the organization, she has worked tirelessly to establish a culture of caring—one that reaches every level, from upper management to the dedicated team members. Accountability is paramount, and her approach is intentional. Her team has spearheaded the creation of personalized career paths and established traditions that celebrate the family culture both professionally and personally. Central to this effort is a set of core values that are lived by and discussed daily.

Through these concerted efforts, Cindy feels grateful to work with a company that supports creating an environment where people can truly flourish and reach their full potential. She considers it a privilege to be part of this incredible journey and is excited to see what the future holds for Heritage Landcare and its dedicated team.

With over 20 years of experience in sustainability and global energy management, Brandon has established and matured Energy Management Systems for business with global footprints in the automotive and telecommunications industries. As a member of AFL’s Sustainability Team, Brandon is directly accountable for implementing policies, procedures, and processes that align with sustainability standards to significantly reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions. Expertise includes developing robust energy assessment methodologies to identify operational efficiencies and sustainability enhancements across diverse global operations. Brandon has a proven track record in managing corporate sustainability reporting, delivering comprehensive energy consumption metrics, and conducting environmental impact assessments for key stakeholders. His commitment to driving sustainable practices and achieving measurable environmental outcomes underscores his dedication to advancing corporate sustainability agendas at the local, state, federal, and global levels.

Sam Monn is a manufacturing leader with over 17 years of experience in multiple industries. Throughout his career, Sam has held positions in front line supervision, quality management, engineering management, operations management and site leadership. His experience includes consumer packaged goods, fenestration, flexible packaging and industrial manufacturing settings.

Sam is currently the president of Halton MEI USA, Inc.; a brownfield manufacturing start-up in Anderson County, SC that specializes in the design and manufacture of HVAC components for the Marine, Energy and Heavy Industry markets. Halton MEI, USA, Inc. is a part of Halton Group, a family owned company based in Finland whose mission is to “enable well being in demanding indoor environments”.

Sam received his BAs in Political Science and History from Duquesne University and his MBA with a specialization in accounting from Syracuse University. He is originally from Pennsylvania, but has lived in Simpsonville, SC for the last 3 ½ years with his wife Kaitlyn and their pets.

Benjamin Moore is an accomplished engineer, entrepreneur, and sustainability advocate, currently serving as the Founder and CEO of Bubble Paper, a pioneering packaging company based in Greenville, South Carolina. With extensive experience in product engineering, design, and automated manufacturing, Benjamin is focused on creating sustainable, curbside recyclable packaging solutions that minimize environmental impact.

Under Benjamin's leadership, Bubble Paper has developed innovative processes that turn paper into thermally and mechanically protective packaging, revolutionizing industries such as cold chain and industrial shipping. His commitment to sustainability is at the core of Bubble Paper’s mission to provide environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional packaging materials.

His commitment to sustainability extends beyond his own ventures. Benjamin has a strong history of supporting the entrepreneurial ecosystem, having previously mentored aspiring founders through various initiatives and organizations. He continues to advocate for innovation and sustainable business practices in his local community and beyond.

Benjamin holds degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Clemson University and a certification in Sustainable Management from Duke University, reflecting his dedication to integrating sustainability into his work. As a participant in the Sustain Leadership Initiative program, Benjamin continues to champion environmental stewardship through groundbreaking solutions in packaging and beyond.

Frank is a native of Scotland, but has been a resident of South Carolina for the past 20 years. Frank studied Geography, Economics and Sustainable Development as an undergraduate at the University of St Andrews and worked as an Environmental Consultant for Scottish Water. Frank immigrated to the US in 2004, and has worked in a variety of positions in Aviation Design and Airport Management.

Since 2010, Frank has overseen the delivery of $120 million worth of projects at the Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE). Frank now serves on the Airport Executive Staff where there is a focus on aligning the capabilities of the airport with the needs of the region. This ongoing process will see CAE strive to become one of the most Sustainable Airports in the US, while also increasing its impact as an economic engine for the Midlands of South Carolina.

Frank sits on the Board of Directors for the South Carolina Aviation Association, the South Carolina USO, and is a founding member of the SC Chapter of AUVSI.

Justin Park has been working on public and private land conservation projects across the Southeast in various roles with nonprofit organizations since 2008. His passion for the outdoors began in childhood, inspired by the conservation easements placed on farms near his hometown in Vermont. After working on a conserved farm, he pursued environmental law with a focus on land conservation at Vermont Law School. Following his graduation and successful completion of the Georgia bar exam, he joined the Georgia-Alabama Land Trust, serving as a staff attorney, project manager, and wetland mitigation program planner.

In 2015, Justin transitioned to South Carolina, where he joined Ducks Unlimited’s South Atlantic land conservation program, concentrating on establishing new easements with private landowners in the Lowcountry and securing grants from state and federal programs. Currently, as part of the Open Space Institute, he coordinates conservation grants for southeastern land projects. His role involves grant writing, project due diligence, and supporting OSI’s land acquisitions and dispositions in the Southeast, along with program planning, tracking, and grant documentation. Justin lives in Charleston with his wife, Anna, and their daughter, Abigail.

Aaron Polkey is the incoming President and CEO of Palmetto Project, a South Carolina statewide nonprofit that identifies innovative strategies to address the social and economic challenges facing the state and puts them into action. He has been recognized as an inspirational leader, gifted communicator, and tireless advocate for historically marginalized individuals and communities.

A native of Charleston and proud Gullah Geechee, Polkey plans to build upon the Palmetto Project’s 40-year legacy of catalyzing successful public-private partnerships to improve the quality of life of South Carolinians while positioning it at the vanguard of emerging solutions for rapidly evolving challenges.

Prior to joining Palmetto Project, Polkey served as Senior Program Attorney and Associate Director for Learning & Leadership at Futures Without Violence, a national social justice nonprofit that works to end gender-based and hate-fueled violence and harassment. Polkey has also fought for affordable and safe housing as an Attorney Advisor with the D.C. Office of the Tenant Advocate, advocated for equal voting rights at the Advancement Project, and served as an Associate at Derfner, Altman & Wilborn (now Derfner Altman), a prominent Charleston-based firm known for its trailblazing civil rights practice.

Polkey is a former Charleston County Parks & Recreation Commissioner. An attorney by trade, he earned his B.A. degree from Georgetown University, where he was awarded the Georgetown College Medal, and his J.D. from the University of South Carolina Joseph F. Rice School of Law, where he was named Moot Court Best Oral Advocate. He is licensed to practice law in South Carolina, the District of Columbia, and Maryland.

Since 1998, Joe Razum has been a resident and champion of sustainability and innovation in South Carolina, contributing to the state's efforts to balance economic growth with environmental preservation. With over two decades of experience in engineering and pricing, Joe’s career spans groundbreaking work at organizations like GE Energy, Rockwell Automation, ABB, and Trane Technologies. His expertise in decarbonization and energy efficiency has reduced millions of metric tons of CO2, aligning with Sustain SC’s mission of carbon neutrality.

Joe's journey began as a Penn State co-op engineer with the U.S. Department of Energy, where he utilized Fast Fourier Transforms to advance pulse combustion technology. His early career focused on retrofitting power plants across the Midwest with low NOx technologies, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. After earning an MBA from the University of Kentucky, Joe transitioned into pricing and cost analysis, with his value-based tools being published in the Harvard Business Review. These tools have since been adapted to assess sustainability price drivers.

As lead inventor of the patented weather based electric grid forecasting method  “Systems and Methods for Analyzing Energy Usage” at GE Energy, Joe's work has been referenced patents by industry giants like Microsoft and Oracle. Most recently, as lead Inventor on the patent-pending Heat Exchanger Bed design for Trane Technologies, Joe’s innovative concept won the company’s 2023 IntraInnovation contest,  leading a global collaboration to help displaced individuals’ thermal comfort while reducing CO2, showcasing Joe's commitment to creating sustainable solutions that improve lives and protect the environment.

At home in Fort Mill, South Carolina, Joe’s family household continues to lead by example. His residence is powered by 90% solar energy, demonstrating his dedication to clean energy solutions. Joe’s work is rooted in a deep belief that South Carolina’s future depends on innovative, sustainable practices that preserve its natural resources while supporting economic growth.

As the founder of The Thrive Point, Alexis Scipio has dedicated her career to helping businesses implement sustainable Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategies that drive both profit and purpose. With over 15 years of experience in supply chain, procurement, and corporate responsibility at industry leaders like Mercedes-Benz and Cummins, Alexis understands that corporations have a duty to act as responsible stewards within the communities they impact, from local neighborhoods to global supply chains. She has led initiatives across Scopes 1, 2, and 3 emissions, creating governance frameworks that simplify ESG and foster a culture of sustainability.

In her new role as Director of Course Development at Global Core Strategies & Consulting, Alexis is proud to help reframe leadership development through the lens of sustainability, driving meaningful organizational change. A mother of four, she is passionate about building a future where corporations take their responsibilities to people, the planet, and product quality seriously. Under her guidance, Global Core is committed to equipping leaders with the tools to embed sustainability into every level of business, fostering practices that benefit communities and ensure long-term resilience.

Alexis is also actively involved in her community, serving on the board of the Dorchester County Library, mentoring students through Doors to Dream, and contributing to the Charleston Chamber of Commerce’s Regional Attainable Housing Coalition.

Over the last 16 years Jessica Siron, CSP has been supporting the Environment, Health & Safety function in several industries including healthcare, automotive and construction. She has developed management systems based on risk identification, mitigation and continuous improvement. She has built teams driven to work cross-functionally in organizations to solve complex problems that have or could have an impact on business health. Her latest passions include gaining a greater understanding of biodiversity and its applications in industry as well as mental health related to occupational health (addressing the “whole human” as she says). Currently, Jessica serves as Director Environment, Health, Safety & Sustainability for Scout Motors. Scout Motors is building it’s first factory in Blythewood, SC and will assemble all electric trucks and SUVs.

Jessica holds a B.S. in Environmental Health from Illinois State University, an M.S. in Occupational Health with a concentration in Environmental Management and an MBA focused on Project Management. She achieved her Associate Safety Professional (ASP) credential in 2015 and her Certified Safety Professional (CSP) credential in 2017.

Tracy is a positive, energetic manager with over 25 years of experience in international academic and business arenas. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Clemson University, a certificate in International Studies from Universität Trier, and is a Riley Fellow Diversity Leader. She leads holistic Sustainability Strategy development for BMW Manufacturing, where she combines her knowledge and passion to support climate initiatives, associate development, corporate social responsibility, DEI, and financial programs.

Tracy enjoys the outdoors and is happiest with her husband, Russell, and children, Evan and Carmen, under the stars around the firepit at her home in Travelers Rest, SC.

As Milliken Advisors’ Senior Vice President, Travis Spainhour, is responsible for business development, client engagement, and operations with Milliken Advisors.  Travis has a proven track record and over 23 years of experience in the forest and land management industry.  Travis started his career with the South Carolina Forestry Commission where he worked for 4 years in the Forest Health Department.  In 2003, he moved to the private sector and began his 18-year tenure with SCANA.  During his time at SCANA, he worked in the Land Department. Travis managed over 40,000 acres of land, he focused on forestry, real estate, wildlife, conservation, and facility management.  In March of 2020, Travis left the corporate world and accepted a position with Milliken Advisors.  Travis was promoted to Director of Nature Based Solutions in 2021.  He along with the Milliken Team have worked on conservation, solar, carbon, and wetland projects. One of this team’s key strengths is their ability to illustrate how various nature-based solutions work together and interconnect allowing for the greatest benefit for the landowner, wildlife, and local communities.  In 2024, Travis became Milliken Advisors’ Senior VP. He continues to work closely with the Nature Based Solutions Team and CEO Trip Chavis, on all land management opportunities for their clients. and customers.  Travis resides in West Columbia, South Carolina with his wife, Linda and their two children, Alexis and Tristan. Alexis is in her 4th year at Furman University and Tristan is currently in his 1st semester at Wofford College. They are active members of Mt. Tabor Lutheran Church and in their community.  Travis has served as both president and vice president of Mt. Tabor’s council.  He currently sits on the Lexington County Zoning Variance Board. Earlier this year he was selected to serve on the Lowcountry Land Trust Board. Travis believes in giving back and is constantly exploring various avenues to expand his community outreach. Travis earned a M.S. in Forest Resource Management from Clemson University and is currently an active SC Registered Forester and SC Licensed Real Estate Agent. 

Columbia native, Leigh Tondini, has performed utility regulatory for work for electric utilities in South Carolina for more than 14 years. A graduate of Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory, NC, Leigh began her utility career with the South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff where she was the Deputy Director of Electric and Gas Regulation. After ORS, she did strategic planning for DHEC and a private healthcare company before returning to utility regulation with Duke Energy. As Duke Energy’s Utility Strategy Director for South Carolina, Leigh partners with regulators, industries, customers, environmental advocates, and consumer advocates to advance customer offerings, support economic development, and offer solutions while ensuring reliable electricity, reasonable rates, and increasingly clean energy.

Leigh and her husband enjoy spending time with their four children, traveling, and taking care of their menagerie of three dogs, three cats, and three leopard geckos.

Tameria M. Warren, Ph.D. is a native of Detroit, Michigan, but has lived in the Columbia area since 2008. Dr. Warren is the Senior Environmental Specialist at Samsung Electronics Home Appliances in Newberry, as well as an adjunct professor in the School of the Earth, Ocean, and Environment (SEOE) at the University of South Carolina. Prior to her current positions, she worked as a Senior Environmental Scientist at U.S. Army Garrison Fort Jackson, an Environmental Engineer in multiple Midwest facilities with General Motors, and as a Technical Assistance Provider for projects with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). She also serves with the Southeast Rural Community Outreach (SERCO), along with the Congaree Biosphere Region and City of Columbia’s Climate Protection Action Committee (CPAC).