Lisa P. Jackson, Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Tuesday, November 17th

Lisa P. Jackson was nominated to lead the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency by President Barack Obama on December 15, 2008, and confirmed by the Senate on January 23, 2009. She is the first African American to serve in that position.  Administrator Jackson lists among her priorities: reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving air quality, managing chemical risks, cleaning up hazardous waste sites, and protecting America’s water. Before becoming EPA’s Administrator, Jackson served as Chief of Staff to New Jersey Governor Jon S. Corzine. Prior to that, she was appointed by Governor Corzine to be Commissioner of the state’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in 2006.

Mathy Stanislaus, Assistant Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response

Tuesday, November 17th

Mathy Stanislaus began work as Assistant Administrator for EPA's Office of  Solid Waste and Emergency Response after being confirmed by the U.S. Senate on June 8, 2009.   As Assistant Administrator for OSWER, Mr. Stanislaus is responsible for EPA's programs on hazardous and solid waste management, hazardous waste cleanup including RCRA corrective action, Superfund and federal facilities cleanup and redevelopment, Brownfields, oil spill prevention and response, chemical accident prevention and preparedness, underground storage tanks, and emergency response.  Prior to assuming the position of Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response, Mr. Stanislaus co-founded, and co-directed the New Partners for Community Revitalization, a NY not-for-profit organization whose mission is to advance the renewal of New York’s low and moderate income neighborhoods and communities of color through the redevelopment of Brownfields sites.  

Christopher B. Leinberger, Metropolitan Land Strategist & Developer

Monday, November 16th

Christopher B. Leinberger, a land use strategist and developer, combines an understanding of business realities with a concern for our nation’s social and environmental issues. Currently, Mr. Leinberger is a Visiting Fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington, DC. He is also a Professor of Practice and Director of the Graduate Real Estate Development Program at the University of Michigan. Mr. Leinberger trains the next generation of real estate developers in the building of sustainable walkable urban places.

Father Vien thé Nguyen, Pastor Mary Queen of Vietnam Catholic Church

Tuesday, November 17th

Father Vien thé Nguyen is the pastor of Mary Queen of Vietnam Catholic Church in East New Orleans.  He is integrally involved in the struggle and rebuilding of Versailles in New Orleans East, home to one of the largest concentration’s of Vietnamese Americans in the United States. 

Father Nguyen organized residents to return to New Orleans East after Hurricane Katrina through his efforts to made changes in public policy, including the closure of the Chef Mentuer Landfill, the resumption of electrical and water services and allowing FEMA trailers to be available returning residents.  In the rebirth of East New Orleans, the community created Viet Village Urban Farm, a community garden that incorporates sustainable technology, including design features to collect and recycle water, have a passive solar design, and a green-waste facility for composting.  In 2007, Father Nguyen received a HOPE (Home Ownership Participation for Everyone) award for his efforts to help community residents of New Orleans East return to their homes and rebuild their lives after Katrina.  Father Nguyen is deeply committed to working to ensure that communities have a strong voice in determining public polices that invest in effective government systems which truly serve people.

Majora Carter, President, Majora Carter Group LLC

Monday November 16th

From 2001 to 2008, Majora Carter was Executive Director of the nonprofit she founded, Sustainable South Bronx, where she pioneered one of the nation's first and most successful green-collar job training and placement systems in one of the most environmentally and economically challenged parts of the United States. A MacArthur Genius Award winner, Carter currently serves as the president of her own economic consulting firm, a co-host on Sundance Channel’s “The Green,” and a host of a new special public radio series called “The Promised Land.”  For more information on Ms. Carter and the Majora Carter Group, LLC, visit www.majoracartergroup.com . 

The Honorable C. Ray Nagin, Mayor, City of New Orleans

Monday, November 16, 9:00 AM

C. Ray Nagin has served as Mayor of New Orleans since being first elected in 2002. He gained national recognition for leading the city through the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, which devastated large parts of the Gulf Coast. Prior to his election, Mayor Nagin worked with Cox Communications and sat on various boards for local nonprofit organizations.