Environmental Leadership Chronicles

Bridging Sectors for Sustainable Solutions, ft. Anne Middleton, WILDCOAST

In this episode, we feature Anne Middleton, a conservation professional whose career has taken her from Montana to Cameroon and now to California, bridging the nonprofit, public, and private sectors. From investigating international wildlife crime with the Environmental Investigation Agency to procuring sustainable ebony wood in Cameroon for Taylor Guitars, Anne's journey reflects her commitment to collaborative environmental solutions. In the fall of 2025, Anne was invited to present at TEDx  – check out her talk on wildfire prevention, which is linked in the show notes. 
Currently with WILDCOAST, Anne previously served as Executive Director at ECOLIFE Conservation and held positions with the San Diego County Water Authority and Sustainability Matters. With degrees in biology from Oberlin College and Environmental Science and Management from UC Santa Barbara's Bren School, Anne believes that business can be a powerful instrument for positive change. 
We explore her perspective on coastal and marine conservation, public-private partnerships, and what it takes to create lasting solutions to our planet's most pressing environmental challenges. 

Amplifying Student Voices in Environmental Leadership, ft. Xela Brainin Godinez, CSU Channel Islands Student

In this episode, we feature Xela Brainin Godinez, a student at CSU Channel Islands studying Environmental Science and Resource Management with a marine and coastal emphasis. Having served as a AEP Student Council Member and participant on the People & Culture Committee, Xela brings a fresh perspective on entering the environmental profession. 
From hands-on conservation work with white abalone at the Aquarium of the Pacific to presenting before California's Lieutenant Governor about the Santa Rosa Island Research Station, Xela has already made meaningful contributions to marine science and student outreach. Her journey from studying horticulture at Long Beach City College to specializing in marine and coastal science reflects both personal growth and an evolving passion for environmental stewardship. 
As an advocate for diversity in environmental spaces, Xela is passionate about expanding representation in our profession. Join us as she shares her experiences working alongside seasoned professionals on AEP's People & Culture Committee, what draws her to marine conservation, and what gives her hope as she prepares to launch her career. 

Connecting People with Nature through Regenerative Design: ft. Andrea Doonan horticulture + design

In this episode, we're excited to feature Andrea Doonan, an ecological landscape designer based in San Diego who is transforming how we think about residential landscapes. Andrea specializes in designing spaces that connect people with nature while incorporating regenerative and sustainable practices. 
Her award-winning landscapes have been featured on garden tours and in publications throughout California. Beyond her design work, Andrea is deeply committed to education—teaching sustainable gardening practices through the G3 Green Gardens Group in partnership with the Metropolitan Water District, and mentoring emerging professionals through the Association of Professional Landscape Designers, where she also serves on the board. 
Andrea's approach combines ecological function with artistic beauty, creating habitat gardens and implementing watershed-wise methodologies that address California's water challenges. She's passionate about collaboration and giving back to her community through involvement in food, garden, placemaking, and art initiatives. 
Join us as we explore Andrea's journey, her design philosophy, and her vision for creating landscapes that truly sustain both people and planet. 

Building Partnerships for Regional Innovation, ft. Josh Metz, Monterey Bay DART

In this episode, we welcome Josh Metz, Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Monterey Bay DART Initiative. Josh shares his winding career path from environmental biology and landscape architecture to leading regional economic development at the Fort Ord Reuse Authority and co-founding Monterey Bay DART.
Topics covered include the origins of MB DART (Drones, Automation, and Robotics Technology), partnerships with universities and industry, the FAA's UAS Integration Pilot Program, and the role of Joby Aviation in establishing a regional advanced air mobility cluster. Josh discusses workforce development programs, apprenticeship initiatives supported by the James Irvine Foundation, and real-world applications of drones and eVTOLs for public safety, environmental monitoring, and infrastructure inspection.
Tune in for insights on technology’s intersection with environmental stewardship, community development, and the 2026 Monterey Bay DART Live Summit (March 31–April 2, 2026) — plus personal stories from Josh’s fieldwork, lessons learned from Fort Ord’s reuse, and what innovation could look like over the next decade.

Launching a Community-Powered Climate Week ft. Erika Rodriguez, Nadi Marketing + San Diego Climate Week

In this episode, we meet with Erika Rodriguez, Founder and CEO of Nadi Marketing and Chair of the first-ever San Diego Climate Week. Erika shares her life-changing experience surviving a Category 4 cyclone in Fiji, how that moment shifted her career toward climate advocacy, and the story behind launching a partnership-focused marketing agency that serves sustainable and purpose-driven organizations.
Listeners will hear how San Diego Climate Week (October 1–8, 2025) was created as a grassroots, community-powered week of events emphasizing resilience, accessibility, and collaboration — from bike and transit rides to virtual panels and local art installations. Erika outlines practical partnership-marketing strategies, examples of community-centered campaigns, and the importance of storytelling, mentorship, and aligning values in purpose-driven businesses.
Expect actionable advice for professionals who want to apply skills like marketing, design, and finance to environmental work, plus information on how to get involved with San Diego Climate Week and support inclusive, year-round climate action.

Implementing California's Waste Reduction Goals, ft. Steve Weihe, County of San Diego & Lisa Wood, TRC Companies

In this episode, we explore the landscape of solid waste management and CEQA compliance with Lisa Wood, Environmental Planner with TRC Companies, and Steve Weihe, Recycling Specialist II at the County of San Diego.
Lisa brings decades of experience and was instrumental in updating CEQA guidelines for solid waste impacts – moving beyond the outdated "is there landfill capacity?" question to comprehensive impact analysis that considers state mandates and local infrastructure capacity.
Steve, a certified Master Composter and TRUE Zero Waste Advisor, has developed innovative programs including mattress recycling at Miramar Landfill. He discusses the County's approaches to organic waste diversion and meeting SB 1383's requirement for 75% reduction in organic waste disposal.
Together, they discuss how do we analyze solid waste impacts under CEQA when state diversion mandates increase but infrastructure capacity falls short? What happens when local agencies must balance ambitious waste reduction goals with limited processing capacity? 
This conversation offers insights for environmental professionals working at the intersection of CEQA compliance and sustainable waste management, from source reduction strategies to cumulative impact analysis.

Building an Employee-Owned Environmental Legacy, ft. Leslie Moulton-Post, Environmental Science Associates (ESA)

In this episode, we’re joined by Leslie Moulton-Post, President and CEO of Environmental Science Associates (ESA). A recognized leader in the environmental industry, Leslie has spent over 40 years at ESA, guiding some of California’s most complex infrastructure and water projects and helping shape the firm’s growth as a leading employee-owned environmental planning and science company. 
In her role, Leslie leads with a clear commitment to ESA’s core values—aligning business decisions with long-term vision, resource stewardship, and meaningful partnerships. She’s been recognized as one of the Most Influential Women in Business by the San Francisco Business Times, and continues to serve on numerous boards and associations focused on water, sustainability, and environmental progress. 
We’re excited to explore her path, her perspective on leadership, and the future of environmental practice. 

Building Inclusive Environmental Workplaces, ft. Taylor Morgan, Ascent

In this episode, we’re joined by Taylor Morgan, a key member of the People Resources team at Ascent. With over six years of experience in human resources, Taylor brings a thoughtful and strategic approach to building more inclusive workplaces—focusing on DEI programming, employee resource groups, equitable recruiting, and professional development. 
Taylor shares her journey into working with environmental professionals, her evolving perspective on the role of HR, and how organizations can reimagine hiring, internships, and culture to support equity and belonging. 
This conversation offers honest insights into the work still ahead and the opportunity to transform how environmental organizations include, support, and lead with intention. 

Bridging Science and Strategy, ft. John Dietler, Ph.D., SWCA Environmental Consultants

Welcome to the Environmental Leadership Chronicles podcast, a podcast series from the California Association of Environmental Professionals. In this episode, we are joined by John Dietler, Ph.D., Senior Vice President of Operations for the West at SWCA Environmental Consultants. John shares his career journey from starting as a field archaeologist to becoming a key leader in overseeing operations across ten Western states.
With vast expertise in cultural resources and environmental compliance, John offers an insightful discussion on bridging technical work with business development. He also sheds light on SWCA's employee ownership model, emphasizing its impact on the company's growth and operation. Through engaging anecdotes, John explores navigating unique cultural landscapes in states like California, Hawaii, and Alaska, and the importance of understanding diverse Indigenous communities.
This episode is a deep dive into the evolving landscape of environmental consulting, as John elaborates on how disciplines like archaeology can heavily influence and guide modern developmental practices while respecting the voices of native tribes. Whether you're an aspiring environmental professional or simply curious about bridging past and present landscapes, this episode is sure to captivate and inform.

Elevating Early Career Voices in Planning, ft. Megan Musolf, City of Carpinteria

In this episode, we meet with Megan Musolf (she/her), Assistant Long-Range Planner for the City of Carpinteria. Megan shares her journey from studying Environmental Studies at UC Santa Barbara to building a career as a planner in the public sector, where she works to implement the City's Housing Element programs through zoning code amendments. We discuss how student advocacy shaped her housing policy perspective, and what it means to grow a network early in your career. She also serves as the Social Media Officer for the Central Coast Section of the American Planning Association (APA). Megan offers thoughtful insights for emerging professionals and a fresh take on the evolving role of young planners today.
Megan also walks us through her involvement in the controversial Munger Hall project at UCSB, illustrating a real-world application of environmental planning and policy advocacy. The episode explores the evolving role of young planners in shaping urban environments, the importance of professional organizations in career development, and the unexpected challenges and learning curves in transitioning from academic life to full-time employment. Tune in to hear Megan's fresh insights and why the fight for sustainable and community-centered housing remains crucial in today's urban landscape.
The opinions Megan shares today are her own and don't represent the official views of the City of Carpinteria. She's here sharing her personal experiences and perspectives.
Thanks for listening and we hope you enjoy. 

Empowering Planners Through Leadership, ft. Lesley Owning, HELIX Environmental

In this episode, we meet in person with Lesley Owning, a seasoned Principal Planner and Environmental Planning Group Manager at Helix Environmental Planning. With over 13 years of experience, Lesley manages CEQA and NEPA requirements for diverse projects, from infrastructure to renewable energy.
Lesley highlights her career journey and key transitions that led her to her current leadership role. She emphasizes the importance of mentorship and flexibility in nurturing her team, sharing her approach to career development and project management.
Listeners will be inspired by Lesley's enthusiasm for projects like aquifer storage and groundwater recharge. She also discusses the evolving nature of the environmental industry and how leaders can support their teams in balancing personal and professional growth.

Seeds of Change, Waves of Progress: 2025 AEP Conference Insights

This episode is a brief 2025 AEP Conference Recap for our podcast listeners and viewers! This year’s gathering brought environmental professionals together at Zachari Dunes in Oxnard, California, in early April. Centered around the theme “Seeds of Change, Waves of Progress,” the conference offered a blend of insightful keynotes, dynamic breakout sessions, and meaningful networking opportunities. Attendees explored everything from emerging CEQA trends and climate resilience to cutting-edge tools and AI in environmental planning. To capture the spirit of the event, we spoke with attendees from across the profession—here’s what they had to say about their experience at this year’s conference.