2024 Summit for Community Stewardship
Bridging Action, Infrastructure, Policy and Innovation
October 16 – 17, 2024
The 2024 Summit for Community Stewardship will be held in coordination with PA Department of Environmental Protection, PA Department of Transportation and PA Department of Community and Economic Development on October 16 and 17 at the Hilton in the City of Scranton. The Summit provides an opportunity for all of us to convene, reflect on past work, share experiences, and learn together. In addition to repeating breakout sessions on marine debris, policy levers for stewardship and education, attendees will hear from national community stewards about the link between community activism and stewardship from Kristine Zeigler, Planet Women and the Power of Beauty from Dave Forsell, Keep America Beautiful. Additionally, Bob Anderson from Closed Loop Partners will provide valuable insights on the evolution of community recycling infrastructure and how to empower communities to recycle more.
Plan to join Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, Affiliates, Volunteers and State Agency and community partners as we shine a spotlight on Scranton and build on and celebrate our collective efforts to improve our communities across Pennsylvania.
For sponsorship opportunities please click here or contact Deb Woolley, dwoolley@keeppabeautiful.org.
Agenda
All Agenda Times and Sessions Subject to Change. Click each speaker's name to see their bio.Keynote Speakers
Kristine Zeigler
Kristine Zeigler, Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer, Board President
Planet Women
Kristine is co-founder and chief executive officer at Planet Women. For the past 25 years, Kristine has been an environmental nonprofit leader focused on helping nature and people thrive.
Previously, Kristine served as Conservation International’s Chief Development Officer and Director of Philanthropy at The Nature Conservancy in California, raising funds for global land, water, ocean and science programs. Kristine also served as Director of Development at Yosemite Conservancy and worked at the San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the San Francisco Zoological Society.
Kristine studied art history and French at Lafayette College in Pennsylvania. She holds a private pilot license and flies a Cessna and a Piper. A published fiction author and creative writing teacher, she supports and mentors nature writers as co-founder of New Nature Writers. She lives on California’s Central Coast. Kristine serves on the Board of Advisors for Daughters for Earth and the Institute for Integrative Conservation at the College of William & Mary. She is also a member of the Board of Directors for the Mono Lake Committee.
"Environmental Leadership Is For Everyone", Planet Women CEO and co-founder Kristine Zeigler examines the current leadership model in the U.S. and who we think about when we hear the word "leader." Drawing on neuroscience, organizational leadership research, and storytelling, Zeigler calls upon us to redefine leadership and tell newer, truer stories that are an antidote to inequality, despair, and environmental destruction. Leave with ideas for sharing power, resources, and creating your own brand of leadership to inspire yourself and others.
Dave Forsell, SVP, Affiliate Network & Programs
Keep America Beautiful
Dave has a passion for the environment, community development, urban conservation, and community-led public art. During his fifteen years as president of Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc. (KIB), Dave led the organization to more than four-fold growth, by directing programs toward broader and deeper human and ecological outcomes; and a commitment to authentic relationships with diverse grass-roots leaders, philanthropists, and the corporate and public sectors. His sources of pride include KIB's creation of hundreds of green jobs for Indianapolis youth; more than eighty community-owned parks; and industry-leading work on mapping social and ecological stresses to plan and deliver the equitable planting and care of more than sixty-thousand trees. Dave also helped found and lead Reconnecting to Our Waterways (ROW) a collective impact initiative dedicated to positive environmental and community change along Indianapolis waterways; and is past chair of the national Alliance for Community Trees, a network of community forestry organizations.
Dave has also served as a consultant to KAB, working one on one with affiliate leaders; and, developing KAB’s toolkit Increasing Your Affiliate’s Impact: Ingredients for Long-Term Success. Dave has been recognized for his professional leadership, including the Arbor Day Foundation’s J. Sterling Morton Award for his lifelong commitment to trees and conservation; and the Sue Smith Professional Leadership Award from Keep America Beautiful (KAB.) He lives in Indianapolis with his wife, Shannon. They both are graduates of DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. In their spare time, they love to travel to beautiful places, hike and birdwatch.
Join David Forsell, Senior Vice President of Keep America Beautiful, as he discusses the "Power of Beauty". As the former president of Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, he joined forces with the mayor's office to drive private sector investment in neighborhood redevelopment. The city oversaw street resurfacing, and home repair and construction, while KIB listened to residents about their dreams for more beautiful neighborhoods. The results were community parks designed and cared for by residents, with support by private investments; and thousands of trees planted along once barren streets and parks. Dave will share how beauty was not just an end, but a means to addressing environmental quality, public safety, and job creation.
Bob Anderson, Senior Vice President
Closed Loop Partners
Bob Anderson, Senior Vice President with Closed Loop Partners—Closed Loop Builders, Circular Services—has been at the forefront of building the Circular Economy for over seven years. In his role at Circular Services, Bob has incubated innovative circular economy offerings, including distributive modular MRFs, distributive anaerobic digestion, doorstep collection of electronics and textiles, Large-scale MRFs, and MRF automation through AI. With his 38 years of experience in solid waste and recycling, Bob has been instrumental in advancing the sustainable growth of recycling infrastructure in Pennsylvania and North America. Bob serves on several Boards, including as an Officer for PA Recycling Markets Center, Chairman of the Cumberland County, NJ Solid Waste Advisory Committee, Board Member of the Association of New Jersey Recyclers, City of Philadelphia Solid Waste and Recycling Advisory Committee, and most recently appointed by Philadelphia’s Mayor Parker to the newly formed Clean and Green Cabinet.
Closed Loop Partners' Senior Vice President Bob Anderson will illustrate how recycling infrastructure has evolved in PA communities.
October 16
1:00-4:00 PM
• Leaving at 1:00 PM from the lobby of the Hilton, 100 Adams Avenue, Scranton, PA 18503.
• Click to view a map and details (.pdf). (Exact tour itinerary subject to change.)
5:00-8:00 PM
Evening Reception, Cocktails & Light Hors d’oeuvres. Area agencies and non-profits are invited to set up informational tables to network with guests. Contact Deb Woolley at dwoolley@keeppabeautiful.org for details.
October 17
8:00-9:00
9:00 - 9:15
• Phoebe Coles
Phoebe Coles, Partner and Senior Vice President
Community Marketing Concepts
SPEAKER AGENCY
Phoebe Coles has worked consistently in the “people” business for more than two decades. She is a co-founding partner and CEO of a family-owned marketing company, Community Marketing Concepts (CMC). CMC is a minority and woman owned engagement marketing and communications company located in Philadelphia servicing local, regional and national clients.
With more than 20+ years of experience in various aspects of marketing, communications and community engagement campaign implementation, her campaigns have reached target populations in excess of 13 million people in the Philadelphia region and across the state of Pennsylvania. Ms. Coles communications approach is steeped in community engagement as a catalyst for behavioral change. Her proven ability to “drill down” marketing messages to a target audience for resonance and relevance has provided outreach and message localization in support of national marketing and media initiatives including street team management, special event programming and media strategy.
Ms. Coles’ clients include: the Pennsylvania Lottery, TD Bank, PECO an Exelon Company, various departments within the City of Philadelphia government and the Philadelphia Foundation. Her project experience includes campaign development, project management, tactical execution, advertising copywriting, script development, media strategy and program evaluation.
Ms. Coles is Chair of the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Board of Directors and a board member of Philadelphia Zoo, the Reading Terminal Preservation Board and The Greater Philadelphia Bicycle Coalition. She is graduate of the Philadelphia High School for Girls and Temple University School of Communications. Ms. Coles is most proud of the mom-work she does for her only son.
9:15-9:55
Join David Forsell, Senior Vice President of Keep America Beautiful, as he discusses the "Power of Beauty". As the former president of Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, he joined forces with the mayor's office to drive private sector investment in neighborhood redevelopment. The city oversaw street resurfacing, and home repair and construction, while KIB listened to residents about their dreams for more beautiful neighborhoods. The results were community parks designed and cared for by residents, with support by private investments; and thousands of trees planted along once barren streets and parks. Dave will share how beauty was not just an end, but a means to addressing environmental quality, public safety, and job creation.
• Dave Forsell
Dave Forsell, SVP, Affiliate Network & Programs
Keep America Beautiful
Dave has a passion for the environment, community development, urban conservation, and community-led public art. During his fifteen years as president of Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc. (KIB), Dave led the organization to more than four-fold growth, by directing programs toward broader and deeper human and ecological outcomes; and a commitment to authentic relationships with diverse grass-roots leaders, philanthropists, and the corporate and public sectors. His sources of pride include KIB's creation of hundreds of green jobs for Indianapolis youth; more than eighty community-owned parks; and industry-leading work on mapping social and ecological stresses to plan and deliver the equitable planting and care of more than sixty-thousand trees. Dave also helped found and lead Reconnecting to Our Waterways (ROW) a collective impact initiative dedicated to positive environmental and community change along Indianapolis waterways; and is past chair of the national Alliance for Community Trees, a network of community forestry organizations.
Dave has also served as a consultant to KAB, working one on one with affiliate leaders; and, developing KAB’s toolkit Increasing Your Affiliate’s Impact: Ingredients for Long-Term Success. Dave has been recognized for his professional leadership, including the Arbor Day Foundation’s J. Sterling Morton Award for his lifelong commitment to trees and conservation; and the Sue Smith Professional Leadership Award from Keep America Beautiful (KAB.) He lives in Indianapolis with his wife, Shannon. They both are graduates of DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. In their spare time, they love to travel to beautiful places, hike and birdwatch.
9:55 - 10:05
Break - Coffee
10:05-10:35
Hear from State Agency Executives about goals, objectives and programs aimed at improving communities across Pennsylvania.
• Jessica Shirley
Jessica Shirley, Acting Secretary
PA Department of Environmental Protection
Currently serving as the Acting Secretary for the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP), Jessica Shirley plays a pivotal role in the guidance of the department in its mission to protect and preserve Pennsylvania's environment while fostering sustainable and equitable practices. Jessica arrives to the role of Acting Secretary with extensive experience within the agency. Most recently, Jessica served as the Executive Deputy Secretary overseeing all programs.
As the first appointed Infrastructure Implementation Coordinator at the PA DEP, Jessica oversaw the influx of federal funding supported by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). She ensured that the Department used all available funds for the betterment of Pennsylvania's environment, economy, residents, and communities. In this role, she also placed strong emphasis on consideration of the impact of programs in historically underinvested communities.
Jessica's previous role as Policy Director from May 2016 to April 2022 was marked by her dedication to shaping the environmental and energy policy agenda. In this position, Jessica helped to develop groundbreaking executive orders related to PFAS, climate change, energy conservation and sustainability in Commonwealth operations, and environmental justice. These executive orders established the first greenhouse gas reduction goal for the Commonwealth, set performance goals for state agencies, established the PFAS Action Team to remove silos and address emerging contaminants, and memorialized various processes and opportunities to meaningfully engage and address underserved communities in Pennsylvania. She coordinated the DEP Policy Office's efforts, while overseeing the finalization of numerous rulemakings and promoting meaningful dialogue with stakeholders. Jessica and her counterpart at PennDOT lead the effort to develop Pennsylvania’s first ever Litter Action Plan which received several awards and national recognition. Jessica also served on the agency steering committee of DiversEP, the agency’s DEI committee with a mission of actively cultivating a culture of equity and inclusion and establishing a more diverse workforce representative of the population we serve.
In her earlier role as Executive Policy Specialist, Jessica was a trusted advisor in various policy areas, including oil and gas development, air quality, climate change, energy, waste, clean water, and environmental cleanup. She also demonstrated leadership in diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, and her representation of the Administration in discussions with key organizations showcased her influence and expertise. She built extensive relationships by serving as the Policy Office liaison to the Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Board, Air Quality Technical Advisory Board, Climate Change Advisory Committee, Small Business Compliance Advisory Committee, Cleanup Standards Scientific Advisory Board, Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority, Recycling Fund Advisory Committee, Radiation Protection Advisory Committee, Solid Waste Advisory Committee, Sewage Advisory Committee and Storage Tank Advisory Committee.
Jessica's educational background includes a Master's Degree in Public Administration from Pennsylvania State University and a Bachelor's Degree in Economics and Political Science from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
• Richard Vilello
Richard Vilello, Deputy Secretary Community Affairs and Development
PA Department of Community and Economic Development
Rick first joined the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) in March of 2015 as the Executive Director of the Governor’s Center for Local Government Services. He was appointed as Deputy Secretary for Community Affairs and Development in February 2017. As Deputy Secretary, Rick oversees the work of the entire deputate including:
• The Governor’s Center for Local Government Services;
• The Center for Community Enhancement;
• The Center for Community and Housing Development;
• The Center for Community Services;
• The Center for Residential Reinvestment Programs; and
• The Community Planning Group.
Before coming to DCED, Rick served four terms as Mayor of Lock Haven and was previously President of the Pennsylvania Municipal League.
• Larry Shifflet
Larry Shifflet, Executive Deputy Secretary
PA Department of Transportation
Larry Shifflet was named to serve as the Executive Deputy Secretary in December 2023, building on his 31+ year career with PennDOT.
Since July 2019, he had been serving as the Deputy Secretary for Planning. In this role he was responsible for collaborating with communities and transportation stakeholders to plan transportation projects that balance community needs with regional and statewide travel demand and available funding resources. This included:
Statewide and regional transportation planning and programming functions and services, including coordination with the Metropolitan and Rural Planning Organizations.
Development and management of the Commonwealth's Long-Range Transportation Plan and capital transportation programs. This requires overseeing the proper use of Federal and State funding and its allocation among various programs and all activities related to the development and management of the $83 Billion 12-Year Transportation Program for highways and bridges, airports, rail lines and mass transit.
The coordination of technical and analytical support activities with local governments as well as the distribution of revenues to municipalities as directed by the Liquid Fuels Tax Act.
Larry is a lifelong resident of Conewago Township in Dauphin County and received his Bachelor of Science in Finance from Pennsylvania State University in 1991 and a Master of Business Administration from Lebanon Valley College.
10:35 - 10:45
Break - Move to Morning Breakouts
10:45-11:45
Hear from KPB Staff and Regional Science Consortium about a pilot project in Lake Erie designed to capture floatable litter. Evaluate if this marine debris capture pilot could work in a waterway near you.
• Donald Benczkowski
Donald Benczkowski, Program Coordinator Lake Erie Region
Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful
Don joins the KPB staff after retiring from the PA Department of Environmental Protection as the Coastal Resources Program Manager in DEP’s Central Office, primarily working in Harrisburg, Philadelphia and Erie. He spent a total of 38 years with local government and the Commonwealth, 23 of which were spent in the Coastal Zone Program. Concurrently, for 32 years, he also served as a Deputy Waterways Conservation Officer for the PA Fish and Boat Commission in the Central Erie County District.
In 2003, Don and several environmental and community leaders led an effort to expand the ‘Presque Isle cleanup’ to the New York and Ohio borders, thus establishing the first Erie County (PA) International Coastal Cleanup event. That ICC event still persists to this day. Since 2000, he’s been an appointed member of the Presque Isle State Park Complex Advisory Committee, currently serving as Vice Chair. He’s a Board member of the Lake Erie Region Conservancy. Don graduated from Gannon University in 1982 with a B.S. in Biology. He has three sons, residing in Erie, Pittsburgh and in the Kansas City area. Lake Erie/Presque Isle, the Delaware River, and the Moshannon State Forest (Elk, Cameron, Clearfield Counties) are Don’s favorite places in PA.
• Jeanette Schnars, Ph.D.
Jeanette Schnars, Ph.D., Executive Director
Regional Science Consortium
Dr. Schnars has been the Executive Director of the RSC since 2007. She received her B.S. degree in Biology from the Pennsylvania State University with a Minor in Marine Science. After working for the U.S. Geological Survey on researching sea turtle populations at Padre Island National Seashore, TX, she continued her education at the State University of New York – College at Buffalo earning a M.S. degree in Biology researching the migrations of sea turtles in Costa Rica. While working as an Instructor in the Biology Department of Penn State – Erie, she earned her Ph.D. from the Pennsylvania State University in Wildlife and Fisheries Science researching the effects of contaminants on the common snapping turtle. Dr. Schnars continues to conduct research on fisheries, turtles, and bacterial contamination in Lake Erie, in addition to being an active board member and chairing many committees.
Join KPB and PennDOT Bureau of Innovations and collaborate on ways to improve these valuable stewardship programs and the overall volunteer experience.
• Bob Snyder, Program Analyst, Bureau of Innovations, PA Department of Transportation
• Dakotah Kinnan, Management Analyst, Bureau of Innovations, PA Department of Transportation
• Lucas Crawford, Chief, Roadside/ Environmental Programs Section, PA Department of Transportation
Hear a high-level overview of KPB education tools and learn about strategic partnerships and innovative ways to deliver education programming in your communities.
• Kylie McCutcheon
Kylie McCutcheon, Affiliate and Youth Education Coordinator
Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful
Kylie joined the staff in 2021 as the Affiliate Coordinator and will be the main contact for current and future affiliates as well as awards programs and youth engagement programs.
Kylie graduated from the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology with a concentration in Environmental Science. Kylie is also a part time employee of Allegheny CleanWays and is on DCNR’s NextGen Council. She is involved with the Master Watershed Steward Program through Penn State and is a Trail Ambassador of the Westmoreland Heritage Trail. Kylie also completed the Leave No Trace trainer course where she expanded her knowledge of Leave No Trace skills and ethics as well as techniques for educating others about low impact practices. In her spare time, she enjoys being outdoors with her friends, camping, kayaking, biking, and running.
• Fawn Contreras
Fawn Contreras, Head of Youth Services
Valley Community Library
Fawn Contreras is the Head of Youth Services at the Valley Community Library, where she’s worked for 5 years. In 2021, Fawn launched Community Clean-Ups partnering the library as well as KPB and the PA Sierra Club with other local organizations. Together these organizations invited the community to do litter pick-ups and a litter study. She has earned the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Volunteer of the Year Award for 2023 and Fawn has shared this program at the Pennsylvania Library Association Conference. Her passions include reading, community engagement, hiking, and spending time with her family.
• Natalie Reese
Natalie Reese, Program Director
Westmoreland CleanWays & Recycling
Natalie Reese joined Westmoreland Cleanways and Recycling as the Program Director in September 2011. As Program Director, her primary role is to educate county residents about proper disposal of solid waste through a variety of methods such as presentations, displays at local festivals and social media. She spends a large portion of her time at schools, libraries, and scouting events teaching the youth of the County. In fact, during the 23-24 school year she presented 115 youth education programs to grades preschool-12th grade, reaching over 5,560 students.
Natalie’s credentials include a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Pennsylvania State University, and a Master of Science in Environmental Education from St. Vincent College. In 2013 she became a certified Professional Recycler of Pennsylvania (PROP), with a specialization in recycling education. Prior to obtaining this position at Westmoreland Cleanways, she was an AmeriCorps member serving at Greater Latrobe School District as an Environmental Science Assistant and has worked as an educator at five different Nature Centers in Pennsylvania, Maryland and North Carolina. Either on a boat, in the woods, at a creek, or in a classroom, Natalie’s primary goal is to encourage her audience to make small, gradual lifestyle changes to protect our environment and build a more sustainable future.
Westmoreland Cleanways and Recycling: Westmoreland Cleanways and Recycling is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to protect, restore, and maintain the environmental qualities of our county for the benefit of all who live, work, and visit herein. We accomplish this mission by operating a recycling center for hard-to-dispose material, offering bi-monthly household hazardous waste collections, sponsoring, and promoting community programs that address the proper disposal of solid waste, supporting the cleanup of illegal dumpsites and littered areas, and educating the public through presentations, and print and digital media.
Hear from a panel of community and economic professionals on how they leverage economic tools such as Downtown Improvement Districts and the Hotel Occupancy Tax to advance clean and green efforts in their community.
• Julie Fitzpatrick
Julie Fitzpatrick, Executive Director
PA Downtown Center
Julie has been with PDC since 2005 and was appointed as the Ex. Director in July 2019. She has been involved with a variety of projects in communities all over the commonwealth, including community visioning, developing regional downtown revitalization strategies, establishing tourism infrastructure plans, and developing business improvement district plans and other strategic planning activities. She also provides board and committee education and technical assistance to designated DCED Keystone Communities Main Street and Elm Street programs, as well as to communities that are non-designated. Currently, she is working with PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) on a project focused on Nature-Based Placemaking, and with the PA Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) on developing a Design Guidelines workbook.
She has a Master of Science degree in Community and Regional Planning, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History and Anthropology from Temple University and has done coursework in their landscape architecture program. She attributes her focus on people-centered service and the importance of building relationships to 18 years of small business management at a locally owned independent downtown pharmacy. Her previous non-profit experience includes volunteering with Mulberry Arts Studio, WITF-public TV and radio, the Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County, and the Susquehanna Waldorf School. She served on the board of the Susquehanna Sustainable Business Network (SSBN) for more than six years and is currently on the board for the Pennsylvania Urban & Community Forestry Council, the Susquehanna Riverlands Leadership Committee, as well as a member of the Pennsylvania Pedestrian & Pedacycle Advisory Committee. She serves her local community by volunteering with the Marietta Restoration Associates. Julie resides in a 210 year-old home along the Susquehanna River in Lancaster County and enjoys the trail and small town charm of Marietta.
• Steve Ward
Steve Ward, Project Manager
Scranton Tomorrow
Steve Ward is the Project Manager for Scranton Tomorrow, a business and community development nonprofit focusing on Downtown Scranton. Steve oversees a diverse offering of beautifications, cleanups and service projects and collaborations with other nonprofit organizations, volunteer groups, businesses and government agencies. Steve has served in this role since November 2019. Steve is also employed by the County of Lackawanna in the Department of Buildings and Grounds, taking care of the courthouse since 2010. From 2008 to 2019, Steve was the Coordinator for the Penn State Extension Master Gardener program in Lackawanna.
• Larry Newman
Larry Newman, Executive Director
Diamond City Partnership
Larry Newman is the founding Executive Director of the Diamond City Partnership (DCP), Wilkes-Barre’s nonprofit downtown management organization, where he plans and leads Downtown Wilkes-Barre’s revitalization. In 2007, he directed the creation of the Downtown Wilkes-Barre Business Improvement District, a DCP-managed special district serving downtown’s commercial core.
An AICP- certified planner, Larry previously worked as the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber’s Vice President of Economic and Community Development. He has also worked in city government and as a planner in private practice. Larry is the vice chair of 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania and a board member and past chair of the Pennsylvania Downtown Center. He chairs the Wilkes-Barre City Planning Commission and the Wilkes-Barre Industrial Development Authority, and he is a member of several other nonprofit boards.
He co-authored the Society of Architectural Historians’ Buildings of Pennsylvania: Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania, published by the University of Virginia Press in 2010. In 2021, the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Institute of Architects awarded Larry their Government Award for service to the profession. He is also the recipient of Leadership Northeast’s Award for Outstanding Community Leadership and the North Branch Land Trust's Stewardship Award.
A graduate of Wyoming Valley West High School, Larry received his Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from Princeton University in 1990 and a Master of Architecture from the Harvard University Graduate School of Design in 1993. He resides in Downtown Wilkes-Barre with his family.
• Miranda Pace
Miranda Pace, West Scranton Neighborhood Coordinator
NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania
Miranda Pace is the West Scranton Neighborhood Coordinator at NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania. In this role, they organize community groups and volunteers, lead clean up initiatives, and further active transportation goals in their community. They earned a Bachelor of Science in Community, Environment, and Development from Pennsylvania State University. They enjoy working with others to positively influence complex social and environmental issues.
• Jack Howell
Jack Howell, Manager
Elm Street - Spanish American Civic Association
Propelling neighbors to work together for a common goal is time intensive, and consensus is often formed informally, around a kitchen table or at a small cafe. Jack Howell, in addition to having 40 years of expertise in community development, has a proven ability to engage with neighbors through informal interactions and establishing mutual respect. Jack has served as Elm Street Manager for five years. Prior to that, he led the Lancaster Alliance in development of Clipper Magazine Stadium, creation of the Community Safety Coalition, formation of the Police Foundation, several traffic calming projects, and cultivating support for the construction of the Convention Center. Prior to Lancaster, Jack spent ten years in Battle Creek, Michigan where he led the Cereal City Development Corporation, where he replaced a failed pedestrian mall with a purposeful street and engaged in 20 real estate transactions resulting in new businesses and attractions in and near downtown. Prior to Battle Creek, Jack led the Bay City, Michigan Downtown Management Board, creating the first assessment-based commercial district that endures to this day.
11:45 - 12:30
Lunch (Buffet)
12:30-1:30
Planet Women CEO and co-founder Kristine Zeigler examines the current leadership model in the U.S. and who we think about when we hear the word "leader." Drawing on neuroscience, organizational leadership research, and storytelling, Zeigler calls upon us to redefine leadership and tell newer, truer stories that are an antidote to inequality, despair, and environmental destruction. Leave with ideas for sharing power, resources, and creating your own brand of leadership to inspire yourself and others.
• Kristine Zeigler
Kristine Zeigler, Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer, Board President
Planet Women
Kristine is co-founder and chief executive officer at Planet Women. For the past 25 years, Kristine has been an environmental nonprofit leader focused on helping nature and people thrive.
Previously, Kristine served as Conservation International’s Chief Development Officer and Director of Philanthropy at The Nature Conservancy in California, raising funds for global land, water, ocean and science programs. Kristine also served as Director of Development at Yosemite Conservancy and worked at the San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the San Francisco Zoological Society.
Kristine studied art history and French at Lafayette College in Pennsylvania. She holds a private pilot license and flies a Cessna and a Piper. A published fiction author and creative writing teacher, she supports and mentors nature writers as co-founder of New Nature Writers. She lives on California’s Central Coast. Kristine serves on the Board of Advisors for Daughters for Earth and the Institute for Integrative Conservation at the College of William & Mary. She is also a member of the Board of Directors for the Mono Lake Committee.
1:30 - 1:45
Break - Move to Afternoon Breakouts
1:45-2:45
Afternoon Breakout Sessions (Repeat)
2:45-3:00
3:00-3:40
Evolution of recycling infrastructure in PA communities.
• Bob Anderson
Bob Anderson, Senior Vice President
Closed Loop Partners
Bob Anderson, Senior Vice President with Closed Loop Partners—Closed Loop Builders, Circular Services—has been at the forefront of building the Circular Economy for over seven years. In his role at Circular Services, Bob has incubated innovative circular economy offerings, including distributive modular MRFs, distributive anaerobic digestion, doorstep collection of electronics and textiles, Large-scale MRFs, and MRF automation through AI. With his 38 years of experience in solid waste and recycling, Bob has been instrumental in advancing the sustainable growth of recycling infrastructure in Pennsylvania and North America. Bob serves on several Boards, including as an Officer for PA Recycling Markets Center, Chairman of the Cumberland County, NJ Solid Waste Advisory Committee, Board Member of the Association of New Jersey Recyclers, City of Philadelphia Solid Waste and Recycling Advisory Committee, and most recently appointed by Philadelphia’s Mayor Parker to the newly formed Clean and Green Cabinet.
3:40 - 4:00
Closing
Location and Time details
Click here to register online. Payment options available: online credit card, e-check or invoice to pay later by check.
Cost: $100 per participant
Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful will provide one complimentary registration per Affiliate. Affiliates may bring as many other attendees as they'd like but they will be charged for each attendee after the first one. If you cannot locate your affiliate coupon code or have questions, contact Kylie McCutcheon, Affiliate Coordinator, at kmccutcheon@keeppabeautiful.org or 724-836-4121 ext. 114.
When: October 16, City of Scranton Walking Tour, 1-4PM. Reception, Cocktails & Light Hors d'oeuvres at Hilton Scranton & Conference Center, 5-8PM
October 17, Summit for Community Stewardship, 8am-4pm
Where: Hilton Scranton & Conference Center
Address: 100 Adams Avenue, Scranton, PA 18503
Room accommodations available at discounted pricing. Rooms are limited, book early - Deadline: September 29, 2024 with limited rooms
Group Code: PABEAU
Make reservations by phone: 570-343-3000
Make reservations on-line: Hilton Scranton reservation link for Keep PA Beautiful Summit
Become a Corporate Sponsor
As a 501(c)3, KPB is dedicated to using its funding to further its mission and support its affiliate network in execution of our programming. Special sponsorship opportunities are necessary to facilitate a successful Litter Summit. Please consider the following sponsorship opportunities, along with your invitation to the Summit.
Thank you for your consideration. For sponsorship opportunities please click here or contact Deb Woolley, dwoolley@keeppabeautiful.org.
