​Supporting Climate Causes Locally

​Description

​Join Seed Consulting Group to meet professionals, volunteers, and nonprofit leaders in climate and conservation from across the LA region. You'll hear from leaders in conservation who are taking action to address climate change. Light refreshments will be provided.

​The climate crisis is existential, making it a challenge to know where to start. This event will showcase the ways that some of our nonprofit clients, partners, and community members are taking action. We hope the event leaves you inspired to contribute to these or similar organizations doing great work to ensure Southern California does its part to address climate change.

​Check-in & Networking (45 min)

​Opening Remarks from Seed Consulting Group (5 min)

​Panel Discussion (~50 min)

​Networking & Close (~45 min)

​Panelists

​Dyana Peña is the Director of Programs at Orange County Coastkeeper. The mission of Orange County Coastkeeper is to protect swimmable, drinkable, fishable water and promote watershed resilience throughout our region. Dyana leads a range of conservation programs in education, restoration, and community outreach.

​On February 21, 2025, Senator Ben Allen introduced the Right to Clean Water Act, SB 601 to safeguard California’s water systems by enshrining into state law previous federal protections offered by the federal Clean Water Act. The California Coastkeeper Alliance and Defenders of Wildlife partnered with Senator Allen to present this legislation.

​Jennifer Cardenas is the Campaign Organizer for the Clean Transportation for All (CTFA) Campaign in the LA Chapter of the Sierra Club. The mission of the Sierra Club is to practice and promote the responsible use of the earth's ecosystems and resources; To educate and enlist humanity to protect and restore the quality of the natural and human environment; and to use all lawful means to carry out these objectives.

​Jennifer's work on the CTFA Campaign is focused on reducing the harmful environmental and public health impacts of transporting people and goods while expanding equitable transportation options. She is currently working on passing Rules 1111 & 1121 at South Coast AQMD. These rules will improve public health by incentivizing the transition from polluting gas furnaces and water heaters to electric alternatives. This shift will significantly reduce residents' exposure to harmful NOx emissions, which are linked to asthma, lung cancer, and cardiovascular diseases.

​Hilary Firestone is the Western Regional Director in the Climate & Energy vertical at the Natural Resources Defense Council. NRDC's mission is to safeguard the earth—its people, its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends.

​Hilary's work is focused on climate policy that reduces greenhouse gas emissions from the buildings, transportation, industrial and power sectors. Her team plays 'offense', or proactive policy actions to address GHGs, and 'defense', or addressing existing policy issues or vulnerabilities that may reduce the effectiveness of proposed actions. Recent work includes policy work to bring a Los Angeles law that prevents tenant evictions when undergoing renovations statewide. This is crucial as ramping decarbonization regulations could increase the opportunity for unintended 'renovictions' that displace renters.

​Moderator

​Kyle Brauer is a community builder, consultant, and former climate tech founder. He cofounded Climate Circuit, a local meetup group for individuals in climate tech or those interested in breaking in, and has hosted more than 20 events since its inception in late 2022. Previously, Kyle was CEO and cofounder of Pencil Energy, a startup that built software to make rebates, credits, and other incentives for energy equipment easier to find and access. Kyle consults with climate startups and nonprofit organizations on process improvement, strategy, and executing new initiatives.

​About Seed Consulting Group

​We are a 501(c)3 that serves to amplify the impact of environmental organizations and empower leaders to help shape a sustainable future for our communities and planet.

​Non-profit organizations are on the frontlines of addressing our most pressing environmental challenges, from climate change and clean energy transition to habitat conservation and biodiversity loss. But less than 2% of charitable giving is directed toward these vital causes, leaving environmental nonprofits under-resourced in their fight to protect our planet and communities.

​At Seed, we envision a world where passionate individuals work together to solve environmental challenges. Millions of people care deeply about these issues but lack meaningful opportunities to take action. We are the bridge that solves this problem. We create high-impact opportunities for passionate professionals to support environmental organizations through challenging projects that not only benefit the planet but also foster their own professional and personal growth.