Economic Development
Javier Marin
Javier Marin serves as the City of Tampa’s Director of Economic Opportunity, where he supports small businesses and foster connections in trade, tourism, and development. Previously, Mr. Marin was the Vice President of Business Development for the Central Florida Development Council and the Florida Small Business Development Center at USF. A certified economic developer and global business professional, Marin holds an MBA and is fluent in Spanish and Swedish.
Shannon Ogletree
Shannon Ogletree has been the Economic Development Director for Santa Rosa County since 2013. Recognized as one of North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers in 2018 by Consultant Connect, he has over 20 years of experience on the Gulf Coast. His work focuses on supporting local businesses, engaging the community, and diversifying industries. A certified economic developer, Ogletree has expertise across aviation, renewable energy, and internet security. He holds an MBA and a BSBA from the University of West Florida.
Dr. Galen Treuer
Dr. Galen Treuer is the Climate Tech and Innovation Manager for Miami-Dade County, working alongside the Mayor, Chief of Innovation and Economic Development, and Chief Resilience Officer to advance the county’s climate goals. With expertise in public finance and economic development, he has consulted on projects integrating climate solutions into economic policy. He holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Science and Policy from the University of Miami.
Immigration
Juan Caballero
Juan Caballero is the Director of the Immigration Law Clinic at the University of Florida Levin College of Law, where he and his students assist immigrants navigating the U.S. legal system. Previously, he worked with the MSU Immigration Law Clinic and the ACLU of Illinois, focusing on immigrant and civil rights. A published scholar, his work includes An Inconsistent Chevron Standard: Refining Chevron Deference in Immigration Law (2020), providing critical insights into immigration law.
Alice Burgos
Alice Burgos is the Founding Attorney of Burgos Law, an Orlando-based firm specializing in immigration law. She has litigated federal cases against U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the U.S. Department of State and frequently serves as co-counsel in Florida federal courts. Burgos is actively involved in legal and nonprofit organizations, including the American Immigration Lawyers Association, the Adult Literacy League, and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando.
Ilia Garrity Lopez
Ilia Garrity Lopez is the founder of the Law Office of Ilia Garrity Lopez PLLC and a dedicated advocate for immigrants. She handles cases related to citizenship, asylum, visas, green cards, domestic violence protections, cancellation of removal, and humanitarian relief. Lopez also volunteers with the Legal Aid Society of Orange County, Florida, and provides pro bono representation for unaccompanied immigrant children while organizing donations for international aid efforts.
Environment
Dr. Jessica Owley
Dr. Jessica Owley is an expert in environmental law, specializing in private land conservation, conservation easements, and climate change policy. She leads the University of Miami’s Environmental Law Program and participates in annual United Nations climate treaty negotiations. A highly cited scholar, she received the 2019 Morrison Prize for her contributions to environmental law research.
Cynthia Barnett
Cynthia Barnett is an environmental journalist focusing on Florida’s ecology, sustainability, and climate change. The author of three books on water, she has reported on climate issues globally. Barnett serves as the Environmental Journalism Program Director at the University of Florida, where she works with faculty and students to enhance public understanding of complex environmental challenges.
Dr. Katy Serafin
Dr. Katy Serafin is an assistant professor in the University of Florida geography department and an affiliate faculty member at the Florida Climate Institute and the UF Water Institute. Her research examines extreme sea levels and coastal hazards, using interdisciplinary models to assess the frequency, drivers, and impacts of coastal flooding and erosion. Her work informs strategies to enhance climate resilience and adaptation to rising sea levels.
Public Health
Dr. Erta Cenko
Dr. Erta Cenko is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Epidemiology at the University of Florida’s College of Public Health and Health Professions. Her research focuses on aging-related conditions such as cognitive impairment and mobility disability, emphasizing the use of wearable technology for real-time health assessments. She holds a Ph.D. in Epidemiology from the University of Florida and an M.S. in Public Health from the Medical University of Tirana, Albania. Cenko is dedicated to mentoring future public health professionals and advancing innovative solutions for aging populations.
Christopher O’Donnell
Christopher O’Donnell is a political journalist with a passion for literature and investigative reporting. Originally from England, he transitioned from a career in computer programming to journalism after moving to Florida in 2001. A graduate of the University of South Florida with a degree in journalism, he began his reporting career at the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and has covered government and politics for the Tampa Bay Times since 2016.
Dr. Sadie Ryan
Dr. Sadie Ryan is a Professor of Medical Geography at the University of Florida and the Principal Investigator at the Emerging Pathogens Institute. Her research spans disease ecology, tropical conservation, and human-wildlife interactions. She earned her B.A. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Princeton University and her Ph.D. in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management from the University of California, Berkeley. Ryan’s work focuses on the intersection of public health, climate, and environmental change.