SWEP of GP's 2021 Touchstones - Women Mentoring the Future: A Virtual Panel

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You are cordially invited to
The Society of Women Environmental Professionals
of Greater Philadelphia’s
2021 Touchstone Award Ceremony –
Women Mentoring the Future: A Virtual Panel
on Thursday, November 18^th from 6 pm – 7:30 pm

A Night Honoring Jennifer Gresh, P.G.

Ms. Gresh is a recognized leader as a professional geologist and environmental consultant. Jennifer is the Philadelphia Division Director at Duffield Associates where she started the Philadelphia office in 2008 with two employees and has since grown the office to 13 employees. Mentorship is vitally important to Ms. Gresh. She not only leads through example but embraces her role as a mentor, especially for young women, at Duffield Associates and in her community. Jen has shared her passion and commitment to the advancement of women in the environmental field through her involvement in the Owl-to-Owl Mentor program at her alma matter, Temple University, where she took on the role of President of the Alumni Board for the College of Science and Technology. The fact that Jen was selected to give the commencement speech to the College of Science and Technology’s 2019 graduating class is a reflection and acknowledgement of her ability to connect and inspire young people entering the profession with her passion and vision.

Please be sure to grab your beverage of choice as you join us on November 18th for a celebratory night honoring Jen Gresh. In addition, we will be recognizing our 2021 Scholarship and Grant winners.
SWEP Members - $10
Non-Members - $20

Women Mentoring the Future: A Virtual Panel
In addition to Jen, our Panel will include Eileen Snyder with Alpha Analytical, Inc. and Sharon Oras Morgan with Fox Rothschild LLP. Kate McGee with Pennoni will be moderating the panel as we discuss mentorship, work/life balances, knowing your worth, and other topics near and dear to our panelists hearts.

Eileen Snyder is Regional Technical Coordinator at Alpha Analytical, Inc. She has 40 years of experience as an environmental professional focused on project management, technical consulting, and regulatory affairs. Ms. Snyder holds a BA in Biology/Chemistry and an MA in Environmental Policy. Her project experience includes multiple regulatory frameworks, including USEPA Superfund and RCRA Corrective Action, PA Act 2, PA and NJ UST corrective action, NJDEP Site Remediation Program, and voluntary cleanup programs in the mid-Atlantic region. As an environmental laboratory professional, Ms. Snyder supports project chemists and remediation professionals with analytical methods selection and data reporting to meet regulatory and technical requirements and project data quality objectives. Ms. Snyder actively participates in professional collaboration opportunities through ASTM, SETAC, SWEP, ITRC, NJ ELAC, and NJDEP work groups. 

For more than two decades, Sharon has counseled clients, particularly those in the transportation, manufacturing and environmental services industries, on complex environmental, toxic tort and commercial litigation matters throughout the country.

Her Delaware practice is also known for its focus on corporate and trust and estate litigation.

Sharon’s clients rely on her strategic counsel with issues arising in connection with environmental, health and safety laws, regulations, programs and policies, including: CERCLA, RCRA, NJ Spill Compensation and Control Act, DE Hazardous Substance Cleanup Act, PA Clean Streams Act, UST Act, CWA, TSCA, Coastal Zone Act,  FIFRA, APHIS, OSHA, and Brownfields Redevelopment programs.

 Kate McGee is a Certified Safety Professional with 15+ years of experience in occupational health and safety program management and environmental consulting. Ms. McGee is the Director of Health and Safety and an Associated Vice President for Pennoni, a professional services firm with more than 1100 employees throughout the eastern United States, specializing in civil, municipal, structural, transportation, and environmental engineering. Prior to her role at Pennoni, she was an environmental consultant specializing in due diligence and industrial hygiene.  Ms. McGee also currently serves as the President of the Philadelphia Chapter of the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP-Philly), an advisor to executive committee for the Mid-Atlantic Construction Safety Council (MACSC), and a member to the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) - Safety Committee.

Scholarship and Grant Winners
In addition, we will be recognizing our 2021 Scholarship and Grant Winners.

Scholarship Winner: Nourhan Ibrahim, University of Pennsylvania

Nourhan Ibrahim was awarded a SWEP GP 2021 Graduate Scholarship for $3,000. Nourhan is a dual master’s degree candidate in Environmental Studies and Public Health. Prior to attending the University of Pennsylvania, Nourhan received her B.A. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Princeton University. She interned and completed her senior thesis at the Mpala Research Center in Laikipia, teaching primary and secondary school students about conservation issues. Nourhan served on the Board of the Princeton Conservation Society and completed a research project exploring the effects of pesticide use on crop yields and agriculture workers. She is working on her capstone project that explores sustainable food production and responsible management of pesticides. Nourhan hopes to pursue a career in environmental policy where she will strive to mitigate the impacts of environmental issues on community health. Her commitment to working intentionally, contributing something meaningful, and desire to break barriers and be a leader in this space is exemplary and inspiring.

Scholarship Winner: Anne Sharp, University of Pennsylvania
Anne Sharp was awarded a SWEP GP 2021 Graduate Scholarship for $3,000. Anne is a master’s degree candidate in Environmental Studies with a concentration in Environmental Sustainability at the University of Pennsylvania. Anne also received her B.S. in Biology with a concentration in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Pennsylvania. In addition to taking graduate level classes, Anne works full time as an Administrative Associate at National Real Estate in Philadelphia. In her position she works with the Sustainability Committee to monitor and promote construction-related Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices. Anne is also pursuing certifications in Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) reporting, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), and WELL Accredited Professional and is the Climate Leader Co-Chair at Penn where she oversees a board that connects climate-focused faculty, alumni, and students. Her goal is to broaden the sustainability efforts in her current position and create durable, joyful living spaces which encourage people to live in urban centers, combat suburban sprawl, and allow our natural areas and arable land to remain undisturbed. Additional experience in wildland firefighting, horticulture, and community gardening are commendable and further inform her studies and career aspirations.

Grant Winner: Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge
The Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge in Medford, New Jersey was awarded $3,000. The organization is dedicated to the preservation of New Jersey’s wildlife and habitats through education, conservation, and rehabilitation. They educate 30,000 school children per year through field trips, school assemblies and scout programs. In addition to having trails, Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge manages Pinelands habitat, and provides animal rehabilitation services. Their goal is to establish a “Girls and Wildlife” camp scholarship program that will support young girls that would otherwise not be able to attend camp. Young girls from underserved communities will have access to programs that satisfy young minds, expose them to STEM-based lessons related to wildlife and nature, and help to engage them in critical thinking, problem solving, and scientific discovery. The Scholarship program ensures that all students have equal access to high-quality educational opportunities that support and enhance their traditional education.

Grant Winner: Ursuline Academy
Ursuline Academy in Wilmington Delaware was awarded $1,000 to expand laboratory resources for environmental academic programs. Specifically, the grant will be used to purchase Finn Scientific Inquiry Lab Kits for the AP Environmental Science class that will introduce students to biological specimens in the lab while maintaining a population from which to generate specimens for study. Use of the lab kits nicely complements Ursuline’s participation in Delaware’s Adopt-a-Wetland program. Ursuline adopted Cool Spring Reservoir, which they not only help preserve but also use for educational purposes. Ursuline’s goals for the grant are to deliver an innovative and purposeful education within STEM fields and humanities.

Grant Winner: Camden City Garden Club
The Camden City Garden Club was awarded $500 in support of their Community Gardening Program and the Youth Empowering Watershed Education and Action Program, a part of the Youth Employment and Training Program. This program services adult area residents and at-risk, underserved youth. Fruits and vegetables grown at the garden benefit low-income/food insecure individuals and the Children’s Garden provides activities and educational program for children preschool age through 14. This grant will be used for youth education by pairing urban agriculture and environmental science instruction, and nutrition education with hands-on job skills training, employment, and open-ended staff support. Skills and knowledge gained through this valuable program facilitates graduation, post-secondary education and/or pursuit of employment and a practical route to autonomous adulthood.

PLEASE NOTE: All registration fees will be used to support our Scholarship and Grant fund. If you would like to make an additional donation to our Scholarship and Grant fund please go to https://www.swepweb.com/event-4361319