News
Congrats to Our Very Own Energy Exec: Jake!
We’re proud to share that SSDN’s Jake Leech has been selected to join the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) 2025 Executive Energy Leadership program (Energy Execs)! This prestigious four-month leadership program brings together 19 professionals from across the country to dive deep into cutting-edge clean energy technologies, tools, and innovations. Jake’s…
Read MoreBuilt Shade: A Critical Tool in Heat Resilience
When it comes to beating the heat, trees are a great solution, but they aren’t the only solution — and in places like East Tampa, built shade is playing a vital role in protecting communities. As highlighted by Kayla Caselli with the City of Tampa and featured in the Tampa Heat Resilience Playbook, built shade…
Read MoreCongrats to Our New Membership Manager: Gabi
Since joining SSDN, Gabriela “Gabi” Sanchez Barrocas has been a vital part of our team — bringing dedication, heart, and a deep commitment to supporting our members. She began taking on many of the responsibilities of this role in the fall of last year and was officially promoted in March. Her biggest undertaking so far…
Read MoreNew SSDN Jobs Board
We’re excited to launch the SSDN Jobs Board—a growing hub for local government sustainability and resilience career opportunities across the Southeast! Looking for your next step or know someone who is looking? To post a job, simply fill out the quick submission form here: 🔗 https://www.southeastsdn.org/members/member-login/job-postings/ You can also send jobs to Amanda@southeastsdn.org. We’re building…
Read MoreInspiration to Anticipation: SSDN’s 2025 Annual Meeting
“Feeling gratitude for SSDN bringing together such a thoughtful and driven community committed to local climate action and collective impact.”- Alannah Irwin, Boynton Beach, FL Dear SSDN Community, As the energy from our recent gathering in Richmond begins to settle, we find ourselves reflecting on connections made, inspiration found, and knowledge gained and shared. For…
Read MoreCelebrating GA’s Sustainability Momentum
Across Georgia SSDN members are leading the way in sustainability action. At the 2025 Cobb County Sustainability Expo, our Georgia Policy Manager Joy Ward joined local m embers to spotlight how regional collaboration is accelerating progress across the state. With more than 400 attendees, the event underscored SSDN’s belief that regional challenges require regional solutions—and…
Read MoreWhen Solutions Are Local
By Anita Tillman, AMCorp International Across the Southeast, communities are rewriting the blueprint for prosperity—not by waiting for rescue, but by reimagining what growth could look like when it is rooted in resilience, opportunity, and independence. The Cost of Staying In Place The cost of outdated housing, pollution, high energy, and healthcare has quietly chipped…
Read MoreWelcome Jenna!
Warm wishes to our newest employee, Tennessee Valley Policy Manager Jenna Guillen. A California native and recent transplant to Nashville, TN, Jenna is passionate about supporting our members’ sustainability efforts in the Tennessee Valley region. In her career, Jenna has worked in various roles for state and local government in Central and Northern California primarily…
Read MoreGreen Minds Podcast: Benefits of Joining SSDN
Do you have a Green Mind? 💚🧠 Check out our Green Minds podcast. In our latest episode, hosts Dr. Robyn Byers and Dr. Shaleen Miller engage with Rebecca Coplin, Beautification Project Manager for High Point, NC, to explore the benefits of SSDN membership. They discuss traditional and unique advantages, emphasizing relationship building, connections, and grant…
Read MoreWelcome to the team Amanda
Welcome Amanda! 👋 A big shout out 🎉 to our first ever communications manager, Amanda Nalley. Amanda has a 20+ year career in environmental communications, starting as a camp kid turned camp counselor on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. She has two undergraduate degrees from Loyola University New Orleans. She taught environmental education, was a newspaper…
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