Inspiration 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 four days, more than 150 sustainability leaders from 77 member communities collaborated on our most pressing regional challenges.
This year's meeting delivered exceptional value through:
- Plenaries on federal policy, inclusive community engagement, and resilient leadership;
- An inspiring visit from Richmond Mayor Danny Avula;
- Peer Learning Circles exploring topics like AI, resilience planning, renewable energy, community engagement, disaster preparation, and more;
- Communications training with Virginia Tech’s Center for Communicating Science;
- Tours of Richmond’s green spaces and diverse communities; and
- Networking opportunities that strengthened our regional connections and sparked new collaborations.
You repeatedly shared how energized you felt by the practical strategies and case studies presented, particularly those addressing implementation challenges in Southeastern communities. (Check out quotes and more from members below.)
Of course, we couldn’t have done it without our sponsors, our host city, and our planning and host city advisors. Thanks to everyone who made the meeting happen, and we look forward to seeing you in Tampa, Florida, in May 2026.
With appreciation,
The SSDN team
*If you have any payment or hotel issues regarding the meeting, please contact Gabi at Gabriela@southeastsdn.org.
Sponsors
This year, our sponsors provided $50,000 in financial support.
This funding allowed us to provide scholarships to 20 meeting attendees who otherwise would not have been able to attend. These funds also helped us have a fantastic meeting by supporting our receptions, tours, venue spaces, and more.
If you’d like to contact any of our sponsors, you can find their information in this Google Document. In addition, Blue Ridge Graphics has generously offered our members free product samples. If you are interested, please contact Lisa Craig at lisa@brgtshirts.com.
Though our 2026 meeting is a year away, we are already reaching out to sponsors. If you know a company, organization, or individual that would be interested in becoming a sponsor, please put them in contact with Casi (kc) Callaway - casi@southeastsdn.org.
Stay engaged
While the annual meeting has concluded, our collective work continues. Here’s how you can stay (or become more) engaged:
- Whether you are a new member, or have been here since we began, sign up for our new-Member 101 to learn about SSDN’s current services.
- Keep the learning going by taking the free Creating Climate-Resilient Transport Systems: A Guide for Public Servants course created by Apolitical for our members.
- Make sure your team is getting our emails and if they are not, check your spam/junk folders or reach out to Gabi at Gabriela@southeastsdn.org
- Join upcoming state calls
- North and South Carolina: Caitlin@southeastsdn.org
- Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas: Casi@southeastsdn.org
- Florida: Daniel@southeastsdn.org
- Georgia: Joy@southeastsdn.org
- Tennessee: Jenna@southeastsdn.org
- Virginia: Emily@southeastsdn.org
- Reach out to Michael Dexter at Michael@southeastsdn.org for any federal funding questions.
- Follow us on LinkedIn.
- If you have or know of a job opportunity in our field, please post it to our new jobs webpage.
Thank you for your commitment to creating more sustainable, resilient communities across the Southeast. We look forward to continuing this important work together and seeing you in Tampa next spring!
Accolades
As our favorite PBS superhero LeVar Burton says on Reading Rainbow, “you don’t have to take my word for it.” Check out some of the praise we’ve received on LinkedIn for our 2025 meeting. We hope these words inspire you as you plan for next year’s meeting in Tampa!
“As always, I had an incredible time with likeminded sustainability professionals! There was tons to learn and so many individuals to hear from. A year is simply too long to wait until next time but I’ll be delighted to see this group again in 2026!” - SSDN Board Secretary Jeanette Johnson, Wake Forest, NC
“It was amazing to spend time with so many like minded sustainability professionals who are passionate about the same things I am. I’m grateful for the time we had together and already looking forward to next year!” - Mike Taylor, Orlando, FL
"I'm so grateful for the opportunity to attend my first Southeast Sustainability Directors Network Annual Meeting! I truly enjoyed learning from peers about the inspiring climate resilience work happening in communities across the region. Connecting with so many passionate individuals driving climate action at the local level was the perfect reminder of the power of collective effort.” - Melanie Malsch, Fairfax County, VA
“Thank you to SSDN and all the amazing members who welcomed me! I am so excited to share everything I’ve learned with my team!” - Alexandra Petruch, Charleston, SC
“One of my SSDN friends described our annual meeting as a ‘big hug.’ They’re right and we need it in this line of work. Thank you SSDN and City of Richmond, Virginia for a fabulous annual meeting.” - Heather Bolick, Charlotte, NC
“Feeling proud and grateful to be surrounded by such passionate and inspiring sustainability, professionals. Building lasting connections like these is how we drive real climate solutions together. Can’t wait for the next one!” 🌎💚” - Diego Cancel, Coral Gables, FL
