Southeast Sustainability Directors Network Welcomes Two New Board Members

The Southeast Sustainability Directors Network (SSDN) is pleased to announce the appointment of two new members to its Board of Directors: Megan Pendell of Durham County, North Carolina, and Alannah Irwin of Boynton Beach, Florida. Both bring deep experience in local government leadership and a strong commitment to advancing sustainability and resilience across the Southeast.

Megan Pendell is the Sustainability Specialist for Durham County, North Carolina, where she leads a multi-County DOE grant and mentors their Community Energy Fellow, develops countywide sustainability policies, advances planning for resilience hubs and heat action, and braids diversity, equity, and inclusion into programs. Previously, Megan launched the sustainability program for the Town of Apex. She also served on the Board for a local nonprofit, Trees for the Triangle, where she’s now working part-time as their Chief Philanthropy Officer. Megan holds degrees in Environmental Sciences and Energy Management from North Carolina State University, and recently earned the Resilience Hub Academy certificate through the Resilience Hub Collaborative.

Alannah Irwin is the Sustainability and Resiliency Administrator for the City of Boynton Beach, Florida, where she has led sustainability and resilience initiatives for the past three years, focusing on energy and water conservation, flood and urban heat resilience, sustainable development, and climate adaptation. Prior to joining the city, she spent seven years with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. She holds a Master of Science from Mississippi State University, a graduate certificate in Natural Resource Policy and Administration from the University of Florida, and a Bachelor of Science from Florida International University.

“We are thrilled to welcome Megan and Alannah to the SSDN Board,” said Board President Laura Thomas and Sustainability Director for Richmond, Virginia. “They each bring valuable perspectives from their communities and a clear understanding of the realities local governments face. Their leadership will help guide SSDN as we continue to create change in the Southeast and expand how we serve our members.”

Rob Phocas, SSDN’s Executive Director, also shared his enthusiasm for the new appointments. “SSDN is at the precipice of a new and exciting future, and having board members like Megan and Alannah, who are deeply engaged in local government work, strengthens our ability to remain responsive, relevant, and member-driven. I look forward to working closely with them and the whole Board as we build the next chapter of the network together.”

SSDN connects local government sustainability professionals across the Southeast to share best practices, build capacity, and support communities in achieving their goals.

For more information about SSDN, visit southeastsdn.org.