Dr. Don Blancher is a nationally recognized expert on estuarine ecology, habitat assessment, water quality, and biological impacts of discharges to ecosystems. He received his Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering Sciences from the University of Florida and is a Board Certified Environmental Scientist with the American Academy of Environmental Engineers. He currently works for Moffatt & Nichol, a coastal engineering firm which also specializes in ecosystem restoration activities.

He previously worked with the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality and focused on both assessment and restoration issues associated with the Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment. Dr. Blancher has authored over 50 technical reports and papers and numerous presentations at national and international meetings. He was formerly chairperson of Ecology and Aquatic Resources Committee of the Water Environment Federation, and was adjunct associate professor in the Environmental Toxicology Program at the University of South Alabama. He also serves on the Board of The Groundwork New Orleans Trust.

Her broad experience working with senior-level executives in major international corporations makes her particularly suited to developing and leading the cross-sector partnerships that are at the heart of the REF strategy and business model. PJ has also been responsible for major fundraising campaigns for organizations such as the Royal Ontario Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, and the Houston Symphony, raising more than $50 million.

She co-founded Heart to Hand Toronto, a grassroots community organization that provides food to more than 200 disadvantaged families each year in the Toronto, Ontario region of Canada by connecting them directly and personally with volunteer and supporting families in the community. This initiative is still going strong after 20 years.

During his real estate career he raised funds for and successfully executed more than $1 billion in land development projects. Previously he served as President and CEO of Cullen Center, Inc. in Houston, Texas, and as a senior executive at Crown Center Redevelopment Corporation, a subsidiary of Hallmark Cards. He has been chair of the board of Ainsworth Corporation, Remington Capital Investments, International Comfort Products Corporation, and Thompson Pipe & Steel Company. Prior to co-founding Restore the Earth Foundation, he launched Ecosystems Partners, LLC, an environmental conservation firm sourcing the best resources, contractors and practices for restoration projects.

Currently, Terry is involved with the Malabar Group, which he founded, and Thales Water advisors, which he co-founded, that provide advisory services for adapting to change, generating value and growth, and innovating to manage environmental and resource challenges. Terry also serves on boards of start-up companies, is an advisor to a number of water-focussed not-for-profit agencies and innovation accelerators, and is a mentor for Canada’s Trade Commission Service.

Previously, Terry held a number of executive positions in biotech, technology, and environmental services organizations. This includes Veolia, the world’s largest environmental services firm, where he spent 16 years and served as the Chief Operating Officer of their global water technology division, as well as serving as the Chief Executive Officer and President of Veolia’s North American water, energy, and waste services platform.

The experience gained from supporting communities and industries to understand their resource challenges, align interests, leverage innovation, and design and implement manageable solutions to support environmental stewardship provided Terry with the unique ability to develop practical solutions to manage complex environmental challenges. As a result, he has been invited to provide keynote addresses on the topics of sustainability and putting the circular economy to work to several prominent groups including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.

Dr. Mah holds a Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering, and an M.Sc. and B.Sc. in Microbiology.

Ms. Wing is a certified Project WILD instructor and facilitator, a Certified Leave No Trace instructor, and a fellow of Loyola University New Orleans’ Institute for Environmental Education. She is a founding member of the board of the Louisiana Master Naturalists of Greater New Orleans. Ms. Wing currently works as a Subject Matter Expert in Federal Disaster Recovery grants management and closeout.

Over his 36-year career, Mr. Piñero has worked in the private and public sectors as a consultant to many clients on sustainability, environment, and energy. He has also served in the public sector at both the Federal and state levels addressing sustainability issues. During his service as the White House Federal Environmental Executive, he focused on developing and implementing sustainability policy and practices within the US Federal government. Mr. Piñero served in the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection as both the Director of the Bureau of Environmental Sustainability as well as holding the office of Pennsylvania State Energy Director.

Mr. Piñero has been an Adjunct Professor at Duquesne University and the University of Arizona, and is currently a Visiting Scholar with George Washington University’s Environment and Energy Management Institute. He has Bachelors of Science degree in Geology from the State University of New York and Masters of Science degree in Geology from Texas A&M University.

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