Climate change causes a multitude of impacts to our environment, communities and everyday lives, including health and housing.  The impacts will only worsen with time.

Join us to learn more about the specific impacts and mitigating actions we can take now. We are fortunate to have the following panelists who will be sharing their expertise.

Registration Preferred; Walk-ins Welcome

Expert Panelists

Amber Davis – Senior Comprehensive Planner – Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District

Amber joined SRPEDD in 2022 as a Senior Planner. Her diverse background includes urban planning, environmental policy, public health, and climate change and adaptation. Her skills in GIS and data analysis, grant writing, and public relations are supportive planning tools that Amber uses to advocate for inclusive urban and environmental public policies.  Amber works alongside planners, fellow policymakers, and the public to build resilient, smarter, equitable, and just communities where individuals and groups thrive in mind, body, and spirit for generations to come. Before joining SRPEDD, Amber has worked in multiple public service positions at the federal, state, and local levels, including nursing (LPN). Amber earned a B.A. in Public Policy Affairs from DePaul University and is a candidate for a master’s degree in Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning from Tufts University.

Monica Driggers – Deputy Director – Massachusetts Rivers Alliance

Monica works with the staff, board, and external partners of the Massachusetts Rivers Alliance to strengthen statewide river policies in the areas of water quality, stream flow, wildlife habitat, and investment in green infrastructure.  Her work includes advocating for improvements in state laws and policies that improve drought resiliency, reform water allocation policies, and update state water conservation standards, as well as better permitting and enforcement of stormwater regulations. Her career spans nearly 30 years working to change state and federal court and criminal justice policies through the development of new legislation and innovative programs. She most recently served as the Director of the Gender and Justice Project at the Wellesley Centers for Women where she conducted long-term research on topics such as parolee evaluation and the role of trauma in family court proceedings.

Emma Gildesgame– Climate Adaptation Scientist – The Nature Conservancy in Massachusetts

Emma works with communities and stakeholders to co-develop and implement equitable nature-based solutions that provide multiple benefits to nature and people at a pace and scale that matches the urgency of climate change. She works on water quality and watershed planning projects, collaboration for climate resilience, and planning to reduce flood risk for coastal communities. She earned a Master of Environmental Management in water resources science and management from the Yale School of the Environment and a B.A. in Environmental Science from Colby College. Her graduate work focused on planning for urban coastal climate resilience. Prior to joining TNC in November 2021, Emma worked on water quality planning and restoration, climate communication, watershed and marine education, and outdoor recreation with many different organizations across New England, Colorado, and California. Emma now lives in Somerville, MA.

Julia Knisel – Coastal Shoreline and Floodplain Manager – Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management

Julia leads the StormSmart Coasts Program for the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management to help communities address coastal erosion and flooding while enhancing beach systems. She supports state hazard mitigation and climate adaptation planning and implementation and serves on the Resilient Massachusetts Action Team. Julia is a member of the Massachusetts Emergency Support Function Team to inform response and recovery from coastal storm events. Julia also collaborates with state, federal, and non-profit partners across New England through the Coastal Hazards Resilience Committee of the Northeast Regional Ocean Council, which has been focused on advancing nature-based approaches to shoreline management.

Audrey Matthews – Senior Climate Planner – Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District

Audrey joined the SRPEDD environmental team in March 2024 as a Senior Climate Planner. Her work includes hazard mitigation resiliency plans, Green Communities and much more. As a transplant Floridian, her passion lives in coastal resilience, vulnerability and mitigation studies, environmental justice, and mapping of all kinds. Her expertise includes working with ESRI’s ArcGIS, data analysis, community engagement, sustainable building practices, and regional/community policy. Audrey is a LEED Green Associate and an active member of the American Planning Association. She has worked at state-wide, rural/local, and educational institutions within Texas and Florida, with backgrounds in both public and non-profit sectors of grant management, energy auditing, LEED accreditations, comprehensive planning, redevelopment districts, and suitability analysis. Audrey has a B.S. in Sustainability, a M.S. in Sustainable Design, and a M.S. in Community & Regional Planning.