Lia's Palmetto Leadership Academy Fundraiser

Hi there! I was thrilled to be selected as a 2025 Fellow with the CVSC Palmetto Leadership Academy in order to bridge the gap between my two decades of global conservation strategy and the specific civic mechanisms required to protect the South Carolina Lowcountry. I was also curious to learn about the other conservation initiatives happening throughout the State. While my career has been defined by directing large-scale sustainability portfolios and leading international advocacy for organizations like the 5 Gyres Institute and Surfrider Foundation, I recognize that the most enduring environmental protections are often enacted at the local municipal level.

My leadership roles in the community—serving as a GREEN Commissioner for the Town of Mount Pleasant and a Climate Ambassador for the City of Charleston—have reinforced the need for deeper engagement in local governance. The Academy provides the essential "how-to" for this transition, offering specialized training in South Carolina’s legislative landscape, power mapping, and parliamentary procedure.

As a Palmetto Leadership Academy Fellow, I am better equipped for public service on state and local boards and commissions, like Mount Pleasant's GREEN Commisison. My goal is to apply my expertise in coastal resiliency, circularity, and stakeholder diplomacy to help navigate the complex environmental challenges facing our region, ensuring that South Carolina remains a leader in sustainable and equitable growth.

This #EarthDay I am paying it back and forward to support other conservation leaders in #SouthCarolina with this fundraiser sponsored by Midland Area Community Foundation for the CVSC program that has benefitted so many. We'd all appreciate it if you had $10+ to contribute to this effort. 💚 Thank you!

Image credit: Town of Mount Pleasant