Author: sHq_LoGiNz
Can the Estuary turn the tide of Sea Level Rise and Habitat Conservation?
SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Association of Bay Area Governments’ San Francisco Estuary Partnership affiliate on Tuesday, Oct. 28 and Wednesday, Oct. 29, will hold its biannual conference, bringing together hundreds of regional experts to discuss the management and ecological health of the San Francisco Estuary. The State of the San Francisco Estuary Conference showcases the latest information about work in the Bay Area and the Delta to sustain and improve the Estuary’s habitats, living resources, water quality, nature-based solutions and environmental stewardship.
WHEN: Tuesday, October 28 (9:30 am to 5 pm), Wednesday, October 29 (9 am to 5 pm)
WHERE: Oakland Scottish Rite Center, 1547 Lakeside Drive, Oakland.
KEYNOTE ADDRESS: Diandra Marizet Esparza, Intersectional Environmentalist, Co-Founder & Director of Impact and Elise Joshi, Gen-Z for Change, Board Member, Former Executive Director
This year’s conference will pay special attention to the connection between science and art, as well as the role of collaboration among local jurisdictions in addressing extreme weather and sea level rise. The event will feature a performance by Fog Beast and host Keynote speaker Diandra Marizet Esparza, an Intersectional Environmentalist and Co-Founder & Director of Impact, to discuss the connection between Art & Storytelling in Collective Environmental Action.
The State of the Estuary Conference also will shine a spotlight on new data about the health of the San Francisco Estuary. On the first day of the conference, October 28, the San Francisco Estuary Partnership and the San Francisco Estuary Institute will debut the online hub, State of Our Estuary, which will share the first widespread status and trend indicators update on the health of the San Francisco Bay and Delta since 2019.
A “Decision Makers Panel” plenary session on Wednesday, October 29, will explore how local elected officials are championing nature-based solutions along Bay Area shorelines; a meaningful and timely conversation as dozens of nature-based projects are being developed around the region to address the region’s more than $200 billion vulnerability to sea level rise by 2100.
The conference also will showcase conversations and findings on the following topics:
- Tackling the next phase of wetland expansion
- The state of local birds and habitat preservation
- How new technology is being applied to identify and reduce pollution
- Development of regional strategies to address sea level rise and floods
- Innovative nature-based adaptation projects in the Bay
Learn more about the State of the San Francisco Estuary Conference here: https://www.sfestuary.org/soe2025program/.
About the San Francisco Estuary Partnership
The San Francisco Estuary Partnership is a regional governmental organization with a federal mandate to protect and restore the nationally significant San Francisco Estuary, and is part of the National Estuary Program, a non-regulatory program of the EPA created through the Clean Water Act. The planning area encompasses the San Francisco Estuary and its watersheds, from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to the San Francisco Bay. The Estuary Partnership sits within the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), the regional housing, land use, and transportation planning agencies.
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SOURCE San Francisco Estuary Partnership
SANTA BARBARA, Calif., October 27, 2025 /3BL/ – Direct Relief today announced that Jennifer Lotito has joined its executive leadership team as Chief External Affairs Officer, overseeing global communications, fundraising, partnerships, brand and creative. The move bolsters Direct Relief’s plans to grow, innovate and deliver more impact where it is needed most, building on the $2 billion in medical aid distributed annually across 90 countries and all 50 U.S states.
Amy Weaver, Chief Executive Officer of Direct Relief, said; “I couldn’t be more thrilled for Jennifer to join the team at Direct Relief. She is a dynamic, visionary leader with unrivalled experience mobilizing people, partners and organizations to drive change. Her unique ability to meld strategy and creativity with rapid execution will be a huge boost to our organization as we seek to meet the rising need for medical aid amid growing conflict, climate impacts, and public health emergencies.”
This appointment marks the first major leadership addition by Amy Weaver since assuming the role of President and Chief Executive Officer earlier this year. Previously, Lotito served as President and Chief Operating Officer at (RED), the organization founded by Bono and Bobby Shriver to fight AIDS and the injustices that enable pandemics to thrive.
Prior to becoming (RED) President and COO in 2020, Jennifer led the organization’s partnerships team for 11 years, playing a pivotal role in fostering innovative partnerships with companies including Apple, Bank of America, FIAT, Jeep, RAM and Salesforce, as well as Snapdragon and Manchester United, among others.
She went on to lead the organization’s growth in developing a portfolio of life science partners including Roche, Merck and ViiV, while heralding new collaborations in the fashion space, ranging from Louis Vuitton to La DoubleJ. Today, (RED) and its partners have delivered more than $800M to the Global Fund. Jennifer has traveled extensively in Africa, leading delegations that have included CEOs, media and celebrities.
Speaking on her appointment, Lotito said; “It’s hugely exciting to be joining an organization as well respected and impactful as Direct Relief. I’ve known Amy for many years, and the opportunity to work together on such an exciting, game-changing endeavor to impact millions of people is thrilling. After nearly two wonderful decades with (RED), it’s the perfect time to take on new challenges and help Direct Relief expand its reach.”
Before joining (RED), Lotito was a Senior Partner at Ogilvy Worldwide, leading international accounts for IBM and American Express. A graduate of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, she began her career in advertising in Boston.
Lotito is also Co-Founder and President of the JML Hope Foundation, which focuses on mentorship for emerging leaders. She serves on the Goals House Advisory Board, the National and Tri-State Advisory Boards of Defy Ventures, and the Board of Oido, and is a Forbes.com contributor on leadership, global health, and corporate responsibility.
Founded in 1948 and headquartered in Santa Barbara, Direct Relief provides large-scale medical assistance to improve the health and lives of people affected by poverty, disaster, and conflict. Recognized by Forbes as one of the Top Five Largest Charities in America, honored with the 2025 Seoul Peace Prize, and recipient of 15 consecutive four-star ratings from Charity Navigator, Direct Relief is known for its logistics-driven humanitarian operations and longstanding commitment to transparency and trust.