SUMMIT SPEAKERS 2021
DeVere Burt
Wildlife Artist and Director Emeritus of the Cincinnati Museum of Natural History and Science
DeVere Burt draws artistic inspiration from an academic and professional background in the natural sciences that focuses on landscapes, and endangered vertebrates. He has won numerous awards and his art can be found in museum, corporate, institutional, and private collections.
Burt also founded the Masterworks for Nature group, which has worked in league with nonprofit conservation organizations to raise nearly 1.7 million in gross receipts for educational and wildlife management projects around the Midwest.
He was a regional Vice President for the Nature Conservancy, a field biologist for the Antarctic Research Program, a biological illustrator, and the President and CEO of one of the Midwest’s largest museums.
B the Keeper works with businesses and landowners to install pollinator habitats in urban areas that reduce carbon emissions, increase curb appeal and protect pollinators.
After leaving a position in advertising, Reynolds worked as an apprentice and independent consultant with Carriage House Farm (Beekeeper), Green City Resources (Green Roof Technician), OCD Cakes (Marketing & Sales) and Sustainable Sights Landscaping (Ecological Landscaper). He has also spent 100+ hours volunteering with both the Civic Garden Center and ADVENTURE CREW.
Brandon Reynolds
Founder of B the Keeper
Photo by Catie Viox
Julie Vanassche
Sanctuary Director at the Libassa Wildlife Sanctuary in Liberia
Julie Vanassche is the Sanctuary Director at the Libassa Wildlife Sanctuary, the first animal rescue and rehabilitation center in Liberia. She is in charge of the daily operations at the sanctuary, overseeing the budgets, public relations, managing the staff, coordinating confiscations and releases. She was previously a zookeeper in Belgium looking after chimpanzees and gorillas.
Kristie Reddick and Jessica Honaker are The Bug Chicks, entomologists and professional educators who inspire people of all ages to find their inner bugdork! Connecting the science of entomology with social-emotional learning, they use bugs to help people open their minds, break down prejudices and feel empowered in their lives.
The Bug Chicks
Entomologists and Educators
Lindsey Casella
Senior Marketing and E-Commerce Manager, Loop/Terracycle
TerraCycle® is a social enterprise "Eliminating the Idea of Waste"®. In 21 countries, they tackle the issue from many angles. They have found that nearly everything they touch can be recycled and collect typically non-recyclable items through national, first-of-their-kind recycling platforms.
Leading companies work with them to take hard-to-recycle materials, such as ocean plastic, and turn them into new products, and our new Loop platform aims to change the way the world shops with favorite brands in refillable packaging offered with convenience and style.