Ana Puszkin-Chevlin, Ph.D., a champion for sustainable policies, has been appointed as a regional director for a new community partnership addressing the region’s changing climate.
“Growing Climate Solutions – Path to Positive Southwest Florida” will work to build a coalition of residents across key community sectors, including health, education, faith, business and the environment. The goal is to engage stakeholders through educational- and awareness-building efforts, and to provide research and information that will lead to local climate solutions to sustain our communities and make them more resilient.
The initiative is a partnership between the Community Foundation of Collier County, Southwest Florida Community Foundation, Florida Gulf Coast University and Conservancy of Southwest Florida.
As regional director, Puszkin-Chevlin will oversee climate education and outreach efforts to accomplish the partnership’s four primary goals: empower community members and leaders to initiate change, ensure a prosperous and healthy community, build climate literacy and protect natural assets.
Puszkin-Chevlin previously was sustainability officer for the City of Delray Beach, where she was responsible for developing and implementing the city’s sustainability policies, programs and project initiatives, which included climate resiliency, adaptation and education, transition to renewable energy, water and energy conservation, advancement of green building principles, community recycling efforts, green municipal government, sea-turtle and tree canopy protection, and green and equitable economic development.
Her 30-year career also includes positions as senior associate with Karoff Consulting, senior research fellow with Florida Atlantic University’s Center for Urban & Environmental Solutions, special project officer and assistant director of graduate programs of urban planning at Columbia University, and chief operating officer for Health Sciences Consultant Group.
Puszkin-Chevlin earned doctorate and master’s degrees in Urban Planning from Columbia University, and a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Oberlin College.
In February, the coalition of community partners released findings from the first comprehensive survey measuring Southwest Florida residents’ views on our changing climate. Survey results found overwhelming support for local action and concrete solutions in response to the changing climate. Respondents were deeply concerned about stronger hurricanes, red tide and toxic algae blooms that have impacted the region.
