Teresa, after extensive public and private career experience, founded and became CEO for GreenPlay, LLC in 1999 (later merged with BerryDunn in 2022), a USA-national consulting firm that completed over 650 community plans for parks, recreation, open space, and related agencies. With others, Teresa also co-founded GP RED (now ActivEnviro) in 2008, and the Healthy Communities Research Group in 2010, as a non-profit organization. Currently she leads ActivEnviro's administration, balancing special projects, convenings, academic pursuits, research, global travel, writing, education, and facilitation for community action, resources for wellbeing ecosystems, preventive health, parks, recreation, and other quality of life aspects.

Tiara Chapman, a passionate Nature Nerd, inspires community engagement with nature in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. With 7+ years in science education, she advocates for equitable outdoor access through innovative programs and partnerships. In her free time, Tiara enjoys books, tending to her gardens, and attempting to befriend her husband's 16-year-old cat, Twila.

Tony Lopez, Deputy Town Manager at Miami Lakes, FL, is a visionary leader driving innovative community development. With a wealth of awards, including NRPA recognitions, he oversees diverse departments and holds leadership roles in various associations. An ICMA Credentialed Manager and CPRE, Tony's research focuses on Public-Private Partnerships. He also serves as an adjunct lecturer at Florida International University, holding a DBA and a Master’s in Parks and Recreation Management.

Amy Lorek, Ph.D., Assistant Director for Engagement and Learning at the Center for Healthy Aging, Penn State. With a background in teaching at the School of Hospitality and the Department of Human Development and Family Studies, she specializes in fostering community learning. Dr. Lorek excels in healthy aging, leadership development, and facilitating effective communication for teams. Her extensive experience includes creating safe spaces for diverse groups to explore, exchange ideas, and make decisions collaboratively. A lifelong learner, Amy holds degrees in history, criminal justice, museum studies, and a Ph.D. in leisure behavior. Passionate about connecting people to resources, improving lives through system-building, and fostering authentic conversations.

As Director of Community Services for Los Alamos County, NM, Cory helps set the tone and direction for the Department with a $31M budget that includes parks, recreation, museum, aquatic facility, golf course, library, senior center, ice rink, stables, cemetery, and social services. Cory oversees agreements for additional community services for teen and youth centers, community theater, arts council, and social service providers, and supervises 84 FTEs and over 140 seasonal employees.

Amanda Walker oversees ActivEnviro's educational convenings, research initiatives, funding opportunities, and assists with organizational goals achievement. She fosters relationships with international, national, state, and regional associations and advocacy organizations whose missions align with those of ActivEnviro, and looks for new opportunities to collaborate. She also contributes to translating research and knowledge to practice and advancing the implementation of evidence-based strategies to build active and healthy communities.

Amber, the Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration Coordinator and Associate Professor at the University of North Carolina Greensboro since 2006, is committed to reducing healthcare disparities among Latino populations. Certified as a Nurse Educator in 2017, she became a Fellow in the American College of Sports Medicine in 2020. Recognized as a Distinguished Practitioner and Fellow of the National Academies of Practice in Nursing in 2021, and inducted as a Fellow into the Academy for Nurse Practitioners in 2023. She is also a certified Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guide, focusing her investigations on physical activity and integrated health among vulnerable populations, exploring risk factors related to stress reduction, wellbeing, and health promotion.