Patricia M. DeMarco is a Pittsburgh author with a doctorate in Biology from the University of Pittsburgh. She has spent a fifty-year career in energy and environmental policy in both private and public sector positions. She now writes and lectures in the fields of sustainability, energy and environmental policy, and natural history.

She learned her craft in public policy from Connecticut Governor Ella T. Grasso, for whom she served as policy advisor to the National Governors Association Low Level Nuclear Waste Compact negotiations. Following her position as Demand Side Manager for the Connecticut Municipal Electric Energy Cooperative, she served is a Commissioner of the Regulated Utilities Commission of Alaska.

She returned to Pittsburgh in 2006, and served as Executive Director of the Rachel Carson Homestead Association then as Director of the Rachel Carson Institute at Chatham University, where she now holds an appointment as Senior Scholar and Adjunct Faculty.

She sits on the Board of Trustees for Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, and for The Allegheny Land Trust. She is also a Principal Associate in The Main Street Associates, headquartered in Braddock, PA.

Flore Marion serves as the Assistant Director of the Sustainability and Resilience Division within the City of Pittsburgh’s Department of City Planning. Since joining the division in 2017 as the City’s Energy Advisor through the City Energy Project, she has been at the forefront of Pittsburgh’s push toward a more sustainable and equitable future. 

Flore has led transformative energy and climate initiatives, including the City’s first Net-Zero Ready ordinance for municipal buildings—paving the way for a 50% energy reduction and delivering results with multiple buildings reopening in 2025. She was instrumental in developing a dark sky ordinance to support Pittsburgh’s multi-million-dollar LED streetlight retrofit, improving safety for both people and wildlife. 

Her leadership also secured a major wind energy purchase, advancing the City’s commitment to reach 100% renewable electricity by 2030. Currently, she’s spearheading an equitable rollout of public EV charging infrastructure, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. In parallel, she’s working to elevate Pittsburgh’s natural assets—leveraging them into the city’s strategies for recreation, stormwater management, and climate hazard resilience. 

Now, as she helps redefine the mission of the Sustainability and Resilience Division within the City’s first comprehensive plan, Flore is centering environmental justice, just decarbonization, and climate preparedness as core pillars of the City’s work.

William Peduto, the former Mayor of Pittsburgh, is recognized for his transformative leadership and dedication to revitalizing the city through innovation, sustainability, and social equity. Serving as mayor from 2014 to 2022, Peduto spearheaded efforts to modernize Pittsburgh’s infrastructure, attract tech, medical and green industries, and address the city’s historical environmental challenges. During his eight years as Mayor, Pittsburgh had over $10 billion in new investment. His administration focused on creating a more inclusive and resilient economy, championing policies aimed at combating climate change and fostering community-based development. Peduto’s vision helped position Pittsburgh as a national leader in sustainability and urban renewal, while prioritizing equity and progressive governance. In 2020, Pittsburgh’s leadership was recognized with first place recognition for the U.S. Conference of Mayors 14th annual Climate Protection Awards.

Peduto led Pittsburgh through several crisis. Inheriting a financial and pension crisis, he cut the debt by half, established a $120M Reserve Fund, secured the pension fund, brought the city out of state. financial oversight and established the highest bond rating since the collapse of steel. He led the overhaul of the city’s Water Authority – averting a lead crisis while saving the public asset from bankruptcy. He led Pittsburgh through its darkest hour – the worst act of antisemitism in American history – the horrific event at Tree of Life Synagogue. In 2020, he led the city through the double crisis of a global pandemic and the national racial reckoning after the murder of George Floyd. His North Star was the people of Pittsburgh and the preservation of the greater community good.

His legacy is one of forward-thinking leadership that has redefined Pittsburgh’s role in the 21st century. From 2018-2022, Mayor Peduto served as North America’s representative on the Board of the. Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy. He presently serves as a Distinguished Executive in Residency at the Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University and as President of Sabean Innovation, Inc – a transatlantic consulting firm working at the cross roads of post-industrial economic development, sustainability and addressing hate, extremism and polarization.

A 2015 graduate of Paul Smith’s College, Jonathan Rice was hired as a seasonal technician in 2016, then as Urban Bird Conservation Coordinator in 2018. In his time working for Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Jon has worked on several projects including: BirdSafe Pittsburgh, studying avian collisions with buildings in downtown Pittsburgh, and multiple projects utilizing Motus Wildlife Tracking Technology, constructing a network of over 100 automated radio tracking stations designed to detect digitally coded nanotags affixed to migratory birds, bats, and insects. He has consulted on multiple major construction projects including UPMC Presbyterian hospital’s addition, and Carnegie Mellon University’s Richard King Mellon bioscience building to ensure the buildings are safe for birds. He also helps facilitate the Allegheny Bird Conservation Alliance, a local collaborative of 12 organizations working to make Pennsylvania safer for birds.

Maddison Taylor has a master’s of science in clinical psychology and a master’s of science in information technology. She is a 3rd year doctoral student in clinical and biological-health psychology at the University of Pittsburgh. Her research focuses on the impact of physiological hyperarousal on sleep, circadian entrainment, and mood.