Board Members
Naomi Cobb
ICL Board Chair
Naomi Cobb is a self-employed consultant and program designer, bringing integrated ecology and art education programs to low income schools in the Milwaukee area. In addition, she has committed her working career to advocating for the emotional and physical wellbeing of children. Her past employment history includes maintaining a private practice as a Child, Adolescent and Family, providing psychotherapy treatment and consultations to schools and community organizations, and working as an environmental educator. Her board experience includes The Institute for Conservation Leadership, Congregation Sinai, and she served as the Board President for The Counseling Center of Milwaukee.
Mauricio Velásquez
ICL Board Vice Chair, President and CEO of The Diversity Training Group
The Diversity Training Group
Mauricio is President and CEO of the Diversity Training Group, based in Herndon, VA. Mauricio started his firm specializing in Diversity Assessment, Design, Diversity Training, and Executive Coaching. In the 20 years of operation, Mauricio and his team have expanded into that nexus of where Respect in Workplace, Engagement, Trust, and Higher Performance meet. Mauricio also conducts Sexual Harassment Prevention Training, Mentoring Training, and all related employee retention related services (exit interviews, post-exit interviews, survey, focus groups, etc.). Mauricio earned a BA in Economics and Psychology (double major) from the University of Virginia and an MBA in Human Resource Management from the George Washington University. DTG past include National Wildlife Federation, Nature Conservancy, The Conservation Fund, Department of Interior and other “Green Organizations.” Past clients also include HP, Black & Decker, NASA, Visa USA, The White House, law enforcement, Native-American tribes, military and other organizations. Son of immigrant parents, Mauricio is bilingual and his work and life have taken him to every state but North Dakota and nearly 70 countries.
John Eben
ICL Board Treasurer, Vice President - Business Operations
Hunter Business Group
John Eben is Vice President – Business Operations for Hunter Business Group, a consulting company. John has over 25 years experience in leadership of professional services companies providing consulting, training and other services to clients. John has also served as Chairman of the Board of Second Harvest of Wisconsin, Treasurer of The Counseling Center, and Treasurer of Victory Gardens Initiative, all based in Milwaukee, WI. His experience includes financial management and other leadership roles. John is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a MBA from The University of Chicago.
Cynthia Sarthou
Executive Director
Healthy Gulf
Cynthia (Cyn) M. Sarthou has been Executive Director of Healthy Gulf, headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana since 1995. Healthy Gulf is a diverse network committed to uniting and empowering people to protect and restore the resources of the Gulf Region. Healthy Gulf works to coordinate build the capacity of grassroots groups across the Gulf, and pursues regional campaigns on priority issues that include: (1) advocacy for restoration in the aftermath of the BP Oil Disaster; (2) reduction of water pollution entering the Gulf; and (3) increasing resilience of coastal communities.
Cyn received her B.A. from the University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada, her law degree from the University of Mississippi in 1983 and her Masters of Law in Law and Marine Affairs from the University of Washington in 1992. She has received the River Hero Award for her work to stop the Yazoo Backwater Pumps Project in Mississippi, the Hero of the Seas Award for her years of advocacy for the marine resources of the Gulf, and the Brock Evans Award for Endangered Species Protection.
Julian Keniry
Senior Director
National Wildlife Federation
Brandon Hayes
Founder
Bold Bison Communications and Consulting
After 20 years in the non-profit sector, Brandon Hayes launched Bold Bison in 2019 to provide forward-thinking communications services, strategy consulting, and facilitation support to the conservation movement. Brandon was Director of Communications at Openlands, Chicago’s regional land trust and leading conservation organization, where he directed all aspects of external communications, including messaging, printed pieces, website, traditional and digital media, creative design, and photo and video content. Brandon was Manager of Communications and Development at Marwen, which provides high-quality visual arts training to underserved Chicago youth. He was a publicist at Goodman Theatre, Chicago’s leading regional theater. He has also directed operas and plays in Chicago and metropolitan Detroit.
Brandon regularly presents workshops and trainings at national and regional venues. He is an essayist and photographer who has written extensively about the National Parks on AsTheyAre.org, where he chronicles his and his husband’s journey to visit all the US National Parks. His photographs of the National Parks are available on OutInTheParks.com, with a portion of proceeds benefiting each park’s associated friends group. Brandon has a BA in Humanities with concentrations in Art History, English, and History from the University of Michigan-Dearborn. He has a certificate in Training, Facilitation, and Consulting from the Center for New Leadership at Marlboro College. He serves on the boards of the Institute for Conservation Leadership and Chicago Artists for Change.
Dr. Marissa Jablonski
Sustainability Consultant and Advisor
Dr. Marissa Jablonski is internationally recognized for her work in water engineering, international development, and plastics reduction. She is known for her ability to clarify complex scientific ideas and help people make simple but effective environmentally informed, socially inclusive choices. Organizations she has worked with include USAID, Phuket Hotels Association, and Engineers Without Borders. The actions she offers combined with her engaging authenticity make her an extremely sought after consultant and public speaker. Be sure to follow her @PlasticsWithMarissa
Malav Sheth
Assurance Director
BDO USA, LLP