Meet the Council
The inaugural Council will bring together 12 young people and early-career professionals from January 2027 to January 2028.
Program leadership
Briana Yancy, Council Manager
Briana Yancy is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) with a Master’s in Biology from Miami University. She is currently in a Master’s of Social Work program at University of Maryland, Baltimore. Over the course of her career, Briana has built a diverse portfolio of experience spanning coalitions, federal agencies, and nonprofit organizations. Working on projects that connect environmental and social science fuels her passion for creating meaningful change at the intersection of science, people, and strategy. She brings her passion for creativity and a holistic and person-centered approach to every project.
Claudia Nierenberg, Deputy Program Director
Claudia brings over thirty years of expertise and leadership in climate adaptation research, services development, and science policy. During her career at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), she mentored numerous science fellows and early career scientists who have since gone on to careers in climate adaptation in government, academia, non-profits, and the private sector.
Viccy Salazar, Program Director
Viccy is an environmental leader with more than 30 years of experience at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, focusing on climate change, sustainability, and community partnerships. She has mentored student environmental teams for over twenty years and continues that work through EcoLearn’s youth-led teaching model.
Council members and advisors
What is missing is you! Apply for the Council.