ASAP Board of Directors

2025-2026 ASAP Board Members

The ASAP Board of Directors provides both strategic leadership and management support to achieve ASAP’s mission, vision, and objectives. Board Members bring their enthusiasm and expertise to propel the organization toward a stable and impactful future.

We are thrilled to announce the results of the 2024 election. The Transition Committee has confirmed the votes, and we are pleased to share that the following nominees have been elected to serve on ASAP’s 2025-2026 Board of Directors.

Bala headshot - Balakrishnan Balachandran

Balakrishnan Balanchandran

Development

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Dr. Balakrishnan Balachandran is the Executive Director of the Sustainable Solutions Lab at the University of Massachusetts Boston. He works at the intersection of urban planning, disasters, sustainability, and equity. He engages in research that informs policy frameworks promoting just, equitable, and sustainable adaptation to the impacts of climate change. He also consults with international and national organizations to formulate and operationalize policies for risk-informed urban planning. His recent research includes examining risk tradeoffs in disaster-induced displacement and relocation in coastal Louisiana and wildfire resilience research in California. He is a certified urban planner (AICP) and an international development professional, providing advisory services to organizations such as the World Bank and UNDP. In addition to post-disaster recovery, resilience, and adaptation, Bala’s professional expertise extends to land use planning, urban land management, and affordable housing policy.
Katia Pilar Carranza - Katia Carranza

Katia Carranza

JEDI

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Katia Pilar Carranza is a sustainability and climate researcher, organizer, and strategic planner focused on improving the reciprocal interconnections between people and nature while increasing equity and resilience for underserved, migrant, and Indigenous people. Sustainability became her passion fifteen years ago when she learned that climate change is threatening the health of our people and environment. Since then, Katia became impassioned to take action, and she has directed transdisciplinary initiatives focused on advancing the environmental and social vision of her communities. In 2020, she founded the Together for Nature nonprofit in her hometown that is working on connecting underserved, frontline, and youth communities to nature and sustainability leadership. Katia obtained a Master of Science in Natural Resource Sciences to better prepare for advancing the vision of her communities for a just and sustainable future. During her graduate education, she worked with Buffalo Nations Grasslands Alliance in conducting research that explored the social-ecological resilience of Indigenous people and that assessed the impact of management on grassland resilience, and she served the grasslands Indigenous Kinship Circle in compiling community priorities and research into organizational strategy and implementing equitable engagement across North America. Katia is committed to continue collaborating with her underserved, migrant, and Indigenous communities to advance their vision for equitable sustainability that heals our social and environmental relationships.
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Julia Chase

At-Large

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Julia Chase is the Chief Resilience Officer for the City of San Diego. In this role she oversees the City’s climate resilience and conservation work program, including implementation of Climate Resilient SD, the City’s plan to address sea level rise, wildfire, extreme heat, and flooding. Julia’s work focuses on the integration of climate resilience across City operations and on improving communities’ ability to respond to and thrive in a changing climate. Prior to her current role, Julia worked in both the public and private sector, supporting climate planning at the local, state, and federal level, including adaptation strategy development and prioritization, adaptation and mitigation planning, energy resilience, and vulnerability assessments. She has been a member of American Society of Adaptation Professionals since 2021 and participated in both member-led interest group and the mentorship program. She is a board member for the Urban Land Institute San Diego-Tijuana Chapter where she co-chairs the Sustainability and Urban Resilience Forum. Julia received her Bachelor's degree in environmental studies from Villanova University and Master's degree in environmental science from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry.
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Melissa Deas

At-Large

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Melissa Deas is a Technical Director at Cadmus where she collaborates with federal, state, and local clients to find creative solutions to complex resilience challenges. She has an extensive record in strategic planning, building consensus, hazard mitigation, and critical infrastructure protection. Prior to joining Cadmus, Melissa served as the Chief Resilience Officer for the District of Columbia and the Resilience Bureau Chief at the District’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency. Throughout her career, she has successfully transformed resilience concepts into actionable, funded projects, including the District’s first extreme heat plan, a revolving loan fund for resilient housing retrofits, and the first FEMA-funded microgrid. As a dedicated member of the ASAP community for the past ten years, Melissa has contributed as a mentor, panel speaker, and participant in various working groups. She is committed to enhancing ASAP's offerings to meet the evolving needs of the adaptation field and to support professionals at all career stages.
Sarah Dobie

Sarah Dobie

Treasurer

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Sarah Dobie, Ph.D. is an Urban Resilience Associate at Corvias Infrastructure Solutions, LLC (CIS). CIS is a national leader in the development and implementation of public infrastructure solutions that drive local economic inclusion and equity, reduce public risk, and increase community investment. Dr. Dobie leverages her training as a planner and policy researcher to support the implementation of urban greening and resilience projects and programs around the country. She is well-known for her work in the climate field and has performed work with clients and partners across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors from the international to local levels.
Josh LI photo profile - Josh Foster

Josh Foster

Secretary

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Josh Foster is a climate adaptation professional with 30 years working at the intersection of science, policy and society. He is a co-founder and long-time Board member of the American Society of Adaptation Professionals. Josh advanced understanding and application of climate risk management and resilience practices working with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Center for Clean Air Policy, University of Oregon, Maryland Department of Transportation, Versar, Inc. and Critical Operations, Inc. Currently, Josh is a Board member and affiliate of Adaptation Leader.org developing regional dimensions of a receiving community research and policy agenda initiative.
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John Phillips

President

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John is the Director of Integrated Watershed Management. John guides the firm’s integrated One Water approach to natural resources and infrastructure development in watershed planning, management, restoration, and climate change adaptation.Prior to Parametrix, John worked for King County managing the Combined Sewer Overflow Control Program. Over his 19-year career, he managed and was responsible for developing the Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) and Climate Change Adaptation programs at King County. The CSO program was the largest capital program in King County government with capital investments of more than $1 billion. John was responsible for the management of the long-range and short-range budgets, resource management, alternative development, project prioritization, project development, project definition and capital portfolio management. He developed the Project Oversight Board and Regulatory Capital Portfolio as part of the capital management program. He was responsible for the initiation and completion of the CSO Long-term Control Plan under a state and federal consent decree. John worked directly with the public and staff on outreach strategies, engagement, briefings, and engaging overburdened communities. John is a Public Participation Practitioner and graduate of the Consensus Institute (Systematic Development of Informed Consent). John is the Past President of the Pacific Northwest Clean Water Association and served as chair of numerous Water Environment Federation (WEF) taskforces, focus groups and communities. John is an active member of American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and American Public Works Association. He has run and participated in strategic planning efforts, long-term financial plans for these professional organizations
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Russ Sands

President-elect

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Russ Sands is a creative, self-driven senior planner with over 10 years of experience building collaborative teams, analyzing data, building resilience, and producing high quality deliverables. Background includes both municipal and consultant roles in environmental sustainability with a focus in water, climate adaptation, community engagement and resilience.

ASAP Bylaws

A Message from ASAP's 2025-2026 Board President, John Phillips

Board Meeting Minutes