About

Our Mission

We support and connect climate adaptation professionals to advance innovation in the field of practice. ASAP is a 501(c)3 Nonprofit Organization.

History

Our History

American Society of Adaptation Professionals (ASAP) began in 2011 with the vision of building a home for people working on climate change adaptation where they could connect with each other, share information, and build on successes while moving away from approaches that aren't working. ASAP was formed as a professional society that could help bridge the geographic and sectoral gaps that naturally develop in any field-and especially in the diverse, dynamic, and emerging field of climate adaptation. No longer would individuals be isolated working on their own to make a difference. No longer would the sectors be so fragmented in their approaches to building resilience. No longer would communities, regions, or states need to start from scratch to build and prioritize their strategies to increase climate resilience.

Our Values & Beliefs

ASAP has adopted the following member created Guidelines for Professional Conduct and Ethical Practice ("Guidelines") to enhance the benefits of the climate adaptation and related professional fields to humanity and the living systems upon which we all depend, to uphold the dignity and honor of the adaptation profession, and to provide guidance for individual members, organizational members, or for members in association with other professions.

In 2020, the ASAP Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Committee finalized the ASAP Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Statement to guide the ASAP Network. The JEDI Committee provides education and support for ASAP members to integrate JEDI into their adaptation work. It also provides accountability and insight to ASAP as an organization as it seeks to model JEDI principles in its management and programs. Read the ASAP Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Statement here. 

The following represent the foundational values and beliefs that the members of American Society of Adaptation Professionals hold:

Climate change is a real and serious danger to all sectors and systems.

Adaptation and resilience build stronger, more prepared regions, ecosystems, communities, neighborhoods, and households.

Equity and environmental justice should be major considerations in all work done by adaptation professionals.

The natural world renders countless essential services and intrinsic value, many of which are threatened by climate change.

Creativity, innovation and transformative problem solving are essential tenets of work that aims to address new and changing climate conditions.

Adaptation is and will continue to be a critical tool for ensuring that communities, infrastructure, the environment, cultural assets, our national security, and the economy continue to function and have the opportunity to thrive.

Adaptive decision-making is essential

Integrating consideration of future conditions and the full range of possible climate outcomes is essential for smart planning and in assessments of prospective risk and vulnerability.

Adaptation research, policies, practices, and actions are most effective when contextualized.

Adaptation strategies should be evaluated as to their impacts (positive and negative) to other systems, scales, and sectors.

Climate adaptation strategies and processes should recognize the economic and social determinants that compound vulnerability to climate risks.

Science is the basis for our knowledge of climate change vulnerability and risk.

Adaptation professionals are responsible to act on the basis of values as well as on what they know.

Our People

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Beth Gibbons

Executive Director

As ASAP's mission-driven leader, Beth strengthens ASAP as an emerging nonprofit organization. Beth nurtures relationships -including relationships with the ASAP Board of Directors and funders and partners in the field - always keeping her finger on the pulse of trends and opportunities to grow and strengthen the adaptation field. Beth strategically and mindfully leads ASAP toward future growth, while always keeping the mission close to heart. Beth loves connecting about adaptation and finding ways for members to make connections or advance their own careers. Her passion for the field is contagious and members should feel free to contact her, but always at the risk of finding themselves running out to start a new member group or host an event after being inspired.  Email Beth at bgibbons@adaptpros.org or reach her by phone at (734) 219-3529.

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Rachel Jacobson

Deputy Director

Rachel Jacobson leads the development, implementation and continuous improvement of ASAP's programs. She facilitates peer learning through our Mentorship Program, advances effective adaptation practice by stewarding our professional guidance resources, and builds field cohesion by convening the Member Advisory Group on Professional Education and Regional Adaptation Forum Organizers. Internally, Rachel lead's ASAP's monitoring and evaluation efforts and ensures new activities align with member values and ASAP strategic priorities. Contact Rachel to learn about member programs, discuss ASAP strategic priorities, and brainstorm ways to leverage the ASAP Network to advance the adaptation field. Rachel holds B.A., M.P.P, and M.S. degrees from the University of Michigan, and a Certificate in Environmental Law and Regulation from the University of Washington. Email Rachel at rjacobson@adaptpros.org or reach her by phone at (617) 520-4339.

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Marcela Reyes Ayala

Communications Manager

Marcela tells stories that uplift the diversity of voices that exist within the adaptation field. She contributes to the organization’s operations by supporting  and ensuring that all of ASAP’s different departments and programs have their Communications needs covered. Engaging members with different life experiences through high-quality content is her primary mission. Do you have an adaptation story or an idea to share? Send her an email to learn more about our organization-wide communication services. Marcela holds a B.A. in Journalism and Media studies, as well as an M.A. in Literature and Discourse. Write her at mreyesayala@adaptpros.org.

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Breana Nehls

Program Coordinator

Breana enthusiastically supports and connects our ASAP members through our many engagement opportunities. Breana empowers the ASAP network to create lasting impacts in their local communities by connecting them to ASAP resources. Looking to connect with an ASAP member or join one of our member groups? Contact Breana for more information on member groups and resources to accelerate your local adaptation efforts. Breana holds two B.A. in environmental studies and geography from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Email Breana at bnehls@adaptpros.org.

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Kyle Sullivan

Climate Adaptation Fellow

Kyle supports ASAP members, partners, and staff across a broad set of programs, helping to ensure each project achieves its goals and vision. Kyle responds wherever needed to plan, implement, and evaluate new and mainstay ASAP activities and helps ensure success by keeping program teams informed and connected. Contact them to access any ASAP programs or resources, particularly the ASAP Mentorship Program and Regional Adaptation Leadership Award. Kyle holds two B.S. in anthropology and molecular biology from Loyola University Chicago and an M.P.H. in environmental health promotion and policy from the University of Michigan. Email Kyle at ksullivan@adaptpros.org

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Julia Butch

Communications Assistant

Julia is a fourth year student at Eastern Michigan University studying biology and zoology. As a Communications Assistant, she helps write, edit, and publish everything ASAP. She also manages the ASAP website and assists with social media.

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Meagan Putnam

Member Services Assistant

Meagan is a fourth year student at Eastern Michigan University studying Political Science with Business and History. As a Member Services Assistant, she provides member management, staff and CRM support, and manages the ASAP Youtube Page.

Board of Directors

Sharing a common goal of climate resilience, the ASAP Board of Directors provides leadership to ASAP Member Led Groups and supports the primary vision of our platform: connecting and supporting people. The ASAP Board of Directors, together with the ASAP Executive Director ensure ASAP meets its US 501(c)3 Nonprofit obligations.

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Julia Kim

Senior Project Manager

Julia joined the Local Government Commission (LGC) in March of 2015 and serves as the Director of Climate and Energy Programs. She helps to create livable, resilient communities by partnering with public agencies, community leaders, and key stakeholders throughout California on place-based climate resilience initiatives while supporting the advancement of the climate change field at-large.

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Jennifer Jurado

Director, Environmental Planning and Community Resilience Division

Jessica Grannis is the Coastal Resilience Director at the National Audubon Society. Before joining Audubon, Jessica served as the Georgetown Climate Center’s Adaptation Program Director for 10 years, where she supervised staff and student research and analysis of federal, state, and local climate adaptation efforts. Jessica is also an Adjunct Professor of Law at Georgetown University Law Center, where she co-teaches an “experiential” course on climate change law and policy.

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Jessica Grannis

Adaptation Program Manager

Jessica Grannis is the Coastal Resilience Director at the National Audubon Society. Before joining Audubon, Jessica served as the Georgetown Climate Center’s Adaptation Program Director for 10 years, where she supervised staff and student research and analysis of federal, state, and local climate adaptation efforts. Jessica is also an Adjunct Professor of Law at Georgetown University Law Center, where she co-teaches an “experiential” course on climate change law and policy. 

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Jacqueline Patterson

NAACP Environmental and Climate Justice Program

Jacqueline Patterson is the Director of the NAACP Environmental and Climate Justice Program. Since 2007 Patterson has served as coordinator & co-founder of Women of Color United. Jacqui Patterson has worked as a researcher, program manager, coordinator, advocate and activist working on women‘s rights, violence against women, HIV&AIDS, racial justice, economic justice, and environmental and climate justice. Patterson served as a Senior Women’s Rights Policy Analyst for ActionAid where she integrated a women’s rights lens for the issues of food rights, macroeconomics, and climate change as well as the intersection of violence against women and HIV&AIDS.

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John R. Nordgren

Managing Director

John developed and launched the Climate Resilience Fund (CRF) in 2017 and currently serves as its Managing Director. John is also Principal of Foresight Partners, Inc., a consultancy focused in part on helping foundations more effectively incorporate climate considerations into their grantmaking programs and the work of their grantees. He previously served as Senior Advisor, Climate Change (2015) for the Michigan-based Kresge Foundation and as Senior Program Officer (2009-2014) for Kresge’s Environment Program, where he developed and implemented Kresge’s strategies for advancing the field of climate change adaptation, facilitating over $60M in investments over a seven-year tenure.

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Missy Stults

Independent Consultant

Dr. Missy Stults is the Sustainability and Innovations Manager for the City of Ann Arbor. In this role, she works with all city operations, residents, businesses, the University of Michigan, nonprofits, and others to make Ann Arbor one of the most sustainable and equitable cities in America. Prior to joining the City, Missy worked with cities and tribal communities to advance their climate and sustainability goals and as a consultant to philanthropic organizations, helping them integrate resilience thinking into their investment portfolios.

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Emily Wasley

Internal: Senior Associate, External: Senior Climate Risk & Resilience Specialist

I have over 10 years of experience working with a variety of organizations on domestic and international climate change science, policy, and strategy. I currently help support the Federal government to integrate the latest science of climate change and its impacts into their policies, plans, and actions on-the-ground. I am a science translator and boundary spanner!

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Past Board Members:

  • Steve Adams, Institute for Sustainable Communities
  • Eric Mielbrecht, EcoAdapt
  • Joyce Coffee, Climate Resilience Consulting
  • Susanne Moser, Susanne Moser Consulting
  • James Murley, Miami-Dade County
  • Josh Foster, Maryland Department of Transportation

Interested in joining the ASAP Team?

See Our Careers

Strategic Partners

Institutional and Funding Partners

The American Society of Adaptation Professionals is supported by the investment in time and energy of its members and partners. We want to thank the following institutions that have invested in strengthening the climate adaptation community through their historic and ongoing support.

Information Partners

ASAP develops key partnerships with content providers to engage our membership with the latest news, events and opportunities in climate adaptation. Together, we are closing the gaps through partnership with new and existing providers.

Contact ASAP

Organizational Members

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Organizational members are change-makers, they accelerate impact and they are leading the field of adaptation.

ASAP's organizational members gain climate adaptation credibility and visibility through advertising opportunities. Members also receive special event and conference discounts, communication promotion opportunities, and connection to the network. Membership provides professional opportunities for staff such as sector or issue-based interest groups and regional leadership.

Increase your impact with an organizational membership, explore member benefits here.