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:
Our People
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.
Rachel Jacobson
Deputy Director
Rachel Jacobson leads the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of ASAP's programs. She connects adaptation people and ideas by overseeing the ASAP Connects program, advances effective adaptation practice through the Adaptation Careers program, and supports adaptation leadership development and field-wide capacity building through the ASAP Serves program. Internally, Rachel lead's ASAP's monitoring and evaluation efforts and ensures new activities align with member values and ASAP priorities. Contact Rachel to learn about member programs, discuss ASAP's strategic priorities and policy 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.
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.
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.
Jeff Fournier
Finance Manager
Jeff is a social profit innovator with two decades of experience leading finance and operations at the local, national, and international scale. He's a systems thinker working to identify and leverage operational efficiencies to align revenue generation with sustainable mission impact and growth. He holds an M.B.A. from Antioch New England University plus a B.A. in Outdoor Education & Leadership and an A.A. in Natural Resource Management from Sterling College in Craftsbury Vermont. Jeff is your go to for all billing and finance questions at ASAP. You can reach him at finance@adaptpros.org.
Susan S. Ekoh
Climate Adaptation Fellow
As ASAP's Adaptation Fellow, Susan leads ASAP’s work preparing Great Lakes communities to receive climate migrations. She designs and facilitates conversations with stakeholders and indigenous rightsholders, supports the development of methodologies to predict and plan for climate migration, and works with a variety of partners within and adjacent to the ASAP network to share findings and implications for in-migration planning in the Great Lakes and other potential climate-receiving regions. Susan is currently a doctoral candidate in Environmental Policy at the State University of New York, College of Environmental Science & Forestry (SUNY ESF). She also holds an MS in Environmental Economics from Colorado State University and a Sustainability Certificate from UCLA’s Extension Program. Email Susan at sekoh@adaptpros.org.
Julia Butch
Communications Assistant
Julia is a recent graduate of Eastern Michigan University, where she received a B.S. in Biology and a minor in Zoology. As a Communications Assistant, she helps write, edit, and publish everything ASAP. She also manages the ASAP website and assists with social media.
Meagan Putnam
Member Services Assistant
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.
Learn more about ASAP and the Board of Directors’ roles and responsibilities.
Julia Kim
Jennifer Jurado
Emily Wasley
Jacqueline Patterson
John R. Nordgren
Missy Stults
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
- Jessica Grannis, National Audubon Society
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.
Organizational Members
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.