Mentorship Spotlight: Turning Momentum into Action

Mentee Amy Henry is a planner for Kimley-Horn, where she has worked for about four years, and has a multidisciplinary background, including consulting experience in environmental science and a Bachelor of Arts in English. She specializes in crafting narratives and telling the story, through maps, text, and graphics, to present complex technical ideas to non-technical audiences. As a Certified Floodplain Manager and soon-to-be AICP professional, she is particularly interested in the intersection of community planning and resilience to climate impacts such as flooding, extreme storm events, and acute and chronic stressors to infrastructure and vulnerable populations.

Mentor Dr. Galen Treuer is a behavioral scientist who works with communities, local governments, and resource managers to integrate science into their water and climate adaptation projects, with a focus on equity and collaboration. He has a Ph.D. from the University of Miami in Environmental Science and Policy with a focus on risk management. As a post-doctoral fellow he has worked with water utility companies in Connecticut to build resilience to extreme weather events and with communities along Lake Erie struggling to respond to harmful algal blooms.

Both Amy and Galen have recently begun working in the Midwest, specifically looking at resilience and adaptation in Minnesota – the concerns, what studies are underway and how they are being funded, and who is leading these efforts. Through their work they’ve observed a momentum to address climate change at all levels of government

nd across industries. For example, regional water management districts and the metropolitan council are beginning to help local governments model their exposure to changing rainfall patterns. To support the growing political will to act on climate change and adaptation, Amy and Galen are exploring how to help guide tangible actions.

Working on projects together and independently, Amy and Galen have found it helpful to regularly check in with each other. Through her conversations with Galen, Amy has gained a greater understanding of the multidisciplinary nature of the adaptation field. “It’s been encouraging to see adaptation through many different lenses and approaches,” she said. “Galen has taught me to step out into my community and engage with all groups facing this issue and to learn as much as I can from their experiences.”

Amy and Galen share a love for the outdoors, especially Lake Superior. While they are now working in Minnesota, they have also both previously lived in Florida, coincidently at the same.

Thanks to both for sharing what they’ve learned!