The Environmental Protection Network

The Environmental Protection Network (EPN) was launched in January 2017 to harness the expertise of former EPA career staff and political appointees to protect human health and the environment. Over the last six years, EPN has built a volunteer network of almost 600 EPA alumni focused on the mission of building the capacity of environmental agencies and the communities they serve to address the most urgent health and environmental crises.

OpenGrants is honored to host this incredible team for a compelling fireside chat about EPN and how you can get involved with their work and mission.This event is perfect for anyone working on technology or community-led efforts that improve clean air, water, land and climate protection.

Attendees can expect to learn about the following; - The important work of the EPN - How you can work with the EPN - What makes communities successful when collaborating with the EPN - What kind of services are available for communities, NGOs, and under-resourced state/local/Tribal government agencies

Speaker Information

Sedale Turbovsky, CEO & Co-Founder, OpenGrants

Sedale Turbovsky is the CEO and co-founder of OpenGrants, his fourth venture-backed startup and second in the public sector, which aims to transform the grant funding landscape by making it more accessible, equitable, and transparent. Sedale firmly believes that technology can be used as a powerful tool to democratize access to resources and opportunities, and is passionate about improving government and the citizen experience.

Prior to embarking on his entrepreneurial journey, Sedale worked as an issues management consultant supporting firms working with government and in heavily regulated environments. He has a long history of leading successful teams, raising capital, and building startups. Apart from his work at OpenGrants, Sedale is an investor and advisor to a handful of startups.

Kya Williams, Community Outreach Manager, Environmental Protection Network

Kya Williams is the Community Outreach Manager with EPN’s pro bono capacity-building technical assistance program. Kya trains and mentors other EPN associates across the country and coordinates their work, creating new and deeper connections between communities of color and low-income communities in the 10 EPA regions, EPA alumni with decades of expertise, and other allies to assist with community-identified projects. She is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University.

Mitchelle Mukeli, Senior Community Outreach Associate for South Central, Mountains, and Plains, Environmental Protection Network

Mitchelle Mukeli is a Senior Community Outreach Associate with EPN’s pro bono capacity-building technical assistance program. She works to train and mentor associates in EPA regions 9 & 10. Additionally, she concentrates on creating new and deeper connections between communities of color and low-income communities in EPA Regions 6 & 8. Mitchelle graduated from The University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations.

Sierra Taliaferro, Community Outreach Associate for the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast, Environmental Protection Network

Sierra Taliaferro is a Community Outreach Associate with EPN’s pro bono capacity-building technical assistance program. Sierra concentrates on creating new and deeper connections between communities of color and low-income communities in EPA Regions 3 and 4. Sierra has nine years of strategic planning experience with various Milwaukee and South Florida community organizations.