2026 Conference Keynote Speakers
Baratunde Thurston
Baratunde Thurston is a writer, host, and speaker exploring how we live well with technology, with each other, and with the planet. He has spent nearly 40 years creating with and criticizing technology, from The Onion to The Daily Show to his Webby Award–winning project Life With Machines, focused on how we live well with AI and not just endure it. He also hosted the Emmy-nominated PBS series American Outdoors and co-created How to Citizen. At the end of the day, he's an Earthling. (Presenting virtually)
Thursday, October 8 — 11:30 AM to 12:40 PM PDT
Nick Capodice and Hannah McCarthy
Since 2018, Nick Capodice and Hannah McCarthy have hosted NHPR's Civics 101, a podcast refresher course on the basics of how our democracy works. The show has received over 35 million downloads and is used in classrooms around the world. Previously, Hannah worked as a state house reporter and producer for Outside/In, and Nick created tours and led workshops at the Lower East Side Tenement Museum.
Friday, October 9 — 12:00 to 2:30 PM PDT
Flash Talks: Perspectives on Imagine If …
We'll close on Friday with four short, thought-provoking flash talks, moderated by Esteban Gast, designed to spark new thinking, inspire fresh ideas, and remind us that every change begins with asking, Imagine If ...

Esteban Gast, Moderator
Esteban Gast is an award-winning Colombian-American comedian and writer whose work has been called "irreverent but aspirational" by Variety. He's been named a Grist50 Fixer and one of the top 100 Latinos taking action on climate change, and he serves as comedian-in-residence at Generation180. Esteban hosted the Spotify podcast Identity at Play and starred in VICELAND's Jungletown. He co-wrote the movie Thena and the book and lyrics for the musical Teacher of the Year.
Dr. Laura Downey
Dr. Laura Downey is the executive director of the Kansas Association for Conservation and Environmental Education (KACEE). Her career centers around a deep belief in the power of education to change the world. She holds a BS in elementary education, an MS in Administration and Supervision, and a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction. She began her teaching career in Chicago Public Schools and became a voice for school change. Laura joined KACEE in 1998 and gravitated toward the NAAEE Affiliate network to amplify the work of KACEE and other state Affiliates. Laura has served on Project Learning Tree's Education Operating Committee and several national and local boards.
Susie Hicks
Suzie Hicks is an award-winning writer, filmmaker, and performer specializing in climate communication for kids. With a masters in Climate and Society from Columbia University, Suzie combines music and playful learning to highlight climate solutions, emotions, and role models. Suzie is a TEDx Speaker, Aspen Institute Future Leader, Grist 50 Fixer, a Pique Action Creator to Watch, and an NAAEE 30 Under 30 award recipient.
Dr. Ian Humphreys
Dr. Ian Humphreys has recently retired as Senior Conservation Officer at Buglife after spending over 30 years in the environmental NGO sector, including 16 years as CEO of Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful. Prior to this Ian was a Research Fellow at Queen’s University Belfast working in agricultural zoology and forestry. Ian is a Board member and Vice President for the Foundation for Environmental Education and sits on the Advisory Group for the Global Environmental Education Partnership.
Javan Hunt
Javan Hunt is a Bahamian singer-songwriter, author, and environmentalist with a passion for inspiring and uplifting others. He combines music, storytelling, youth development, mentorship, and environmental advocacy to encourage people to protect their communities and natural resources. Javan is a 2025 NAAEE CEE-Change Fellow; his Community Action Project, “100 Acts of Kindness to the Environment,” invites participants to complete 100 meaningful environmental actions and reflect on their experiences through music, visual art, spoken word, video, and other forms of expression. It encourages people to recognize that collective, small actions can lead to meaningful change.
Leander Lacy
Leander Lacy is a world-renowned conservationist, public speaker, The Green Mind Podcast host, Human Dimensions of Natural Resources scientist, wildlife biologist, and conservation coach, and has been in the conservation field for over 18 years. He has worked with organizations and agencies around the world to ensure conservation efforts are sustainable and that the benefits are realized equitably to all communities with a specialist emphasis on communities historically excluded from conservation planning and implementation. His work includes impact assessments, community assessments, equity research, capacity building, facilitation, and keynote speaker.