U.S. Conservation

myrah rafi’ah beverly (who does not use capitalization in the spelling of her name) engages with local and Indigenous communities to protect natural and cultural resources within the United States’ public landscapes. She joined Pew as part of the RAY Fellowship Program, a two-year fellowship designed to cultivate leaders of color in conservation and clean energy. Before joining Pew, beverly was a research assistant for the Mekong Culture WELL Project, an interdisciplinary research and education effort that aims to better understand the effects of political volatility, development, and climate change on the Lower Mekong River Basin in Cambodia. beverly holds a bachelor’s degree in comparative cultures and politics from Michigan State University.

Nic Callero works with elected officials, agencies, Tribes, and other stakeholders throughout the Western United States to enact state and federal policies that connect wildlife habitat and protect biodiversity. Before joining Pew, Callero spent a decade as a sportsman organizer with the National Wildlife Federation and managed a variety of political and advocacy campaigns. Callero serves on multiple boards of directors of fish and wildlife conservation organizations. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and sociology from the University of Oregon.

Jazmin Dagostino works to advance state and federal natural climate solutions. She focuses primarily on state efforts to incorporate coastal blue carbon and peatland management strategies into climate mitigation and adaptation efforts. Before joining Pew, Dagostino coordinated Our Project in Hawaii’s Intertidal, a citizen science program dedicated to promoting stewardship through the intersection of science, community, and cultural knowledge. Earlier in her career, she worked on marine algal research and studied host-bacterial interactions in Hawaiian bobtail squid. Dagostino earned a bachelor’s degree in marine science from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Dagostino is based in Portland, Oregon.

Erin Denman provides internal coordination and cross-cutting collaboration for Pew’s United States conservation work. Previously, she supported members of Pew’s environment leadership, managed a team of administrative assistants, and worked on diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. Before coming to Pew, Denman worked as an administrator and office manager for LexisNexis Risk Solutions and was artistic director of Little Lifeboats, a nonprofit theater company in Minneapolis. She holds a bachelor’s degree in theater and English from the University of Minnesota and a master's in classical acting from The George Washington University.

Natasha Dulin manages executive level support and coordination services for Pew’s environment work. She also has provided support for other Pew programs including government performance and modernizing civil legal systems. Before coming to Pew, Dulin worked as an operations manager at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and as an executive assistant, specializing in commercial real estate projects that serve as catalysts for vibrant, inclusive neighborhood development. Dulin attended Virginia State University in Petersburg, Virginia.

Justin Grubich leads Pew’s work to develop and implement science-based policy and management goals that promote resilience of coastal and freshwater habitats in the Southeast United States. Previously, Grubich led efforts to improve management of Florida forage fish and protect the Gulf of Mexico’s largest seagrass meadow. Before joining Pew, he was an assistant professor of marine biology at the American University in Cairo; an American Association for the Advancement of Science fellow; and a National Geographic explorer who led Nile and Amazon river documentary expeditions. Grubich holds two International Game Fish Association world records and earned a bachelor’s degree in marine biology from the University of Miami and a doctorate in fish ecomorphology and biomechanics from Florida State University. He is based in Stuart, Florida.

Chad Hanson leads Pew’s work to develop and implement science-based conservation policies and plans in the Southeast United States. Previously, Hanson focused on conserving and restoring coastal habitat, including oyster reefs, along the Gulf of Mexico coast. He also led regional efforts to advance ecosystem-based fisheries management and protect deep-water corals. Before joining Pew, Hanson monitored fish populations and fishing activity for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, where he also served as a biologist and analyst. Hanson holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and a master’s degree in biological oceanography from Florida State University. He is based near Tallahassee, Florida.

Bobby Hayden coordinates policy and outreach for Pew’s efforts to ensure clean water, abundant wildlife, and healthy working lands that support the many ways people see and live their lives on the United States’ West Coast, primarily in California. Before joining Pew, Hayden worked in community organizing, in communications, and on projects to identify and engage new audiences for climate and clean energy campaigns throughout the Northwest. He also worked at the Save Our Wild Salmon coalition, mobilizing support to restore the Columbia-Snake River Basin, which has some of the world’s best habitat for wild and steelhead salmon. Hayden holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Oregon. He is based in Portland, Oregon.

Cameron Jaggard works to protect biodiversity, advance habitat connectivity, and improve adaptation and resilience of ecosystems and human communities in the United States’ Southeast coastal states. He previously led Pew’s efforts to protect the Gulf of Mexico’s largest seagrass meadow and advance ecosystem-based fishery management in the Atlantic and Gulf coast states. Before joining Pew, Jaggard focused on protecting and restoring marine species in California and was an environmental consultant responsible for natural resource permitting, wildlife relocations, and habitat monitoring projects in some of Florida’s east coast counties. Jaggard holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental policy from Rollins College. He is based in North Palm Beach, Florida.

Patrick Lane works with key stakeholders throughout the intermountain west to protect and reconnect rivers and wetlands, conserve key wildlife migration routes, and preserve areas of critical importance to biodiversity for Pew’s U.S. conservation project. His background includes advocating for healthier school environments; consulting on energy for the U.S. government and with businesses on strategies to achieve their environmental, social, and governance goals; assisting local, state, and national electoral campaigns; and working at the U.S. Department of Energy. Lane is a volunteer firefighter and EMS first responder. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Fort Lewis College and a master’s degree in business administration from Georgetown University. Lane is based in Evergreen, Colorado.

Caitlin Lang develops and implements strategies for local campaigns. In this role, she works to generate advocacy, outreach, and engagement from community stakeholders in support of Pew’s environment portfolio. She also serves on Pew’s environmental justice working group. Before coming to Pew, she served as a campaign director and field operative for the National Environmental Trust. Her background ranges from working for a chamber of commerce and a downtown development association to running South Carolina’s Lowcountry Campaign for the Democratic Party. Lang holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of South Carolina.

Andy Maggi works to safeguard and reconnect freshwater systems and terrestrial landscapes in California. Before joining Pew, Maggi led the Scappoose Bay Watershed Council, coordinating restoration efforts to improve stream function and habitat. He served as executive director of the Nevada Conservation League, director of the Oregon chapter of the Sierra Club, and political director of the Oregon League of Conservation Voters. Maggi holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental ethics and policy from the University of Portland. He is based in Portland, Oregon.

Cathy Mull provides comprehensive administrative support to Pew’s United States’ Western region conservation staff. Before joining Pew, Mull worked as an executive assistant and office manager and in other support roles at organizations including an Oregon forensic epidemiology firm, a Washington state health care system, the San Diego Humane Society, and a Manhattan advertising firm. Mull, who speaks Spanish and Ukrainian in addition to English, holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Fordham University.

Nichele Carter-Peterson leads a team of administrative professionals in the environment portfolio and serves as a member of Pew’s environmental justice working group. Prior to coming to Pew, she directed the Peace and Conflict Transformation program at Anderson University, served as the pastor of an AME church in Fishers, Indiana where she advocated for the equitable and fair treatment of marginalized community members; and co-founded CPT, Inc., a strategy consulting firm in Maryland working to dismantle oppressive religious, organizational, and societal systems. Carter-Peterson holds a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degree from Anderson University in Indiana and is pursuing a Ph.D. in sociology at Howard University.

Yasmin Vélez-Sánchez leads Pew’s work to integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion into conservation efforts in the United States to benefit people and nature. She also guides Pew’s work to build a culture of trust, transparency, collaboration, and inclusion in its environment work. Vélez-Sánchez has helped conserve U.S. Caribbean coastal and ocean resources and promoted sustainable fishing practices through ecosystem-based fisheries management. She is a trained facilitator of culture change, change management, and leadership models including adaptive leadership and participatory dialogue. Vélez-Sánchez holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a master’s in public relations from the Universidad del Sagrado Corazón in Puerto Rico. She is based in Fort Worth, Texas.