The Pandemic of 2020-2021 may have prevented us from meeting face to face, but it certainly did not prevent us from seeing and hearing quality speakers at our virtual meetings.
Here is just a few great examples:
Julie Asher Lee -- wildlife artist: Julie Asher Lee was born in the heartland of America and grew up in the scenic woods and rolling hills of central Missouri. She was raised in a large family of artists and craftsmen who had a love for nature and the outdoors. Her family frequently participated in the rehabilitation of a variety of animals and birds. Whether she was fishing, camping, or canoeing on the rivers of southern Missouri or exploring the woods surrounding her childhood home, she was a keen observer of the way light interacted with her natural surroundings. Julie grew up with a love for drawing, painting, sculpture and photography, and she is now painting professionally and owns her own art studio of wildlife art. (August 13, 2020)
Maria Goodavage – “Doctor Dogs”: Former USA Today journalist Maria Goodavage is considered one of the foremost author experts on working dogs after the publication of her critically acclaimed New York Times bestselling books, “Soldier Dogs,” “Top Dog,” and “Secret Service Dogs.” She has appeared on numerous national TV shows, including The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and Today, and has given talks about working dogs at the New York Stock Exchange, National Museum of the United States Air Force, and other notable venues. A review of her newest book, “Doctor Dogs”: “In her newest groundbreaking book, Goodavage brings us behind the scenes of cutting-edge science at top research centers and into the lives of people whose well-being depends on their devoted, highly skilled personal MDs (medical dogs). With her signature wit and passion, Goodavage explores how doctor dogs are becoming our happy allies in the fight against dozens of physical and mental conditions.” (August 27, 2020)
Marc Hoag – Autonomous Cars: Based in San Francisco, Marc Hoag is a California-licensed attorney; a three-times company founder; and host of Autonomous Cars with Marc Hoag, a podcast on autonomous cars. Marc founded Hoag+Co. in San Francisco, a global advisory firm for new mobility technologies including autonomous vehicles, electric vehicles, construction, and more. (November 5, 2020)
Matt Stutz, P.E. – The Science of Landfills: Matt K. Stutz is a Principal with Weaver Consultants Group and manages the Southwest Practice Group and the landfill gas and landfill air quality practice. Matt holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington. He is registered as a licensed professional engineer in Texas and 12 other states. He serves as vice chair of the rules and regulations committee of the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA). Matt has managed and participated in the design of landfill gas collection and control systems for over 150 landfills throughout the United States. Project work included the development, design, permitting and preparation of construction plans, details and specifications for the landfill system. (October 29, 2020)
Dr. Michael Merzenich – World Authority on Brain Pasticity: Dr. Michael Merzenich, a Professor Emeritus in Neuroscience from the University of California at San Francisco, is a world authority on “brain plasticity”, our innate and lifelong capacity to remodel our physical and functional brain. He’s been awarded many international prizes and awards for this work (and as the co-inventor of the cochlear implant) and is a member of both the National Academy of Science and Medicine. Merzenich has published more than 400 scientific reports and several books, been awarded 67 U.S. patents, and has co-founded 3 companies that provide brain plasticity-based tools to improve brain health and to increase neurological powers and resilience in normal and in struggling human populations. (January 14, 2021)