People

Molecular Microbiologist with 20+ years of research experiences in academia, industry, and goverment. 

Preethi Mony is a specialist in the field of environmental education, program evaluation and grants and has a wide range of experience from developing resource matierials, conducting programs with children and adults, as well as evaluating programs and grant reporting.

Growing up in the busy metropolis of Mumbai, she quickly recognized the importance of the social aspects of conservation in protecting the natural world. She has worked with organizations in India and the US to help with environmental education program planning and resource development. She has over 20 years of experience working with zoos and museums to evaluate programs and exhibits and recommend strategies to improve the overall visitor experience. Over the last 2 years, she has worked at a local community college to support grant work (federal, state, and private) as well as to inform data driven decision making in the diversity, equity, and inclusion space. She brings all of these experiences to her current role of EE Grant and Program Manager at NAAEE.

Preethi holds a Ph.D. in Natural Resources from The Ohio State University. She earned her M.S. in interdisciplinary Ecology from the University of Florida, and a B.Sc. in Life Sciences from the University of Mumbai, India.

Carrie earned her B.A. in both Environmental Studies and Spanish, a dual major she explored hands-on while studying in the cloud forests of Ecuador. After attending Indiana University to complete her Masters in Public Affairs, with concentrations in Environmental Policy and Natural Resource Management, she took on the role of Environmental Educator with the City of Bloomington. Here she connected with community members of all ages, teaching about habitats, sustainability practices, and conservation efforts. 

As an established marketing professional and award-winning public speaker, Carrie brings a variety of skills to NAAEE. Hailing most recently from the private sector, she is versed in planning complex marketing strategies for such names as REI, Icelandair, NPR, and The Weather Channel. A thought-leader in her industry, Carrie has developed and delivered training and audits to hundreds of participants, and prides herself on empowering those around her to excellence. She enthusiastically joins the NAAEE team to combine her creative innovation with her passion for environmental justice and education. 

Carrie has spent her life in the Midwest and currently resides in the rolling hills of southern Indiana. Outside work, Carrie serves on the Bloomington Environmental Commission and takes every opportunity to go hiking with her wife and two rescue pups.

I am born and raised in South Sacramento, California. I am a product of immigrant parents from Mexico. I have a passion for education and the environment. I see a need for environmental education in the traditional school classroom. 

Hello NAAEE. My name is Christopher Loeb. My work is centered on advancing environmental education by blending conservation science with innovative, engaging mediums. Through Kingdoms of Terra, I create accessible and interactive tools that teach ecological literacy, inspire youth and adults alike, and foster a deeper connection to the natural world. My goal is to make environmental knowledge not only informative but immersive—so it becomes part of how people think, play, and act in their daily lives.

Sustainability & DEI Catalyst ◄ Operations Leadership ◄ Education Industry Strategist ◄ Business Strategy Champion ◄ Wellbeing Advocate ◄ Billion-Dollar Portfolio Asset Management ◄

Dave Bader, Chief Operations & Education Officer at the Marine Mammal Care Center, has over 20 years of experience in informal science education. Since beginning his career in 1998, he has developed and managed programs spanning education, guest experience, and hospital operations. Dave has created capacity-building opportunities for staff, scientists, and educators nationwide, drawing on his background in marine science, conservation (including efforts to save the vaquita), and inclusive education. He holds a B.S. in marine biology from UC Santa Cruz and an M.S. in biology with a focus on educational media design from UC Irvine.

Derek Scott’s decade in leadership roles coupled with 12 years of experience in environmental education makes him an asset to the Pocono Environmental Education Center’s day to day operations.  In addition to being a passionate mission driven leader, he oversees all departments and operations at PEEC, including: education, dining services, facility care and maintenance, and custodial departments.  Derek serves as the primary host for school groups and guests to assure consistency and quality experiences to connect with nature during their visit.   He embraces best practices and safety for all programs and activities including staff training and development. 

My motto is strategic thinking for practical results! I like to start with the big picture, thinking about all the amazing ways that people in the field of EE are striving to make the world a better and more inclusive place for all our wonderful diversity. Then I seek to collaborate with people who bring many ways of knowing and lived experiences to developing strategies and pathways that lead to practical actions and results.

I live next to the Skykomish River near Index, WA. I am working to integrate environmental education programs into my community and local school district.