NAVISTA THE PUBLIC AFFAIRS GROUP - Key Persons
Anita R. Bahe, PhD, has over 30 years of professional experience in disciplines specific to agriculture, environment, ecology and policy concerns. She has been at the forefront of sustainability and systems thinking throughout her career. Having worked for government, corporations, small businesses, non-profits and academic institutions she developed a breadth of practical knowledge and insights into diverse decision frameworks. This has informed a consulting practice focused on creating strategies and solutions to pressing challenges leading to positive change.
Early in her career she had the opportunity to see first hand the importance of well executed scientific research to inform public policy and as the Interim Director of the NC Environmental Technologies Consortium began to understand the pitfalls and potentials associated with technology development. Her background growing up on a farm in Nebraska provided hands on experience in agriculture and subsequently working in sales, marketing and R&D in the ag chemical industry. These diverse experiences resulted in the desire to pursue opportunities that advanced sustainable principles related to environmental and resource management, economic investments, and business practice.
After returning to graduate school and completing her Masters and Doctoral studies she worked extensively in real estate development as a sustainability consultant to resort, golf and brownfleld clients. Several projects received recognition for environmental and sustainability accomplishments, as always with the work of a great team. In addition she retained relationships with many researchers from academia, NGOs, and private companies which provided opportunities to provide contract research participation on topics such as Antibiotic Resistance from Environmental Exposure; Emerging Contaminates and Climate Change; Biosolids and Waste Management Alternatives; Wastewater Re-use and Policy; Economic and Taxation Analysis (influence on land-use planning). She conducted seminars related to ecosystem services and environmental markets, water and waste reuse practices, and resource management. During this time she also served as a technical advisor to several D.C. based Risk Communications firms.
Recently she has worked as a business development consultant for organizations advancing clean technology and innovative solutions to climate, energy, water and agriculture needs. This work has effectively required interfacing with investors, finance professionals, policy analysts and scientific and engineering experts focused on driving solutions to global concerns.
Anita has a B.S. in Wildlife Biology and Natural Resource Management from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln; a Masters from North Carolina State University (NCSU) in Crop Science, Ecology and Natural Resources; and a PhD administered jointly by NCSU and UNC-Chapel Hill in Environmental Science and Public Policy.
Job Titles:
- Member of the LEADERSHIP TEAM
- Vice President
- Program Director for the Suppliers Partnership for the Environment
Kellen Mahoney is Vice President of Navista, The Public Affairs Group. In this role, Kellen supports Navista's clients in developing and driving programs to advance their strategic objectives. He specializes in managing and growing industry-driven associations, designing and implementing strategic plans and programs, and developing collaborative forums to advance sustainability and business objectives.
Kellen currently serves as program director for the Suppliers Partnership for the Environment (SP), a forum for global automotive manufacturers, their large and small suppliers, the US EPA and other government entities from around the world to work together to improve the environmental sustainability and business value of the global automotive supply chain.
He also serves as program director for the Global Environmental Management Initiative (GEMI), a global leader in developing insights and creating collaborative sustainability solutions for business.
Kellen has significant experience working with large and small organizations across industries, and has supported a wide-range of collaborative sustainability initiatives related to issues such as energy efficiency, materials efficiency, supply chain sustainability, water conservation, and more. Kellen has supported a variety of past and present Navista clients, including Alianza Verde Automotriz (AVA); Corporate Environmental Enforcement Council (CEEC); Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC); Environment Canada; Environment, Energy and Technology News (EETN); Global Environmental Management Initiative (GEMI); Mission Ready Sustainability Initiative (MRSI); Suppliers Partnership for the Environment (SP); and, others.
Kellen has a B.A. from the University of Maryland, College Park.
Natalie Pryde has over 25 years of experience in Environment, Health, Safety and Sustainability. She has held various roles in industry and consulting supporting a variety of industry sectors including automotive, commercial real estate, oil and gas, chemical, life sciences, agriculture, healthcare services, telecommunications, transportation, warehousing and distribution, retail, and manufacturing.
Throughout her career, Natalie has been engaged in the development and implementation of critical global programs. She is recognized for her skills in strategy implementation, technology application and innovation, social and environmental policy as well as team development and engagement. She has led diverse teams supporting multi-million-dollar EHS programs providing technical and operational support on a global level. Critical to her success is her ability to establish strategic direction and guide teams to successfully implement complex programs while maintaining strong communication with key client and corporate leadership ensuring long standing business relationships. She applies behavior-based and human factors methodologies to build strong cultures and drive resiliency throughout organizations assuring successful outcomes in diverse systems.
Committed to engaging across sectors and creating collaborative working environments, Natalie has participated in multiple professional activities promoting sustainability. She served on the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) Renewable Resources and Alternative Energy Industry workgroup defining materiality aspects. Additionally, she has presented or led sustainability strategy discussions in association with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (currently Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes & Energy) and the American Chemical Society.
Natalie holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management Systems from Kettering University and a Doctorate degree in Naturopathy from Clayton College of Natural Health. She also holds a Wellness Counselling Certificate from Cornell University.
Shannon Hellem is the Program Manager for Navista. She graduated from Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia with a B.A. in Communications. Prior to coming to Navista she worked for 99.5, a local radio station in Rockville, Maryland.
Job Titles:
- Founder and President of the Boston Environmental Group
Mr. Poltorzycki is the founder and President of The Boston Environmental Group, a firm dedicated to providing excellence in environmental, health, and safety ("EHS") and sustainable development consulting. The focus of his work is to assist clients with EHS and sustainable development strategy, organizational, and management challenges in maximizing the business value of their EHS and social responsibility activities.
Mr. Poltorzycki is the author of Creating Environmental Business Value, published by Crisp Publications, as well as a number of articles in various publications on the subjects of environmental management and sustainable development.
Job Titles:
- Member of the LEADERSHIP TEAM
- President
- President & CEO / Navista the Public Affairs Group, Inc.
- Strategic Counsel
Steve Hellem has provided strategic counsel to associations and coalitions on a variety of environment, energy and technology business issues. He has helped organize, support and direct the day-to-day management of coalitions and organizations, provided legislative and regulatory counsel and advocacy, and provided communications and public relations support to a wide range of Fortune 500 companies that have been participants in organizations that he has managed or supported
During the past 25 years he has served as: Associate Director of Energy, United States Chamber of Commerce; Executive Vice President of the National Environmental Development Association and four of its advocacy projects on Clean Air, Clean Water, RCRA and Groundwater; Executive Director, Sorptive Minerals Institute; Executive Director Corporate Environmental Enforcement Council; Executive Director Industry Cooperative for Ozone Layer Protection; Senior Counselor, The Global Sullivan Principles; Executive Director Suppliers Partnership for the Environment; and Executive Director of the Global Environmental Management Initiative.
In addition, he has often been a spokesperson for the organizations he has represented with governmental organizations, the media and international audiences. He has written and edited extensively including newsletters, brochures and pocket cards, and has developed a wide range of press releases for his clients.
Steve has an A.B. in Political Science from the University of Missouri and has a J.D. from the International School of Law that is today the George Mason University School of Law.
Job Titles:
- Sustainability Expert and President of Tom Murray Environmental Consulting
- Tom Murray Environmental Consulting
Tom Murray is a pollution prevention and sustainability expert and President of Tom Murray Environmental Consulting. Tom retired from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in January 2016. There he served as a Senior Science Advisor. Tom has over 44 years in government service. He is the architect of the Green Suppliers Network and the E3: Economy, Energy and Environment initiative, both cross-agency collaborations with industry focused on manufacturing growth, energy efficiency and environmental performance. Tom also co-founded the Suppliers' Partnership for the Environment (SP) organization - an innovative partnership between automobile original equipment manufacturers and their suppliers and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Tom holds a Bachelor's Degree in Biology from Mount Saint Mary's University and a Master's Degree in Biology from the American University, Washington, D.C.