Join us for our Northern Connection in Flagstaff this June! At this lunch-and-learn event, attendees will hear a series of rapid-fire speed presentations from local leaders highlighting innovative projects and ideas advancing circularity in the region. Lunch is generously sponsored by Nackard Pepsi.
Then, take a tour of Nackard Pepsi’s bottling plant in Flagstaff to learn about the company’s sustainability initiatives and how circular economy principles are being applied within beverage production and operations.
Select your membership below and register now, or scroll to meet our speakers! Registration closes on Thursday, May 28.
Select your membership below and register today!
Meet the Speakers
Brynn Katz is the Sustainability Operations Supervisor at Nackard Pepsi, leading recycling and zero-waste initiatives across northern Arizona. She manages diversion programs that have kept more than 565,000 pounds of material out of landfills across 35+ communities and supports sustainability through grant writing and program development.
Glenn Proudfoot is a Solid Waste Operations Manager with more than 12 years of experience in the solid waste industry. Prior to joining the City of Kingman Solid Waste team, Glenn spent over 20 years working as a residential and commercial contractor. Outside of work, Glenn enjoys two passions in life: hunting and spending time with his grandkids — not necessarily in that order.
As Local First Arizona’s Sustainable Small Business Program Manager, Lisa Page merges her passions for her northern Arizona community and environmental education to help the area’s locally owned businesses identify opportunities to reduce their bottom line and minimize their environmental impacts. From providing resources and assistance to finding beneficial solutions, Lisa is energized by helping future-proof northern Arizona’s locally owned businesses.
Sam Wyckoff hails from the PNW and grew up romping around his mother's garden, picking peas and tomatoes straight off the vine. He graduated with a degree in Environmental Studies from Allegheny College, before embarking on a career with the USFS, which lead him to Flagstaff. While he left the forest service, he still calls Flagstaff home and loves to promote community, sustainability and education through his work with Restoration Soils and Flagstaff Foodlink.
Susan Manganiello is the Director of Sustainability for Grand Canyon National Park Lodges, operated by Xanterra Travel Collection. With more than 20 years of experience leading environmental and sustainability initiatives, she oversees programs focused on renewable energy, waste reduction, water conservation, environmental compliance, and sustainable operations within one of the nation's most iconic destinations. Susan has implemented ISO 14001-certified environmental management systems and managed major sustainability infrastructure projects across national park properties, helping advance responsible tourism while protecting natural resources for future generations.
Cheresa "Cher" Taing is the City of Flagstaff's Sustainability Specialist. She brings more than a decade of experience developing environmental education programs, leading community initiatives, and connecting people to place through hands-on learning. In her current role, Cheresa leads city-wide waste prevention and diversion efforts by implementing the City’s ReThink Waste Plan. She is passionate about helping the community make informed choices that reduce waste, conserve resources, and support a more resilient future.
Select your membership below and register today!