YPIN: World Oceans Week – Ocean Policy Panel

Are you interested in learning more about the role that policy plays in protecting our coastlines, waterways, and the species that call these places home? Come celebrate World Oceans Week with the Young Professionals International Network! On Thursday, June 10th, YPIN will host a panel discussion and Q&A with Puget Sound environmental policy experts, where attendees can learn about their work and the diverse career paths that exist within this multifaceted field. Following the panelists’ remarks, there will be a Q&A session with audience members. Whether you are passionate about the local conservation efforts taking place in our Washington waters or are contemplating a career in this field, this event is for you!

Our panel of experts will include:

Nora Nickum, Ocean Policy Manager at the Seattle Aquarium

Nora Nickum works on state and federal policies to protect ocean health, including issues like climate resilience, orca and salmon recovery, and plastic pollution. She previously worked on climate policy with the US Agency for International Development; as a consultant for Tribes and local governments creating climate plans; and for the non-profit International Labor Rights Forum in DC and Ecuador. She has a Master’s degree in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School.

Nicole Faghin, Coastal Management Specialist at Washington Sea Grant

Nicole Faghin is trained as a land use and environmental planner and lawyer specializing in waterfront planning issues. Nicole engages in education, outreach and research focused on social, economic and environmental shoreline issues including coastal adaptation. She also teaches and develops curriculum related to alternative shoreline erosion methods (living shorelines).  Nicole serves as the national chair of the National Working Waterfronts Network. She is a member of the Washington APA Climate Change workgroup, the Coastal Training Program Advisory Committee, and the University of Washington Urban Planning and Design Professionals Council. Nicole spent 25 years as a waterfront consultant working on complex land use planning, permitting and development projects for ports, industrial, commercial, and municipalities. Nicole holds a master’s in city planning from MIT and a law degree from Northeastern University.

Alyssa Barton, Policy Manager at Puget Soundkeeper

Alyssa Barton (she/her) is a lifelong outdoors adventurer and environmental advocate. She currently works as the Policy Manager at Puget Soundkeeper Alliance, a local environmental non-profit, where she strengthens and passes clean water laws, regulations and policies. Her primary focus includes stormwater pollution, wastewater pollution and marine debris. Alyssa is a highly effective problem solver and strategic thinker, and thrives leading collaborative projects that achieve impact. 

Before moving to Seattle in 2016 and joining Soundkeeper, Alyssa worked as an attorney with and for various environmental non-profits in South Florida, including National Parks Conservation Association. Prior to pivoting her career to environmental law and advocacy in 2013, Alyssa litigated insurance disputes and foreclosure cases in Miami.