Please meet two of the newest members of the Environment and Sustainable Development Committee. Together, we are working on issues that impact women.

Climate change disproportionately impacts women and girls. Let’s change that together. Please consider joining our committee and working on this critical issue.

My name is LaDorian Morris. I was born and raised in Queens, New York and have a Master’s in Public Administration from Baruch College, Marxe School of Public and International Affairs, focusing on environmental justice and climate change.

I have a passion for working in the public sector, prioritizing communities in need. Previously, I worked in the social service sector, providing services to individuals struggling with mental illness, substance abuse, lack of housing, living in foster care, and being young and part of a marginalized community such as LGBTQ+.

I volunteered abroad in Bangalore, India, with the organization Art of Living’s For Better India Project, which addresses the scarcity of water in India by rejuvenating rivers, lakes, and streams and works toward reforestation. With the Women’s Empowerment Program I helped with creating jobs and teaching skills for women who had access to limited resources and education.

Currently, I am an Excelsior Fellow with The New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services. I work within the Recovery unit as a Project Manager and lead local government agencies and municipalities through the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant process in order for them to receive essential emergency funding to reduce the long-term effects of disaster.

My main interests with this committee are initiatives that not only focus on combating climate change but also prioritize environmental justice to ensure that underserved communities have efficient resources for community preparedness, resilience, and recovery for all environmental hazards and disasters.

For fun, I enjoy hiking, roller skating, and travel, and during some of my spare time, I make sustainable jewelry. Dr. Joanne Carfioli Naylor is the current Treasurer for the National Federation of Business and Professional Women (NFBPWC) and President of the NFBPWC-NC Affiliate. She is a pediatric speech-language pathologist with 26 years of experience.

Her interest within our committee is in helping further NFBPWC's mission to preserve and improve the world for woman and men. 

In support of this idea, she not only collects shells and sea glass when she goes for walks on Atlantic City Beach, she collects and disposes of garbage, too. Dr. Jo believes that every little bit helps when it comes to helping keep the environment clean and healthy and looks forward to working both locally and nationally to make this world a cleaner and better place for all. She encourages every NFBPWC member to do their part to help the environment in any way possible.

December Sustainability Tip: Change your mindset on gift giving. Move away from material possessions and consider a gift membership or donation to one of the many climate organizations, charities, wildlife trusts, or NFBPWC.

Tracey MacDermott
Chair Environment & Sustainable Development