Foundation, university name leader for environmental partnership

NAPLES — A new Southwest Florida community partnership to address climate change appointed a regional director to oversee climate education and outreach efforts.

Ana Puszkin-Chevlin was hired for the position to accomplish the partnership’s four primary goals: empower community members and leaders to initiate change, ensure a prosperous and healthy community, build climate literacy and protect natural assets, according to a news release.

The initiative is a partnership between the Community Foundation of Collier County, Southwest Florida Community Foundation, Florida Gulf Coast University and Conservancy of Southwest Florida.

Puszkin-Chevlin previously was sustainability officer for the city of Delray Beach, where she was responsible for developing and implementing the city’s sustainability policies, programs and project initiatives, the release adds. Her 30-year career also includes positions as senior associate with Karoff Consulting, senior research fellow with Florida Atlantic University’s Center for Urban & Environmental Solutions, special project officer and assistant director of graduate programs of urban planning at Columbia University, and chief operating officer for Health Sciences Consultant Group.