Aidan Charron
Associate Director of Global Earth Day 

Aidan joined EDO in 2022 as the End of Plastics and Canopy Project Coordinator. Growing up on the coast of North Carolina, Aidan has always had a passion for a clean environment and engaging in outdoor activities like hiking, surfing, and SCUBA diving. With his passion for nature, Aidan earned a degree in Biology and minored in Geographic Information Systems from University of North Carolina Wilmington. Before joining the Earthday team, he worked in wetland reclamation then taught middle and high school science. In his free time Aidan enjoys biking and hiking around DC with his wife and their two dogs, Buzz and Sally.

Alisa Sieber-Johnson, President and Co-Founder of Dogs on Deployment, has been pivotal in addressing the challenge of pet care for military members. Her journey started in 2011, motivated by her personal need to find a caregiver for her dog, JD, amidst her and her husband's military commitments. This led to the creation of Dogs on Deployment, which has grown into a vital national non-profit. It provides a network for pet fostering and financial assistance for pet-related expenses to military families. A graduate of the University of San Diego with degrees in Industrial Systems Engineering, Alisa’s military service as a C-130J Super Hercules pilot and Sexual Assault Response Coordinator deeply influenced her dedication to helping service members and their pets. Her leadership has expanded Dogs on Deployment into a national movement advocating for military pet owner rights and promoting responsible pet ownership. 

Dog Parenting Coach, Author of the pioneering book “Don’t Train Your Dog” A Pet Parenting Guide to Teaching Good Behavior, Calming Fear and Raising Happy Dog

What does it really mean to parent a dog? Typical training doesn’t work for teaching dogs the needed skills for modern family life. Parenting does. 28+ years fixing “unfixable” dogs and helping their parents . Available at Amazon https://a.co/d/asqHp90

Bev Brooks is a retired Clarkstown, NY police dispatcher now living the good life in Eastham, MA. When she's not reigning as the devoted (and occasionally exasperated) pet parent to Cuzzy (a cat who is both the most difficult and most perfect creature on earth) she can be found enjoying wine and game nights with the Gingerplum Crew. She also delights in long walks on the beach and trips to the Eastham city dump.

During her 29-year tenure as a dispatcher, Beverly was instrumental in saving the life of a 1-year-old boy who had fallen into a backyard pool and stopped breathing.Her calm demeanor and clear instructions over the phone guided the frantic mother through life-saving measures until emergency responders arrived, leading to the child's full recovery.

Bev is the Yin to host Amy's Yang and brings humor, heart, and a healthy dose of sarcasm to everything she does, making life a little brighter (and a lot funnier) for those lucky enough to know her.

Deborah Niemann is a seasoned homesteader, author, and goat expert with decades of hands-on experience raising goats for milk, meat, and fiber. As the founder of Thrifty Homesteader, Deborah has become a trusted educator in the goat-keeping community, offering practical advice through her books, online courses, and popular podcast, For the Love of Goats. Her best-selling book, Raising Goats Naturally, is a go-to resource for goat owners worldwide, covering everything from breed selection and nutrition to breeding and health care. Deborah’s mission is to help both aspiring and seasoned goat owners raise happy, healthy herds through informed, sustainable practices. 

Dr. Zoo graduated from Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine in 2006. She has a wide variety of experience in emergency medicine, exotics, small animal, and large animal medicine. She has owned Family Animal Hospital of Friendswood since November 2015 and strives to create a balance of the best medicine, compassion, education, and exceptional client communication. Her pets include two German Shepherds and a menagerie of other rescue dogs. She enjoys helping with animal rescues, traveling, and gardening in her free time.

As a child, Dr. Jeff grew up surrounded by pets and horses, sparking a lifelong love for animals. After seven years of university, he achieved his goal of becoming a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1983.

His first job involved practicing medicine in a companion animal hospital specializing in dogs, cats, and some exotic animals. On the side, he worked with livestock and horses. After 12 years, he and his wife, who was also a veterinarian, fulfilled a dream by opening their own practice in 1995.

While Dr. Jeff specializes in traditional medicine, he also practices acupuncture, chiropractic care, and low-level laser therapy. Over the years, he has taught and contributed to various veterinary magazines, including AKC Family Dog. His 35-year teaching career, inspired his popular online vet assistant courses, which have enrolled over 42,000 students.

Today, Dr. Jeff focuses on holistic, natural, and non-toxic courses for pet owners and industry professionals.

Dr. Linda Atkins has cared for pets as a general practitioner at Valley Cottage Animal Hospital since 1993 and is a co-owner of the hospital. A native of Congers, she attended Cornell University and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Cell Biology in 1987. Dr. Atkins went on to attend the New York State Veterinary College at Cornell University and was awarded her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1991. Dr. Atkins has continuing education certifications in dentistry and ultrasound. Her professional interests include general surgery, feline medicine, dentistry, diagnostic ultrasound and exotic animal medicine. Dr. Atkins is the attending veterinarian for the Trailside Zoo in Bear Mountain New York and volunteers her time to local 4-H programs. She enjoys horseback riding, gardening, boating and spending time with her three children. She shares her home with 2 cats.

Dr. Marlene Siegel is a distinguished veterinarian with nearly four decades of experience, renowned for pioneering integrative veterinary medicine. She earned her DVM degree from the University of Florida in 1985.

In 1987, she founded Pasco Veterinary Medical Center in Lutz, Florida, where she combines advanced Western medical services with alternative therapies to address the root causes of pet health issues.

Her journey into integrative care began in 2004 after a personal experience with her injured horse led her to explore holistic treatment modalities. This exploration resulted in her becoming a Certified Natural Health Professional in 2012.

Dr. Siegel is also an international speaker and educator, offering courses for pet owners and veterinary professionals. Her mission is to empower pet parents and veterinarians by sharing her knowledge in integrative veterinary medicine, aiming to enhance the health and longevity of pets.

Dr. Rachel Malamed earned a B.S. in Biomedical Science from the University of Guelph in 2001 and a DVM from Ontario Veterinary College in 2005. During her clinical behavior rotation with Dr. Gary Landsberg, she realized the importance of addressing behavioral health alongside physical health.

After veterinary school, she completed an internship at Animal Specialty Group in Los Angeles, followed by a three-year clinical behavioral medicine residency at UC Davis. Her research on cribbing, temperament, and colic in horses was published in Equine Veterinary Journal in 2010. She became board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (ACVB) the same year.

Dr. Rachel works with pet owners, veterinarians, and trainers to manage behavioral issues. She also serves as a forensic expert in legal cases. A Fear Free Level III Certified professional, she lectures nationally and practices in the Los Angeles area.

Elizabeth is a Certified Canine Nutritionist and Integrative Pet Health Coach for pet parents seeking transformative, natural approaches to pet wellness. Through personalized coaching, speaking, and education, Elizabeth empowers clients to unlock vibrant health, happiness, and deeper connections with their pets, aligning with their passion for integrative care.

Elizabeth holds BS in Industrial Engineering and certification from the International Holistic Pet Health Coaching Association led by renowned veterinarian Dr. Ruth Roberts and the Feed Real Institute. With 22+ years of corporate experience and a personal journey of resilience, Elizabeth brings unique expertise to Integrative pet wellness.

Originally from Colombia, Elizabeth now resides in Houston, TX but travels nationally to share Integrative pet health wisdom through workshops, speaking engagements, and coaching services.

Jennifer S. Holland is the author of Unlikely Friendships, which spent more than 46 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Holland’s insatiable curiosity has taken her all over the world: flying in zero gravity over the Gulf of Mexico, scuba diving with tiger sharks in the Bahamas, climbing the tallest tree in Costa Rica, and camping out with bushmen in Papua New Guinea. A long-time writer for National Geographic and National Wildlife, and a contributor to the New York Times, the Washington Post, and NPR, she splits her time between Maryland and Virginia with her husband and two beloved dogs.

Julie Marty-Pearson, PsyD is a dedicated Fur Mom, lifelong animal lover, pet enthusiast, and all around animal advocate. She volunteers at her local county animal shelter, has been a kitten foster mom, and occasional pet sitter. Julie started this podcast to share the stories of her own pets, past and present, and advocate for animal rescue, fostering and adoption. Contact Julie via email if you are interested in being a guest on the podcast.

Julie is a Podcast Coach who is passionate about helping others share their stories through podcasting. She has her doctorate in Organizational Psychology and worked for 15 years in accreditation, assessment, and institutional research in higher education. Julie started her own business in 2019 to help other women going through career transitions and find professional paths they were passionate about. Now she support others with starting their own podcasts just like she did with The Story of My Pet Podcast. 

With roots in Egypt, the land of Pharaohs, Ramy has called Houston, Texas home since 2011. He is a Texas A&M Aggie at heart and his soul is UH Coug. When Ramy is not doing robotics missions at NASA, he is with his maltipoo inspiration and best friend, Lateef. Ramy is the Founder of Zoomies Dog Park and the co-founder of KG BBQ, as seen on The Showdown on Netflix.

Ruth Hegarty, M.S.Ed., is a seasoned educator with decades of experience in teaching and dog training. With a Master’s in Education and certifications as a Life Coach and dog trainer, Ruth expertly helps individuals and groups understand and apply effective dog training techniques. She combines her deep knowledge of canine behavior with her coaching skills to help uncover and address any barriers to success. Ruth is also certified in Dog Bite Safety Education, pet first aid/CPR, and canine psychology. A sought-after speaker and writer, she has presented at the Boston Museum of Science, Harvard University, and taught at Suffolk University, among others.