There’s something magical about celebrating the Summer Solstice — the longest day of the year — with a community that cares deeply about the environment. That’s exactly what I experienced once again at the 7th Annual TreeFolks Summer Solstice Party, hosted by TreeFolks and TF Young Professionals in the heart of downtown Austin.
Held at Hold Out Brewing & Better Half Coffee & Cocktails, this year’s event felt like a true celebration of trees, togetherness, and the power of joyful activism. I’ve attended this event several years in a row now, and it’s become one of my favorite annual traditions. Beyond the games and music, what keeps me coming back is the sense of community — a reminder that environmentalism can (and should) be fun, welcoming, and rooted in celebration.
This month’s Austin Climate Innovation meetup focused on a rapidly growing and essential topic for modern cities: micromobility. Held at Palm Venture Studios, the event brought together sustainability advocates, transportation professionals, and community members interested in building a better, more connected Austin. With drinks, networking, and passionate speakers, the evening served as both a knowledge exchange and a call to action.
The presentations highlighted how smaller-scale transportation options can have a massive impact on our quality of life, climate footprint, and city infrastructure. As our city grows, so does the urgency to reimagine how we move within it—and micromobility is a clear part of the answer.
Picture with the Red Line TrailIntroduction to the Micromobility MeetupSelfie next to the eCabNetworking and presentation venue
Last night, I found myself talking about breakfast on stage—not to entertain or inform, but to experiment. At first, it felt a little silly. But very quickly, I realized: this was public speaking in its most liberating form.
I attended the monthly Public Speaking Playground (TM) meetup at Capital Factory in downtown Austin, hosted by the vibrant and deeply knowledgeable Sammi Sadicario(The Voice Experts). With a rich background in theater, acting, and vocal performance, Sammi brought a refreshing blend of artistic flair and neuroscience-backed insights to what can often feel like a dry topic or nerve-wracking skill: Public Speaking.
Selfie in front of the Capital Factory StageIntroduction slide from SammiPersonal qualifications slide from SammiStanding next to the meeting scheduleSammi introducing the class to herself
*This is the recording from our class session; My speaking session starts at 1:20:38
As someone deeply passionate about sustainability and conservation, I often think about the water we use, the trees we plant, the waste we manage—but rarely have I taken a deep dive into the complex world of energy infrastructure.
That changed yesterday at MCJ Live – Where AI Meets Energy, hosted at The Sunset Room in downtown Austin. Curated by MCJ Collective and sponsored by J.P. Morgan and Gunderson Dettmer, the event brought together climate tech innovators and energy leaders for an afternoon of bold ideas at the intersection of AI, energy resilience, and climate innovation.
And honestly? It was an eye-opener in the best possible way.
Entrance sign at eventInside with the other attendeesAttendees checking in and minglingEarly networking between attenees
On Thursday, May 22, I joined fellow communicators at Q-Branch in Downtown Austin for an event hosted by the PRSA Austin Chapter—an evening that promised insight and inspiration, and absolutely delivered. The focus? The evolving role of artificial intelligence in public relations and communications. It was a dynamic and thought-provoking panel that confirmed familiar ideas and concerns while highlighting new AI opportunities and challenges.
Moderated by Anne Lasseigne Tiedt, APR, the panel featured four industry professionals: Monica Talan (TechTranslators.ai), Tim Weinheimer (Hahn), Dan Martin (Hiebing), and Lisa Peterson (Lisa Peterson PR). Each panelist offered a unique perspective—from tech backgrounds to data analytics, agency marketing services to media relations—on how AI is transforming how we communicate, collaborate, and connect with our audiences.
Selfie in front of the stageThe PRSA Panelists on stage
I recently completed the Strategies for Today’s Jobs(4-weeks / 8-days) career development course through Austin Community College (ACC), designed to help job seekers clarify their goals, polish their materials, and build confidence in today’s job market. Overall, I felt that the class was good and thoughtfully put together. While much of the content felt like “Career 101” and seemed primarily catered to those entering or re-entering the job market, I still found many gems of insight that were useful for refining my current job search strategy and long-term career planning.
Even though I’ve already navigated multiple stages of professional development, this course served as a helpful refresher and provided space for intentional reflection. I appreciated the structured pace, the supportive instructors, and the opportunity to revisit foundational strategies with fresh eyes and a lens of AI support.
Below is a breakdown of each day, including key takeaways that stood out to me:
Day 1: Orientation + Self-Assessment
Focus: Identifying personal strengths, values, and workplace preferences.
Takeaways:
We kicked off the class with discussing personality assessments for career alignment like YouScience offered through ACC, which served as a reminder of how I operate best in a team and workplace setting.
Reflecting on core values, missions, and motivations helped reaffirm my commitment to working in sustainability and mission-driven environments—something that’s remained consistent in the later half of my career.
The structured self-assessment activities gave me a career direction clarity and helped create a more intentional mindset heading into the rest of the course.
