Friends of Harbors, Beaches and Parks utilizes the skills of several skilled consultants for its work on the Green Vision Project, including:
Connie Gallippi
Program Consultant
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Connie is Lead Consultant at CMG Consulting, working with a variety of clients in conservation and sustainability, as well as business strategy. Her previous role was Founder and Executive Director of BitGive, the first Bitcoin 501(c)(3) nonprofit; where she managed and grew the organization for nearly a decade, including launching a proprietary donation platform GiveTrack showcasing transparency in NGO funding and projects in 29 countries worldwide. BitGive was acquired by Heifer International in 2022.
Prior to founding BitGive, Connie worked with environmental nonprofits in California for 15 years, specializing in consulting, strategy development, policy and advocacy, funding assistance, and program direction. Most notably, her work included the development and implementation of multi-million dollar programs in public funding for conservation, climate change resilience, water resources, and urban sustainability.
Connie is currently serving on the Board of Directors for the Sierra Business Council and volunteers with other community-based organizations. She holds a BS in Natural Resource Management from Virginia Tech. al endeavors of working with 501c3’s to support and enhance California’s beauty, equity, and natural spaces. She has worked with Friends of Harbors, Beaches, and Parks since 2022.
Melanie Schlotterbeck, CMP
Green Vision Project Coordinator
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Melanie was first approached by Friends of Harbors, Beaches and Parks (FHBP) to assist with the Green Vision Project. Since 2004, she has grown the Coalition to more than 80 conservation and community groups. The Green Vision Map has become a well utilized tool for non-profits, planners, and resource agencies.
In 2006, Ms. Schlotterbeck assisted with negotiations for the Orange County Transportation Authority’s Renewed Measure M’s comprehensive mitigation program and she coordinated wide-ranging support for the measure. Since 2008, she has represented the 30+ member Environmental Coalition and sits as Vice Chair on the Authority’s Environmental Oversight Committee. This Committee oversees the expenditure of $243.5 million in acquisition, restoration, and management funds.
Through FHBP, she has advanced conservation policies (locally, regionally, and statewide) and written numerous toolkits assisting planners improve sustainability features for developments and park planning. Melanie also works as a consultant with numerous conservation non-profits in Southern California and across the state.