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Connor Spencer is a GIS specialist for the Great Lakes Commission. In this role, he assists with various GIS and data collection projects including those with the Great Lakes Protection Fund and EPA Region 5 through the Inland Sensitivity Atlas under the Area Contingency Planning project.

A lifelong Michigander, Connor holds a Bachelor of Science degree in the environment through the University of Michigan’s School of Environment and Sustainability. He started his career with the GLC as a GIS intern shortly after graduating. Outside of work, Connor enjoys exercising, playing videogames, and watching all Detroit and U of M sports.

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Autumn McGowan serves as a program specialist for the Great Lakes Commission’s aquatic invasive species team. In this role she supports the work of GLC’s Invasive Mussel, European Frog-bit, and Phragmites Collaboratives to promote interjurisdictional communication and collaboration on AIS issues and projects happening across the basin.

Prior to joining the GLC, Autumn completed a two-year fellowship with the Nature Conservancy where she supported strategic planning, science and data analysis, and science communication for the Midwest Division. Her project research focused on evaluating funding and governance models for the long-term sustainability of a collaborative water quality monitoring program. She holds a bachelor’s degree in public policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago. In her free time, Autumn enjoys crafting, playing games, visiting museums, and hanging out with her cat.

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Mary Sabuda covers maritime transportation policy at the Great Lakes Commission. In this role, she works to advance policy and funding priorities related to navigation and maritime transportation in the Great Lakes basin, promote knowledge transfer and coordination among stakeholders and policymakers, and develop new partnerships within the maritime community.

Before joining the GLC, Mary most recently worked in Washington, D.C., for U.S. Senator Gary Peters supporting Great Lakes, environment, maritime, energy, and agriculture issues. Prior to that position, she worked in government affairs at the American Chemical Society covering issues of importance to the chemistry enterprise such as federal funding for scientific research.

Mary holds a Ph.D. in earth and environmental sciences from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities as well as master’s and bachelor’s degrees from Michigan State University in geological sciences, where she cultivated expertise in water treatment, remediation strategies, and critical minerals. In her free time, Mary likes to run long distances, hike, bike, and travel.

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NiQuita is a financial operations specialist at the Great Lakes Commission. She is a proud graduate of Eastern Michigan University, where she received her bachelor’s degree in health administration, and the University of Detroit Mercy where she studied abroad in Barcelona, Spain, and received her MBA with a concentration in finance and strategic management.

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Bio coming soon!

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Coming soon!

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Bio coming soon

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Bio coming soon

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Connor is a program specialist with GLC’s water quality and water infrastructure program. In this role, he helps to manage the GLSNRP grant program, support water quality working groups, and assist with Blue Accounting’s water content.

Prior to the Commission, Connor spent time as a watershed educator in West Virginia and as a communications associate with the Great Lakes NOAA B-WET program. He holds a master’s degree in environmental education and communication from the University of Michigan and a bachelor’s degree in environmental science from the University of Virginia.

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James Polidori serves as a program specialist for the GLC’s water infrastructure and water quality programs. He works on various projects to improve the water resources in the Great Lakes region, including supporting water infrastructure working groups and preparing drinking water-related content for the Blue Accounting initiative.

James previously worked with several environmental nonprofits to preserve and protect the Great Lakes, such as Environment America, Clean Water Action, and NWF’s Great Lakes Regional Center. He holds two degrees from the University of Michigan: a bachelor’s degree in political science, and a master’s degree in environmental policy and water resource management. Outside of work, James can be found drumming and playing with his cat.

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Hannah is the Administrative Coordinator for the GLC. In this role, she assists with administrative duties, meeting planning, communications, and the Great Lakes Sediment Nutrient Reduction Program (GLSNRP). 

Prior to coming to the Commission, Hannah worked for Eaton Conservation District as an Environmental Outreach Coordinator where she educated the public on water quality issues and urban forestry. She managed two statewide programs in this role, the Michigan Water Stewardship Program (MWSP) and the Michigan Arbor Day Alliance (MADA). She holds a bachelor’s degree in fisheries and wildlife from Michigan State University. Go Green!

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Kate Truitt is a GIS Specialist working on the GLC’s Area Contingency Planning Project. In this role, she assists in mapping and data development for the Inland Sensitivity Atlas for the EPA.

Prior to coming to the Commission, Kate worked for Ducks Unlimited for one year as a GIS intern working to update the U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s (USFWS) National Wetland Inventory (NWI). She holds a bachelor’s degree in earth science and a GIS Certificate from the University of Michigan-Dearborn.

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Theresa joined the Great Lakes Commission in 2021 and is a program specialist for the aquatic invasive species program. She splits her time on multiple projects including the Great Lakes Phragmites Collaborative and the Great Lakes Panel on Aquatic Nuisance Species.

Prior to starting at the Great Lakes Commission, Theresa worked as a Student Services Contractor for the U.S. Geological Survey where she worked on multiple projects related to reducing growth of the invasive Phragmites australis. Theresa holds a master’s degree in soil and water sciences from the University of Florida and a bachelor’s degree in biology from Bowling Green State University. Her graduate studies have focused largely on coastal ecology, including understanding the effects of boating damage on seagrass habitat and working on seagrass and oyster reef restoration projects. 

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Amanda comes to the Commission from Michigan Technological University, where her work focused on the science and applications of Great Lakes mapping, with projects including wetlands, algae blooms, and coastal hazards.

Originally from metro Detroit, she is an ASPRS Certified Mapping Scientist (CMS), completed a Master of Science in natural resources and environment at the University of Michigan and also holds a Bachelor of Science in environmental biology/zoology from Michigan State University. Prior to graduate school, she held several natural resources and biology positions including roles at the Michigan DNR, Purdue University, Oakland County Parks & Recreation, and the US Forest Service.

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