Impact Sciences is excited to announce that Owner and Managing Principal Jessica Kirchner Flores has been elected to serve as President of the National Association of Women Business Owners Los Angeles chapter (NAWBO-LA) with her official installation slated for July 2019.
As the current President-elect and chair of the Advocacy Committee, Jessica plays an integral part in fulfilling NAWBO-LA’s mission to support business owners through education, networking, and social events and, in the process, advance women to positions of influence professionally, socially, and politically.
When the organization sponsored SB 826: Women on Corporate Boards, NAWBO-LA played a key role to help build awareness and support for this important piece of legislation that requires gender diversity in corporate boardrooms. Now with the legislation passed, NAWBO-LA’s mission has shifted to assisting corporations with its implementation.
As part of that work, Jessica highlights NAWBO’s approach to breathing life into SB 826. “What that’s going to look like,” Jessica explains, “is reaching out to companies that don’t have women on their boards and making them aware that there are plenty of women who are capable of serving.”
A key idea of the legislation is to create a cascading effect for helping women not just on corporate boards but also within business in general. Under Jessica’s guidance, the Advocacy Committee is taking an extra step forward by developing a pathways program to serve as a pipeline for women to make their mark with lucrative positions on corporate boards that have traditionally been held by men.
Jessica Kirchner Flores with Assistant Secretary of the Department of State Bureau of Public Affairs Michelle S. Guida and NAWBO-LA President Schenae Rourke (right to left).
Among other influential moves for NAWBO, the Advocacy Committee has a particular focus on the California Supreme Court ruling in the Dynamex Decision, which seeks to restrict the use of independent contractors in California. Under Jessica’s leadership, the committee is investigating how the court decision affects small businesses and women business owners in particular.
“Small business owners are going to be impacted by it,” she says while expressing concern for the many women business owners, like herself, who rely on independent contractors to deal with the unpredictable nature of consulting.
Jessica knows first-hand of the difficulties that women business owners face, especially when it comes to applying for the myriad certifications and designations. With regard to the women business enterprise (WBE) certification, Jessica is a strong proponent but cautions against using it as a crutch. She acknowledges the advantages to being WBE certified, but ultimately believes it is good work that builds strong business relationships. “I think it opens the door, a crack,” says Jessica about the WBE certification, “but you really need to be proactive to get in that door and make something of it.”
Curious about the best way to get involved with NAWBO? It’s simple. “Join!” says Jessica.
From monthly Connects events to special panels led by high-achieving professional women (and men), NAWBO’s calendar is full of opportunities to join a community of forward-thinking women business owners. When it comes to topics, there are few that NAWBO won’t explore. “It’s really diverse,” says Jessica about NAWBO’s line-up of events, “but I feel like it’s a diverse group of women—everyone has different interests.”
On her involvement with NAWBO-LA, Jessica believes that having the opportunity to meet other women business owners has helped her to see the tremendous amount of female talent in the Los Angeles area. “I’m always inspired by the women I meet at NAWBO events,” she says, “I hope I help other NAWBO-LA members by sharing knowledge, resources, and information. We are all so much stronger when we work together.”
For more information about NAWBO’s Los Angeles chapter and upcoming events, visit them online at https://www.nawbo.org/los-angeles.
Brett Pomeroy, Associate Principal, has more than 17 years of professional experience in the environmental planning field with an emphasis in environmental compliance pursuant to CEQA and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Brett possesses a strong technical background and has provided quantitative analytical modeling support for air quality, GHG, health risk assessments, noise and vibration, and shade/shadow impact analyses for several complex and multi -faceted projects using industry accepted modeling software. Specifically, Brett has experience with AERMOD and ISC air dispersion modeling systems, CalEEMod, URBEMIS, CALINE4-based model, noise modeling based on the Federal Highway Administration’s Traffic Noise Model (TNM), and the Amethyst Shadow Calculator. In addition to providing technical support, Brett conducts environmental analyses for a wide array of environmental issues, conducting land use surveys, ambient noise monitoring, site photography, general environmental research and document management. Brett’s experience includes preparing and managing environmental documentation for both private- and public-sector clients. He has provided environmental analyses to support several types of environmental documents including Categorical Exemptions, Initial Studies, Negative Declarations (NDs), Mitigated Negative Declarations (MNDs), Mitigation Monitoring & Reporting Programs (MMRPs), Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs), and addendums.
Kara Yates Hines, Director of Operations and Publications Manager, leads operations at Impact Sciences and oversees the production and publication of all environmental documents. She has more than 14 years of combined experience in publishing, quality control coordination, science and public health technical writing and editorial review, and digital marketing methodologies. As the primary manager for document production, Kara implements the firm’s operational processes and manages the document publishing flow, including QA/QC review, graphic design, formatting, and visual layout. She leads in-house production of CEQA/NEPA reports, including booklet assembly and digital productions. With a unique understanding of both the CEQA review process and best practices in publishing technically complex documents, Kara ensures the firm’s environmental reports are publicly accessible, easy to read and understand, well organized, and visually appealing. Kara has a masters degree in Publishing from The George Washington University and a bachelors degree in English from Spelman College. She is a member of the Association of Environmental Planners (Los Angeles Chapter).
Martha Lira, Chief Financial Officer, oversees all aspects of Impact Sciences’ finances, including the development and management of budgets, preparation of financial statements, and all other financial reporting to the firm’s Chief Operating Officer. Martha brings to Impact Sciences over 25 years of business management experience in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Prior to joining Impact Sciences, Martha worked for a women-owned CPA firm as a staff accountant, managing small business accounts and tax filing requirements.
Lynn Kaufman, Associate Principal, has more than 25 years of experience in both the management and preparation of environmental review documents pursuant to CEQA and NEPA for clients in both the public and private sector. Ms. Kaufman has written numerous CEQA analyses for high profile and environmentally sensitive projects in both urban and rural settings, and acts as a day-to-day contact for in-house and agency staff, subconsultants, and applicants, providing valuable insight to identify environmental constraints and feasible mitigation measures.
Douglas Kim, AICP, Managing Principal, oversees Northern California environmental services for Impact Sciences. His 30-year career includes political, policy, and technical expertise in transportation, air quality, and land use planning. Mr. Kim has prepared and reviewed CEQA and NEPA documents for land use and transportation projects and authored guidance documents on how to perform air quality analyses for two air pollution control districts. He has performed noise, vibration, climate change, and traffic impact analyses for over 100 CEQA environmental analyses throughout California. Mr. Kim has developed long- and short-range multi-modal transportation plans, including performing alternatives analyses, and managing technical modeling. He has managed preparation of air quality plans, developed air quality regulations, climate action plans, and performed air quality analysis and dispersion modeling for land use plans and development projects throughout the state.
John R. Anderson, M.A., M.Phil., is Associate Principal for the Northern California-Oakland office. With more than 30 years of experience, John brings to Impact Sciences extensive knowledge of the regulatory, environmental health and safety, and environmental planning industries. He has a long track record for managing large environmental programs and projects across North America. Most recently, John has focused his attention on the Corrections, Education, Energy and Water planning and compliance markets. In California, he has managed the Environmental Planning Program for the Los Angeles Unified School District; prepared Program EIRs for various water authorities and school districts; performed due diligence for public and private sector clients in real estate and corporate acquisitions; and has been retained as an expert witness in relation to school, transportation, and remediation projects. John has a seasoned familiarity with project management, staff development, and financial and administrative management. He’s provided strategic leadership for projects in the areas of CEQA/NEPA environmental impact reporting, risk management, preliminary endangerment assessments, Phase I and follow-on invasive site investigations, litigation support, QA/QC programs, public participation programs, and site safety programs. Impact Sciences is proud to have John as a vital member of our firm.
Jessica Kirchner, AICP, President, also serves as the Managing Principal for the firm. Jessica’s corporate responsibilities include contract compliance and financial management with an eye toward strategic growth. Jessica has more than two decades of project work in CEQA/NEPA compliance and places an emphasis on meeting client needs and providing real-world solutions to common CEQA pitfalls. A hands-on owner, Jessica frequently serves in multiple roles on projects, including contract and project manager, as well as conducting and writing environmental analyses all while overseeing the firm’s most high-profile clients, revenue and growth of the firm. With a background in journalism, Jessica’s emphasis on clear, concise documents that are not overly complicated has become a company hallmark, along with the ability to deliver projects on unbelievably tight deadlines. She is highly skilled at taking technical documents and concepts and translating them into reader-friendly concepts.