15 Year Anniversary Speakers Series - Women For a Healthy Environment

November 5, 2025 – The Westin Pittsburgh

Welcome

Join us as we celebrate 15 years of Women for a Healthy Environment’s commitment to environmental justice and healthy communities. This special evening honors our work and the incredible people who make it possible.

At A Glance

Celebrating 15 years of impact
Hearing from the next generation of climate activists
Awarding regional environmental health champions
100% for environmental health and dignity

Speakers

Wawa Gatheru

Wawa Gatheru’s journey in climate justice began with family gardens and deep conversations about protecting the earth. As a first-generation American and Rhodes Scholar, she’s recognized for connecting social justice and climate action, and now shares these stories to amplify voices too often left out. Wawa is committed to building a climate movement that reflects everyone’s experiences.

Isaias Hernandez

Known as Queer Brown Vegan, Isaias Hernandez uses storytelling and education to make environmental literacy accessible and inclusive. Through his media platform and public speaking, he brings intersectional issues to global audiences, highlighting diversity in environmental action. Isaias’s work spans content creation, collaborations, and co-founding a worldwide events company.

Program

6:00 PM – 6:45 PM

6:45 PM – 7:00 PM

7:00 PM – 7:30 PM

7:30 PM – 8:20 PM

8:20 PM – 8:35 PM

8:45 PM – 8:50 PM

Guest Arrival & Welcome Reception

Welcome & Opening Remarks

Keynote Presentations

Fireside Conversation & Audience Q&A

Awards & Founder Recognition

Closing Reflections

Changemaker Impact Awardees

Deborah Gentile, MD

Deborah’s leadership has set a new standard in addressing asthma disparities. Her research into the links between air pollution, rising asthma rates, and school absenteeism drives real change, especially for vulnerable groups. As Medical Director at Community Partners for Asthma Care, her commitment to high-quality care reaches far beyond the clinic.

Karen Benner, LEED-AP, CGP

Karen’s vision shaped WHE’s HUD Healthy Homes Asthma Program and inspired healthier housing practices across the region. Her expertise in building performance and construction science helped WHE develop a model that merges public health thinking with practical renovation solutions. Karen is Director of Building Performance Programs at Pittsburgh Gateways Corporation.

Shannon Wiggins

Shannon brings creativity and purpose to environmental education by partnering with WHE. Her work introducing health and environment lessons during school lunch periods gives students new ways to connect the dots between wellness and their surroundings. Shannon serves as Site Manager for Community Schools at Clairton City School District in Pittsburgh.

Patricia Stanko

Patricia’s leadership has raised the bar for environmental health in early childhood education. As owner of Peace, Love, and Learning, she worked alongside WHE to assess and remediate hazards in childcare spaces, setting a strong example for others committed to safer learning environments.