ZERO WASTE FORUM & INTERNATIONAL DIALOGUE KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Meet Dr. Zeynep Çelikel (she/her), an international civil servant at the United Nations. Previously, she served as a career diplomat from 2015 to 2022 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey. During the 77th session of the General Assembly, she served as an Adviser in the Human Rights & Humanitarian Team in the Office of the Presiden

Meet Dr. Zeynep Çelikel (she/her), an international civil servant at the United Nations. Previously, she served as a career diplomat from 2015 to 2022 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey. During the 77th session of the General Assembly, she served as an Adviser in the Human Rights & Humanitarian Team in the Office of the President of the General Assembly, where she also assumed the duty of the main focal point on Zero Waste. 

Prior to this role, Zeynep was a member of the Permanent Mission of Turkey to the UN, focusing on political and humanitarian developments in the Americas, as well as the Elections, Economic and Financial Committee (Second Committee); social media, public diplomacy, and cultural affairs. 

Zeynep completed her PhD in Hispanic Studies at Ankara University and speaks Turkish (native), Spanish, and English.

Meet Katie, a distinguished environmental engineer and climate action designer, acclaimed for her authorship of impactful books such as "How to Save the World" and "Zerowastify." Beyond her literary prowess, Katie leads innovation in app design, campaign creation, and dashboards, seamlessly integrating game design and behavioral science f

Meet Katie, a distinguished environmental engineer and climate action designer, acclaimed for her authorship of impactful books such as "How to Save the World" and "Zerowastify." Beyond her literary prowess, Katie leads innovation in app design, campaign creation, and dashboards, seamlessly integrating game design and behavioral science for effective environmental action. As a key advisor to organizations like UNEP, NASA JPL, and Google, she's dedicated to environmental behavior design. 

Co-founder of startups Energy Lollipop and Urban Canopy, Katie actively works to reduce peak CO2 emissions, exemplified by a real-time Chrome extension showcasing California grid emissions. Katie's global influence is showcased in her TEDx talk and UN General Assembly address, emphasizing creativity and imagination in environmental change. 

Explore gamification with her monthly training and connect via social media for regular insights. To collaborate or seek advice, consider a 90-minute Idea Storming session with Katie. 

Meet Crystal, a reuse pioneer whose life goal is to disrupt the status quo of our

throw-away economy. She is in her 14th year of creating solutions that move our society away from single-use and joined Upstream as their new CEO in August 2023. Previously, she founded Don't Waste Durham (est. 2013) which led local and state policy changes t

Meet Crystal, a reuse pioneer whose life goal is to disrupt the status quo of our

throw-away economy. She is in her 14th year of creating solutions that move our society away from single-use and joined Upstream as their new CEO in August 2023. Previously, she founded Don't Waste Durham (est. 2013) which led local and state policy changes to reduce single-use plastics and built infrastructure (logistics, wash, staffing) that make reuse possible. Her goal is to help shift our economy to one that is just, sustainable, and builds economically resilient communities. She believes reuse must be our societal norm, not the exception.

Crystal's award-winning work has been featured on national news including PBS, NPR,

Treehugger, and Fast Company Magazine. In 2021, she was awarded Activist of the Year at The Reusies®. She has a Master's degree in public health and is a returned Peace Corps Volunteer. In her spare time, she connects with the natural world by camping, hiking, and fishing. She’s the mother of two school-age boys.

Meet Denaya, GAIA's dynamic force since 2023, boasting over a decade of expertise in nonprofit leadership, zero waste, recycling, environmental justice, community organizing, and education. With a rich background including leadership roles at the Ecology Center Berkeley and active participation in the Alliance of Mission-Based Recyclers, 

Meet Denaya, GAIA's dynamic force since 2023, boasting over a decade of expertise in nonprofit leadership, zero waste, recycling, environmental justice, community organizing, and education. With a rich background including leadership roles at the Ecology Center Berkeley and active participation in the Alliance of Mission-Based Recyclers, Denaya is committed to advancing equity-centered and community-led climate solutions. 

Her focus on dismantling systemic barriers and amplifying marginalized voices reflects her dedication to creating more resilient and just communities. Holding an MA.Ed. in Urban Environmental Education, Denaya operates from GAIA's Berkeley, U.S. office, where she works tirelessly to foster positive change. Beyond her impactful work, she finds joy in travel and Netflix sessions, accompanied by her spirited cat, Devyn.