Chief Executive Officer of VIRGA

Dr. Jen Santry is a citizen of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and is also Sicangu Lakota, Mdewakanton Dakota, and Yankton Dakota. As an Indigenous food systems strategist and educator, Dr. Santry brings over 15 years of experience in Tribal climate adaptation, Indigenous food sovereignty, and youth and community engagement. Her work is centered on co-developing culturally resonant strategies with Indigenous communities, reimagining traditional spaces and planning to foster a direct, engaged relationship between people and the land.

She is an expert in Tribal climate planning and sustainability, collaborating with communities to create Indigenous-led programming and curriculum that supports Native youth involvement in local climate solutions. This often includes transforming Tribal schoolyards into culturally relevant outdoor learning spaces. Furthermore, Dr. Santry supports Tribes in community-centered LandBack initiatives aimed at protecting homelands, traditional foods, and medicines.

Her extensive experience includes successfully managing complex, multi-partner projects with federal, state, and Tribal governments. She also designs and teaches graduate courses and professional development opportunities in Indigenous Planning, Native Food Systems, and Tribal engagement.

Chief Operating Officer of VIRGA; CEO of PICEA Consulting Group

Dr. Chas Jones has been a trusted partner to Tribes and Indigenous Peoples for over twenty-five years. In 2023, he was awarded CleanTech Alliance's Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Award. He is a recognized expert in the Tribal Climate Resilience community and is a co-author on the Tribes and Indigenous Peoples Chapter of the 5th National Climate Assessment (2023). Chas is an author on peer-reviewed journal articles; eleven book chapters; published datasets, and popular news media. Dr. Jones was formerly the elected Mayor of Philomath, Oregon. He is a member of the American Society of Adaptation Professionals and is recognized on the Registry for Adaptation Practitioners. With a broad interdisciplinary background in climate, hydrology, engineering, environmental science & policy, biology, social sciences, politics, partnership building, finance & budgeting, and strategic executive leadership, Dr. Jones is honored to serve in a founding leadership role at VIRGA and PICEA Consulting Group.