Dr. Arthur C. Petersen was born and raised in the historic waterfront town of Frederiksted, located on the western end of St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. He lived there through his childhood years until 1971, when he left for the US mainland to attend Cornell University on a full scholarship. After obtaining his PhD from the University of Minnesota in 1982, he permanently returned to the islands. Dr.

Brenda Torres is the Executive Director of the San Juan Bay National Estuary Program, a 501(c)(3) organization that is part of the National Estuary Program. She has been in this role for 24 years and is responsible for managing the program's operations and initiatives. Torres is based in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and has a strong platform with the right contacts and resources to quickly react and deploy resources in response to environmental challenges. She has been involved in managing issues related to renewable energy, mental health support, and comprehensive water quality sampling.

Greg Guannel is the director of the Caribbean Green Technology Center at the University of the Virgin Islands. He is a civil engineer by training and has a background in coastal engineering and hazard risk reduction by ecosystems such as mangroves and coral reefs. Guannel focuses on issues of infrastructure resilience, energy independence, and waste reduction. He resides on St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands, and his work encompasses the entire Virgin Islands region.

Kristin Wilson Grimes is an Assistant Professor of Research at the University of the Virgin Islands with a joint appointment in the Department of Biology and the Center for Marine and Environmental Studies. She also serves as the director for the Virgin Islands Water Resources Research Institute, a territorial and federal partnership between the territory and the United States Geological Survey.

Soledad Gaztambide is involved in environmental management and research, particularly focused on tropical forestry. She is currently employed as the Environmental Policy and Government Relations Coordinator at the Conservation Trust of Puerto Rico. Previously, Soledad worked with an Environmental Justice organization in New York City, focusing on advocating for public transportation, bike safety, and pedestrian infrastructure. She holds a Master's degree in urban and environmental policy and planning, and before that,  worked as a GIS Analyst in a Planning Office.

Vanessa Forbes is a horticulture agent with the University of the Virgin Islands Cooperative Extension Service. She works with the community, including farmers, homeowners, schools, and non-profit organizations, addressing issues related to agricultural commodities and home plants. Vanessa's work involves providing assistance and guidance to help individuals and organizations manage their horticultural needs. She has a diverse range of responsibilities and is involved in various aspects of horticulture, demonstrating a broad understanding of the field.