Our People Matter

Advisory Committee

Julia Nene-Pratt

When she’s not working at her job as chief of staff and transformation lead at HPE, Julia Nene-Pratt practices sustainable gardening (she took a course through Phipps Conservancy and is planning a native herb garden for spring!), joins WPC garden cleanups and hikes whenever it’s not “bone chilling cold.”

She joined WPC’s Emerging Leaders Advisory Committee in 2025, bringing with her valuable skills in strategy, sustainability, KPI measurement and community engagement to support WPC’s conservation work.

 How did you become involved with WPC and what motivates you to stay connected?

I grew up in Erie and WPC’s work resonated during my time there. When my family moved back to Pittsburgh, my dear friend Abby Badach Doyle recommended I get involved in WPC’s Emerging Leaders Advisory Board. It seemed like a full-circle opportunity I had to pursue.

A favorite nature memory:

When we lived out west, my husband and I found a great camping spot on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land outside of Moab, Utah, right next to this incredible horseshoe-shaped canyon. We were the only humans around—I’ll never forget the experience of the desert landscape!

What would you tell a friend or colleague about why you are an Emerging Leader with WPC?

We have a wealth of natural assets in Western PA and a group of amazing individuals who work or volunteer their time to advocate for them. I love learning from local subject matter experts about their specialized roles such as GIS mapping, migration tracking and mushroom foraging to name a few.

What aspects of WPC are you most passionate about? 

•  Community Gardens
•  Community Forestry
•  Land Conservation
•  Land Stewardship
•  Watershed Conservation
•  Conservation Science/PNHP
•  Fallingwater