The following individuals will begin a second three-year term on the Birds Georgia Board of Directors beginning January 1, 2026.
Jennifer Johnson McEwen
Jennifer Johnson McEwen is a lifelong birder, with a passion for everything related to birds. When she’s not out enjoying nature, she is helping lead communications at Emory University. Jennifer’s career spans 25 years as a communicator with experience in broadcast news, agency, media, higher education, healthcare and nonprofit sectors. Jennifer has spent the last 15 years directing medical and scientific communications, public affairs and media relations for Emory’s Woodruff Health Sciences Center. Since 2018, she has led communications for Emory Brain Health, providing strategic counsel and execution of communication programs and health and behavioral information at the local, national and international levels. Jennifer also helps produce "Your Fantastic Mind," an Emmy-winning and nationally syndicated PBS television series produced at Emory Brain Health in partnership with Georgia Public Broadcasting. Jennifer has a BA from the University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism. She lives in the West Cobb area with her husband and two sons.
Amy Beth Sparks
As a lifelong animal and nature lover, Amy Beth Sparks has always been passionate about animals and nature. Her interest in sustainability led to her current role as Director of Communications within the Public Affairs, Communications, and Sustainability function at The Coca-Cola Company. In this role, Amy Beth has created communications strategies, crafted messaging, and supported many sustainability projects. Previous to this role, Amy Beth supported senior leadership with speech writing and town hall production, led employee communications in Canada, and served as editor-in-chief for the company intranet. In addition to a BA in Literature from Georgia State University, Amy Beth also holds a master’s degree in teaching English to middle- and high-school students and spent five years teaching in both North and South Fulton. A few highlights of Amy Beth’s dedication to community service include serving as a photographer for Art on the Beltline, working behind the scenes as a writer/editor for Canine Cellmates, and arranging local community ecosystem cleanups in Atlanta and Toronto. In her free time, Amy Beth enjoys painting, the trapeze, spending time with her dog, and gardening.
The following member of the Birds Georgia Board of Directors will begin a special one-tear term extension beginning January 1, 2026.
Jon Philipsborn
Jon Philipsborn currently serves as SLR’s Climate Resilience Manager. He advises clients on the strategic integration of climate change into planning, project development, and management decisions. This has included supporting public and private sector clients with disaster preparedness and climate resilience planning, understanding potential climate change impacts and associated vulnerability, and identifying and implementing adaptation strategies. Throughout his career, Jon has communicated technical information to decision makers, and worked on innovative projects that produce climate, conservation, and community benefits. He has gained valuable experience working across geographies for government, non‐profits, and the private sector. Jon has also collaborated with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), including supporting the Private Sector Alliance for Disaster Resilient Societies (ARISE) and contributing to updates and promotion of the Disaster Resilience Scorecard for Cities, as well as co‐authoring the Public Health Addendum to the Scorecard.
Prior to consulting, Jon worked for two international non‐governmental organizations supporting project development and capacity building at the nexus of climate, conservation and community. He also worked for a U.S. Senator as a Conservation Fellow and has conducted ornithological research around the globe, ranging from Leach's Storm Petrels in the Bay of Fundy, to Black Brant on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. He has also lived on two islands in the southern hemisphere with penguins! An avid and enthusiastic bird watcher, Jon brings his binoculars wherever he goes and is an participates each year in the Christmas Bird Count. Jon has published and presented for various platforms on topics related to climate adaptation, disaster resilience, and creating positive climate, conservation, and community outcomes. In addition to serving on the board of the Georgia Audubon, he currently serves as Vice Chair on the Advisory Board of the Southeast and Caribbean Disaster Resilience Partnership.
Jon lives in Decatur, GA with his wife, Becca, two kids, Michael and Claire, and dog, Scout.
Prior to consulting, Jon worked for two international non‐governmental organizations supporting project development and capacity building at the nexus of climate, conservation and community. He also worked for a U.S. Senator as a Conservation Fellow and has conducted ornithological research around the globe, ranging from Leach's Storm Petrels in the Bay of Fundy, to Black Brant on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. He has also lived on two islands in the southern hemisphere with penguins! An avid and enthusiastic bird watcher, Jon brings his binoculars wherever he goes and is an participates each year in the Christmas Bird Count. Jon has published and presented for various platforms on topics related to climate adaptation, disaster resilience, and creating positive climate, conservation, and community outcomes. In addition to serving on the board of the Georgia Audubon, he currently serves as Vice Chair on the Advisory Board of the Southeast and Caribbean Disaster Resilience Partnership.
Jon lives in Decatur, GA with his wife, Becca, two kids, Michael and Claire, and dog, Scout.
Paige Martin is a career fundraiser and serves as a global director of development at The Nature Conservancy (TNC), an international leader in conservation. She staffs the organization’s chief scientist, Katharine Hayhoe. Prior to her current role, Paige led the development team for TNC in Georgia and managed a comprehensive $36 million campaign. Paige joined TNC in 2014 after six years at Emory University, most recently as chief development officer for the neurosciences. In addition to her experience at Emory and five years in the corporate world (Fidelity Investments in Boston), Paige has led record-breaking development programs at The Asheville School, Duke University, and All Saints’ Episcopal Church. She holds a master’s degree and bachelor’s degree from Auburn University, both in communication.
Paige lives in Atlanta with husband and Centers for Disease Control expert Dr. Arjun Srinivasan, two sons (when one is home from college), and two rescue dogs. She recently had her yard certified as a Georgia Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary and is a Georgia Audubon Master Birder. She enjoys attending Georgia Audubon field trips when her schedule allows.
Paige lives in Atlanta with husband and Centers for Disease Control expert Dr. Arjun Srinivasan, two sons (when one is home from college), and two rescue dogs. She recently had her yard certified as a Georgia Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary and is a Georgia Audubon Master Birder. She enjoys attending Georgia Audubon field trips when her schedule allows.
Esther Stokes
Esther Stokes served as Board Chair of Birds Georgia from 2018-2021 and is currently Vice-Chair. She retired last year from her 35-year career in landscape design in Atlanta. Esther has been interested in gardening, native plants, birds and birding for many years and believes that Birds Georgia’s conservation and habitat restoration work is vitally important.
She also believes that expanding access to nature and greenspace is an important mission of Birds Georgia. She is a master birder and enjoys volunteering with Birds Georgia on habitat restoration days.
Prior to her involvement with Birds Georgia, Esther served as Board Chair of both Park Pride and Piedmont Park Conservancy, and served on the Trust for Public Land’s Georgia Advisory Council. She recently chaired the Faith In Action and Property Committees at Trinity Presbyterian Church and also served as Clerk of Session there. She and her husband Jim live in the Brookwood Hills neighborhood in Atlanta and have two daughters and two grandsons.
She also believes that expanding access to nature and greenspace is an important mission of Birds Georgia. She is a master birder and enjoys volunteering with Birds Georgia on habitat restoration days.
Prior to her involvement with Birds Georgia, Esther served as Board Chair of both Park Pride and Piedmont Park Conservancy, and served on the Trust for Public Land’s Georgia Advisory Council. She recently chaired the Faith In Action and Property Committees at Trinity Presbyterian Church and also served as Clerk of Session there. She and her husband Jim live in the Brookwood Hills neighborhood in Atlanta and have two daughters and two grandsons.
