SEER100: Women in Science and Technology

SEER100: Women in Science and Technology

Author: ABA Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources September 14, 2026 Duration: 35:28

Host Norman Dupont sits down with Claudia Rast, shareholder at Butzel Long and a leader in cybersecurity and emerging technologies, to explore the impact of women in the environment, energy, and resources fields.

The conversation looks back at pioneers like Rachel Carson and Jane Goodall, and celebrates SEER trailblazers Sheila Hollis, Brenda Mallory, Alex Dunn, and Mary Nichols. Claudia then traces her own path from environmental science into cybersecurity, unpacking recent attacks on water infrastructure and the double-edged role of agentic AI in strengthening — or breaching — our cyber defenses.

The episode closes with reflections on how far women's representation in science and law has come, and the lasting value of mentorship within the SEER community.

Keep the conversation going.  Join SEER


Tune into Environmental Law Explored: A Podcast SEERies for a direct line to the minds shaping our world's environmental, energy, and resource policies. Produced by the ABA Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources, this series features candid conversations with leading practitioners who are navigating the complex intersection of law, policy, and science. You'll hear them unpack not just the latest regulatory shifts and courtroom battles, but also the historical context that brought us here and the practical realities of building a career in this dynamic field. Each episode goes beyond dry legal analysis to explore the human stories and professional insights behind the headlines. Whether you're a seasoned attorney, a law student, or simply someone keenly interested in how environmental governance works, this podcast offers an accessible yet deeply informed perspective. The discussions are grounded in real-world experience, providing listeners with a nuanced understanding of how laws are interpreted, challenged, and implemented. Remember, the views expressed belong solely to the speakers. For anyone looking to grasp the forces that dictate our relationship with the planet, this is an essential listen.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Environmental Law Explored: A Podcast SEERies
Podcast Episodes
Policy and Regulation: A Fireside Chat with Joseph Goffman [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:40
Joe Goffman, Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and Chuck Knauss, former lead Republican Counsel to the House Energy and Commerce Committee during…
50 Years of EPA: Looking Back with Walter Mugdan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:49
Walter Mugdan discusses his career at EPA, where he began working in 1975 as a staff attorney in Region 2, and subsequently served in various supervisory positions in the Office of Regional Counsel, with Emily Mott, seni…
50 Years of EPA: Looking Back with Roger Martella [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:46
Roger Martella discusses his service as General Counsel at the EPA from 2005-2008 with JD Howard, an associate at Morris, Manning, & Martin, LLP and past member of the Section's Leadership Development Program. This podca…
50 Years of EPA: Looking Back with Quentin Pair (Part 2) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:45
In the second of two episodes, Quentin Pair continues a discussion on his career and environmental justice, and shares his thoughts on the future of EPA with Phillip Dupré, a Senior Attorney at the U.S. Department of Jus…
50 Years of EPA: Looking Back with Quentin Pair (Part 1) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:06
In the first of two episodes, Quentin Pair discusses his career, which included serving as senior trial attorney for the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the U.S. Department of Justice for many years and wor…
SEER Essentials: What Can Animal Law Learn From Environmental Law? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:43
With its intricate layers of international, federal, and state protections, environmental law is more established than animal law. In this podcast episode, Glenda Valdez, a recent graduate of Lewis & Clark Law School, in…