Frances Beinecke President, Natural Resources Defense Council
- Press Contact:
- Jenny Powers
- jpowers@nrdc.org
- (212) 727-2700
Bio
Frances Beinecke is the president of NRDC. NRDC is a leading nonprofit group that takes on the environmental issues that matter most, from the safety of our air and water to the health of our families and the future of our climate. NRDC's lawyers and scientists hold polluters accountable, push lawmakers to take climate action, and persuade leaders to safeguard our communities.Under Ms. Beinecke's leadership, the NRDC has focused on finding solutions to some of the biggest environmental challenges of our time. For instance, we secure clean energy standards in order to fight climate change. We establish underwater parks and negotiate international fishing treaties to revive the world's oceans. We help deliver clean air and toxic-free products to make our communities safer places to live.
Ms. Beinecke has worked with NRDC for more than 30 years. Prior to becoming the president in 2006, Ms. Beinecke served as the organization's executive director for eight years, during which time NRDC's membership doubled and the staff grew to more than 400. She began her career as an advocate in NRDC's Water & Coastal Program, fighting to protect marine ecosystems from offshore oil and gas development and advocating for sound coastal land use.
In 2010, Ms. Beinecke was appointed by President Obama to the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling. She joined Energy Secretary Chu's Energy Advisory Board and currently serves on the Advisory Board of the MIT Energy Initiative. She also serves on the boards of the World Resources Institute and the Energy Future Coalition and has been a member of the boards of the New York League of Conservation Voters.
Ms. Beinecke received a bachelor's degree from Yale College and a master's degree from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. She participated in the Leadership Council of Yale School of Forestry, is a member of the Yale School of Management's Advisory Board and a former member of the Yale Corporation.
Ms. Beinecke has received the Rachel Carson Award from the National Audubon Society, the Yale Medal from Yale University, the Distinguished Alumni Award from Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies, the Annual Conservation Award from the Adirondack Council, and the Robert Marshall Award from the Wilderness Society.
