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, one of the United States' most influential environmental action groups, uses law, science and the support of 1.3 million members and online activists to advance comprehensive solutions to today’s biggest environmental challenges.
Under Ms. Beinecke's leadership, the NRDC focuses sharply on establishing a clean energy future that curbs climate change, reviving the world's oceans, defending endangered wildlife and wild places, protecting our health by preventing pollution, fostering sustainable communities, and ensuring safe and sufficient water. Using law, science and effective advocacy, NRDC advocates its mission to safeguard the earth: its people, its plants and animals and the natural systems on which all life depends.
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. Under her years of leadership, NRDC's membership has doubled, and the staff has grown to more than 400. She began her career as a member of 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, Frances was appointed by President Obama to the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling. She has played a leadership role in several other environmental organizations. She currently serves on the board of the World Resources Institute, and the Meridian Institute. She has been a member of the boards of the Wilderness Society, and 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 has co-chaired the Leadership Council of the Yale School of Forestry and currently serves on the Yale School of Management’s Advisory Board and is a former member of the Yale Corporation.
Ms. Beinecke has received the Rachel Carson Award from the National Audubon Society, 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.
