NRDC Announces its California Advocacy Team

NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is pleased to share that we have a newly formed California Advocacy and Government Affairs team for the 2023-24 legislative session. 

The team is expertly supported by Adrienne Burchiel (415-875-6100). For media inquiries or communications needs, please contact Kari Birdseye (415-875-8243). 

Victoria Rome

California Government Affairs Director

Victoria directs state government affairs and legislative work to advance environmental and health protections for all Californians. She works to enact laws and policies that combat climate change, reduce exposure to toxic chemicals, advance equity, safeguard natural resources, and transition California to a clean energy economy.

Linda Escalante

Southern California Legislative Director

Linda promotes strong relationships with state and local elected officials, partner organizations, coalitions, grasstops, and other stakeholders. These collaborations advance the protection of public health and the environment in areas such as plastic pollution, water supply and quality, clean energy, climate change, oceans, toxic chemicals, endangered species, among many others. Linda is also a member of the California Coastal Commission and an ex officio member of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy Board since 2019. 

Darryl Little, Jr.

California Legislative Advocate

Darryl helps advance NRDC’s priorities in the California legislature in collaboration with NRDC’s program experts and our coalition partners. He helps build and expand our relationships in Sacramento and manages requests from legislative offices and the administration.

Emely Garcia

California Government Affairs Associate

Emely Garcia works primarily in Southern California, building NRDC’s relationships and broadening coalitions to advance policy objectives. She also assists with NRDC's government affairs advocacy work in Sacramento.

Jon Colmenares

California Campaigns Manager

Jon Colmenares coordinates with NRDC’s policy experts and advocates to protect public health and the environment in the Golden State. He works with local groups and constituents, educating them on their elected officials’ public interest records, targeting district advocacy, sharpening and building public support for our policy campaigns, and integrating our state-level work with federal advocacy. As a member of NRDC's Center for Policy Advocacy, Colmenares aims to build our political reach in support of smart policies.