Our Experts

Dr. Bemnet Alemayehu

Staff Scientist, Climate & Clean Energy Program

Bemnet Alemayehu concentrates on issues relating to the environmental monitoring of radiation and the health and environmental impacts of radiation. He received his PhD in radiation health physics from Oregon State University, where his dissertation focused on designing and developing…

Zanagee Artis

Fossil Fuels Policy Advocate, Nature Program

Zanagee Artis is a founding member and executive director of Zero Hour and has worked in the youth climate movement advocating for the need to transition away from fossil fuels. He is outspoken about the climate crisis and was a…

Valerie Baron

Senior Attorney and Director, National Policy, People & Communities Program

Valerie Baron works to develop federal policies that make government work for everyone, protect and foster community health, and achieve racial equity. She has more than 15 years of experience in legal advocacy, politics, and policy. Prior to her role…

Corinne Bell

Senior Attorney, People & Communities Program

Corinne Bell focuses on drinking water and surface water pollution in several states, as well as the water-related impacts of climate change. Bell's work includes PFAS and lead contamination, environmental rights, urban runoff, and green infrastructure. Before joining NRDC, Bell…

Sujatha Bergen

Director, Health Campaigns, Health and Food, People & Communities Program

Sujatha Bergen campaigns for changes in corporate and regulatory policies that protect public health—from eliminating toxic chemicals in everyday products to cutting subsidies to the fossil fuel industry to promoting climate healthy menus. Prior to working at NRDC, she was…

Lena Brook

Acting Director, Food and Agriculture, People & Communities Program

Lena Brook uses her expertise in advocacy and communications to influence decision makers of all types, from elected officials to CEOs. Her work centers on advancing a sustainable, healthier, and more equitable food system for all by leveraging a wide…

Margaret Brown

Senior Attorney, New York Regional, People & Communities Program

Margaret Brown advocates for more just and sustainable food systems in New York and other regions around the United States. In particular, she brings legal and policy tools to partnerships working to improve school food, develop the growing field of…

Lara Bryant

Deputy Director, Water & Agriculture, Nature Program

Lara Bryant promotes soil health practices and policies that protect water quality, use water more efficiently, and help farms to be more resilient to climate change. Prior to joining NRDC, she worked on sustainable agricultural policy at the National Wildlife…

Yvette Cabrera

Director, Food Waste, People & Communities Program

Yvette Cabrera focuses on building a better food system for people, the climate, and the environment. Cabrera oversees engagement on federal and state food waste policy and cutting-edge research on food waste. She also manages the Food Matters project, through…

Andrea Collins

Senior Specialist, Sustainable Food Systems, People & Communities Program

Andrea Collins focuses on making our food system more efficient, sustainable, and equitable. She is helping to create strategies that can be implemented at various stages throughout the supply chain, including on farms, within cities, and by companies. Previously, she…

Jon Colmenares

California Campaign Manager, Center for Policy Advocacy

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…

Juanita Constible

Senior Advocate, Climate & Health, People & Communities Program

Juanita Constible works with partners to advocate for climate-smart policies that protect workers and communities from the health effects of rising temperatures, sea level rise, and more extreme weather. Prior to joining NRDC, Constible oversaw the science and solutions department…

Dr. Marilee Shelton Davenport

Senior Director, Capacity and Collaboration, Science Office

Marilee Shelton Davenport focuses on growing NRDC’s scientific capacity by strengthening the organization’s connections with the external science community, while also supporting NRDC’s work at the intersection of climate and health. She brings two decades of experience working with scientists…

Emily Davis

Senior Attorney, Climate & Clean Energy Program

After working as a fellow for NRDC’s Clean Air Project for two years post graduating from law school, Emily Davis became a staff attorney in 2011. By employing a multipronged strategy that encompasses litigation, legislative advocacy, and administrative advocacy, she…

David Doniger

Senior Strategic Director, Climate & Clean Energy Program

David Doniger has been at the forefront of the battle against air pollution and global climate change since he joined NRDC in 1978. He helped formulate the Montreal Protocol, an international agreement designed to stop the depletion of the earth's…

Kate Donovan

Senior Attorney, People & Communities Program

Kate Donovan works on a range of environmental and health issues, including working to get toxic chemicals out of consumer products, federal pesticides policy, and solving our solid waste and plastics crisis. Previously, Donovan served as the deputy director of…

Sarah Elkotbeid

Advocacy Associate, People & Communities Program

Sarah Elkotbeid advocates for just and healthy communities for all, so everyone can enjoy clean air and water, fresh produce, green spaces, transit, and economic opportunity no matter their race, income, gender, and ability. Prior to NRDC, Elkotbeid received two…

Geoffrey H. Fettus

Senior Attorney, Nuclear, Climate & Clean Energy Program

Geoffrey H. Fettus both litigates and testifies before Congress for NRDC’s Climate & Clean Energy program, where he focuses primarily on issues relating to the beginning and end of the nuclear fuel cycle—including issues associated with uranium mining and the…

Steve Fleischli

Senior Director, Water Initiatives, People & Communities Program

Steve Fleischli’s area of focus encompasses not only water quality but also the role of water security in climate-preparedness programs and the relationship of water to energy production. Prior to joining NRDC in 2010, he served as the executive director…

Sasha Forbes, AICP

Director, Community Collaboration & Policy, People & Communities Program

Sasha Forbes works with local and national partners in the Strong Prosperous and Resilient Communities Challenge (SPARCC) initiative to accelerate community-led projects and policies that prioritizes racial equity, builds a culture of health, and responds to our climate crisis. She…