Our Experts

NRDC experts ground their work in research and science to advocate for laws and policies that create lasting environmental change. Search for an expert below, or read their latest blog posts.

Experts

Viewing 1 - 20 of 45

Erwin Lee Acox Jr.

Managing Director, Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Erwin Lee Acox Jr. joined NRDC in March 2023 with more than a decade of experience in DEI leadership roles. Most recently, he served as director of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion at Tides Network, where he led efforts to…

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…

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…

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…

Meleah Geertsma

Director, Environmental Justice Policy; Environment, Equity & Justice Center
Meleah Geertsma works with communities of color and low-income communities to address environmental injustices, combining her background in public health with legal advocacy to support frontline partners. Her focus includes addressing the impacts of concentrated industrial sources and freight on…

Stephanie Gidigbi Jenkins

Director, Policy & Partnerships, People & Communities Program
Stephanie Gidigbi Jenkins champions public policy solutions that promote economic, social, and environmental benefits for communities. She fosters strategic partnerships to advance federal campaigns, coalition efforts, social equity, and climate justice. She also coordinates NRDC's effort in advancing a federal…

Laura Goldberg

Midwest Director, Energy Equity and Affordability, People & Communities Program
Laura Goldberg oversees NRDC's Midwest strategy for energy equity and affordability. This includes increasing energy efficiency, clean energy, and equitable climate solutions in affordable housing and underserved communities across the region, especially in low-income communities and communities of color. She…

Ariana Gonzalez

Director, Equitable Policy, Climate & Clean Energy Program
Ariana Gonzalez provides guidance and support for nurturing more just, equitable, and inclusive processes, partnerships, and policies. She also acts as a liaison between her program and the newly created Environment, Equity, and Justice Center at NRDC. Prior to this…

Meghan Hassett

Midwest Campaign Manager, Center for Policy Advocacy
Meghan Hassett manages and coordinates Illinois and Midwest campaign efforts on behalf of NRDC and NRDC Action Fund, working with NRDC’s policy experts and advocates, as well as coalition partners, to build the political support needed to protect public health…

David Hawkins

Director, Climate Policy, Climate & Clean Energy Program
David Hawkins joined the nascent NRDC in 1971 and has been with it ever since, minus the four years he spent working at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency during the Carter administration. Upon his return, he dedicated much of his…

Sara Imperiale

Litigation Director and Senior Attorney, Environment, Equity & Justice Center
Sara E. Imperiale litigates and advocates in support of low-income communities of color and environmental justice coalitions across the country. In her current role, she builds litigation capacity and strategy for NRDC's Environment, Equity & Justice Center to advance community-led…

Jessica Jinn

Advocate, City Equity, People & Communities Program
Jessica Jinn supports NRDC advocates, core partners, community partners, and cities to equitably advance climate programs and goals. Prior to this role, Jinn worked in clean transportation policy and programs with the mayor's office of Los Angeles and the Center…

Adam Kent

Senior Advisor, Green Finance Center, People & Communities Program
Adam Kent works at the intersection of finance and climate, with a particular focus on the role housing and community development finance play in creating a more equitable and environmentally sustainable economy. Prior to NRDC, Kent was the deputy director…

Patrick King

Advocate, Southeast Mobility Choices, People & Communities Program
Patrick King leads NRDC's work to create and advocate for low-carbon, equitable transportation choices in the Southeast, focusing on partnerships and policy opportunities in North Carolina and Georgia. Prior to joining NRDC, King worked regionally as an electric transportation and clean energy…

Dr. Kim Knowlton

Senior Scientist, Science Office
Kim Knowlton focuses on the public health impacts of climate change and advocates for strategies to prepare for—and prevent—these impacts, especially in vulnerable communities. Her research into the links between climate change and health supports NRDC’s knowledge partnerships with a…

Heather Kryczka

Staff Attorney, Environment, Equity & Justice Center
Heather Kryczka advocates with and litigates on behalf of environmental justice communities, including those that are disproportionately impacted by pollution from the goods movement industry. Before joining NRDC, Kryczka litigated environmental citizen suit cases with Earthjustice and private public interest…

Dr. Vijay Limaye

Senior Scientist, Science Office
Vijay Limaye is a climate and health scientist in NRDC’s Science Office. As an epidemiologist, he is broadly interested in addressing international environmental health challenges—quantifying, communicating, and reducing the risks associated with climate change—with a focus on the public health…