2026 GLC Advocacy Summit

May 4–6, 2026

A large group of people posing in front of the camera with the Capitol Hill building and green trees in the background

GLC members lobbying on Capitol Hill

Credit:

Alyssa Schukar for NRDC

About the event

NRDC’s Green Leaders for Change (GLC) Advocacy Summit is a unique opportunity for NRDC supporters to weigh in directly with members of Congress and hear from prominent decision-makers from across the country about critical environmental legislation and policies. It’s also a way to meaningfully engage with NRDC leaders and experts and connect with fellow NRDC activists.  

This year’s summit will zero in on strategies to pioneer bold, science-based policies and to protect bedrock environmental laws from being dismantled by the current administration. We’ll discuss NRDC’s litigation plans, how clean energy unlocks affordability and economic opportunity, how the rapid growth of AI data centers can be managed responsibly, avenues that can advance our agenda at the state and international levels, and more. We’ll be gathering your valuable input along the way, so come ready to share your thoughts and help shape the future of environmental advocacy!

REGISTER HERE

What people are saying

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“One of NRDC’s greatest strengths is our people power. The GLC is a testament to this, and I am full of hope and gratitude because of all of you. The world we’re creating is a much better world for everyone. It is more inclusive, more prosperous, and more resilient.”

—NRDC President & Chief Executive Officer Manish Bapna

“I found the GLC summit to be very educational and interesting. I enjoyed learning about how NRDC interacts with politicians and the team’s big challenges and successes, like passing the Inflation Reduction Act, which has created so many jobs. The NRDC team is amazing—intelligent, informed, and engaging. I came away with a sense of hope, inspired by the team’s ongoing determination and resilience. NRDC just does not give up.”

—GLC member Lindy Novak

“It was a privilege to hear so many excellent speakers and very invigorating to share the summit with so many kindred spirits. The summit was beautifully run. I am still absorbing all that I learned, and I hope to constructively leverage this information to take on the Trump administration’s anti-environment plans.”

—GLC member Lisa Meyer

“I appreciated spending time with the NRDC team, meeting other committed donors, and gaining ever more knowledge of the impressive range of work that NRDC does, along with learning about the extraordinary respect they’ve earned in the Washington, D.C., community.”

—GLC member Cynthia Lloyd 

“The GLC Advocacy Summit is my favorite NRDC event, bringing together our closest supporters for two days of community, learning, and action. Whether you’ve been coming for years, or you are attending for the first time, you’re in for a transformative experience.”

—NRDC Chief Counsel Mitch Bernard

“We face headwinds in today’s political landscape, but the stakes are too high to give up. I can’t thank GLC members enough for standing up for the issues that mean so much to all of us.”

—NRDC Executive Director Christy Goldfuss 

Event logistics

Dates

May 4–6, 2026

Location

St. Regis Washington, D.C.
923 16th St NW
Washington, D.C. 20006

Cost

Event is free to attend; travel and lodging are not included.

Accommodations

A block of hotel rooms has been reserved for attendees at St. Regis Washington, D.C., at a discounted rate of $489 per night, plus taxes. Please register for the GLC Advocacy Summit and reserve your room by April 8, 2026, for the discounted rate. To reserve your room, please click here or call the hotel directly at 202-638-2626.

REGISTER HERE

Speakers & presenters

Past speakers include:

  • Senator Cory Booker
  • Former U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm
  • Congressman Jared Huffman
  • House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries
  • Former White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Brenda Mallory
  • Senator Ed Markey
  • Maryland Governor Wes Moore
  • Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi
  • Former White House Senior Advisor for Clean Energy Innovation and Implementation John Podesta
  • Former U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan
  • Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer
  • Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro
  • Former White House National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi 

Schedule of activities

Monday, May 4, 2026
5–⁠7 p.m. Welcome reception
Tuesday, May 5, 2026
8:30 a.m.–9:30 a.m. Welcome breakfast
8:30 a.m.–⁠4:15 p.m. Panel discussions, conversations, interactive sessions, and meals with experts from NRDC and beyond
4:45–5:15 p.m. Lobby groups meetup (registration required) 
6:30–9:30 p.m. Optional dinner sponsored by the NRDC Action Fund   
Wednesday, May 6, 2026
7:30–⁠9 a.m. Breakfast and lobby meeting training (registration required) 
9–9:45 a.m. Keynote address
10:30 a.m.– ⁠4:30 p.m. LOBBY TRACK: Lobbying on Capitol Hill (registration required)
10:30 a.m.–
2:30 p.m.		 PANEL TRACK: Morning sessions and lunch with NRDC experts
5–6 p.m. Reconvene for a happy hour and lobby debrief

Schedule is subject to change and will be updated as times and activities are confirmed. .

Attendees listening to a speaker during the Green Leaders for Change (GLC) Summit held at the St. Regis in Washington, DC, on May 6, 2025.

Attendees at the 2025 GLC Summit

Credit: Alyssa Schukar for NRDC
NRDC President Manish Bapna listening to Representative for New York's 8th Congressional District, Hakeem Jeffries, speaking during a fireside chat at the Green Leaders for Change (GLC) Summit held at the St. Regis in Washington, DC, on May 6, 2025.

NRDC President & CEO Manish Bapna (left) and Representative Hakeem Jeffries at a fireside chat at the 2025 GLC Summit

Credit: Alyssa Schukar for NRDC
A lobby group of Green Leaders for Change (GLC) Summit attendees walk past the Capitol building in Washington, DC, on May 7, 2025. For lobby day, participants are separated into groups paired with an NRDC staffer and then guided to numerous meetings with US Representatives and/or staffers Capitol Hill.

A lobby group of 2025 GLC Summit attendees walking past the Capitol building

Credit: Alyssa Schukar for NRDC
Snyder Gressard Strategy co-founder, Lora Snyder, speaking during the panel discussion "Defending IRA and its Clean Energy Renaissance," at the Green Leaders for Change (GLC) Summit held at the St. Regis in Washington, DC, on May 6, 2025. Other panelists, from left: Moderator and NRDC Chief Policy Advocacy Officer, Center for Campaigns & Organizing, Alexandra Adams Founder and President of Climate Vision, Adrian Deveny

Lora Snyder (center), cofounder of Snyder Gressard Strategy, speaking during the panel discussion titled Defending IRA and its Clean Energy Renaissance at the 2025 GLC Summit

Credit: Alyssa Schukar for NRDC
A lobby group of Green Leaders for Change (GLC) Summit attendees posing for a group portrait outside the Capitol building in Washington, DC, on May 7, 2025. Front row, from left: Lisa Meyers Anthony Bernhardt Lynn Feintech Adrienne Chen Bethany Chen Taylor Kampia Jessica Chen Advocacy Associate, Government Affairs for NRDC's Center for Campaigns & Organizing, Jada Larson Back row, from left: Liz Barbour Nancy Field John Dawson For lobby day, participants are separated into groups paired with an NRDC st

A lobby group of GLC Summit attendees outside the Capitol building

Credit: Alyssa Schukar for NRDC
Attendees in conversation during the Green Leaders for Change (GLC) Summit held at the St. Regis in Washington, DC, on May 6, 2025. People included, from left: Founder and President of Future Energy Enterprises and E2 member, Annette Beitel Scott Ryan NRDC Executive Director Christy Goldfuss NRDC Regional Director of Development, Midwest and Mountain States, Kendra Foley

From left: NRDC Executive Director Christy Goldfuss (center, standing) speaking to attendees of the 2025 GLC Summit

Credit: Alyssa Schukar for NRDC
Representative for California 27th Congressional District, George Whitesides, poses for a group portrait with a lobby group of Green Leaders for Change (GLC) Summit attendees at his office in Washington, DC, on May 7, 2025. For lobby day, participants are separated into groups paired with an NRDC staffer and then guided to numerous meetings with US Representatives and/or staffers Capitol Hill.

Representative George Whitesides (third from right) with a GLC Summit lobby group at his office

Credit: Alyssa Schukar for NRDC
An attendee asks a question during the Green Leaders for Change (GLC) Summit held at the St. Regis in Washington, DC, on May 7, 2025.

Attendees engaging in discussions at the 2025 GLC Summit

Credit: Alyssa Schukar for NRDC
NRDC President Manish Bapna in conversation with Representative for California's 2nd Congressional District, Jared Huffman, during the Green Leaders for Change (GLC) Summit held at the St. Regis in Washington, DC, on May 7, 2025.

NRDC President & CEO Manish Bapna in conversation with Representative Jared Huffman during the 2025 GLC Summit

Credit: Alyssa Schukar for NRDC
Representative for New York's 12th Congressional District Jerrold Nadler poses for a group portrait with a lobby group of Green Leaders for Change (GLC) Summit attendees at his office in Washington, DC, on May 7, 2025. For lobby day, participants are separated into groups paired with an NRDC staffer and then guided to numerous meetings with US Representatives and/or staffers Capitol Hill.

Representative Jerrold Nadler (center) with a lobby group of GLC Summit attendees at his office

Credit: Alyssa Schukar for NRDC

Learn more about the GLC

The GLC is a community of philanthropic supporters and advocates who are politically active in ways that promote NRDC’s goal of advancing solutions that protect the health and well-being of people, communities, and the planet.  

GLC members regularly lobby officials in Congress and the administration on behalf of NRDC, sign congressional leadership letters, strategize with NRDC experts, and leverage their connections to further NRDC’s mission.

READ MORE ABOUT THE GLC 

FAQ

The summit is a unique opportunity to network with other NRDC supporters, engage with NRDC leaders, hear fantastic keynote speakers, and weigh in with decision-makers in Congress.

To participate, you must sign up either through the summit registration form or by emailing GLC@nrdc.org. We have a limited number of spots available. The lobby meetings will take place on Wednesday, May 6. Note that participation requires attending the full day of lobby meetings, as well as a virtual training session on April 29 or April 30; a meetup with your lobby group on the afternoon of May 5; and a breakfast with your lobby group on May 6. 

Yes! Any guests who are interested in learning about and contributing to this effort are welcome but should register separately.

Reagan National Airport is 15 minutes from the venue. Dulles International is 40 minutes away. Both have direct public transportation options. Baltimore/Washington International is an hour away.

Please let us know about your dietary restrictions when registering for the summit so we can plan accordingly.

The summit is business casual. For lobby meetings and the optional NRDC Action Fund dinner, the attire is business.

Contact us

Please contact us at GLC@nrdc.org with any questions.