NRDC Hires Troy Riddle as Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer
NEW YORK – NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) announced today the appointment of Troy Riddle (he/him) to the new position of Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Officer. A thought leader with decades of experience championing diversity in the academic and legal space, Riddle will implement strategies and initiatives that will enhance NRDC’s commitment to a diverse, equitable, and anti-racist workplace and mission. Riddle starts at NRDC on August 17, 2020, and will report to Gina McCarthy, President and CEO.
“I am excited to take this next step in my career and join NRDC as their Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer, and be part of their journey to become an anti-racist organization,” said Riddle. “My work is grounded in the principles of social justice and belonging. I’m encouraged by NRDC’s commitment to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion, and look forward to building on the work they’re doing to create a more just organization and world.”
“Troy has the vision, experience and passion to lead NRDC into a new period of growth—one centered on making diversity, equity and inclusion core to everything we do,” said Gina McCarthy, President and CEO of NRDC. “We are ready and eager to welcome him to NRDC and with his guidance we will meet our commitment to become an anti-racist organization.”
As the organization’s first Chief DEI Officer, Riddle will develop a comprehensive framework that will enhance NRDC’s effectiveness as an advocate for the environment and human health. He will set initiatives that foster a more inclusive and equitable culture across all the NRDC offices; work with HR to make sure all policies and practices are equitable and accessible to all; develop community and academic partnerships that diversify recruiting; and conduct training and workshops.
Prior to joining NRDC, Riddle served as Assistant Dean of Diversity and Inclusion at Albany Law School. There, he drove the implementation of a strategic plan on diversity, worked to meet the needs of underrepresented populations and people of marginalized identities, and identified the ways and practices by which large institutions can become more inclusive, including culture change.
Riddle’s broad experiences include serving as Assistant Dean of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at the John Marshall Law School in Chicago, Assistant Dean and Multicultural Affairs Officer at Widener University Delaware Law School, and Assistant Director for Diversity Initiatives with the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). His leadership and vision to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion earned him the Diversity Excellence in Leadership Award from the National Association of Law Student Affairs Professionals and the Illinois State Bar Association Diversity Leadership Award. Riddle has a Juris Doctor from Widener, and a master’s in business administration from Philadelphia University.
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Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. (NRDC) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Since 1970, our lawyers, scientists, and other environmental specialists have worked to protect the world's natural resources, public health, and the environment. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Bozeman, MT, and Beijing. Visit us at www.nrdc.org and follow us on Twitter @NRDC.