Lecturer
For more than 40 years, I have worked at the intersection of environmental policy, politics, and advocacy. A proud graduate of UC Santa Barbara’s Environmental Studies program, I have remained closely connected to UCSB throughout my career and was honored to be named the department’s 1997 Alumnus of the Year, serve as the Manley Memorial Lecturer, and deliver a commencement address for the College of Letters and Science.
My career began in environmental politics as a college intern with the National Clean Air Coalition in Washington, DC, and evolved into leadership roles in national environmental advocacy, public policy, political strategy, and nonprofit management. I managed campaigns for pro-environment federal candidates, worked in the United States Senate, and led major environmental organizations and foundations.
I am best known for my decade-long tenure as president of the National League of Conservation Voters (LCV), where I worked as a national advocate for sound environmental policies and helped elect more than 100 pro-environment candidates. I later served as president of the Heinz Center for Science, Economics and the Environment and have held leadership and board positions with numerous political, environmental and conservation organizations in California and nationwide.
In 2018, I founded North Star Strategy, a Bay Area consulting firm that provides strategic advice and services to nonprofit and business clients.
As a UCSB Environmental Studies Lecturer teaching Politics of the Environment, I bring real- world policy and political experience into the classroom, combining practical insight with the history and principles of environmental policymaking to help students better understand and engage with today’s environmental challenges.
Courses Taught:
ENV S 178: Politics of the Environment