About

I have been a private sector attorney, public sector official, and non-profit executive. I’m known for designing and implementing innovative environmental initiatives in a variety of issue areas, including: water policy and management, urban forests, green infrastructure, food systems and food policy, with extensive experience in multi-stakeholder management systems. I have expertise in organizational development, team building, stakeholder engagement, public policy, public relations, government relations, developing and managing complex collaboratives, and am skilled in strategy and communications.

I’m proud of my work as a Commissioner with the California Coastal Commission and a Los Angeles City Public Works Commissioner, in advancing water quality protection policies and updated stormwater management practices that utilize green infrastructure, which also replenished groundwater. As I developed my food policy work, in an effort to re-connect the impacted parts to the whole of the system (particularly its ecological roots), I founded the Los Angeles Food Policy Council and then the Center for Good Food Purchasing.

I’m honored to have been awarded the Ashoka Fellowship for social entrepreneurs; the Stanton Fellowship of the Durfee Foundation; and the Bellagio Center Residency by the Rockefeller Foundation.

I’ve also been a visiting professor at UC Berkeley and have taught graduate classes at Vermont Law School, UCLA Dept. of Urban Planning, and UCLA School of Law - and am always so delighted to share experience with each incoming class of remarkable students.