Urban Environmentalists empowers our network of roughly 11,000 grassroots activists and coalition partners to transform cities and towns into more sustainable, human-centered, and just communities through land use policy reform. We have chapters in California and Illinois, with activists nationwide.
Our chapters’ Leads and volunteers advocate for urbanist political change through an environmental lens, grow the pro-housing environmental movement, take on leadership roles in their communities, and activate our coalition partners to start fighting for walkable communities with abundant housing. We're a part of the YIMBY Action pro-housing network.
Joanna is the former Executive Director of Urban Environmentalists and she now sits on the Advisory Board. She came to Urban Environmentalists from the California Public Utilities Commission, where she served as an Administrative Law Judge and Commissioner's Advisor, among other roles. She brings to Urban Environmentalists her expertise in clean energy and transportation policy, energy and infrastructure programs for underserved communities, and of course, navigating complex government bureaucracies. Her several research fellowships in Germany have also inspired Joanna to become ever more committed to urbanism here in the Bay Area. In her free time, Joanna serves as a member of the board of the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition.
Chris is a renowned expert in urban sustainability and climate action strategies. With a background in urban planning and energy management, Chris works with local governments, universities, and non-profit organizations across the United States to develop sustainable infrastructure and environmental policy frameworks. He recently led the consultant teams for New York City’s first comprehensive environmental justice report and the award-winning Los Angeles Countywide Sustainability Plan – widely recognized as the nation’s boldest, most inclusive regional sustainability strategy.
Meredith has dedicated nearly twenty years to developing and advancing climate, clean energy, and transportation policy. She holds a J.D. and is currently a policy consultant and lobbyist at Hua Nani Partners. Previously, as Policy Director at CALSTART, her legislative and regulatory successes included passing California’s first smog check requirement for trucks and Washington’s adoption of a Low Carbon Fuel Standard. Meredith has previously worked in state and local government, from the San Francisco City Attorney’s office to the California Environmental Protection Agency, on political campaigns, on land use policy for Portland, OR agricultural land trusts.
Ben is a Lead with Urban Environmentalists California.
Ben is a Lead in Training with Urban Environmentalists Illinois.
Chris is a Lead with Urban Environmentalists Illinois.
Connor is a Lead in Training with Urban Environmentalists California.
Dani is a Lead in Training with Urban Environmentalists California.
Garen is a Lead with Urban Environmentalists California.
Gershon is a Lead with Urban Environmentalists California.
Lizzie is a Lead with Urban Environmentalists California.
Max is a Senior Lead with Urban Environmentalists California.
Pooja is a Lead in Training with Urban Environmentalists California.
Ratnika is a Lead in Training with Urban Environmentalists Illinois.
Robert is a Senior Lead with Urban Environmentalists Illinois.
Taylor is a Senior Lead with Urban Environmentalists California.
Zack is a Senior Lead with Urban Environmentalists California.
