On the weekend of May 31st, 50+ environmental leaders of color gathered in Atlanta for Green Leadership Trust’s (GLT) 11th Annual Membership Retreat. GLT is a powerful network of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) serving as fiduciaries on the boards of more than 220 environmental organizations and foundations. This year’s theme— “We Thrive in the Power of the Collective”—reflects the urgency of our current moment. It is more important than ever for environmental organizations to honor their commitments to community and renew their dedication to equity and diversity, with the attacks on the environment and the nonprofit sector. The GLT members and partners who gathered for this retreat embody the urgency of responding to this challenge, as well as the talent, capacity, and passion to do so. GLT members, during the retreat, heard from leaders engaged in critical conversations around the responsibility of environmental nonprofit organizations to stand up for justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion(JEDI) — in the face of political pressure to halt or reverse these efforts. They heard from speakers with current and past ties to the federal government and national environmental justice organizations, discussing the large-scale environmental policy impacts of the current administration. Leaders from Georgia discussed how the struggle against the legacy of slavery continues to manifest in tangible ways in the state’s energy sector and elections. The retreat concluded with a tour of Atlanta and Cop City, led by a local activist and organizer who raised up the connections between racist policy, infrastructure, and the militarization of the police state. “Being in the room with GLT is all about growing leadership today!” said Tykee James, co-founder and Board member of Amplify the Future. “This inspirational weekend demonstrated that it’s more important than ever to grow and activate changemakers and courageous dreamers to take on today’s challenges to the movement.” In addition to learning from partners in the field, this retreat leaned into the collective power of the GLT network with several training and deep discussion sessions about how to best leverage their roles as Board fiduciaries. GLT members facilitated trainings on fundraising and philanthropy, understanding our legal obligations and liabilities, and effective crisis communication strategies in the context of this moment. Members’ insight into the boards of environmental organizations, large and small, positions GLT well to hold these groups to account for their JEDI  commitments with an approach informed both by best governance practice and the lived experience of the communities impacted by this work.“GLT never disappoints, " said Sharmon Lebby, a nonprofit consultant and Board member at Intersectional Environmentalist. “This was such an incredible weekend of learning. It was an amazing opportunity to hear from those on the ground in Atlanta and other GLT members.  I was greatly encouraged, not just by their knowledge and experience, but also by the passion, drive, and intentionality behind every action they take. During this particular time in our country, it is heartening to know that this vital work continues in such meaningful and powerful ways”. As the federal government and private corporations try to retreat from or overturn JEDI initiatives, it is vital that environmental organizations hold the line in solidarity with and defense of the frontline and disenfranchised communities of color whose very existence is most threatened by these actions. Over the last year, GLT has driven these efforts at scale by:In April 2025, GLT proudly launched the 4th cohort of the Cecil Corbin-Mark Vanguard Fellowship with an energizing Kickoff Weekend in Denver, CO (April 4–6). This milestone gathering marked the beginning of an ambitious new chapter, bringing together 10 dynamic Fellows and 10 deeply committed GLT mentors who will guide and champion this next wave of visionary leadership;28 Board placements at the Friends of the Earth, Peoples Justice Council, Next100, Inside Climate News, Wildland’s Network, Green Faith, Clean Energy Works, Our Climate, Waterfront Alliance, and Physicians for Social Responsibility, among others; GLT held Speed Board Networking events where organizations pitched their work to board candidates. At the November 2024 Board matching session eight organizations - Environmental Leadership Program, Next100, One Square World, Run on Climate, Greenfaith, Black Sustainability, GreenLatinos, Greening Forward - presented to 24 GLT members interested in serving as a Board member;Secured 35 one-to-one conversations with CEOs and their Human Resources staff to familiarize them with best practices with equitable governance;GLT hosted Sabrina Talukder of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law on March 25, 2025 for a session exploring the evolving landscape of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Talukder provided an overview of recent executive orders targeting DEI efforts—characterizing them as sweeping, far-reaching, and often vague in scope;On April 29, GLT hosted The First 100 Days, a timely webinar examining the early actions of the current administration and their impact on environmental organizations, funding, and climate work. Moderated by GLT member Kelly Crawford, the session featured expert panelists Vernice Miller-Travis, Chitra Kumar, and Sonrisa Lucero, who shared insights and strategies for navigating this political moment; and In May, Physicians for Social Responsibility invited GLT to address more than 20 chapter boards on inclusive governance and board recruitment. From GLT Communications & Advocacy Committee

For over a decade, the Green Leadership Trust (GLT) has championed diverse leadership to transform the environmental sector. Our latest report, the Breaking Barriers: Overcoming Financial and Cultural Challenges to Environmental Board Representation. It, sheds light on the persistent barriers faced by People of the Global Majority (PGM) in board service and explores the transformative potential of monetary compensation to advance equity and inclusion.Executive SummaryGreen Leadership Trust (GLT) has spent the past decade advancing diverse leadership and transforming the governance of environmental organizations to bring about systemic change in the environmental sector. However, People of the Global Majority (PGM) still face impediments to serving on the boards of these organizations.This study identifies barriers and interrogates the role of compensation in supporting board service for these leaders. The report discusses findings from 73 environmental and climate board members representing diverse sectors and includes interview narratives contextualizing PGM board membership experiences. A key takeaway is that monetary compensation can increase PGM participation on environmental boards.What You’ll Learn from the Report:The critical challenges faced by PGM leaders, including time commitment and isolation.How compensation can serve as a tool for fostering greater diversity and equity.Actionable recommendations for environmental organizations to embrace inclusive governance.This essential resource provides findings from surveys and interviews with 73 environmental and climate board members and presents insights for creating equitable pathways to leadership.Ready to dive deeper? Fill out the form below to download the full Barrier and Compensation Report directly to your inbox.Be part of the movement reshaping the environmental sector for a more inclusive and impactful future.Together, we can build a future where leadership reflects the diversity of the communities most affected by environmental challenges.

RSVP HERECelebrate 10 Years with Us!We are thrilled to invite you to the Green Leadership Trust's 10th Anniversary Celebration on September 20th, 2024, at Building 309 on Governors Island, NYC. This evening will spotlight the remarkable achievements of our GLT members and the powerful network we've built together.As we reach this significant milestone, I am honored to extend this invitation to join us in celebrating a decade of steadfast commitment to advancing Global Majority leadership on environmental Boards. For the past 10 years, GLT has been at the forefront of driving equity and justice within the environmental movement. Our work has ranged from national Board-level advocacy on issues such as the Dakota Access Pipeline, Black Lives Matter, DREAMers organizing, and post-Hurricane Maria recovery in Puerto Rico, to launching the Corbin-Mark Vanguard Fellowship program, which has significantly enhanced the effectiveness of the environmental sector.Our 10th Anniversary Gala—scheduled for Friday, September 20th, 2024, at Building 309 on Governor's Island—serves as a testament to the unwavering dedication of our members, partners, and supporters who have been vital to our journey. This celebration offers a unique opportunity to reflect on our collective accomplishments and set the stage for an even more impactful future. The gala will be an evening filled with inspiration, unity, and renewed commitment.Exciting Highlights:Inspirational Guest Speakers: Gain insights into GLT’s evolution and our critical role in the environmental movement.Storytelling: Join us as we elevate the stories of our members and their profound impact on environmental and climate justice movements.Networking and Collaboration: Connect with GLT co-founders, organizational supporters, climate justice youth leaders, policymakers, funders, and others who share our commitment to building vibrant, inclusive communities.As we look to the future, we envision Boards that are synonymous with equity, providing leadership opportunities for our Global Majority communities. We hope you will join us in celebrating a decade of empowering environmentalists of color and shaping the future of Board leadership.Please note that the last ferry from Governors Island to Manhattan departs at 11:00 pm on the evening of the event.Host Committee:Manish Bapna, President & CEO, Natural Resources Defense CouncilAllison Chin, GLT Member, Sierra Club PresidentDianne Dillon-Ridgely, Board Chair, Center for International Environmental Law | GLT MemberArturo Garcia-Costas, Senior Program Officer, NY Community Trust | GLT MemberKiana Michaan, Board Member, Eco.Logic | GLT MemberTamara Toles O'Laughlin, President, Environmental Grantmakers AssociationRobert Raben, President & CEO, The Raben GroupPeggy Shepard, Executive Director, WeACT | GLT MemberCortney Koenig Worrall, President and CEO, Waterfront AllianceRev. Lennox Yearwood, Executive Director, Hip Hop Caucus | GLT MemberWe look forward to celebrating with you!