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2022 EGA - GLT
2025 Atlanta GLT Member Retreat
Mon, Jun 304 min read

2025 Atlanta GLT Member Retreat

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 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: (include stats on board placements, Vanguard, and trainings):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
Discover the Key to Equity in Environmental Leadership
Tue, Dec 172 min read

Discover the Key to Equity in Environmental Leadership

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……

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.
10th Anniversary Celebration 
Wed, Aug 282 min read

10th Anniversary Celebration 

Celebrate 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……

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!
GLT Announces 2024 Cecil Corbin-Mark Vanguard Fellows
Sun, Apr 286 min read

GLT Announces 2024 Cecil Corbin-Mark Vanguard Fellows

For Immediate Release: April 4, 2024 Contact: Daniel Herrera, dherrera@rabengroup.com Green Leadership Trust Announces 2024 Cecil Corbin-Mark Vanguard Fellows Washington, DC — The Green Leadership Trust (GLT), a cross-sector network of Black, Indigenous and people of color who serve……

For Immediate Release: April 4, 2024Contact: Daniel Herrera, dherrera@rabengroup.comGreen Leadership Trust Announces 2024 Cecil Corbin-Mark Vanguard FellowsWashington, DC — The Green Leadership Trust (GLT), a cross-sector network of Black, Indigenous and people of color who serve as board members for environmental organizations and foundations, proudly announces its 2024 Cecil Corbin-Mark Vanguard Fellows. Established in 2021 in honor of the late GLT member and environmental justice giant Cecil Corbin-Mark, the Cecil Corbin-Mark Vanguard Fellowship is a peer-to-peer learning program that is an immersive introduction to the challenges and opportunities of board service. Topics that will be covered during the fellowship include: myths and realities of board service, centering equity on boards, addressing conflict, maintaining work life balance, assessing board culture, and understanding fiduciary responsibilities.“We are thrilled to announce our third annual cohort of CCM Vanguard Fellows,” stated GLT Executive Director Emira Woods. “This year’s class upholds the tradition of brilliance, tenacity, and boldness of the powerhouse community of CCM Vanguard Fellows.  We are excited to see all the knowledge sharing in action throughout the six months of Fellowship sessions this year. We are grateful to be able to build on the successes of previous cohorts as we continue honoring the memory of our dear Cecil Corbin-Mark and his legacy of environmental justice.”Fellows will be paired with veteran board members, many of whom are trailblazers within the environmental justice space, to enhance their experience by leveraging their expertise. Upon graduation of the fellowship, fellows will join a cadre of Vanguard alumni, be able to apply a new set of critical governance skills to the boards they sit on and strengthen GLT’s collective work to strengthen the power of the environmental movement nationally. This year’s ten CCM Vanguard Fellows include:Irene Burga is the Climate and Clean Air Program Director for GreenLatinos where she works to amplify Latinx priorities around reducing air and climate pollution at the national level. She has held roles at NRDC and EDF, where she worked on coalition building around advocacy to reduce impacts from oil and gas production, and most recently served as Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti’s Air Quality Advisor, where she wrote and implemented LA’s Climate Action Plan (LA’s Green New Deal), focusing on clean ports, air quality monitoring, just transition, and oil drilling abandonment programs. Irene serves on the board of Partnership Project. Jeffrey Caesar is a DMV native with West Indian roots, of Guyana and St. Vincent & the Grenadines; home to some of the world’s most threatened and delicate ocean and rainforest ecosystems. A recipient of the U.S. Department of State’s Gilman Award, Mr. Caesar has worked extensively internationally and domestically on every level from grassroots organizing and media work in Washington, D.C., Kathmandu, Cairo, and South Africa. He has also worked in public policy both at the United States Senate and United Nations. Jeffrey serves on the board of Creshendo. Kimberly Gerbert is a climate and clean energy advocate  based in Washington, DC. She currently works at the Partnership Project as a Campaign Manager with Methane Partners Campaign, mobilizing diverse stakeholders to secure strong, federal methane regulations throughout the U.S., and serves as the Co-Chair of the Fundraising Committee on the Eco.Logic Board of Directors. Kimberly is a Florida-native, previously working in Tallahassee as Deputy Director of Chapter Development with ReThink Energy Florida where she managed state-wide coalitions like Florida Climate Voices and Floridians Against Fracking. Jairo A. Gomez is currently a Senior Program and Evaluation Coordinator for the Bolder Advocacy program at Alliance for Justice. Jairo graduated from the University of Southern California with a BA in Social Sciences with an Emphasis in Psychology. Before joining the Bolder Advocacy team, he worked in the food insecurity space as a Program and Development Coordinator with St. Francis Center. Jairo has lived in Los Angeles his whole life. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, biking, and learning to salsa dance. He serves on the board of Youth on Root. Jothsna Harris is the founder of Change Narrative, which exists to build capacity in the climate justice movement through the power of our stories. Through a coaching practice, Jothsna works with front-line activists, legislators, artists, organizations, and community groups to craft climate narratives to advocate for solutions. Jothsna led the creative process and co-edited the 2020 book, Eyewitness: Minnesota Voices on Climate Change, is the Producer of the 2022 MN Fringe Festival ‘Venue Pick’ show Changing the Narrative: Climate Stories for Justice, and the recipient of the 2023 Creative Climate Communications Award from the Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership. She serves on the board of The Great Northern.Arielle V. King is an educator and strategist at the nexus of environmental justice, climate optimism, and media. She is committed to making environmentalism inclusive and irresistible for all through her background in civil rights law, environmental racism analysis, and community engagement. She is on the Board of Directors for Our Climate and Positive Tracks, the Advisory Board for the Chesapeake Legal Alliance, and is a proud member of  EcoTok Collective and the Green Leadership Trust.Dennis Mabasa is the Parks Conservancy’s Vice President for Community and Youth Programs. In this role, they lead efforts to identify and break down barriers to park access by those historically excluded or marginalized; engage individuals, youth, families, and community organizations in unique place-based educational, recreational, and service-based experiences; and lift their voices in the planning and design of park spaces and programming. Dennis serves on the boards of the Friends of LA River State Park and Los Angeles River State Park Partners.Eboni Preston is a management professional with a background in non-profit administration, program operations, partnerships, advocacy, and workforce development. She has spent the last decade working with public land management agencies on youth programs, DEI programming and facilitation, community engagement, recruitment, inclusive hiring practices, and volunteer engagement. She currently serves as the Southeast Regional Director and National Park Service Diversity Lead for the National Parks Conservation Association, a nonprofit committed to protecting and preserving our nation’s most iconic and inspirational places for present and future generations. Eboni serves on the board of the Georgia Conservation Voters Education Fund. Dr. Frances Roberts-Gregory is a feminist political ecologist and environmental anthropologist, researching the role of U.S. Afro-diasporic communities and women of color in UNFCCC climate negotiations and feminist climate policy. She currently serves as a postdoctoral researcher at the Harvard University Center for the Environment and the Salata Institute for Climate & Sustainability. Frances also serves on the boards of the Hive Fund for Climate & Gender Justice, HBCU Green Fund, and Feminist Agenda for a Green New Deal. Melanie Santiago-Mosier is an attorney whose work focuses on the field of energy equity and justice, building on a career that has centered on clean energy policy and regulation. She serves on a number of volunteer boards and advisory committees, including the board of directors for the Institute for Conservation Leadership and as secretary of the board of directors of the Climate Access Fund. In her day job, she serves as the Global Equitable Energy Transition Advisor for The Nature Conservancy, where she is working hard to help embed principles of equity and justice in the organization’s work. Mentors for this year’s cohort include: Allison Chin (Board President, Sierra Club), Pallavi Phartiyal (Board Chair, American Rivers and Oil Change International), Ayako Nagano (Clean Water Action), Brian Gomez, (previously at SustainUs), Charles Orgbon III (Captain Planet Foundation), Paco Ollervides (Ohio Environmental Council), and Taylor Jang (Bay Area Ridge Trail Council).###About the Green Leadership TrustLaunched in 2013, the Green Leadership Trust works to build an environmental and conservation movement that wins. We are unique in a number of ways because we are the first cross-organizational effort focused on building power and diversity in any advocacy sector. We are guided first and foremost by our responsibility as fiduciaries of the organizations we represent. For more information, visit GreenLeadershipTrust.org. 
GLT Celebrates the life and legacy of Bunyan Bryant (1935–2024)
Thu, Apr 113 min read

GLT Celebrates the life and legacy of Bunyan Bryant (1935–2024)

The Green Leadership Trust community mourns as we celebrate the legacy of a giant in the field of environmental justice, Bunyan Bryant. As environmentalists of color serving on Boards of Directors, we know that we stand on the shoulders……

The Green Leadership Trust community mourns as we celebrate the legacy of a giant in the field of environmental justice, Bunyan Bryant.As environmentalists of color serving on Boards of Directors, we know that we stand on the shoulders of giants. Bunyan Bryant was a pioneer, often called the father of environmental justice. Dr. Bryant was an esteemed professor at the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) for four decades. He mentored and guided thousands of social and racial justice advocates well beyond the campus of the university. He died peacefully at home in Ann Arbor on March 28, 2024, after a short battle with cancer. He was 89.Dianne Dillon-Ridgley, GLT Outgoing Co-Chair, shared “Dr. Bryant’s work was critical in establishing the validity of the activism of so many frontline and fenceline communities.  His research and work were critical in establishing environmental justice as more than an anecdotal expression of toxic exposures, but a quantifiable and trackable process exposing harm and intention to communities of color, both domestically and internationally – allowing people to shift from being victims to advocates.” Dr. Mustafa Santiago Ali, GLT Member, Executive Vice President at National Wildlife Federation, and a mentee of Dr. Bryant, stated: “Dr. Bunyan Bryant, a pioneer in the field of environmental justice and civil rights, became the first African American faculty member of the School of Natural Resources & Environment at the University of Michigan. His work with the Michigan Coalition helped start the Office of Environmental Equity at the EPA. He will be dearly missed.” Dr. Michael Dorsey, GLT Member, Director/Chair of the Rob & Melani Walton Sustainability Solutions Service at Arizona State University, and a mentee of Dr. Bryant, said: “Dr. Bunyan Bryant was the humblest scholarly giant; a patient advocate for social and environmental justice; a world renown activist sociologist; a true supporter of students and a conscientious collaborator with peer academics and community members alike. He will be sorely missed yet never forgotten.”Before his passing, Bunyan Bryant was asked in an interview if he wished to impart any final words of wisdom to the next generation. He shared the following: “Always be hopeful because that is a source of energy that will enable and inspire your work and your vision for the future. With hope, comes new visions and possibilities of social and environmental justice. Use the scientific and evidence-based knowledge that you have accumulated during your stay with us humbly and in concert with the people you are serving. And take good care of yourself so that you can continue your work well into the future.”Bunyan Bryant is an inspiration to all of us struggling to build a more sustainable and just world.  Let’s continue his legacy by reading and sharing his memoir with new leaders in this field: “Educator and Activist: My Life and Times in the Quest for Environmental Justice.”  
Commit to Board Excellence in 2024
Thu, Dec 141 min read

Commit to Board Excellence in 2024

< p>< span style="font-weight: 400;">< strong>The Green Leadership Trust (GLT)< /strong> is on a mission to drive change in the environmental sector by diversifying and strengthening boards of directors. In 2023, we successfully placed 15 board members in various……

The Green Leadership Trust (GLT) is on a mission to drive change in the environmental sector by diversifying and strengthening boards of directors. In 2023, we successfully placed 15 board members in various environmental organizations, leaving a significant mark on the sector. Now, we’re thrilled to announce our ambitious goal for 2024 – to triple that number and create an even more powerful impact.Our dedication to scaling up our board placements program stems from our commitment to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in the environmental sector. We believe that the sector should reflect the communities it serves, and our initiative is designed to make that vision a reality.Join Us in Our Mission:Are you an environmental organization looking to diversify and strengthen your board of directors? We invite you to be part of our scaling initiative and make a lasting impact in the environmental sector.Ready to embark on this journey with us? Contact us today to discuss your board placement needs – complete this form.Together, we can create a more diverse, inclusive, and impactful environmental movement. Join us in our mission to drive transformative change in 2024 and beyond.