Experience

San Francisco Environment Department

• United States
• Environmental Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director

  • Jul 2023 - Present

  San Francisco Bay Area As the Director of the San Francisco Environment Department, I lead a team of about 100 passionate and dedicated people who work to advance the City’s environmental goals and policies. I oversee the implementation of San Francisco's 2021 Climate Action Plan, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions achieve carbon neutrality by 2040. I also collaborate with community partners, businesses, and other stakeholders to promote environmental justice, clean energy, zero waste, sustainable… Show more As the Director of the San Francisco Environment Department, I lead a team of about 100 passionate and dedicated people who work to advance the City’s environmental goals and policies. I oversee the implementation of San Francisco's 2021 Climate Action Plan, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions achieve carbon neutrality by 2040. I also collaborate with community partners, businesses, and other stakeholders to promote environmental justice, clean energy, zero waste, sustainable transportation, and healthy ecosystems in San Francisco. Some of my accomplishments include: Creating a new ordinance to reduce food waste by diverting surplus food to people in need Updating the environment code to require city facilities to transition from natural gas to clean electricity Securing millions in state and federal funding for building decarbonization, zero waste, and electric vehicle initiatives in the city Launching the city's first Climate Equity Hub to assist with workforce training and implementation of building electrification in underserved communities Updating the city's citywide greenhouse gas emission inventory Representing San Francisco in regional and global environmental forums and networks

• Acting Director

  • Apr 2022 - Jul 2023

  San Francisco Bay Area I served as the Acting Director of the San Francisco Environment Department during this time.



Bay Area Air Quality Management District

• United States
• Environmental Services
• 200 - 300 Employee

• Member, Board of Directors

  • Apr 2016 - Present

  San Francisco Bay Area As a board member, I represent San Francisco on the regional regulatory agency that addresses air and climate pollution throughout the nine-county Bay Area. I also improve health outcomes in underserved communities of color by adopting new rules, policies, and programs to reduce air pollution from facilities or vehicles.



San Francisco Public Utilities Commission

• United States
• Utilities
• 700 & Above Employee

• Assistant Deputy General Manager

  • Mar 2021 - Apr 2022

  San Francisco, California, United States



City and County of San Francisco

• United States
• Government Administration
• 700 & Above Employee

• Senior Advisor on the Environment

  • Apr 2016 - Mar 2021

  San Francisco Bay Area Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities: Advised and represented the Mayors London N. Breed and Edwin M. Lee on local, state, federal and international climate policies Provide strategic counsel and direction to city departments on water, energy and climate policies Mediated and led complex, multi-lateral discussions on climate and energy issues Key Accomplishments Developed unanimously passed, first-in-the-nation legislation requiring large commercial… Show more Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities: Advised and represented the Mayors London N. Breed and Edwin M. Lee on local, state, federal and international climate policies Provide strategic counsel and direction to city departments on water, energy and climate policies Mediated and led complex, multi-lateral discussions on climate and energy issues Key Accomplishments Developed unanimously passed, first-in-the-nation legislation requiring large commercial buildings to procure their electricity from 100% renewable resources Co-developed policy road-map to achieve all-electric transportation in the city by 2040 Led mediation to reach short-term agreements to advance affordable housing and other municipal projects being delayed by long-standing utility interconnection disputes between City of San Francisco and Pacific Gas & Electric Developed legislation to require all new and major remodeled buildings in San Francisco to install electric vehicle charging infrastructure Updated San Francisco’s climate action target to 100% emissions free by 2050 Established new target for all San Francisco buildings to be carbon-free by 2050, with policies in place for new buildings no later than 2030 Established new target in 2017 to have the city reach 50% renewable energy for citywide electricity within three years, positioning city to achieve 100% renewable energy goal by 2030 Pushed for adoption of new goals transitioning the city’s municipal bus fleet to be 100% electric by 2035 Worked on legislation requiring the full electrification of the city’s municipal light duty vehicles fleet by 2022 Show less



San Francisco Public Utilities Commission

• United States
• Utilities
• 700 & Above Employee

• Director of Communications

  • Dec 2009 - May 2016

  San Francisco, CA Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities: Served as a key agency strategist for external and internal policy and communications pertaining to water, energy and climate. Managed all interactions and relationships with local, state, and national media as the primary spokesperson. Directed the education and engagement activities of communications and design professionals, developing individual work plans that are evaluated annually. Maintained consistent brand… Show more Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities: Served as a key agency strategist for external and internal policy and communications pertaining to water, energy and climate. Managed all interactions and relationships with local, state, and national media as the primary spokesperson. Directed the education and engagement activities of communications and design professionals, developing individual work plans that are evaluated annually. Maintained consistent brand, style, and messaging to enhance the agency profile. Key Achievements: Directed San Francisco's drought public engagement and marketing strategy to surpass state mandates by achieving an additional 13% water use reduction from one of the lowest water-using cities in California. Redesigned the agency logo and website, establishing branding guidelines and creative review process that has increased overall public approval by 10%. Developed multi-year initiatives that have increased brand awareness of Hetch Hetchy tap water and increased overall public approval from 66% to 80%. Directed the crisis management activities for high-profile emergencies, including California's "Rim Fire" wildfire, using traditional and social media strategies to prevent widespread panic of millions over tap water quality and power reliability. Institutionalized the use of mobile devices, social media, and online technology platforms into engagement plans to build support and enhance stakeholder interactions. Implemented an internal change management program to prepare 950 union employees for their move into a new LEED-platinum certified office building (525 Golden Gate Ave).

• Communications Manager

  • Mar 2004 - Dec 2009

  San Francisco, CA Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities: Created and implemented a multi-year, $1.5 million social marketing plan to restore public confidence in the SFPUC’s management of the San Francisco combined sewer system and build support for a proposed $6 billion capital program. Served as one of the primary SFPUC media spokespersons for television, radio, and print. Managed a staff of 3, along with dedicated consultant team. Key Achievements: Organized the agency’s… Show more Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities: Created and implemented a multi-year, $1.5 million social marketing plan to restore public confidence in the SFPUC’s management of the San Francisco combined sewer system and build support for a proposed $6 billion capital program. Served as one of the primary SFPUC media spokespersons for television, radio, and print. Managed a staff of 3, along with dedicated consultant team. Key Achievements: Organized the agency’s first citywide environmental fairs in 2008 and 2009 to promote our sustainability programs and attracted nearly 2000 San Francisco attendees. Developed the initial marketing strategy for the nation’s first large scale municipal used cooking oil to low-emission biofuel recycling program (SFGreasecycle), reducing sewer maintenance costs and changing grease commodity pricing to benefit San Francisco businesses. Coordinated the communications plan for GoSolarSF, San Francisco’s first municipal solar incentive program that has spurred over 3,700 solar installations generating 15 megawatts of renewable energy.



City and County of San Francisco

• United States
• Government Administration
• 700 & Above Employee

• Community Liaison

  • Jan 2002 - Mar 2004

  San Francisco, CA Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities: Represented and staffed Mayors Willie L. Brown, Jr. and Gavin Newsom to foster positive relationships with community stakeholders, elected officials, and political activists. Coordinated multi-jurisdictional projects between different government agencies.