Maria Doerr

Maria cultivates just and sustainable initiatives for people and the planet through strategic, collaborative, and community-oriented projects. She cares about decision-making and coalition building based in equity, justice, and trust.

As a social sector consultant, Maria has helped develop robust, thoughtful, and dynamic strategies and initiatives to address critical issues in conservation, educational equity, climate, and community engagement. Previously, she served a Stanford fellowship with Conservation International on community-informed watershed conservation between Mexico, Colombia, and Brazil. Her work on social and environmental issues has led her across the U.S. and around the world – from gathering public commentary on Cap & Trade Grant programs in California, to supporting rural solar energy in Nicaragua, and researching program feasibility for sustainable cities in New Delhi. She actively participated in, and conducted research at, two United Nations Climate Change Conferences at COP21 in Paris and COP24 in Katowice.

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Music and creative endeavors have been a part of all her journeys. Two of Maria's audio documentaries have aired internationally and she has shared her voice through music and storytelling with large and small audiences around the world. 

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Maria is from central Missouri. She attended Conserve School, a boarding school dedicated to Environmental Stewardship, and the Woolman Semester School for Peace, Justice, and Sustainability. She graduated from Stanford University with a B.S. in Environmental Systems Engineering and a Notation in Scientific Communication. 

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See a snapshot of her resume below

education

Stanford University

2013 - 2017

B.S. in Environmental Systems Engineering

with a focus in Urban Environments

Notation in Scientific Communication

Landscape Partnership Consultant

Ferguson-Lynch, LLC

2020 - Present

Helping build out a diverse conservation coalition with communities, Tribes, NGOs, government officials, and scientists working in conservation across the nation. Managing diverse work streams, leading outreach, conducting needs assessments and empathy interviews, and developing strategic communications. The coalition aims to make conservation information more accessible, inspire deeper collaboration with local communities, and better assess top conservation needs for future funding. 

Design Thinking Instructor

Leeds School of Business

2020 - Present

Co-facilitating a purpose project course for the Dean's Leadership Fellow Program. Coaching top undergraduate scholars on design thinking and storytelling and how these tools can advance projects and decision making for more empathetic, sustainable, and equitable outcomes.

Social Sector Strategy Consultant

Redstone Strategy Group

Colorado, USA

2018 - 2020

Strategy consulting backed by rigorous quantitative analysis, research, and facilitation to help philanthropies and nonprofits solve critical social problems in the education, water, conservation, and climate fields. Led equitable and collaborative processes to uplift community voice and racial justice in philanthropic decision making.

Water & Cities Fellow

Conservation International

Mexico City, Mexico

2017 - 2018

Awarded the year-long 2017 Stanford University International Public Service Fellowship to work with Conservation International's Water & Cities Alliance. Promoted community-driven conservation through project development and strategic communications. Supported engagement and coordination with local communities, the private sector, other NGOs, and academics to improve conservation initiatives.

Smart Cities Fellow

The Energy and Resources Institute

New Delhi, India 

2016

Prepared recommendations for TERI and Ministry of Urban Development on resilience, sustainability, and inclusiveness of Smart City Plans under the Smart Cities Mission of the Government of India. Co-coordinated speaker event for the World Sustainable Development Summit - Regional Dialogues.

Environmental Justice Instructor

Stanford University

California, USA 

2016

Designed and initiated a course on Environmental Justice in the Bay Area through directed weekly discussions and field trips to local orgs. Expanded student learning and reflection through a collaborative blog. Independently formalized support and funding from the Associated Students of Stanford, the Haas Center for Public Service, and the Earth Systems and Urban Studies Departments.

Solar Power Community Liaison

blueEnergy

Bluefields, Nicaragua

2015

Consulted with rural communities to repair small-grid solar PV systems and perform system diagnostics for greater energy efficiency. Conducted socio-economic impact monitoring and assembled community testimony to improve collaboration and enhance local capacity.

Environmental Policy Intern

The Strategic Growth Council 

Sacramento, California

2014

Served as a Stanford in Government Fellow with the Strategic Growth Council. Conducted research and supported public workshops across the state to jump start the new Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Grant Program. Coordinated with leaders across the Capitol to provide a summer training series for the Office of Planning & Research policy interns, law clerks, and staff.

Senior Intern

The Green Schools Alliance

2012 - 2014

honors

Rob Williams Award for Emerging

Environment and Public Policy Leaders

Recipient - Association for Conflict Resolution

2020

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Stanford Award of Excellence

Recipient - Stanford Alumni Association

2017

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Stanford International Public Service Fellowship

Recipient - Haas Center for Public Service

2017

Udall Environmental Scholarship

Honorable Mention - Udall Foundation

2016

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Stanford Women of Impact

Recognition - Stanford Women in Business

2016

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Human Cities Innovation Challenge

Honorable Mention - Human Cities Initiative 

2016

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Introductory Seminar Award of Excellence 

Environmental Literacy Class Recognition - Stanford

2014

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American Civil Liberties Award

Central Missouri Recipient - ACLU

2013

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