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 on equity, justice, and trust.

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She previously worked as a strategy consultant with Redstone Strategy Group in Colorado and 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 UN Climate Conferences at COP21in 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 grew up on blackberry pie in 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

Independent Consultant

2020 - Present

Consulting with public agencies on water, renewable energy, and conservation projects that affect the resources human and non-human communities rely on. With a federal agency, I helped launch a national practitioner community for working lands. With water and utility providers, I use community-informed practices to shape agency strategies, public engagement efforts, and communication plans. 

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Applying expertise in strategy development, design thinking, community engagement, and strategic communications. Please get in touch if you would be interested in collaborating!

Design Thinking Instructor

Leeds School of Business

2020 - 2021

Co-facilitated a purpose project course for the Dean's Leadership Fellow Program. Coached top undergraduate scholars on design thinking and storytelling and how these tools can advance projects and decision-making for more viable 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 organizations. 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.