cultivating just and sustainable initiatives for people and the planet through strategic, collaborative, and community-oriented work
Original photos by Maria Doerr
Maria Doerr
Maria (she/they) cultivates just and sustainable initiatives that work with, and for, the communities they serve. She holds expertise in sustainable water management, clean energy, conservation, stakeholder engagement, and strategy design.
Maria currently serves as the District 5 City Councilmember for Menlo Park and a Director for the Bay Area Water Supply & Conservation Agency (BAWSCA).
Maria previously worked as a social sector consultant with Redstone Strategy Group and as a project officer with Conservation International Mexico. Her work 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 projects in Nicaragua and researching smart growth in India. She actively participated in and conducted research at two UN Climate Conferences (COP21 and COP24).
Music and creative endeavors are 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.
Maria grew up on blackberry pie and contra dance in Missouri.
She attended Conserve School, a semester school dedicated to Environmental Stewardship, and the Woolman Semester School for Peace, Justice, and Sustainability. Maria graduated from Stanford University with a B.S. in Civil & Environmental Engineering and a Notation in Scientific Communication.
See a snapshot of her resume below
education
Stanford University
B.S. in Civil & Environmental Engineering
Notation in Scientific Communication
Program Officer
Rural Climate Partnership
2023 - Present
The Rural Climate Partnership is a new funding collaborative that provides hometowns across America with the tools they need to accelerate climate solutions and build healthy local economies.
Sustainability Consultant
Independent
2020 - Present
Consulting on early-stage climate, water, and conservation initiatives with foundations, nonprofits, agencies, utilities, and entrepreneurs. Supporting efforts to sustainably manage vital natural resources and advance clean energy solutions. Applying expertise in strategy development, design thinking, community engagement, and strategic communications.
Clients include Pew Charitable Trusts, USDA-NRCS, BOEM, the California Water Data Consortium, San Diego County, the Salt River Project, the Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency, Sustain Tomorrow, and others.
Social Sector 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 education, water, conservation, and climate. 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
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 advance watershed conservation and sustainable ag 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 called Environmental Justice in the Bay Area. Directed weekly discussions, student classwork, and volunteer/learning trips. 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.
Additional experiences with: blueEnergy Nicaragua, California Strategic Growth Council, Stanford University, Mid-Missouri Peaceworks, Columbia Environmental Research Center (USGS), and the Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture
highlighted experience
honors
Rob Williams Award for Emerging
Environment and Public Policy Leaders
Awardee selected by a panel of environmental and public policy leaders
2020 Recipient - Association for Conflict Resolution
Stanford Award of Excellence
Awarded to the top 10% of the graduating class
Recipient - Stanford Alumni Association
Stanford International Public Service Fellowship
Awarded to one graduating senior
Recipient - Haas Center for Public Service
Udall Environmental Scholarship
Honorable Mention - Udall Foundation
Stanford Women of Impact
Recognition - Stanford Women in Business
American Civil Liberties Award
Central Missouri Recipient - ACLU