top of page
about

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 cultivates just and sustainable initiatives that work with and for the communities they serve. She brings expertise in clean energy, land and water conservation, community engagement, and strategy design. Maria is a Program Officer with the Rural Climate Partnership and a City Councilmember for Menlo Park

 

Previously, Maria worked with nonprofits, foundations, and government agencies as a social sector consultant, both independently and with Redstone Strategy Group. She also served as a project officer with Conservation International Mexico. Her work has led her across the U.S. and internationally – from gathering public commentary on Cap & Trade grant programs across California, to supporting community development projects in eastern Nicaragua, and conducting research at the COP21 UN Climate Conference in Paris.

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 in mid-Missouri. She attended Stanford University
on a financial-need scholarship and 
graduated in Civil & Environmental Engineering.

Maria is not connected to John Doerr nor the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability.

 

See a snapshot of Maria's resume below

Heartland final-129_websize_edited.jpg

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 grantmaking, capacity building, and narrative infrastructure to rural communities across America. RCP supports rural-led efforts to strengthen local economics and advance climate solutions through clean energy and regenerative agriculture. 

City Councilmember for District 5

City of Menlo Park

2023 - Present

Representing District 5 of Menlo Park - Sharon Heights and West Menlo.
Director on the Bay Area Water Supply & Conservation Agency (BA
WSCA) Board and 
alternate Director to the Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE) Board.
Liaison to the Planning, Housing, and Finance Commissions.

Sustainability Consultant

Independent

2020 - 2023

Consulted on early-stage climate, water, and conservation initiatives with foundations, nonprofits, agencies, utilities, and entrepreneurs. Supported efforts to advance clean energy solutions and sustainably manage vital natural resources. Applied expertise in strategy development, design thinking, and community engagement.

Clients included Pew Charitable Trusts, the California Water Data Consortium, 

the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the Salt River Project,
Sustain Tomorr
ow, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), and others.

Social Sector Consultant

Redstone Strategy Group

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.

Program Officer

Conservation International 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 and community-led agriculture initiatives.

Environmental Justice Instructor

Stanford University

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.

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

bottom of page