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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 (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

Maria_Doerr_23B0817_SQ1_Hi_Res.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 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

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