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, conservation, community engagement, and strategy design. Maria is a Program Officer with the Rural Climate Partnership.
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Most recently, Maria served as a City Councilmember for Menlo Park and on the Board of Directors for the Bay Area Water Supply & Conservation Agency (BAWSCA). 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.
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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.
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Maria grew up on blackberry pie in mid-Missouri. She attended Stanford University
and graduated in Civil & Environmental Engineering.
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See a snapshot of Maria's resume below
education
Stanford University
B.S. in Civil & Environmental Engineering
Notation in Scientific Communication
Program Officer
Rural Climate Partnership
March 2023 - Present
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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
January 2023 - December 2024
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Represented District 5 of Menlo Park - Sharon Heights and West Menlo.
Director on the Bay Area Water Supply & Conservation Agency (BAWSCA) Board and alternate Director to the Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE) Board.
Liaison to the Planning, Housing, and Finance Commissions.
Sustainability Consultant
Independent
2020 - 2023
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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.
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Clients included Pew Charitable Trusts, the California Water Data Consortium,
the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the Salt River Project,
Sustain Tomorrow, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), and others.
Social Sector Consultant
Redstone Strategy Group
2018 - 2020
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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.
Project Officer
Conservation International Mexico
2017 - 2018
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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
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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
2020 Recipient - Association for Conflict Resolution
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Stanford Award of Excellence
Awarded to the top 10% of the graduating class
Recipient - Stanford Alumni Association
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Stanford International Public Service Fellowship
Awarded to one graduating senior
Recipient - Haas Center for Public Service
Udall Environmental Scholarship
Honorable Mention - Udall Foundation
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Stanford Women of Impact
Recognition - Stanford Women in Business
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