New Leadership at Green for All

We blogged on Monday about Van Jones’ new position as Special Advisor for Green Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation at the White House Council on Environmental Quality. Among his duties, helping to shape and implement job-generating climate policy; working to ensure equal protection and equal opportunity in the administration’s climate and energy proposals; and publicly advocating the administration's environmental and energy agenda.

So what exactly does this mean for the new leadership at Green For All? Well, enter Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins, a woman who has successfully expanded health-care access across California. She has also helped to raise the minimum wage for low-income families in the South Bay – twice.

“Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins is one of the nation's most brilliant, inspirational and creative problem solvers for working families,” said Van Jones. “She has a proven track record of success. Under her leadership, Green For All will deliver on the promise of a green economy that is strong enough to lift people out of poverty."

Phaedra’s many victories have won her extensive praise. San Jose Magazine named Ellis-Lamkins one of the 100 most powerful people in Silicon Valley. Silicon Valley Business Journal called her one of "40 to watch under 40.” Ellis-Lamkins is presently the head of the South Bay AFL-CIO Labor Council and Working Partnerships USA. She will join Green For All this month as its Chief Executive Officer.

“I am thrilled and humbled to be joining Green For All, an organization whose exceptional reputation is exceeded only by the good work that it has accomplished,” Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins said.

Jones describes Phaedra as “the right leader to move Green For All forward.” We couldn’t agree more.