Rose Foundation

Deb brings over four decades of transformational leadership in environmental science and advocacy, with a focus on supporting low-income and Black and Indigenous (BIPOC) communities in fighting pollution, protecting and restoring ecosystems, and building the next generation of youth leaders. A longtime Bay Area resident and nationally respected movement-builder, Deb has dedicated her career to partnering with low-income and BIPOC communities to fight pollution, restore ecosystems, and shift resources into the hands of grassroots leaders and community members.

Her appointment comes at a pivotal moment as the Rose Foundation sharpens its strategic focus, deepens our core programs, and expands our impact across California and the Pacific Northwest.

Deb’s track record speaks for itself:

• At Greater Farallones Association, she led a cultural transformation, tripled funding, doubled staff, and centered values and skills to ensure justice, equity, and inclusion throughout the organization.
• At San Francisco Baykeeper, she led landmark litigation, dramatically reducing pollution in Bay communities, and directed over $2 million to Rose Foundation for frontline environmental efforts.
• At Earthjustice, a $50 million national environmental advocacy organization, she managed teams of major gift and foundation officers, and emphasized engaged relationships with donors that consistently generated large gifts.
• To learn more about Deb’s background, read the full press release.

Deb pairs deep experience with unwavering compassion. Her lifelong advocacy is grounded in a deep concern for environmental and health inequities in historically BIPOC and marginalized communities—from the American South, where she grew up, to California’s East Bay, where she now makes her home. She is a devoted champion of nature-based climate solutions and equitable access to green and coastal spaces—places where everyone can feel safe, affirmed, and connected to the natural world.

“Joining the Rose Foundation is both an honor and a profound responsibility,” Deb shared. “At a time when our climate and communities face unprecedented challenges, Rose shines as a beacon of grassroots power, environmental justice, and youth leadership. I’m excited to listen, learn, and collaborate with our staff, board, grantees, and community leaders to build a just, sustainable future—grounded in community wisdom and collective action.”

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