Work

Diane is Associate Vice President for Oceans at the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), where she leads a diverse team of 50 scientists, advocates and other experts.

EDF ranked first among environmental groups—and second overall—in the 2007 Financial Times global study of 850 business-nonprofit partnerships. In 2009 Glamour Magazine recognized Diane as one of the "women who are changing the world."

Since Diane joined EDF in 2006, the oceans team has played a key role in several important victories, including:

• Making the case for reforming fisheries management in the Unites States and Mexico;
• Protecting one of the largest ocean areas in history—more than 195,000 square miles—bigger than the state of California; and
• Providing financing to help fishermen adapt to new management regimes.

Background

Prior to joining EDF, Diane spent 20 years at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), where she served during four presidential administrations in some of the agency's highest positions, including Deputy Assistant Administrator.

Her EPA accomplishments included: receiving the Presidential Rank Award for “exceptional long-term accomplishments," and leading a path-breaking monitoring strategy, establishing the first-ever scientifically valid national report card on fresh water quality.

Diane is a member of the U.S. Supreme Court Bar and California Bar.

Diane received her BA in history, her MS in environmental science and her JD at the University of California at Berkeley. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including one of the most prestigious, the Presidential Rank Award.