Amanda Leland
Executive Director
Work
Amanda Leland is responsible for driving EDF’s global mission of ensuring a vital earth for everyone by addressing the existential challenge of climate change — rapidly reducing climate pollution while building resilience for people and communities in the face of the impacts we cannot avert.
Leland, a marine scientist by training, has served in a number of leadership roles during her 17 years at EDF, most recently as executive vice president overseeing programs in climate, energy, oceans, ecosystems and health — but her relationship with the organization goes back to the age of 13, when she first became an EDF member.
Background
During her tenure at EDF, Leland built and led a diverse team of ocean experts in 13 countries. Working with local fishers, her team transformed seafood sustainability while improving livelihoods.
Leland has also been a leading advocate for the recovery of U.S. fisheries, where 90% of federally managed fisheries are sustainable or on the path to becoming so, creating more jobs and profits for fishers.
Before joining EDF in 2004, she was a scientist conducting cooperative research with commercial fishers in Maine, a marine mammal zookeeper and a congressional aide focused on ocean issues.
Education
Master of Science (M.S.), Marine Biology, University of Maine
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Ecology, Evolution and Population Biology, Purdue University
Latest pieces
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Can hydrogen live up to its clean energy promise? Here are 3 key challenges
December 13, 2022
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We have to think about water in a new way. Climate change demands it.
August 25, 2022
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Climate change and a looming cooking oil crisis: Here’s what we can do
May 5, 2022
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Food shortages from war in Ukraine preview a future without climate action
April 19, 2022
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UN climate conference more productive than you think
November 19, 2021
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Go bold on climate: The unequivocal, inarguable moment for climate is now
September 13, 2021
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The air we breathe is harming us. Here’s what we can do about it.
August 3, 2021
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Extreme weather reminds us we must (and can) tackle the climate crisis
June 29, 2021
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This Mother’s Day, the climate fight is personal
May 5, 2021
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Oceans on the rebound? These 5 developments give us hope.
December 22, 2017