Dionne Delli-Gatti
Associate Vice President, Community Engagement
Work
Areas of expertise:
Environmental public policy, environmental justice, clean and renewable energy, petrochemical solutions
Description
Dionne Delli-Gatti is executing an organization-wide effort to implement innovative, scalable, and equitable community engagement strategies at EDF, with a specific focus on community-driven solutions to reduce the disproportionate and devastating effects of petrochemical operations on frontline communities.
Having spent part of her youth “in the shadows of industry,” Dionne knows that communities have the experience and knowledge necessary to secure a safe, equitable future for all, and she is committed to leveraging EDF’s resources to support community-led solutions.
Background
Dionne previously served at EDF as the Director of Southeast Climate and Energy. Prior to her return to EDF, Dionne worked alongside Governor Roy Cooper to lead the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality and serve as the North Carolina State Clean Energy Director. In this role, she was North Carolina’s lead policymaker working to address climate change, transition the state to a clean energy economy, and ensure a clean, reliable, affordable energy future for all. Under her leadership, the team successfully negotiated NC HB951 to secure comprehensive bipartisan climate and clean energy legislation, developed Executive Order 246 to advance a clean, equitable economy, and worked to implement Executive Order 80 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
In addition, Dionne spent six years at the Environmental Protection Agency Southwest Regional office as a Congressional and Government Liaison. She also served as a site coordinator for the Ohio EPA and an environmental specialist for the City of Dallas, and she is an Air Force veteran.
Education
Dionne holds a B.A. in Environmental Geology from Wright State University and a Master of Science in Environmental Science from the University of North Texas.
Publications
Delli-Gatti, Dionne. “Creating a Cleaner and More Affordable Power Sector in North Carolina.” Environmental Defense Fund, 1 Sept. 2020.
Delli-Gatti, Dionne. “To Ensure North Carolina’s Clean Energy Plan Succeeds, We Must Act Now.” Environmental Defense Fund.” Environmental Defense Fund, 10 Oct. 2019.
Delli-Gatti, Dionne. “North Carolina’s transportation sector is poised for electrification, but creative solutions are needed to achieve success.” Environmental Defense Fund, 19 Sept. 2019.
Delli-Gatti, Dionne. “New report Highlights Potential for energy storage in North Carolina.” Environmental Defense Fund, 18 Jan. 2019.
Delli-Gatti, Dionne. “Clean energy is lowering electric bills in North Carolina – but this solar trade war could reverse that trend.” Environmental Defense Fund, 21 Nov. 2017.
Delli-Gatti, Dionne. “Climate-Sensitive Decision-Making.” Storm Water Solutions, 11 Feb. 2011.
Delli-Gatti, Dionne. “An Urgent Dry Spell.” Storm Water Solutions, 4 Dec. 2008.