Tamara Toles

This article contains wording that promotes the subject in a subjective manner without imparting real information. Please remove or replace such wording and instead of making proclamations about a subject's importance, use facts and attribution to demonstrate that importance. (October 2021) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

Tamara Toles
Toles O'Laughlin in 2020
Born	Brooklyn
Alma mater	Vermont Law School City University of New York
Employer	Environmental Grantmakers Association

Tamara Toles O'Laughlin is an environmental activist, climate strategist, and the CEO and President of the Environmental Grantmakers Association.

Early life and education[]

Toles O'Laughlin is from Brooklyn.^[1] She was an undergraduate student at the City University of New York, where she majored in political science. She attended the Vermont Law School for her graduate studies, where she graduated with a Juris Doctor^[2] and a Masters Degree in Environmental law and policy.

Career[]

After graduating she worked as an intern at environmental organisations such as the Advisory Council of Historic Preservation, The Environmental Protection Agency, the Center on Race, Poverty and Environment, and the Natural Resources Defense Council.^[3]

Prior to moving to non-profit work she held several positions in state and local government including the Maryland Energy Administration and District Department of Energy and Environment in Washington, DC, among others. Tamara served as the Senior Law Clerk to the Honorable Douglas A. Brady, and the Senior Sitting Judge Julio A. Brady (deceased) at the Superior Court of the US Virgin Islands on St. Croix.

In 2014, Toles was appointed to the Executive Board of EcoWomen.^[4][5] She closed a six year term at the DC chapter of EcoWomen in late 2019. DC EcoWomen is a community of approximately 6,000 professional women who inspire each other to create a healthy and equitable society. During her tenure she held several positions including vice president of professional development where she produced the organization's signature salon and monthly educational forum: EcoHour. She closed her term as the Board Chair during the final two years.

She also served on the board of the Maryland Climate Coalition.^[6]

Toles O'Laughlin is the former Chair of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments: Air and Climate Public Advisory Committee, where she advocated for meaningful engagement and responsive public resources. She recently concluded her term as the Chair of the Board of Directors for Women's Voices for the Earth, an organization based in Missoula, Montana, where she supported science based advocacy that gives voice to women fighting  to protect their health from toxic chemicals. She is also co-chair of the Green Leadership Trust.

In Maryland, she co-founded the Healthy Green Maryland Amendment Initiative to define healthy communities and provide multi-generational protections to defend against disproportionate climate impacts in the Maryland constitution. She also created the Baltimore City Climate Resolution, which passed in the City Council unanimously in response to the US withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accords.

Toles O'Laughlin was made Executive Director of the Maryland Environmental Health Network in February 2017,^[7] where she worked to eliminate environmental threats to human health.^[8] She created the Baltimore City Climate Resolution, which upholds the Paris Agreement and calls for 100% renewable energy use in Baltimore by 2050.^[9][10] It encourages the development of wind technology and disincentivizes incineration.^[9] The resolution was passed in June 2017.^[9] In 2018 she was awarded the Vermont Law School Social Justice Scholars Alumni Award.^[8]

During her time with the Maryland Environmental Health Network, she created an annual environmental justice digest intended to provide statewide policy analysis through the lenses of equity, access, and justice. She also created an educational webinar series on human health and environmental impacts on issues such as community solar, transportation, and natural gas infrastructure, which featured the experiences of impacted community members.

In 2019 Toles O'Laughlin joined 350.org as the North America Director making her the first African American female to hold this position in an environment or climate organization.^[11] 350.org seeks to end fossil fuel usage and accelerate transition to renewable energy.^[12] Toles O'Laughlin’s Leadership strengthened 350.org as well as the climate and environmental movement’s engagement with Black, Indigenous and communities of color,^[13] and is first of its kind, strategic leadership by a woman of color in environmentally focused non profit work.^[14] A signature of her work is the identification of systemic challenges and development of resources to rebuild with vulnerable populations.^[11][12]

In 2021, Toles O’Laughlin joined the Environmental Grantmakers Association (EGA) as its CEO and President. EGA represents over 200 foundations globally, holding approximately $200 billion in assets and giving more than $1.8 billion annually to environmental causes.

Toles O'Laughlin has written for Rolling Stone,^[15] The Nation,^[16] Yes! magazine^[17] and Grist.^[18] She is a contributor to Politico‘s Long Game Forum and is sought out for thought leadership^[19] on issues^[20] of environment, equity, energy access and climate justice.^[21]

References[]