Allison Chin Elected as Sierra Club Board President

May 22, 2023

 

Contact - Jonathon Berman, jonathon.berman@sierraclub.org

 

Oakland, CA - This weekend, Allison Chin was elected to serve as president (one-year term) of the Sierra Club’s Board of Directors. This is Chin’s fourth term as president. She was the first person of color to ever serve in this role.

 

A veteran of the Board, Chin is currently serving in her fourth term (May 2022 - May 2025) and 10th year on the Sierra Club Board of Directors. Her prior service (2007 - 2013 and 2015 - 2018) included six years on the Executive Committee as President (2008-2010, 2012-2013), treasurer (2010-2011), and fifth officer (2007-2008, 2011-2012). Chin is a longtime volunteer and lifetime member of the Sierra Club. She has been serving on Board-appointed governance committees or the Board itself since 1999 (outdoor activities leadership, organizational effectiveness, finance and risk management, leadership development, trainer/coach/facilitator). Chin is a retired biologist who led multidisciplinary domestic and international project teams focused on the discovery and development of novel therapeutics.

 

"I am honored to take on this role and continue the great work of the Sierra Club. We are facing critical challenges in protecting our planet and all its inhabitants, and I am confident that we will rise to the challenge," said Allison Chin.

 

Chin succeeds Ramón Cruz as president. "I want to congratulate Allison and the new Executive Committee. I am glad to see that we continue to have a team of experienced leaders to steer the Sierra Club in a moment that is crucial for the fight against climate change while centering justice. I am very proud of the accomplishments that the organization has achieved during my tenure as President. During the last three years, our tireless efforts have resulted in the largest climate, clean energy, and environmental justice legislation in history while continuing to fight dirty fuel projects from coast to coast. I am grateful for having the opportunity to serve this wonderful organization in such challenging times, and will forever be indebted to my colleagues on the Board for their dedication and commitment to the organization, especially the previous Executive Committee members for their tireless work helping shepherd the Sierra Club in the search for our new Executive Director. I am eager to continue collaborating with our newly elected leaders in the months and years to come as a volunteer in service of this great organization,” said Ramón Cruz. 

 

The Sierra Club has also elected new members to the Executive Committee. They are: 
 

 

"I am thrilled to welcome the new and returning members of the Executive Committee as we grow our organization. They bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table and will help us continue to lead the way in environmental advocacy. I also want to express my gratitude to the outgoing directors – Ramón Cruz, Marion Klaus, and Natalie Lucas, as well as the members of the ExCom - Debbie Heaton, Vice President for Chapters, Groups and Volunteers. The Sierra Club is forever thankful for their service,”  said Allison Chin.

 

“The strength of the Sierra Club has always been our volunteers and grassroots power. Their time, their dedication, and their love is more critical than ever as we work to fulfill the entirety of our mission to explore, enjoy, and protect the planet. I congratulate Allison and look forward to continuing to work with her and our Board of Directors,” said Ben Jealous.

 

The Board of Directors is a 15-member volunteer body responsible for the governance of the Sierra Club. Elections for directors are held annually. 

 

 

The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.