Today, Evergreen Action announced that Rachel Patterson has been named Senior Policy Director and will join the organization’s leadership team. An Evergreen team member since 2021, Rachel has served in a range of policy roles and will now lead the organization’s policy development and help guide its strategic direction. She brings deep expertise across key climate policy and sectors, including environmental justice and green transportation, as well as experience working in state government.

“Rachel is an exceptional policy expert and deeply committed climate advocate who brings integrity, rigor, and heart to everything she does,” said Evergreen Executive Director Lena Moffitt. “Over the past several years, Rachel has helped shape some of Evergreen’s most impactful work, from Inflation Reduction Act implementation to transportation equity analysis. I’m thrilled she’s stepping into this senior leadership role, where she will help guide the next chapter of our work at a crucial moment for defending and advancing climate progress.”

“I’m honored to take on this new role and continue advancing Evergreen’s mission during such a pivotal time for climate policy,” said Evergreen Senior Policy Director Rachel Patterson. “We have an opportunity to demonstrate what real climate leadership looks like: embracing policy solutions that address the climate crisis while making people’s lives more affordable and liveable. I look forward to working with our partners, allies, and the entire Evergreen team to help build a cleaner, fairer, and more resilient future for everyone.”

Rachel previously served as State Policy Advisor, Interim Policy Director, Deputy Policy Director, and Policy Lead at Evergreen, where she focused on both federal and state-level climate and energy policy. Prior to joining Evergreen, she worked as the Legislative and Climate Associate at Environmental Advocates NY, served as an Excelsior Fellow at NYSERDA, and worked in the Office of Governor Andrew Cuomo as a Senior Briefer.

Rachel holds a J.D. from Albany Law School, a Master's of Public Administration from Columbia University, and dual bachelor’s degrees in Public Policy and Environmental Science from Mills College. She is an active member of the Albany, New York, community, as a member of the Albany Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.

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