Sierra Club Celebrates Loren Blackford as its Next Executive Director

Oakland, CA- Today, the Sierra Club Board of Directors voted unanimously to select Loren Blackford as its eighth Executive Director. Blackford previously served in an interim capacity, but now becomes the first female Executive Director in Sierra Club history.

"The Board of Directors is thrilled to celebrate Loren as Sierra Club's next Executive Director," said Sierra Club President Patrick Murphy. "The Sierra Club has never backed down from our mission to protect our communities, wildlife and special places, and our planet - and that's not changing now. Action cannot wait. We must and will move with the utmost speed to powerfully meet this crucial moment, and Loren is the best person to lead us forward.

"In Loren, we have someone who brings significant experience and a deep commitment to the movement as a leader on staff and as a volunteer. She has served on the board of the Sierra Club and the Sierra Club Foundation. She knows our opportunities, our challenges, and our mission by heart. And we are all fortunate that she is working in partnership with our leadership team, which brings decades of experience and deep fidelity to our mission and to our organization."

Loren has been a Sierra Club leader for nearly two decades, both as a volunteer and staff member. Her previous roles include Interim and Deputy Executive Director, as well as Sierra Club President and Sierra Club Foundation Board Chair. Throughout her career in sustainability and community development, Loren has focused on supporting and lifting up local work and voices.

"I am deeply honored by the faith put in me to lead this powerful organization at this crucial time," said Loren Blackford. "Over its 133 years, Sierra Club has had many dedicated and visionary leaders, and an incredible new generation of leaders is rising up. I feel humbled and inspired to carry the baton of Sierra Club leadership at this moment.

"This is a time of rejuvenation for the Sierra Club. It's a time when we can recommit to our values, strengthen the relationships we all have with each other; empower our staff and volunteers and the deep expertise they bring, and welcome new strategies and leaders. Together we can build a future we all want to be part of, with universal access to nature; clean air and water; good jobs; clean, reliable and affordable energy; and safe, healthy communities.

"This is a critical moment for the Sierra Club and for the future of our country. The challenges in front of us are daunting, but I know the Sierra Club is uniquely positioned to lead. This is not the first time we have been tested in our 133-year history. And we will meet this moment by rising together to carry our mission forward with even greater strength and clearer sense of purpose than ever before."

About the Sierra Club

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 https://www.sierraclub.org.