We are pleased to announce Puget Soundkeeper Alliance's new executive director, Sean Dixon. Sean is a former Senior Attorney at Hudson Riverkeeper and most recently worked as Chief of Staff for the Region 1 (New England) office of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. "Sean connects to people with empathy and energy,” said Patricia Baird, Soundkeeper’s newly elected Board President and chair of its Environmental Justice Committee.“When it comes to clean water, he understands that the best way to be an advocate is to empower others with adaptive, collaborative, mission-focused leadership.” With an extensive background in environmental law, policy, and science, Sean’s experiences align directly with Soundkeeper’s approach to clean water stewardship. Through his work as an advocate and a public official, he has monitored waterfronts on boat patrols, led coastal clean ups, built consensus around novel water permitting approaches, pushed for community-led remediation of legacy industrial sites, and supported the work of frontline communities fighting for equitable access to clean, thriving waterways. “Working to protect, restore, and revitalize our nation’s waterways -and the communities that depend on them -has always been my passion,” said Dixon. “I’m excited and thankful for this opportunity to stand alongside the talented Soundkeeper team, our advocacy partners, and our watershed-wide neighbors as we work to ensure a clean water future for Puget Sound.” Most recently, in his role at EPA, Sean’s work focused on clean water, clean air, and healthy community initiatives impacting the communities and watersheds of New England. While at Hudson Riverkeeper, Sean worked on energy infrastructure campaigns (including national Waterkeeper Alliance advocacy on crude oil rail transport) and on New York Harbor climate, clean water, and resilience campaigns. In this work, Sean engaged with community groups on some of NYC’s most severely polluted waterways, including Flushing Bay, Gowanus Canal,and Newton Creek. Sean holds an LL.M. in Climate Change Law and a J.D. in Environmental Law from the Elisabeth HaubSchool of Law at Pace University, in White Plains, NY; a master’s degree from the Yale School of the Environment; and a B.A. in Marine Biology and Oceanography from Boston University. He has served as Membership Officer and Council Member for the AmericanBar Association’s Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources Law and has been an on the adjunct faculty at Yale College, Pace Law School, and Clarkson University. As Soundkeeper ramps up it summer activities and they look forward to increasing their in-person gatherings, look for Sean exploring the waters of his new Northwest home. After having spent four years on the dive team at the New York Aquarium on Coney Island, Sean will be also be searching for the best underwater sites to visit around Puget Sound. We couldn't be more excited to step into the future. Please join us in welcoming Sean! Valtas is privileged to have worked with the hiring team and look forward to more great things from Puget Soundkeeper Alliance with Sean Dixon in his new role as Executive Director. About Puget Soundkeeper Alliance Puget Soundkeeper’s mission is to protect and enhance the waters of Puget Sound for the health and restoration of our aquatic ecosystems and the communities that depend on them. Their vision is for a Puget Sound teeming with diverse marine life and providing safe opportunities for swimming, fishing, recreation and sustainable economic activity. They seek a Sound that supports the lifeways and traditional cultural practices of indigenous peoples; provides all communities with a clean, healthy place to live and work; and once again is home to an abundance of salmon and orca. They monitor Puget Sound water quality, help set strong policies and regulations that protect our waterways and our health, enforce environmental regulations, engage citizens and businesses in waterway cleanups and recovery projects, educate and involve the public in local water pollution issues, and partner with local and regional groups to advance solutions that protect Puget Sound. About Valtas Group
Valtas Group works as Interim Executive Directors, supporting organizations in times of transition and helps organizations navigate uncertainty during leadership change. Valtas Group also leads the search process in partnership with the board and staff leadership, as consultants for recruiting and search to support organizations identify the ideal Executive Director or leader. Valtas Group partners with board members and senior nonprofit leaders on a variety of strategic consulting assignments. Valtas Group has a variety of comprehensive resources to guide your transition needs. Contact us to learn about executive interim and placement services. Comments are closed.
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