The sustainability nonprofit Ceres announced today that two new members joined its Board of Directors and President’s Council.
Jacqueline Patterson, Founder and Executive Director of the Chisholm Legacy Project: A Resource Hub for Black Frontline Climate Justice Leadership, joined Ceres as its newest Board member last month. Jacqui brings years of experience in Environmental and Climate Justice and working with frontline communities facing environmental injustice.
Leah Wood, Head of Global Client Experience, Managing Director at Impax Asset Management, joined Ceres as its newest President’s Council member. Ceres President’s Council members serve as ambassadors for Ceres and enhance the organization’s impact through direct support, expertise, and outreach.
“We are thrilled to welcome both Jacqui and Leah to Ceres’ leadership bodies,” said Mindy Lubber, CEO and President of Ceres. “Their respective expertise in institutional asset management and climate justice issues are incredibly important to Ceres and our mission to build a more equitable, just and sustainable world for future generations.”
Meet our newest members:Â
 | Jacqueline Patterson is the Founder and Executive Director of the Chisholm Legacy Project: A Resource Hub for Black Frontline Climate Justice Leadership. The mission of  the Chisholm Legacy Project is rooted in a Just Transition Framework, serving as a vehicle to connect Black communities on the frontlines of climate justice with the resources to actualize visions. Prior to the launch of the Chisholm Legacy Project, Patterson served as the Senior Director of the NAACP Environmental and Climate Justice Program for over a decade. During her tenure, she founded and implemented a robust portfolio which included serving the state and local leadership whose constituencies consisted of hundreds of communities on the frontlines of environmental injustice. |
 | Leah Wood is Managing Director, Head of Global Client Experience at Impax Asset Management. She joined Impax’s East Coast office in 2016 to lead Client Service in North America. In her current role, Wood is responsible for the client experience globally, working with regional client service teams to deepen and strengthen client relationships. Wood started her career in 2008 and brings experience in both equities research and institutional asset management, most recently working with Russell Investments’ multi-asset portfolio management team based in New York. |
In joining Ceres, they said:
“There is great potential in the commitments that the Ceres companies have made to sustainability goals. As these companies rise to the aspiration of achieving equity- and justice- centered operations, the fruits will be healthier communities and a sustainable planet that supports the fullness of the ecosystem within it,” said Ms. Patterson. “I am dedicated to coming together with the rest of the Ceres Board to help create and nurture a landscape where these commitments are actualized.”
“I’m thrilled to join the Ceres President’s Council and support Ceres’ work to foster the advancement of environmental efforts and accelerate sustainable capital markets,” said Ms. Wood. “Increased action to stabilize the climate, protect natural resources and build a just economy is a priority for Impax, and I look forward to working together to drive solutions toward a more sustainable economy.”
Learn more about the Ceres Board of Directors and the Ceres President’s Council.
About Ceres
Ceres is a nonprofit organization working with the most influential capital market leaders to solve the world’s greatest sustainability challenges. Through our powerful networks and global collaborations of investors, companies and nonprofits, we drive action and inspire equitable market-based and policy solutions throughout the economy to build a just and sustainable future. For more information, visit ceres.org and follow @CeresNews.