September 20, 2021

Environmental Law’s 50th Anniversary Event: An Evening With Sally Jewell

Former Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell will share her thoughts on addressing climate change, and how we can be better advocates.

On October 5th at 5:30 pm PST, Sally Jewell, Secretary of the Interior under the Obama Administration and former President and Chief Executive Officer of Recreation Equipment, Inc. (REI), will share her thoughts on addressing climate change in a virtual conversation with Lewis & Clark Law School’s Jeffrey Bain Faculty Scholar, Professor Melissa Powers.

As part of a year-long celebration recognizing the Environmental, Natural Resources, and Energy Law program’s 50th anniversary, Jewell will discuss the importance of her work, the state of our climate, and how to inspire change in current and future generations. A Q&A with audience members will follow.

Throughout her career as both a business executive and civil servant, Sally Jewell focused on supporting a robust economy coupled with long-term sustainability of our natural world and its diverse people.

During her tenure as Interior Secretary, she used a science-based, landscape-level, collaborative approach to natural resources management. She was deeply engaged in rebuilding a trusting, nation-to-nation relationship with indigenous communities in the U.S., supporting opportunities for greater engagement in public land stewardship, and providing improved educational opportunities for native youth.

She worked with President Obama and his team on long-term conservation of our nation’s most vulnerable and irreplaceable natural, cultural, and historical treasures, protecting more lands and waters than any other U.S. President in history. Working with industry, states, and the community, Jewell and her team also facilitated thoughtful development of renewable energy on public lands and waters, one of many steps taken to address climate change and biodiversity loss.

Prior to serving on President Obama’s cabinet, Jewell was President and CEO of REI Co-op, a $2.8 billion retailer dedicated to facilitating outdoor adventures. This followed 19 years in commercial banking and an early career as an engineer in the energy industry.

Jewell is currently serving as the Fritzky Chair in Leadership at the University of Washington Foster School of Business, helping students and faculty in business and across the university explore opportunities to put their diverse skills to work in creating a sustainable future for our planet. Her prior academic appointments have included the University of Washington College of the Environment and Harvard University’s J. F. Kennedy School of Government.

Jewell has received recognition for her community service through numerous awards and honorary degrees, including the University of Washington’s highest alumni honor, Alumna Summa Laude Dignata, the Director of the Year Award from the National Association of Corporate Directors for her nonprofit service, and the Rachel Carson Award from the Audubon Society.

She continues active volunteer leadership in several organizations, including The Nature Conservancy, for which she served as interim CEO for one year in 2019-20, the Aspen Institute’s Center for Native American Youth, EarthLab at the University of Washington, and others. She also serves on several corporate boards, including Costco, Symetra, and Green Diamond Resources.

Jewell is deeply committed to sharing knowledge with emerging generations on the multiple facets of democracy and civil society needed to shape a future that is economically successful and environmentally sustainable.

RSVP for this online event here.