Select Projects

Clara’s Projects

DEI Membership Surveys and Interviews

In 2021 Clara conducted DEI surveys for Citizens’ Climate Lobby, Climate Reality Project, and Young Evangelicals for Climate Action. The surveys explored engagement in climate action, experience of climate impacts, worries and concerns, challenges and barriers to participation, and strategies to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion. Each organization received a report of their own redults as well as a report of the aggregate results. The reports helped the organizations with creating their DEI strategic plans. 

Centering Equity in Climate Resilience Planning and Action

Climate Breakthrough DEI Strategic Planning

 
In 2022, Clara partnered with J.E.D.I Heart to guide Climate Breakthrough through a DEI strategic planning process. This involved facilitating conversations around definitions and goals, DEI strategies, and conducting a survey of awardees on their experience of equity and inclusion in the award process. Climate Breakthrough is a philanthropic organization supporting leaders through the Climate Breakthrough Award—the largest climate grant for individuals.

Citizens’ Climate International Volunteer Leaders Study 

In 2022 Clara conducted a survey study for Citizens’ Climate International to help assess volunteer needs and challenges in grassroots climate organizing. The study involved 40 participants from 30 countries and was distributed in English, French, and Spanish. The results helped CCI prioritize their efforts in climate organizing and better distribute resources and support to volunteer leaders throughout the world. 
In 2022 Clara was the first author on a report on integrating equity into climate resilience planning for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The process included a literature review, interviews with experts, and conversations with community organizers. The publication was released by the NOAA Climate Program Office as part of its climate resilience and adaptation practitioner guidebooks.

Association for Environmental Studies and Sciences DEI Strategic Planning

In 2020 Clara conducted a survey study for the Association for Environmental Studies and Sciences in order to help them create a DEI strategic plan. The final deliverables included a report of the survey results, recommendations for best practices, and a presentation at the AESS annual conference. Clara also served on the AESS diversity committee and led the implementation of DEI initiatives for AESS from 2019-2023. 

Citizens’ Climate Lobby DEI Strategic Planning

 
In 2019 Clara participated on the committee to create a DEI strategic plan for Citizens’ Climate Lobby. This process involved creating a DEI statement, determining goals, strategies, and implementation methods. Clara was involved in the implementation of the DEI strategic plan from 2019 to 2022. Citizens’ Climate Lobby is a U.S. based grassroots climate organization with over 200,000 members focused on building political will for climate legislation.

Genie’s Projects

National Aquarium DEIJ Consulting

In 2021 and 2022, Genie collaborated with Daisy Benitez and Jolisa Brooks to offer DEIJ planning support for the National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland. This work consisted of an Organizational Readiness Assessment, Cultural Audit, and Data Analysis; the design and facilitation of two leadership trainings; the development of the 2021-2025 National Aquarium DEIJ Strategic Plan; and the transitioning from DEIJ strategy development to implementation. 

JEDI Master Toolkit

In 2020, Genie collaborated with the Carnegie Museum of Natural History to develop an open-source JEDI Master Toolkit to provide accessible, credible, and easily distributed JEDI materials to organizations seeking to better understand and address these issues.  The toolkit consists of: Two 90-minute seminars on Demystifying Diversity and Climate and Environmental Justice; Twelve JEDI Community Building Exercises; A detailed guide for conducting an equity audit, with recommendations for external auditors; Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) Resource Library with links to free, accessible information.

NOAA Environmental Literacy Program Community Resilience Education Theory of Change

In 2019, Genie served as lead author and primary researcher to develop the NOAA Office of Education Environmental Literacy Program Community Resilience Education Theory of Change. The theory of change articulates the program's grant investment philosophy and offers a fresh approach to showcasing the importance of K-12 education in fostering community resilience to extreme weather, climate change, and environmental hazards.