Board Spotlight Shines on Sustainability Leader, Debbie Raphael

By Hernan Gallo-Cornejo

SEI is spotlighting the incredible and inspiring sustainability leaders who serve on our board through a series of interviews. We are kicking off the board spotlight  series with Debbie Raphael, Director of the San Francisco Department of the Environment.

Meet Debbie Raphael

Debbie Raphael is the Director of the San Francisco Department of the Environment and longtime board member at SEI. Debbie believes that cities can take bold action to address environmental harm. 
 
A scientist by training and public servant by profession, Debbie has spent most of her career working in government to ensure that everyone has an equal right to a safe and healthy environment.  Debbie created first-in-the-nation policies on toxics reduction, green building, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), healthy nail salons, and the precautionary principle -- a decision-making framework that protects the public from exposure to harm even in the face of scientific uncertainty. Debbie was named one of the world’s 100 most influential people in climate policy and holds a Bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of California, Berkeley and a Master’s Degree in Physiological Plant Ecology from UCLA. 

Why do you serve on SEI’s board? 
I believe in the mission of SEI – to build the capacity of our youth and young professionals to work in the environmental field and to create the solutions needed to heal this planet. I serve on the Board because I believe in the importance of “paying it forward”. I believe it is my responsibility, as an environmental professional, to support organizations like SEI to be the best they can be.

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