Dear Clean Air Community,
This December, I will step down as Executive Director of Clean Air Coalition of Western New York. In my over 10 years at the forefront of the fight for health, dignity, and justice in our region, I have had the privilege of working alongside our membership, staff and board to hold polluters accountable, work to eradicate systemic racism, and consistently make what seems politically impossible, inevitable.
Through Clean Air’s rigorous practice of community organizing, I have seen our communities stand up, work together, and build a movement centered on environmental, economic, and social justice for us all. I know that despite all odds, in this imperfect system that has beaten so many of our people down, Clean Air will continue to show up, we will continue to turn out, day in and day out, because we know that institutions are only as strong as we demand them to be. I know that we will continue to do the work and I know that we will win.
I am proud of the movement we have built together, and confident that Clean Air’s amazing board, staff, and campaign teams will continue to build off of our successes and lead the organization through this transition into its next evolution. Our campaigns; including at Tesla, in Delavan-Grider, Seneca Babcock, and the Tonawandas, will continue to fire on all cylinders, and continue to fight for our communities to have decision making power in the policies and practices that impact our lives.
Our membership led Board of Directors has created a Transition Team to lead the transition process. This team will lead our leadership transition, and will work collaboratively with staff and membership over the next few months to identify the next Executive Director that will guide Clean Air into the future.
Starting in December I will hit the ground running in my new position as Northeast Regional Program Manager for
The Blue Green Alliance, and will organize to protect the environment and create and maintain quality, family-sustaining jobs across the economy. While I am transitioning away from Clean Air, I will be staying in Western New York, and am committed to this movement we have created together. I’m excited to continue to look for ways to build the power of our people to create a world where our environment promotes health and equity and where systems place communities at the forefront of decision making.
At Clean Air, we know that our members have many differences. We differ along class, race and party lines, but what unites us is our belief in our shared values and our vision for a brighter, better and more democratic future for all of us. I could not be more thrilled to see this powerful organization continue to grow and continue to punch above our weight class.
If you have any questions or concerns during this transition process, please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly at
Rebecca@cacwny.org, or contact Jennifer Carman, Chair of Clean Air Board at
yuhnjl@gmail.com.
