OUR FOUNDER
Dr. Jalonne L. White-Newsome is a nationally recognized visionary, problem solver, and passionate leader who recently served in the Biden-Harris Administration as the Federal Chief Environmental Justice Officer. Jalonne's personal and professional experience spans across multiple sectors, disciplines, and geographies advancing environmental justice, equity, and environmental health for the last three decades.
Throughout her career, Jalonne has been the first in multiple positions: she was the first Climate and Health post-doctoral fellow at the Union of Concerned Scientists; the first Director of Federal Policy at WE ACT for Environmental Justice; and, most recently, the first Federal Chief Environmental Justice Officer, appointed to serve at the White House Council on Environmental Quality, where she led the first Office of Environmental Justice in the White House, advancing the most ambitious environmental justice agenda the United States has ever seen.
Jalonne recently relaunched her strategic consulting firm, Empowering a Green Environment and Economy, LLC, where she will and expand the work she started before joining the Biden-Harris Administration, providing people-centered solutions across the private, public, and non-profit sectors, to ensure environmental justice, health, and sustainability for communities, businesses, and people-serving organizations.
A native of Detroit, Michigan, Jalonne has tackled environmental challenges from a wide range of positions and perspectives, including in the grassroots environmental justice movement, environmental philanthropy, state government, private industry, and academia. Jalonne earned a Ph.D. in environmental health sciences from the University of Michigan School of Public Health, a master’s degree in environmental engineering from Southern Methodist University, a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Northwestern University, and a certificate in Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell University.
TESTIMONIALS
“As the White House’s first Federal Chief Environmental Justice Officer, [Dr. White-Newsome/Dr. J/Jalonne] played a central and critical role in driving the major gains the Biden-Harris Administration made toward securing clean water, clean air, and healthy communities for all. Her focus, passion, experience, and commitment to serving and fighting for the most vulnerable make her a powerful and effective catalyst for change and progress.”
Matt Lee-Ashley, Chief of Staff and Director of Policy and Programs at the White House Council on Environmental Quality, 2021-2025
“Dr. J is one of the most passionate and hard-working leaders I've come across. She has frequently demonstrated strategic thinking and organizational leadership at the highest levels of civil service. She is an expert public speaker, with an ability to captivate and motivate audiences of all sizes, and a dynamic facilitator able to lead difficult discussions on hot button issues with grace, empathy, and poise. Her wisdom, compassion, and vision make her a force to be reckoned with. While her high work standards and willingness to go above and beyond make her an ideal person for any professional setting or organization.”
Ryan Hathaway, Director of Environmental Justice at The White House Council on Environmental Quality, 2024 - 2025
"Innovative. Creative. Visionary. Experienced. Compassionate.
Caring. Purpose Driven. Loving.
I struggled to form sentences to describe Dr. Jalonne White-Newsome. Her base of knowledge, experience, and success span social and economic issues. Her array of experiences are heightened by action, advocacy, an ability to write and facilitation.
If you are in need of a consultant, trainer, or facilitator, I highly recommend Jalonne. My recommendation is based not on reputation and observation alone, but by the success she has helped myself and others to attain over the years."
Rev. Leo Woodberry
New Alpha Community Development Corporation
"Having Dr. White-Newsome keynote the fireside chat at City of Dallas' 6th Annual Equity Indicators Symposium was truly a highlight. Her deep expertise, unwavering commitment to Environmental Justice, and grassroots approach were evident in everything she shared. She seamlessly connected national practices to local actions in addressing environmental inequities, while also demonstrating how policy translates into real-world impact. Dr. White-Newsome's passion and vision for sustaining this vital work was incredibly inspiring to all attendees. Her personal stories and reflections reminded us why this work matters, fostering a shared sense of purpose that resonated with everyone."
Dr. Lindsey Wilson
Director Office of Equity & Inclusion
City of Dallas
"It has been an incredible honor to work with Jalonne (Dr. J) in my role as Director of Carbon Capture Utilization and Sequestration at CEQ on environmental justice and carbon management. Dr. J’s unparalleled expertise, leadership, and unwavering dedication to equity has set a high standard for advancing climate solutions that truly serve all communities. Her ability to navigate complex political challenges while fostering collaboration across diverse stakeholders is nothing short of extraordinary. Her warmth, integrity, and genuine care for others make working with her an absolute privilege. I am grateful for the opportunity to work alongside someone so committed to justice and sustainability, it has been a privilege and an inspiration."
Margo D. Corum
Former Director of Carbon Capture Utilization and Sequestration
The White House Council on Environmental Quality
“As an environmental professional her knowledge on Global Warming and the long-term effects it may have on seniors is mind-blowing. Jalonne is the most meticulous and organized leader I have ever met. She also has the ability to adapt to any unexpected situation that comes her way. Jalonne's lifetime commitment to the environment and safety industry is above and beyond industry standards. I would recommend Jalonne for any project that requires a passion, distinctive, and knowledge approach."
Tamika L. Mitchell
Advanced Supplier Quality Engineer
Detroit Manufacturing Systems
"I have had the pleasure of working with Jalonne in multiple capacities. Most notably, Jalonne has played an instrumental role in launching APHA's Center for Climate, Health, and Equity. Not only did she bring the weight of a national philanthropic organization, but she was also a true thought partner in reimagining climate and health equity work for the field of public health. Her background in environmental justice and health equity was invaluable in shaping the early strategy of and creating new partnerships for the Center. What I appreciate most about Jalonne is her willingness to give thought and care to all areas of her work."
Dr. Surili Patel
Vice President at Metropolitan Group (former Director of Center for Climate, Health and Equity at the American Public Health Association)
What most impressed you about Empowering a Green Environment and Economy, LLC?
“Working with Jalonne on incorporating equity into our operations was an incredibly valuable and productive experience. Her knowledge and ability to connect with our team exceeded expectations, which were already very high when we began.”
B. Neal Carley, M.A.Sc., P.Eng.
General Manager, Parks, Planning & Environment
Metro Vancouver
"You’ve provided exceptional support to our team to conceptualize, implement and evaluate a new project at EDF that deliberately seeks to shift and deepen how we partner with community based and environmental justice organizations. You bring a unique depth of experience and knowledge that has been invaluable to the EJ grants and technical assistance pilot project we launched with you this past year. You brought clarity and direction to a nascent concept, helping to create a more formal process and leading us to begin to plan ahead to build on the foundation we’ve laid and chart a clear path forward. The evaluation process that you developed is now being extended to a number of partnerships across EDF, expanding our ability to learn and adapt our work with community based partners. You were also exceptional in how you worked with us. You listened and lead equally. You were patient with us and laughed with us."
Sarah Vogel, Senior Vice President
Healthy Communities
Environmental Defense Fund
“Trusted expert facilitation support is hard to find. It’s even more rare to find a facilitator capable of pivoting agilely in the face of what emerges from ‘real talk’ conversations. Jalonne has a gift for helping teams create safe spaces to tackle courageous conversation that enable leadership, heart and creative insight to emerge.”
Johanna Chao Kreilick, former President/CEO
Union of Concerned Scientists
"Jalonne has a unique skillset that is perfectly matched to our current needs. She not only has a technical background but also has experience both as a funder as well as working directly with community-based organizations. I have been impressed by Jalonne's strategic thinking, thoughtful consideration of complex interpersonal dynamics, as well as her efficient, high-quality work products. She also brings a welcoming, friendly demeanor to her work that is invaluable. She helped us get new CBO relationships off to the right start through her facilitation style in kick-off meetings, allowing for open, honest dialogue from the get go."
Lindsay McCormick
Program Manager
Environmental Defense Fund
“EGE2 exceeded our expectations and provided us with in-depth analysis of opportunities for expanding our portfolio with an equity lens.”
Melanie Moore, former Associate Program Officer
Mott Foundation