Frances Beinecke served as NRDC’s president from 2006 to 2015.
Under Beinecke’s leadership, NRDC focused on finding solutions to some of the biggest environmental challenges of our time, including establishing a clean energy future that curbs climate change, reviving the world’s oceans, defending endangered wildlife and wild places, protecting our health by preventing pollution, fostering sustainable communities, and ensuring safe and sufficient water.Prior to her role as president, Beinecke was the organization’s executive director for eight years. In 2010, she was appointed by President Obama to the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling.
She was a member of the U.S. Secretary of Energy’s advisory board and also serves on the advisory board of the MIT Energy Initiative, and the boards of the World Resources Institute, Climate Central and Client Earth. Beinecke holds a bachelor’s degree from Yale College and a master’s degree from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. She has cochaired the Leadership Council of the Yale School of Forestry, was a member of the Yale School of Management’s Advisory Board, and the Yale Corporation. Beinecke has received the Yale Medal from Yale University and numerous other awards and honors. She was awarded an honorary degree from Lehman College, Doctor of Humane Letters, and an honorary degree from Vermont Law School, Doctor of Laws.
