Dedicated to a Better World: Wendy James

Wendy James is a force to be reckoned with: she is President and founder of The Better World Group, served on the CLCV Board of Directors for a decade, and was President of the nonprofit Environmental Media Association, among other positions.

She has long been able to add another title to that enviable résumé (but we're just now making it official): environmental champion. CLCV is honoring Wendy for her many years of service to the environment at our Leadership Awards gala on December 1 in Los Angeles.

Over the past three decades, Wendy developed unique expertise in the media, government, corporate and nonprofit sectors, with a special focus on environmental issues. As President of The Better World Group, Wendy works with environmental and environmental justice groups, government organizations and progressive businesses in framing their environmental strategies and implementing advocacy campaigns in support of a wide array of policies and projects.

The San Fernando Valley Business Journal described Wendy James' unique role in an article earlier this year:

“... many groups, including consumers, seniors, labor and entrepreneurs, want some of the same things concerning environmental issues... so [James'] role often means building bridges between such groups, and better communication among them, even before the public hears anything about an issue.”

While serving as President of the Environmental Media Association--which works closely with the entertainment industry to support various environmental initiatives--Wendy launched a program focusing on the operations and production side of the entertainment industry. The program harnessed the industry’s purchasing power and high visibility to broaden support for environmental products and practices.

Wendy’s experience in energy and the environment puts her squarely on the forefront of advanced transportation initiatives, including heading up Southern California Edison’s Electric Transportation Division.

She recently completed over a decade of service on CLCV's Board of Directors, where she served as Vice Chair, and currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the California State Parks Foundation. She also serves on the Board of Advisors for the Institute for Transportation Studies at the University of California-Davis and the Board of Burbank Water & Power, a municipal utility serving more than 50,000 customers. In May 2009, she was elected chair of the newly-created City of Burbank Sustainability Task Force.

In 2009, Wendy was honored by the Coalition for Clean Air with a Ralph B. Perry III Lifetime Achievement Award. She was honored by the California Climate Action Registry in 2008. And now it's our turn.

We hope you'll join us in honoring Wendy James for her career spent protecting and enhancing the Golden State's natural resources and public health at our annual Environmental Leadership Awards.