Susan Frank Receives CLCV Environmental Leadership Award

CLCV is thrilled to honor Susan Frank, President & Chief Operating Officer for The Better World Group and a long-serving CLCV Board member with our Environmental Leadership Award this week in San Francisco.

Susan is known statewide for her expertise in public policy development, coalition management, and nonprofit lobbying/advocacy having served as CEO and in several senior-level roles in nonprofit organizations over the last 20 years. She is also known at CLCV as an incredibly dedicated Board member who is committed to the organization and its goal of electing environmental champions who will protect California's clean air, land and water for future generations.

Susan is currently managing a critical statewide campaign to implement and defend California's landmark climate policy (AB 32) from attacks by the oil industry and their allies, as well as coordination of a large alliance of businesses and business associations across the state that supports California’s clean energy policies.

She provides air quality policy advice to a large California transportation agency as well as to a number of regional and statewide environmental organizations and coalitions. She is also advising Silicon Valley Community Foundation as it develops and implements a variety of programs to engage in public policy advocacy and grantmaking. 

Susan previously served in a variety of roles for the Bay Area-based Steven and Michele Kirsch Foundation including as President & CEO and Vice President, Public Policy. As chief executive, she was responsible for the organization's strategic planning, budget planning and development, staff management, external relations, and public policy/advocacy. In terms of advocacy, she represented the Foundation on legislative and regulatory activities at all levels of government. Her primary policy focus was advocating for improved air quality in California's San Joaquin Valley. She also developed extensive knowledge and experience working on global warming, clean vehicles, and pesticide issues.

Prior to joining the Kirsch Foundation, Susan Frank served as President & CEO of the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce in Palo Alto, California, for eight years. In addition to being the organization's chief executive, she was integrally involved in developing chamber policy and legislative positions on a variety of issues including regional transportation concerns, land use issues, and environmental health and safety. 

In addition to serving as a Board member for CLCV since November 2005, she also serves on the Board of Directors for Communities for a New California and the International Green Industry Hall of Fame (IGIHOF), as well as the Advisory Boards for Leadership for a Clean Economy and the Green Chamber of Commerce in California.

Susan was recognized as a 2011 Women of Influence in Silicon Valley by the Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal. In 2010, the YWCA of Silicon Valley awarded Susan a Tribute to Women (TWIN) Award, which honors the region’s executive women. And in 2009, she was recognized by Breathe California for her management of a statewide coalition of environmental, public health and environmental justice advocates that successfully campaigned for a strong diesel truck and bus pollution regulation.

CLCV will present Susan Frank with our Environmental Leadership Award at our annual event this Thursday.

(For information about the event and all the honorees, please visit our event page.)