Environmental Defense today announced that Jacqueline Hamilton has joined the organization as director of our Los Angeles Environmental Justice Project. Hamilton comes to Environmental Defense from the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), where she served as senior project attorney in the Public Health Program.

“Environmental Defense is extremely pleased to have Jacqueline on board as director of our Los Angeles Environmental Justice Project,” said Environmental Defense executive director Fred Krupp. “She brings to Environmental Defense a wealth of effective advocacy experience in a variety of settings, on issues ranging from pesticide reform to sustainable development.”

Hamilton established and directed NRDC’s Population, Consumption and Environment Initiative. The Initiative worked through the United Nations and domestic organizations to promote and protect women’s reproductive health and rights while finding solutions to global environmental and population pressures. She also coordinated broad lobbying and community outreach efforts on toxic waste cleanup issues and pesticide reform, as well as participating in pesticide litigation. Born and raised in Southern California, she holds degrees from UCLA and Yale Law School.

“I look forward to carrying on the important work Environmental Defense has already begun in Los Angeles to redress the environmental problems affecting low-income communities of color,” said Hamilton. “Environmental Defense has played a key role in the fight to improve transportation services and to increase parks and recreational facilities here, as well as working to reduce exposure to toxins within these communities. I relish the opportunity to continue and expand these efforts.”

One of the world’s leading international nonprofit organizations, Environmental Defense Fund (edf.org) creates transformational solutions to the most serious environmental problems. To do so, EDF links science, economics, law, and innovative private-sector partnerships. With more than 3 million members and offices in the United States, China, Mexico, Indonesia and the European Union, EDF’s scientists, economists, attorneys and policy experts are working in 28 countries to turn our solutions into action. Connect with us on Twitter @EnvDefenseFund