Civil Rights Inspired Grad Becomes Lawyer and Lifelong Advocate for Social and Climate Justice: Meet Inclusive Leader Award Winner Mary Nichols
GlobalMindED Inclusive Leader Award Winner in Energy & Sustainability, Mary Nichols is the former Chair of the California Air Resources Board, where she occupied the attorney seat, and California's previous Secretary for Natural Resources.
Growing up in a two-teacher household, Mary Nichols knew she’d go to college. Her parents, the first in their families to pursue higher education, instilled a deep appreciation for learning and the power of language. Her mother, a foreign language teacher, was meticulous about helping Mary develop clear and persuasive writing skills—something Mary maintains is vital in any profession, from law to engineering.
Building on those valued skills, Mary initially pursued a career in writing and the arts, majoring in Russian literature as an undergraduate at Cornell University.
From Words to Action: The Shift to Environmental Law
Mary's passion for activism began in high school, but it intensified during the civil rights movement. While working on Black voter registration in Tennessee during the Freedom Summer of 1964, she witnessed the important role of lawyers in protecting and advocating for marginalized communities and their champions. That was when Mary decided to become a lawyer, laying the foundation for her lifelong commitment to social and environmental justice.
The emerging field of environmental law captured her attention during the early 1970s. As landmark environmental legislation, including the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, and the National Environmental Policy Act, took shape, Mary recognized the potential to effect meaningful change through legal avenues.
Joining a small public interest law firm in Los Angeles, Mary became instrumental in combating air pollution in Southern California. The region's notorious smog problem became her focus, and she worked tirelessly to hold the automotive industry accountable for its role in emissions. Nichols' expertise in environmental law and her commitment to public health made her an indispensable force in the fight for cleaner air.
From Local to Global Impact: Advocacy and Collaboration
While Nichols' achievements in addressing air pollution in Southern California were groundbreaking, she also recognized the need for international efforts to address climate challenges. In recent years, she has become increasingly involved in global environmental issues, especially the health impacts of pollution in the largest cities of the world. Nichols emphasizes the importance of international cooperation in tackling climate change and environmental degradation.
Through partnerships such as the California China Climate Institute, Mary highlights the potential for bridging divides and working together despite political tensions. She believes in the power of collaboration and knowledge exchange, emphasizing the value of connecting with like-minded individuals and learning from their experiences.
Advice for Future Leaders:
- Pursue Your Passions: And be open to unexpected opportunities that align with your values. Sometimes, our true calling may be found in unconventional places.
- Embrace Education: It is a catalyst for social and environmental progress. Develop critical skills in reading, writing, and strategic thinking.
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Seek Multidimensional Solutions: Environmental stewardship transcends traditional boundaries. Regardless of your career path, there will be opportunities to integrate sustainability practices and make a meaningful impact.
- Collaborate for Global Change: Connecting with like-minded individuals and learning from their experiences can drive transformative change on a global scale.
By following in the footsteps of Mary Nichols, we can become agents of change, ensuring a healthier and
more sustainable planet for generations to come.
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Our Sponsors Create Opportunities for the Next Generation of Leaders
Join over 300 Diverse National/Global Speakers for 90 Sessions June 7-9, See Complete Program Below
Price Increases June 1, Register Today
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In it’s 9th year, the GlobalMindED conference has become the hallmark of inclusive leadership for established leaders and emerging leaders who will chart the direction across disciplines, governments, industries and foundations in the future.
What makes GlobalMindED unique:
- Student voice and student participation
- Diversity of speakers - 300+ speakers, 70%+ are diverse
- Our community is dedicated to solving the greatest equity issues of our times, not just identifying them
- Every voice from every background is celebrated, appreciated and generously connected to those who can help. Leaders of all ages across sectors make themselves available to teachers, faculty and students
- Builds the bridge for students of all ages from education to employment and promotion pathways.
- Sessions reflect the new framework of learning and earning without traditional boundaries and hierarchies
- If you are an educational leader or faculty, you can attend and bring one or more students with you
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Scroll down to see the Complete Program below, by industry
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Thursday, June 8 Plenary Sessions: |
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Friday, June 9 Plenary Sessions: |
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Thursday, June 8 Early Childhood Education Sessions: |
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Friday, June 9 Early Childhood Education Sessions: |
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Thursday, June 8 Global Work Skills Topics and Speakers: |
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Thursday, June 8 Foundation and Funders Sessions: |
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Thursday, June 8 Deeper Dive Sessions: |
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Friday, June 9 Deeper Dive Sessions: |
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Private screening Thursday evening June 8: Beyond Their Years; the incredible legacies of Herb Carnegie and Buck O'Neil, two social justice icons that blazed a train in sport and changed the world.
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Celebrate the 2023 GlobalMindED Inclusive Leader Award Winners With Us!
Wednesday June 7, Reception at 5:00 pm, Dinner and Awards at 7:00 pm to open the 2023 GlobalMindED Conference. Bring your co-workers, team, students, or friends as we honor these incredible leaders in 15 sectors - listed below. Corporate Sponsorship options begin at $5,000 a table and $250 for individuals. GlobalMindED conference registrants can attend the dinner for an additional $100.
You can use the QR codes below or register here for the dinner and the conference June 8-9
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We are delighted to announce the Inclusive Leader Award Winners:
Early Childhood Education:
Miriam Calderon, Chief Policy Officer, ZERO TO THREE
K-12 Education:
Dr. David Miyashiro, Superintendent, Cajon Valley Union School District
Higher Education:
Carrie Billy, President & CEO, American Indian Higher Education Consortium
Government:
Afua Bruce, Founder & Principal, ANB Advisory Group
Health & Wellness:
Dr. Elena Rios, President and CEO, National Hispanic Medical Association
Banking & Finance:
Hassan Salem, Head of Commercial Banking, U.S. Bank
Energy & Sustainability:
Mary Nichols, Professor in Residence, UCLA Institute of the Environment
Space & Aerospace:
Greg Robinson, Webb Space Telescope Program Director, NASA
Technology:
Michael Campbell, General Manager, EdTech Innovation & Transformation, Intel
Entrepreneurship:
Diego Mariscal, CEO and Chief Disabled Person, 2Gether-International
Media & Arts:
Mario Carrera, President & CEO, CLLARO
Foundations & Funders:
Nasruddin Rupani, Chairman, Ibn Sina Foundation, RUPANI Foundation
Non-Profit:
Kimberly Bryant, Founder, Black Girls CODE
Leadership & Equity:
Guillermo Diaz Jr., Founder & CEO, Conectado Inc
Global Impact:
Rosanna Durruthy, VP, Global Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging, LinkedIn
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Inclusive Companies Prioritize Diverse Talent: Register for the Industry Marketplace/Career Exploration Arena June 9, 2023 at GlobalMindED
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