Board of Directors

Jean-Yves is the Director General of the Carbon Regulation and Emission Data Branch for the Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs. His team is responsible for Québec’s GHG inventory, mandatory reporting of air pollutant and GHG emissions, halocarbon regulation, as well as Quebec’s Cap-and-Trade system. Jean-Yves represents the government of Quebec on many international partnerships pertaining to carbon pricing. He is currently co-chair of the Carbon Pricing in the Americas platform, and from 2015 to 2018, he was also co-chair of the International Carbon Action Partnership (ICAP). In 2014, he received the Mary D. Nichols Climate Action Champion Awards in recognition of his outstanding leadership and deep commitment to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the “fight” against climate change. Before joining the Ministère, in 2003, he worked for many years in the private sector. Jean-Yves graduated from the University of Montreal with a Bachelor’s degree in Actuarial Mathematics and a Master’s degree in Economics.  

Joel Creswell is a climate policy expert with a background in environmental science and a career spanning the public, private, and academic sectors. His background includes over a decade of environmental field research, federal positions at the Environmental Protection Agency at the House of Representatives, and positions in regional and state government in Washington. He is currently the Climate Pollution Reduction Program Manager at the Washington Department of Ecology, where he oversees a team of dedicated staff who carry out the agency’s greenhouse gas mitigation programs, including the Cap-and-Invest Program, the Clean Fuel Standard, the Zero Emissions Vehicles program, and the Hydrofluorocarbon Reduction Program, along with the state’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory. Joel earned a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from Macalester College, a master’s degree in Environmental Science from the Yale School of the Environment, and a Ph.D. in Environmental Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin – Madison.    

Liane Randolph has been appointed Chair of the California Air Resources Board in December 2020 by Governor Gavin Newsom. Liane has been a Commissioner at the California Public Utilities Commission since 2015. She was Deputy Secretary and General Counsel at the California Natural Resources Agency from 2011 to 2014 and an Attorney at Pillsbury, Winthrop, Shaw, Pittman from 2007 to 2011. She served as Chair of the California Fair Political Practices Commission from 2003 to 2007, where she also served as a Staff Attorney from 1996 to 1997. Randolph served as San Leandro City Attorney and was a Principal at Meyers Nave from 2000 to 2003, where she was an Associate from 1997 to 2000. She was an Attorney at Remcho, Johansen and Purcell from 1994 to 1996 and an Associate at Manatt, Phelps and Phillips from 1993 to 1994. She earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law. To read Liane’s official speeches and commentary, click here.     

Kim is the Director of the Carbon Market Division for the Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs. Her team is responsible for the development and implementation of Quebec’s cap and trade system. She was previously the Market Operation Manager and has been an active team member to design and start up the Quebec’s carbon market. Before joining the Ministère, in 2009, she worked as a consultant to implement lean manufacturing and supply chain excellence projects in the private sector. Kim also worked as an industrial engineer in the aerospace industry. She graduated from Laval University with a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, a post graduate degree in Industrial Engineering and a MBA specialized in Manufacturing and Logistics Management.    

Appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom in August 2022, Yana oversees the state’s efforts to fight climate change, protect air and water quality, regulate pesticides and toxic substances, achieve the state’s recycling and waste reduction goals, and advance environmental justice. As a member of the Governor’s cabinet, she advises the Governor on environmental policy. Yana is nationally recognized as a ground-breaking environmental leader who has worked hard to uplift the voices of those from disadvantaged communities. Since 2021, Yana has served as Special Assistant Attorney General advising California Attorney General Rob Bonta on the California Department of Justice’s legal and policy matters pertaining to the environment, land law and natural resources including climate, transportation, energy, and housing. She was Deputy Secretary for Environmental Justice, Tribal Affairs and Border Relations at CalEPA from 2019 to 2021 and had been CalEPA’s Assistant Secretary for Environmental Justice and Tribal Affairs from 2017 to 2019. Prior to her state service, Yana litigated environmental cases on behalf of several client groups across the state and across the country. Prior to practicing law, Yana worked on various environmental justice and civil rights projects in the states of Texas, New Mexico, and Massachusetts. Yana holds a degree in politics from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and a law degree from Northeastern University School of Law. To learn more about Yana, read her official bio.

Laura Watson brings two decades of environment-focused legal and policy experience to her role as director of the nation’s oldest environmental agency. Before becoming director in January 2020, Laura served in the state Attorney General’s office, representing Ecology for much of her tenure, including five years as the agency’s chief legal counsel. Laura is a focused, compassionate listener as much as she is an accomplished lawyer. Laura looks for common ground, seeking compromise and accommodation above conflict and litigation. She is continually inspired by Washington state’s natural beauty. She believes strongly in equity and environmental justice. When necessary, she’s prepared to take action to protect this state and its environment, and to defend the interests of its people. Laura holds a law degree from the University of Washington and a bachelor’s degree in philosophy, with a women’s studies certificate from the University of Pittsburgh. To learn more about Laura’s work at Ecology, read her official bio or follow her on Twitter at @EcyLauraWatson.