As the Climate, Energy & Air Program Director, Chelsea Chandler draws on her experience in climate science and policy, relationships with decision-makers and diverse stakeholders across the state, and passion for environmental sustainability and justice to advocate for climate action in Wisconsin. Chelsea has worked on climate issues for over a decade in Wisconsin, the West Coast, and Latin America.
Prior to joining Clean Wisconsin, Chelsea led the Climate & Energy Initiative at the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts & Letters. In this role, she advanced climate mitigation and resilience by convening experts and stakeholders across Wisconsin to synthesize current knowledge and barriers, craft effective response options, and share recommendations with decision-makers. She organized statewide and local leadership summits on climate, energy, and resilience, and increased public literacy on a variety of topics including renewable energy, energy democracy, and natural climate solutions.
Previously, as a scientist in the Stockholm Environment Institute’s Climate and Energy group, her portfolio ranged from local (crafting a carbon neutral plan for Seattle) to international (presenting at international training workshops on climate change mitigation).
She extends her advocacy for healthy communities and environment to her organic produce farm in the Driftless Area. She is committed to pairing sustainable food production with strong conservation work, and her involvement in the farming community has given her direct experience and insights into the interactions between agriculture, climate, and water in Wisconsin.
With a mom who emigrated from Cuba and a dad from Minnesota, Chelsea grew up understanding and valuing diverse perspectives. Through her own multicultural and interdisciplinary background, she strives to serve as a translator between different people and topics.
Chelsea holds a M.E.M. in Global Change Science and Policy from the Yale School of the Environment and a B.A. in Atmospheric Science from the University of California, Berkeley.
Favorite things to do outdoors in Wisconsin: kayak, hike along bluffs and through oak savannas, and take meandering farm walks with her kids, husband, and dog.