Dylan McDowell

Dylan McDowell is the Chief Executive Officer of the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators (NCEL), a nonpartisan network of over 1,300 state lawmakers from all 50 states committed to advancing strong environmental policy. Over more than a decade with NCEL, Dylan has helped evolve the organization into a leading resource for state-level environmental action — developing signature event models, expanding strategic partnerships, and directly supporting hundreds of legislators in learning and collaborating on impactful policy.

Under his leadership, NCEL has launched initiatives that center Tribally-led environmental and community concepts, foster youth engagement through the Youth Outdoor Policy Playbook, and create immersive learning experiences such as a renewable energy workshop in partnership with Blue Planet Foundation. Dylan is a trusted voice on state policy trends and works regularly with philanthropic organizations, stakeholder networks, and the media to elevate state leadership on environmental issues.

Originally trained as a science communicator, Dylan’s early career included roles with the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Oregon Sea Grant, and the Hatfield Marine Science Center. He brings that foundation into his current work — translating complex policy into accessible, actionable insights that resonate across audiences and geographies.

Outside of NCEL, Dylan recently completed six years on the Salem Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, including as Chair, and co-founded Salem Bike Vision to promote safe, inclusive bike infrastructure. He was named a SHIFT Emerging Leader in 2018 and selected for UC Santa Cruz’s Blue Pioneers Program in 2020 for his work in ocean conservation.