Rachelle Sanderson

Rachelle (she/her) is NCEL’s Network Engagement Manager, where she leads the growth and stewardship of NCEL’s nonpartisan network of state environmental legislative leaders. She brings more than a decade of experience in climate justice, community engagement, and equity-centered partnership-building to the role.

Before joining NCEL, Rachelle served as Senior Program Officer at the Institute for Sustainable Communities, directing a $2M building decarbonization initiative focused on reducing pollution and energy burdens in Black and brown communities across Oakland, St. Louis, and Philadelphia. She also directed the $10M EPA Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center, supporting over 160 community-based organizations nationwide with grant writing, budgeting, and capacity-building. Her earlier career spans roles as a Coastal Resources Scientist, Community Resilience Manager, and Director of Planning in Louisiana, where she focused on watershed equity and climate resilience.

Rachelle is passionate about connecting people, resources, and decision-making power to those most impacted by environmental injustice and she brings that same energy to building NCEL’s network of environmental champions across the country.