About the Board

The City of Seattle Green New Deal Oversight Board was established by City Council (Ordinance 125926) to provide proposals for the design of new policies, programs, and projects and for modifications to existing policies, programs and projects to the Mayor, City Council, and City departments to advance a Green New Deal for Seattle.

Green New Deal Oversight Board Members:

The City of Seattle Green New Deal Oversight Board is composed of 19 appointed members who are passionate about advancing an equitable transition to renewable energy by centering the expertise of Black, Indigenous, People of Color, immigrants, refugees, people with low incomes, youth, elders and workers harmed first and worse by climate change. Members are appointed by the Mayor, City Council, or the Board itself into one of the following position categories as defined in Ordinance 125926 (section 3.14.979 to the Seattle Municipal Code):

  • Eight positions designated for community representatives directly impacted by racial, economic, and environmental injustices (including two tribal members and two individuals between the ages of 16 and 25 at the time of their appointment).
  • Four positions designated for representatives of labor unions.
  • Three positions designated for representatives of environmental justice organizations.
  • Three positions designated for representatives with experience in greenhouse gas reduction and climate resiliency strategies relevant to cities.
  • One position designated for an individual specializing in workforce training.

Current Members: 

Name Position Title Term Begin Date Term End Date Appointing Authority
Maria Batayola Frontline Representative 05/01/2020 04/30/2023 Mayor
Matt Remle Frontline Representative 05/01/2020 04/30/2023 City Council
Tomas Madrigal Frontline Representative 05/01/2020 04/30/2023 Mayor
Rachel Heaton Tribal Representative 05/01/2020   04/30/2023   City Council
Ken Workman*
Tribal Representative 05/01/2020   04/30/2023   Mayor
Kristina Chu Youth Representative 05/01/2020   04/30/2023   City Council
Tyler Valentine Youth Representative 05/01/2020   04/30/2023   Mayor
Vacant Frontline Representative 05/01/2020 04/30/2023 Board
Dennis Comer Environmental Justice Representative 05/01/2020 04/30/2023 Mayor
Debolina Banerjee Environmental Justice Representative 05/01/2020   04/30/2022 City Council
Vacant Environmental Justice Representative 05/01/2020 04/30/2022 Board
Peter Hasegawa* Labor Union Representative 05/01/2020 04/30/2022 Mayor
Emily Myers Labor Union Representative 05/01/2020 04/30/2022 City Council
Andrea Ornelas Labor Union Representative 05/01/2020 04/30/2022 City Council
Keith Weir Labor Union Representative 05/01/2020 04/30/2022 Mayor
Jess Wallach Greenhouse Gas Reduction / Climate Resiliency Specialist 05/01/2020  04/30/2022   City Council
Vacant Greenhouse Gas Reduction / Climate Resiliency Specialist 05/01/2020  04/30/2022   Board
Deepa Sivarajan Greenhouse Gas Reduction / Climate Resiliency Specialist 05/01/2020  04/30/2022   City Council
Steve Gelb Workforce Training Specialist 05/01/2020  04/30/2022   Mayor

*pending Council confirmation