We’re thrilled to announce the appointment of Veronica Eady as Interim Executive Director to guide WOEIP into its next phase.
Veronica brings a lifetime of environmental justice advocacy and a passion for addressing environmental and health inequities in Black and brown neighborhoods. In her earlier role as the California Air Resources Board’s first Deputy Executive Officer for Environmental Justice, Veronica served as one of the original architects of the groundbreaking AB 617 program, laying the groundwork for the West Oakland Community Action Plan. A seasoned environmental lawyer and law professor and a resident of West Oakland, Veronica has crafted policy and implemented programs in partnership with affected communities on every level from local to international.
“I moved to West Oakland in part because I was inspired by its deep legacy of community power and environmental leadership. I’m excited to carry that legacy forward as the leader of this local community institution.”
Veronica Eady, Interim Executive Director
Veronica joins the team at a pivotal moment: after tripling our size in the past five years to meet critical community needs, this new chapter is a chance to pause, reflect, and plan. Veronica will lead WOEIP in strategic planning to see what West Oakland’s needs are today, where we can grow as an organization, and how we can move more decision-making power to our community. Veronica’s 30+ years of expertise in environmental justice, air quality policy, and racial justice will set the tone for transformative collaboration, community-based research, and accountability to West Oakland residents.
Our visionary co-founders Brian Beveridge and Ms. Margaret Gordon are passing the torch so they can explore new adventures after over twenty years at WOEIP. As WOEIP’s chair of the board, Ms. Margaret is working closely with Veronica to ensure a smooth transition.
“Veronica has the deep expertise, vision, and respect for frontline communities to guide WOEIP into its next chapter. Thirty years after I founded WOEIP, West Oakland residents still deal with pollution from trucks, trains, cranes, and industrial facilities. With Veronica leading the organization, WOEIP will support West Oakland residents to be leaders in their communities and drive change from the bottom.”
Ms. Margaret Gordon, Co-founder and Board Chair
This moment calls for a bold new generation of environmental leadership. Our civil rights and environmental protections are under attack: environmental stewardship rooted in local community knowledge has never been more important. With Veronica at the helm, we’ll meet these new challenges by staying true to the core vision that Ms. Margaret and Brian laid out over twenty years ago. We can only do it with your help, so if you’ve been waiting to get involved, now is the perfect time. Email info@woeip.org for more information.