Deneine Powell

Deneine Christa Powell is a nonprofit executive and climate solutions leader with over two decades of experience in sustainability, equity, and community engagement. She serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN), a North American network of over 330 cities and counties and 3,700 practitioners advancing equitable climate resilience.

A fierce advocate for a human-centered approach to climate action, Deneine believes that both responsibility and benefits of addressing the climate crisis must be equitably shared. At USDN, she has led transformational efforts—stabilizing operations through federal funding losses, diversifying revenue, and deepening equity-centered programming.

Prior to USDN, she served as a FUSE Executive Fellow in Climate and Equity for the City of Milwaukee, driving community-engaged climate planning, and as National Director of Path to Positive Communities at ecoAmerica, amplifying civic climate leadership. Earlier in her career, she directed Groundwork Milwaukee, improving the natural and built environments in underserved areas through civic engagement and green infrastructure.

Deneine's influence extends nationally and globally, and is a recognized speaker at environmental justice, water, and climate convenings.