Board and Advisory Team

Board Chairwoman

Elaine is an entrepreneurial business builder and connector with 30+ years of experience in identifying and capitalizing on emerging trends, technology, marketing and business growth opportunities. She has spent her career as an executive at 1800flowers.com, iVillage, ibaby.com, Amazon, as a director on Moosejaw, Bluenile, Smart & Final, National Retail Federation, Destination XL boards, and as a trusted advisor to hundreds of companies, start-ups to enterprise, private to public, at all stages. Elaine is an active member of Extraordinary Women on Boards, grounded in today’s market challenges, committed to improving our future, and passionate about driving profitable outcomes while doing good for people and planet.

“My first exposure to WAC was at the 2023 NYC Climate Advisory meeting. I was so impressed with the mission (to create a joyful and safe inclusive community), the passion and dedication of all the women I was fortunate to meet, and the HUGE opportunity to activate and engage with others to accelerate climate solutions. I am looking forward to many more gatherings (virtual and IRL) and the invaluable learnings from the wisdom of the crowd. ”

Board Member

Michelle is the founder of Women and Climate, a non-profit organization that inspires climate action by creating a joyful and safe space. She launched her career in Silicon Valley where she worked for some of the biggest names in tech including Salesforce. A proponent for accelerating climate action, Michelle aims to activate more women to start their climate journey and provide a platform for those already working on climate solutions. She created the Women and Climate Speaker Database which now represents over 600 climate professionals and is used by small and large events alike. Michelle is a TEDx, SXSW, Bloomberg, and COP28 speaker and is also a United Nations content contributor.

“Serving the members of our community and helping them thrive is something I take joy in every day.”

Board Member

Zohra is the Chief Marketing & Engagement Officer at Alight, a leading humanitarian organization serving people displaced by climate, conflict, and other forced circumstances. Alight works in more than 20 countries and serves 4 million individuals annually. Zohra guides how the organization shows up through its brand, marketing/communications strategies, and partnerships with like-minded foundations, corporations, and other do-gooders who want to make the world a better place for and with the displaced. Zohra’s two decades of experience in the social sector reflect her passion for humanity, and the genuine belief that harmonized purpose and investments can indeed produce goodness.

Board Member

We cannot overcome our environmental challenges with outdated mindsets; embracing new, inclusive perspectives, particularly from women, is vital. Women & Climate stands out by facilitating crucial dialogues, showcasing women's distinctive contributions and innovations in the climate space. In parallel by addressing the pressing issue of women's underrepresentation, the organization not only fosters collaboration among its members but also broadens engagement with an extensive range of stakeholders. Through this approach, Women & Climate becomes instrumental in formulating and advocating effective, inclusive strategies, thus highlighting the essential role of varied insights in realizing sustainable solutions and ensuring comprehensive stakeholder engagement.

"We cannot overcome our environmental challenges with outdated mindsets; embracing new, inclusive perspectives, particularly from women, is vital. Women & Climate stands out by facilitating crucial dialogues, showcasing women's distinctive contributions and innovations in the climate space. In parallel by addressing the pressing issue of women's underrepresentation, the organization not only fosters collaboration among its members but also broadens engagement with an extensive range of stakeholders. Through this approach, Women & Climate becomes instrumental in formulating and advocating effective, inclusive strategies, thus highlighting the essential role of varied insights in realizing sustainable solutions and ensuring comprehensive stakeholder engagement."

Board Member

Ellen is the managing director of Acre’s American business. Acre is a recruitment and executive search firm focused on sustainability. This spans Financial Services, Clean Technology, NGOs, Sustainable Business and Renewable Energy. Acre aims to support organisations in creating solutions that help drive systemic change through having the right talent.
Before this, Ellen’s career was predominantly at NGOs and includes roles such as deputy CEO at The Challenge, a charity who supported young adults in the UK. She also chaired the board of Invisible Flock, a global arts organisation and NGO focused on climate change, communities, and the natural world.

“I think giving women a community to talk about climate change and the very real impact it is having is a fantastic element of WAC. It allows people to share ideas, learn from each other and to discuss the anxiety many of us feel about the future. It is also a place for hope and to celebrate the areas progress is being made, which is something I both appreciate and think is crucial to any real impact.”

Board Member

Kayleigh is a high-energy team player with a creative, problem-solving attitude. Her superpower is her ability to connect and empathize with people, enabling her to lead with trust, transparency, and influence.

In her professional role, Kayleigh works with clients to improve ESG data strategies, finding fulfillment in making a meaningful impact. Outside of work, she is raising two young boys, keeping life dynamic and busy.

Kayleigh has been a proud member of Women and Climate since it first launched in London in 2022, serving as a London City Lead. She is now excited to contribute further in her role as a Board Director.

“I see with every event the impact we have on creating connections and fostering these safe spaces. Networking at a Women and Climate event is noticeably different to any other sustainability event.
Personally, the connections and community I met through Women and Climate helped me secure my dream Climate job, and I love to pay it forward in this community.
The global impact and the presence at key global events (such as New York Climate Week and COP) helps to democratise access to privileged places. I can't wait to see what comes next!”

Board Member

Stephanie has a deep passion for bringing people together in community and empowering them to make a positive impact on the world. When she co-founded Women and Climate in 2022, she built the community she wanted to be a part of but couldn’t find anywhere: a safe space for women to express their feelings around the climate crisis, and a starting point for people who are climate-curious but don’t have prior climate experience. She currently works in program management at Stripe, a financial infrastructure company. Previously, she ran global startup programs and founder communities at WeWork and German Accelerator.

“Diverse perspectives are essential to developing equitable and effective climate solutions. Women and Climate addresses the pressing issue of women’s underrepresentation in the climate space, especially in decision-making capacities. From inspiring more climate newbies to get started on their climate journey by creating welcoming gathering spaces online and offline, to amplifying the voices of those who are working on climate today: Women and Climate plays a critical role in addressing the gender disparity in climate action and leadership.”

Executive Producer at Birba
Muscat, Oman

Vivian is an environmentalist who rallies support for ideas and industries that are shaping a better world; namely energy, clean technologies and sustainability. Advancing transformative ideas, through events, media and marketing, all in the pursuit of a greener and more equitable future.

"Women and Climate is a driving force rallying the call for climate action loud and wide, this is a movement making a real impact!

CEO and Co-Founder at Pantys
São Paulo, Brazil

Emily Ewell is the CEO and Co-Founder of Pantys, the leading fashion femtech brand innovating in health and sustainability for menstruation, maternity and incontinence. Passionate about health, sustainability, inclusion and innovation, Emily is a global thought leader with multiple patents and more than 20 years of experience working across private, public and nonprofit sectors in the US, Europe and Latin America. Her background is chemical engineering with a dual MBA/MPH (Masters in Public Health). Today Emily is recognized as one of Bloomberg's 500 Most Influential People in Latin America and a UN ImPact Leader representing the SDG #12 in Brazil.

"Intertwining women's rights with climate action is essential for addressing the global climate crisis holistically. Women play a significant role in resource management, contributing to climate resilience at a local and global level. Incorporating gender perspectives in climate is key for developing sustainable climate solutions, policies and outcomes."

Director at Peace Boat US
Brooklyn, New York, USA

Emilie McGlone has been working with Peace Boat since 2004 and currently is the United Nations liaison and Director of the New York-based office of Peace Boat US, a non-profit organization working to promote peace, sustainable development and respect for the environment through educational programs organized onboard the Peace Boat, a chartered passenger ship that travels the world on peace voyages. Peace Boat holds Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations and works in partnership with UN representatives, Nobel Peace Laureates and community leaders from around the world to create opportunities for international cooperation focused on environmental sustainability, cultural awareness and peace education. Emilie works to foster youth education and develops specific programs to learn about important global issues onboard the Peace Boat. Peace Boat has recently launched a new initiative to build an Ecoship to sail around the world, showcasing green technology and design, while inspiring positive change to radically reduce our carbon footprint. Peace Boat is a committed campaigner for the UN Sustainable Development Goals, sailing with the SDGs Logo on the hull of the ship. Peace Boat's Ecoship Project will build the world’s most sustainable passenger ship. A flagship for the SDGs, Ecoship seeks to address ocean acidification with reduced carbon emissions and significantly reduce marine pollution.

"Women and Climate is an incredible initiative that brings together women from diverse fields to work together towards sustainability, climate action and furthering the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This kind of network is imperative to female leaders across the globe."

Founder & CEO at Warrior Love Productions

New York, USA

Melissa Jun Rowley is a serial media and impact entrepreneur, filmmaker, and columnist advocating for climate justice and gender equity worldwide. As an expert for the United Nations Climate Change Global Innovation Hub and the CEO of Warrior Love Productions, she creates business strategies and campaigns to reimagine climate justice and drive decarbonization. From leading content and communications and coalition building for global organizations including the World Bank, Cisco, and William Morris Endeavor, and executive producing short independent films on environmentalism, human rights, and humanity’s evolving relationship with AI, she’s dedicated her career to reshaping the future through intersecting innovation and story.

“Women and Climate is vital to cities and communities across the globe because it addresses two of the most urgent and interconnected challenges of our time: gender equity and climate justice. Women, particularly in vulnerable communities, are disproportionately impacted by climate change, yet remain underrepresented in decision-making. Women and Climate amplifies the voices and leading contributions of women, raises the need for systemic change, and provides a platform and resources for support. It's more than advocacy. It’s championing smart and powerful leadership for the public and private sectors and civil society.”