Environmentalism isn’t a spectator sport. You actually have to stand up and demand that we be vigilant in protecting our air and water.

Lisa P. Jackson

realPlaneteer Profile

Lisa P. Jackson is no stranger to fighting for clean air and water. A graduate of Princeton University and the Captain Planet Foundation’s 2012 Protector of the Earth honoree, Lisa Perez Jackson began working with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1987 as an engineer. After 16 years with EPA, she joined the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) as the assistant commissioner of compliance and enforcement, where she was later promoted to commissioner of environmental protection (in 2006).

Throughout her tenure with New Jersey DEP, Jackson headed numerous initiatives and programs, including the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act which was created to protect the Highlands located in northwestern New Jersey.

In 2009, the U.S. Senate confirmed Jackson as the Administrator of the U.S. EPA, making Jackson the first African American and fourth woman in history to hold the position. Jackson served in this position until 2013. Shortly after her time with the EPA, Jackson was hired as the Vice President of Environmental Initiatives at Apple.

In her new role, Jackson was able to implement innovative ideas and programs to make the massive tech company more environmentally friendly – thus reducing their impact on the environment.  Since she joined the company, Apple has transitioned to running 93% of their operations on renewable energy and are creating 99% of their packaging from recycled paper or paper harvested from trees in sustainably managed forests. The company has also created new ways to recycle iPhones down to their simplest components.

Recently, Apple promoted Jackson to Vice President of Environmental, Policy, and Social Initiatives, expanding Jackson’s role to include environment, education programs, and government affairs.