Gretchen Goldman

While getting her undergraduate degree in atmospheric science at Cornell, Gretchen Goldman took a class that highlighted the vital connection between public policy and the health of everyone on Earth. It changed her life. After policy work for the federal government, she received a Ph.D. in environmental engineering.

Today, she leads the Union of Concerned Scientists as president and CEO. She is a powerful advocate for science. Even amid a federal funding retreat, Gretchen is fighting to protect research and ensure crucial investigations into the enormous effects of climate change can continue.

Every day, she combats the troubling forces of anti-science with dogged determination. As Gretchen will tell you, “Policy outcomes are better if science and evidence are involved.” She works every day to make it so.

Nye is a science communicator.