Brenda Mallory (public official) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Brenda Mallory
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| Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality | |
| In office April 14, 2021 – January 20, 2025 |
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| President | Joe Biden |
| Preceded by | Mary Neumayr |
| Succeeded by | TBD |
| General Counsel of the Environmental Protection Agency | |
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Acting
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| In office January 4, 2013 – August 6, 2013 |
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| President | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | Scott Fulton |
| Succeeded by | Avi Garbow |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 14, 1957 Waterbury, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Education | Yale University (BA) Columbia University (JD) |
Brenda Mallory (born September 14, 1957) is an American lawyer. She specializes in environmental law, which means she works with laws that protect our planet. From 2021 to 2025, she was the leader of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) under President Joe Biden.
Before this, she worked at the Southern Environmental Law Center. She also helped with a project called Climate 21, which aimed to give advice on how the government could fight climate change. She also served as a lawyer for the CEQ during the Obama administration.
Contents
Who is Brenda Mallory?
Brenda Mallory is an important government official. She helps make sure that the United States has clean air, water, and healthy land. She works to protect the environment for everyone.
Her Early Life and Education
Brenda Mallory grew up in Waterbury, Connecticut. This was an industrial area, meaning it had many factories. She got a scholarship to attend Westover boarding school.
After high school, she went to Yale College. Then, she studied law at Columbia Law School. She started her career as a private lawyer. In 2000, she began working for the U.S. federal government.
What She Does for the Environment
Brenda Mallory has spent many years working to protect the environment. She has held several important roles in the government. Her work helps shape how the U.S. deals with environmental issues.
Working at the EPA
Mallory worked for the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for over 15 years. The EPA is a government agency that protects human health and the environment. She served in top legal roles there. She worked under both Democratic and Republican presidents. Before the EPA, she led a group at an environmental law firm.
She is also a member of several important environmental groups. These include the Environmental Defense Fund and the Environmental Law Institute. These groups work to improve environmental policies.
Leading the CEQ
Brenda Mallory helped lead The Climate 21 Project. This project gave ideas on how the Biden administration could fight climate change. It suggested that the CEQ should lead efforts on environmental justice. Environmental justice means making sure that all communities, especially those with less money or minorities, have clean environments.
In December 2020, President-elect Joe Biden chose Brenda Mallory to lead the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ). The CEQ advises the President on environmental matters. It also helps government agencies work together on environmental policy. News reports said her choice showed Biden's focus on environmental justice. It also showed his plan to fight climate change.
Her nomination was seen as a way to give communities a voice. This includes their say in building projects like pipelines or roads. These projects can sometimes cause pollution.
Her Impact and Achievements
On April 14, 2021, the United States Senate confirmed Brenda Mallory. This means they approved her to lead the CEQ. She became the first African American person to chair the CEQ.
The CEQ is very important for big projects. It helps carry out the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This law makes sure that environmental impacts are considered before projects are built.
Brenda Mallory stated that the CEQ would help unite people. This unity would help the nation face environmental challenges. These challenges include climate change and environmental injustices.
Personal Life
Brenda Mallory lives in Rockville, Maryland. She lives there with her husband. She also has three adult children.
