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Lauren Sanchez
Senior Climate Advisor at Office of California Governor Gavin Newsom
Lauren Sanchez is a prominent figure in climate policy and advocacy, currently serving as the Senior Climate Advisor in the Office of California Governor Gavin Newsom. Here are some key points about her background and experience:
Education and Early Career
- Sanchez holds a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies and Biology from Middlebury College (2007-2011) and a Master of Environmental Management degree from Yale University (2012-2014).36
Professional Experience
- She has over a decade of experience in climate policy, working at various levels including global, national, and local roles.
- Sanchez was a Climate Negotiator at the U.S. Department of State from 2015 to 2017, where she was part of the Paris Agreement negotiation team.136
- She served as International Policy Director at the California Air Resources Board from 2017 to 2019 and then as Deputy Secretary for Climate Policy and Intergovernmental Relations at the California Environmental Protection Agency from 2019 to 2021.136
- Before joining Governor Newsom's office, she was a Senior Advisor to Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry in the Biden-Harris Administration from February 2021 to July 2021.136
Current Role
- As Governor Newsom's Senior Climate Advisor, Sanchez is instrumental in implementing the state's climate policies, including the recent $54 billion climate package. She is a key architect of the Governor’s climate investments and has been involved in significant legislative efforts, such as creating buffer zones between homes and new oil wells.256
International and Community Focus
- Sanchez is currently focused on implementing climate-centric memorandums of understanding with Chinese agencies, aiming to reduce China's coal dependency and promote clean energy solutions. She emphasizes the importance of California's experience in enhancing energy reliability, particularly through battery technology.4
- She has a strong personal connection to environmental justice, having grown up in a community affected by pollution. Sanchez is committed to being a voice for the Latino community and ensuring equity in climate policies.5
Additional Achievements
- Sanchez is a Fulbright Scholar and has worked with various international and national organizations, including the United Nations and the Natural Resources Defense Council. She is proficient in several languages, including Spanish, English, French, and Arabic.36
Overall, Lauren Sanchez brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to addressing the climate crisis, both within California and on the international stage.
Highlights
Nov 6 · politico.com
Three questions for Gavin Newsom's climate guru - Politico
Jul 19 · gov.ca.gov
Governor Newsom Announces Appointments 7.19.21

