SACRAMENTO — Pacific Environment welcomes Davina Hurt as its new California Climate Policy Director, effective January 30, 2025. Prior to joining Pacific Environment, Davina Hurt was appointed to the California Air Resources Board by Governor Gavin Newsom in December 2020 and served on the board for more than four years. Ms. Hurt is an attorney, two-term councilwoman and past mayor of the City of Belmont, Calif. With expertise in transportation, energy, waste management and stationary sources, Davina Hurt is dedicated to addressing environmental and social challenges through equity, innovation and bold community leadership.

Hurt was the San Mateo County cities representative on the Bay Area Air Quality Management District Board where she served as the Chair of Directors with additional leadership as Chair of the Community Health Equity and Justice Committee, Vice Chair of the Stationary Source Committee, board representative to the Bay Area Regional Collaborative (BARC) and board liaison to the Scientific Advisory Council. She chaired the City/County Association of Governments of San Mateo County and spearheaded the first strategic plan of the board and first Equity Assessment, Framework and Action Plan. She supports California’s Electric Vehicle transition as a former public policy board member of Veloz and brings nearly a decade of experience as an elected local official and commissioner.

“We are thrilled that Davina is joining our climate policy team here at Pacific Environment,” said Shannon Wright, Executive Director for Pacific Environment. “Davina’s background in legal background and expertise in environmental policy as well as her in-depth experience as an elected official and commissioner brings unique credentials to the role.”

In addition, she served on several boards including the Peninsula Traffic Congestion Relief Alliance (Commute.org), the San Mateo County Emergency Services Council, and the South Bayside Waste Management Authority (Rethinkwaste.org). Hurt was also Board President of the anti-poverty Samaritan House (SamaritanHouseSanMateo.org). She now serves on their Advisory Council and joined the board of the Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County. She also was an appointed member to a Department of Consumer Affairs licensee board by Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon along with Former Assembly Speakers John A. Perez and Toni G.Atkins, five years of which she served as chairwoman.

“I am excited to join the climate policy team at Pacific Environment that has already been driving zero-emissions shipping policy in the state of California and around the Pacific Rim,” said Davina Hurt. “I’m looking forward to advocating for zero-emissions shipping and ports, whose harmful pollution impacts millions of Californians living near ports. Advancing clean shipping and port technologies is not only critical for the health of portside communities but are also a major economic opportunity — positioning the state of California as a leader for zero-emissions, clean maritime shipping and creating sustainable green jobs.”

Hurt earned her J.D. from Santa Clara University School of Law, graduating with a specialized certificate in international law. During her studies, she served as a judicial extern for the Honorable Judge James Ware in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. She also studied at the International Institute of Human Rights at the University of Strasbourg. Davina holds a B.A. in history and political science, with a minor in biology, from Baylor University. She resides in Belmont with her daughter, who attends University of California Davis, and their dog, Koda.

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About Pacific Environment

Pacific Environment confronts our most urgent environmental issues by connecting local and global movements, catalyzing policy change and inspiring action for the benefit of people and our planet. Together, we promote a healthy climate, reduce pollution and conserve biodiversity for an equitable and thriving future.