Abby is a seasoned climate resilience social scientist with an abundance of experience in leading locally-led climate resilience initiatives. Before joining the CDR team, Abby worked for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for 18 years—first in the Office of Water and later in the Office of Climate Adaptation and Sustainability. She led a partnership between EPA and FEMA, developed national resilience frameworks, and helped communities from the West Coast to the Gulf Coast implement climate solutions. With expertise in disaster recovery, green infrastructure, and community engagement, Abby has significantly advanced climate resilience policy and practice across the United States.
Abby grew up in rural Oklahoma and earned a master’s degree in anthropology from Stanford University with a focus on land use and environmental policy. Abby is an enrolled citizen of the Cherokee Nation and is the Chair of Mt. Hood Cherokees, an at-large community. Outside of work, she has three kids and a big extended family that keep her busy with baking projects, mountain and river adventures, and board games.
Abby is based in Oregon and leads CDR’s West Coast office.