Environmental Justice Council Members
The Environmental Justice Council welcomes 3 new members!
Governor Ferguson appointed 3 new Council Members to the Environmental Justice Council, terms effective September 25, 2026. These 3 members fill 3 community representative seats. The Council has 2 Tribal Representative seats and 1 youth (age 18-25 years) seat that remain vacant. If you are interested in applying for these seats, you can find more information on how to apply on our homepage. We encourage those with lived experience to apply. If you have questions about applying or need support with your application email us at envjustice@ejc.wa.gov.
Council Members
Nichole Banegas
Seat: Representative of a business that is regulated by a covered agency and whose ordinary business conditions are significantly affected by the actions of at least one other covered agency
First Term Began: 01/06/2022
Reappointed: 08/24/2023
Term Ends: 07/25/2027
Tatiana Brown
Seat: Community representative
Term Began: 03/14/2024
Reappointed: 02/04/2026
Term Ends: 07/25/2029
Magali Cota
Seat: Community representative
Term Began: 09/25/2026
Term Ends: 07/25/2029
Nagessa Dube
Seat: Community representative
Term Began: 09/25/2026
Term Ends: 07/25/2029
The Honorable Jarred-Michael Erickson
Seat: Member representing Tribal communities from Eastern Washington
First Term Began: 02/11/2022
Reappointed: 04/09/2024
Term Ends: 07/25/2027
Cristina González Torres
Seat: Community representative
Term Began: 12/19/2024
Reappointed: 02/04/2026
Term Ends: 07/25/2029
David Mendoza
Seat: Representative at large, the nomination of which is based upon applied and demonstrated work and focus on environmental justice
First Term Began: 01/06/2022
Reappointed: 08/24/2023
Term Ends: 07/25/2027
Esther Min, PhD, MPH
Seat: Environmental justice practitioner or academic to serve as environmental justice expert
First Term Began: 01/06/2022
Reappointed: 08/24/2023
Term Ends: 07/25/2027
Todd Mitchell
Seat: Representative who is a member or officer of a union representing workers in the building and construction trades
First Term Began: 01/06/2022
Reappointed: 08/24/2023
Term Ends: 07/25/2027
Faaluaina Pritchard
Seat: Community representative
Term Began: 01/06/2022
Reappointed: 02/10/2026
Term Ends: 07/25/2029
Laura Rangel
Seat: Community representative
Term Began: 09/25/2026
Term Ends: 07/25/2029
Running-Grass
Seat: Environmental justice practitioner or academic to serve as environmental justice expert
First Term Began: 01/06/2022
Reappointed: 08/24/2023
Term Ends: 07/25/2027
The Honorable Jeremy Wilbur
Seat: Member representing Tribal communities from Western Washington
Term Began: 03/14/2024
Term Ends: 07/25/2025
State Agency Members of the Council
Olgy Diaz, Deputy Director for Equity, Environmental Justice, and Civil Rights
Agency: Washington State Department of Natural Resources
Jennifer Grove, Assistant Director, Energy Division
Agency: Washington State Department of Commerce
Lauren Jenks, Assistant Secretary, Environmental Public Health Division
Agency: Washington State Department of Health
Nicole Johnson, Equity Policy Advisor
Agency: Washington State Department of Agriculture
Emilie Litsinger, Director of Implementation
Agency: Puget Sound Partnership
Ahmer Nizam, Environmental Services Director
Agency: Washington State Department of Transportation
Millie Piazza, Office of Equity and Environmental Justice Manager
Agency: Washington State Department of Ecology