Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Takes Helm of Waterkeeper Alliance as Chairman

Board of Directors Announces New President, Executive Director

Waterkeeper Alliance is pleased to announce a new senior leadership structure to meet the needs of the fastest growing grassroots advocacy organization in the world. In 1999 Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and veteran Waterkeepers founded Waterkeeper Alliance to support the nationwide coalition of 25 local Waterkeeper programs. Driven by the unmatched success of the Waterkeeper model of aggressive, citizen-led advocacy, today, 161 Waterkeepers patrol and protect waterways on six continents. To ensure strategic coordination of this international network of local advocates, and in anticipation of continued growth, the Waterkeeper Alliance Board of Directors is pleased to announce an organizational leadership change that will increase our capacity and strengthen the work of our local Waterkeepers around the world.

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., who has served as President since founding the organization in 1999, now takes the helm as Chairman of the Board. Mr. Kennedy is one of the world’s most accomplished environmental advocates and the nation’s leading voice for strong environmental and public health protection. As Chairman, Mr. Kennedy will expand his strategic leadership for the Waterkeeper movement and increase the visibility and reach of Waterkeeper Alliance. “The Waterkeeper model of citizen action is in high demand around the world,” says Chairman Kennedy. “The promotion of Steve Fleischli and the addition of Kristine Stratton into the leadership of Waterkeeper Alliance all allow us to meet this need and bring our fight for clean water to communities everywhere.”

Steve Fleischli, after serving as Executive Director since 2003, will take on the role of President. Mr. Fleischli is an attorney and former Santa Monica Baykeeper in Los Angeles where he was instrumental in the passage of rules to eliminate summer beach closures in Santa Monica Bay and trash in Los Angeles-area rivers. Mr. Fleischli’s institutional knowledge and proven record of success as a leader of the Waterkeeper movement are unparalleled. As President, Mr. Fleischli will chart the course for elevating the profile of the organization, leading advocacy campaigns and expanding local Waterkeeper growth domestically and internationally.

The Board of Directors also is proud to announce that Kristine Stratton has joined Waterkeeper Alliance as Executive Director. Ms. Stratton brings extensive experience and a fierce commitment to environmental protection and community action. As Executive Director, she takes over day to day operations of Waterkeeper Alliance advocacy campaigns and member program support. Ms. Stratton comes to us from the Conservation Law Foundation in Boston, Massachusetts, prior to that, she spent more than a decade with the WGBH Educational Foundation.

On 161 waterways on six continents around the world a local Waterkeeper is on patrol. Monitoring their waterway and enforcing the laws that protect our waterways and our communities. Waterkeepers serve as investigator, advocate, scientist, educator and lawyer — the voice of their waterway. Waterkeeper Alliance supports and connects these local citizen advocates into a unified force for environmental protection. The Alliance strengthens our local Waterkeepers — bringing their clean water campaigns to the national and international level.

Everyone has the right to clean water. And with this new leadership structure Waterkeeper Alliance has expanded our capacity to fight to protect our rights and to serve local Waterkeepers and the communities that depend on clean water around the world. w