Welcome WVE’s New Executive Director, Amber Garcia!

It is with great pleasure that I introduce Women’s Voices for the Earth’s new Executive Director, Amber Garcia.

Amber comes to WVE from the Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights (COLOR) where she served as Field and Program Director. During her time at COLOR, Amber spearheaded grassroots voter engagement, community advocacy, and youth leadership development programs through a reproductive justice framework. Amber’s experience with leadership development, community engagement and mobilization will be invaluable to the future of WVE’s work and the growth of the WVE community.

Amber is a familiar face at WVE; she has been an instrumental member of WVE’s Detox the Box Advisory Committee and our work to eliminate toxic chemicals from menstrual and personal care products, and I have had the pleasure of serving with her on WVE’s Board of Directors. While we feel incredibly lucky to have interviewed a number of talented candidates from across the nation — we are fortunate to have found a new leader so closely connected with WVE’s past, present, and future work.

We have a lot on the agenda for 2019, from championing legislation requiring fragrance ingredient disclosure, to taking on toxic quats in disinfecting products, to working to ensure that period products are safe and accessible — and much more! As always, we will continue to invest in and lift up the power of women, and relentlessly take on the toxic chemicals that harm our health and communities.

I want to thank Jamie McConnell, who has stepped in as WVE’s Interim Director for the last few months. We are grateful to have Jamie continue her leadership as WVE’s Director of Programs and Policy, a position she has pioneered for the last 9 years.

Finally, I want to express my gratitude to you. Finding the next person to lead the powerhouse that is WVE was a priority for the staff and the board. I appreciate your patience and your enthusiasm for this next chapter at WVE. And most importantly, I appreciate your dedication to women’s health and for demanding what is right time and time again. Thank you.

You’ll be hearing more from Amber in the next few weeks as she officially begins her new role as Executive Director on February 19. But in the meantime, please reach out with your questions or comments, and join us in welcoming Amber!

In gratitude,
Betsy Hands
Board Chair
Women’s Voices for the Earth