Amarachukwu Ifeji

Amara Ifeji is an internationally awarded non-profit leader in climate and environmental justice. The barriers she faced in accessing environmental experiences growing up fostered her commitment to securing equitable access to the outdoors and environmental education for all. In high school, she led community science learning efforts for youth of color like herself and conducted internationally awarded climate change research. For over two years, she worked to empower a network of over 400+ youth environmental advocates in the Maine Environmental Changemakers Network. She currently serves as the Director of Policy with the Maine Environmental Education Association, where she leverages grassroots advocacy to advance state and federal policy solutions. In this role, she coordinated Maine's first statewide Climate Education Summit, mobilized a youth-led movement that resulted in the Maine legislature investing $2+ million in a historic climate education program, and holds a Governor-appointed Youth Representative role on the Maine Climate Council. She is a National Geographic Young Explorer, GRIST 50 Fixer, and Brower Youth Awardee. She shares her time pursuing a Political Science degree at Northeastern University and was recently named a 2023 Truman and Udall Scholar for her public service leadership.