David Mendoza is the Director of Advocacy and Engagement for the WA chapter of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) overseeing state and federal lobbying and policy communications staff. Prior to TNC, he was the founder of Inclusive Solutions--a policy, advocacy and communications consulting firm. Projects ranged from industry research and policy development to legislative advocacy and communications. Clients included state government agencies, cannabis retail companies, non-profits and labor unions. While representing Front and Centered--a statewide coalition of communities of color--David led the development of the now enacted HEAL Act, Washington State's foundational environmental justice law; served as a Co-Chair of the state Environmental Justice Task Force; and has been recently appointed by Governor Inslee to the Environmental Justice Council.
From 2014-17, David also served as a Senior Policy Advisor in the Seattle Mayor's Office of Policy and Innovation. His policy portfolio included the development, passage and implementation of 12 city ordinances including cannabis regulations, labor standards, implementation of the Seattle Race and Social Justice Initiative and policies related to Uber/Lyft and AirBnB, among others.
His other experience includes working at Puget Sound Sage where he wrote the first research report making the case for a $15 minimum wage at Sea-Tac Airport. His volunteer experience includes serving as a Commissioner for the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission from 2011-2014 and as the 2014 President of the Latina/o Bar Association of Washington. He is a graduate of Pitzer College and Seattle University School of Law (2007) and is a licensed attorney in California.
Earth Talk: Accidental Environmentalist, Purposeful Change
As a 2007 SU Law Alum, David's professional journey has been a non-traditional one. While I was intentional in seeking a career in policy and working towards systemic change, the paths and turns it has taken were unexpected. David's presentation will cover both his personal journey working on economic and environmental justice as well as the significant environmental justice and climate policies he's developed, advocated for and are now in the process of implementation. Since 2019, WA State has enacted the Clean Energy Transformation Act, Climate Commitment Act, Clean Fuel Standard and Healthy Environment for All Act, WA's landmark environmental justice legislation. These historic pieces of legislation have put WA on the forefront of states leading to address the climate crisis while centering and addressing the concerns of overburdened communities.
