Beth Gibbons is the Social Governance and National Resilience Lead at Farallon Strategies. Beth is an advocate for the improvement of the community of practice of climate adaptation and resilience at all levels of society. She sees climate change as an existential threat to our communities and way of life and seeks to bring together the people, knowledge, and resources needed to build effective and equitable climate solutions.
Beth brings nearly twenty years of experience working on climate adaptation, sustainable development, community engagement, and partnership building to her role at Farallon Strategies. Her past climate portfolio includes developing and executing climate adaptation plans, strategies, and projects at multiple scales of government and across sectors. Beth previously served as the Executive Director of the American Society of Adaptation Professionals (ASAP). There she was responsible for leading the North American professional society for climate adaptation and resilience. Her work strengthened the capacities of individual adaptation professionals, adaptation and resilience-oriented organizations, and accelerated the evolution of the adaptation field of practice. Prior to joining ASAP, Beth directed the University of Michigan’s Climate Center and managed NOAA’s Great Lakes Regional Integrated Sciences and Assessments Center. Beth is a leader in co-creating inclusive climate adaptation plans and approaches. She has worked with community organizations, tribes and indigenous communities, and BIPOC led institutions as an advisor, partner, and advocate ensuring that the lived experience, expertise and demands of communities are prioritized in local, state, and federal adaptation initiatives.
She serves on the National Advisory Committee of the University of Michigan’s College of Engineering Climate and Space Program, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) Great Lakes Advisory Committee, and is a contributing author to the Midwest Chapter of the 5th National Climate Assessment (due out in 2023).
While her work is national, she is a dedicated community leader and extends her passion for resilient places and justice into her service and volunteer work; she serves as a sustainability commissioner in her beloved community of Ypsilanti, MI and is a former Peace Corps Volunteer, having served in Togo, West Africa.
