A conversation with Delta Institute Board Chair Vanessa Roanhorse
Hear how a vital member of our organization has seen Delta grow over time
Vanessa Roanhorse has sat on Delta’s Board since 2020, and now serves as Board Chair as of July 1, 2024. She recently spoke with us about her journey with Delta Institute — from joining the organization as an administrative assistant, to then leading projects, and now taking on Board leadership. We are extremely grateful that Vanessa has shared and continues to share her unique perspective on climate action, drawing from her lived experience and?Diné culture.
Here's a glimpse of the valuable insight and advice Vanessa has to offer:
[Delta]: In your time as a Delta staff member, would you say you saw a turning point for how Delta approaches projects overall?
[Vanessa Roanhorse]: When I started, Delta Institute’s team consisted of highly talented technical experts, many with experience in state and local government. The organization, like many environmental groups, was primarily white-led and focused on academic, solution-oriented work. While Delta had strong technical expertise, it lacked diversity. During my time there, I participated in the early development of the Environmentalists of Color Network, which aimed to create more diverse spaces and conversations within the sector. This group has since grown, continuing the vital work of connecting environmental efforts with social and racial justice.
What has evolved at Delta is the recognition that our technical work must be rooted in caring for the world and the people in it. We do this because we want our children and grandchildren to thrive, as do the people most affected by environmental racism. There’s a clear link between those most impacted by environmental crises and those who are consistently underfunded, and it’s evident why they’re underfunded. We’ve long been aware of issues like economic mobility, gender violence, environmental racism, and discrimination against disabled, LGBTQIA+, and neurodivergent communities. However, we previously lacked the language to connect our resource-driven efforts for sustainable change with this social awareness. Now, we understand that this work is driven by love—for people, all living things and for the planet.
As an Indigenous woman without the same technical skills as many Delta staff, I was still able to do meaningful work. I collaborated with community organizers and leaders to explore partnership opportunities and address the challenges of funding and supporting their solutions. Building relationships based on respect and trust was crucial, so I prioritized transparency and involved community members in pre-planning to ensure we were co-creating everything together.
After I left, I noticed that Delta had become more diverse and that leadership was increasingly focused on thinking holistically about our services and impact—not at the expense of those facing challenges, but to enhance the efforts they were already making. The conversation about decentering Delta as the sole solution started around that time. Leaders like Bill Schleizer embraced these ideas and integrated them into Delta’s culture and values.?
We encourage you to take a moment to read the full interview with Vanessa here and to learn more about her company and impact at?RoanhorseConsulting.com (or on LinkedIn: Roanhorse Consulting )
Submit your pitch & get your tickets for BOOST 2024
Calling environmentalist entrepreneurs & small business supporters!
Are you an emerging entrepreneur with a start-up or idea that promotes sustainability?
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Is your start-up focused on serving Midwest communities and social equity?
Is your venture addressing climate change, environmental justice and racial equity?
Then you should apply by Thursday, September 2nd to win up to $5,000 in funding for your sustainable idea! BOOST, or “Building Opportunities for Original and Sustainable Thinking,” is our annual pitchfest where the audience decides the winners of the competition.
This?longstanding program, organized by the?Delta Emerging Leaders, provides a great opportunity to learn about and support innovative ideas and products from local entrepreneurs focused on sustainable solutions. Check out the recording of BOOST 2023 on YouTube or take a look back at previous BOOST finalists?to learn more about this program!
Want to help select this year's grant recipient??Get your tickets?for BOOST 2024,?October 17th?at?Edelman's Chicago rooftop! You can take advantage of our?early bird deal by registering before September 15th.?
Long-time Delta supporters elected to Board leadership
New Officers on the Governing Board of Directors
At the beginning of our fiscal year on July 1, 2024, four of our Governing Board Directors were sworn into new leadership roles.?Please join us in welcoming them to their new roles:
Delta's Governing Board volunteers to provide oversight and management over Delta Institute.?We express our deep thanks for our Board Directors’ support of and dedication to our mission!?
Visit our website to read about the impressive backgrounds of each of our new officers!