Turning data into knowledge & action
An Overview
Issues come to life through data, the vital fuel for change.
In leading and doing data-driven research, I transform science and policy data into resources that are eye-opening, accessible, packed with information that helps advance goals – and that help others make green, sustainable choices.
Look in my portfolio for examples of how original tests and analyses can capture attention and compel action.
Pioneering, where science lags
An Overview
A fresh view of a problem can shift a sluggish solution into high gear.
When efforts stalled to modernize obsolete chemical safety policies, I led work to pioneer pollution testing – not in soil or water, but in people. We mapped the scope of pollution in the human body.
We made pollution personal, galvanized support for reform, and changed the game. See more examples in my portfolio.
Building support by first giving it
An Overview
Giving support brings it back ten-fold.
I dreamed up and led the creation of a ground-breaking online health guide that has averaged nearly 1 million page views monthly from people seeking safer personal care products (ewg.org/skindeep). Then I directed the team that produced a sustained stream of popular follow-up guides.
Word spread, traffic skyrocketed, and we built an email list of one million supporters in 5 years.
Communicating – To bring issues alive
An Overview, Presentations
Your passion for an issue can ignite others.
Every invitation to speak at a conference or for a media interview is an opportunity to inspire action.
I’ve appeared in up to 70 print stories and 50 TV broadcasts a year, including the New York Times, 20/20, and more. I’ve delivered presentations to audiences ranging up to 2,500 people. And I’ve directed media-earning studies viewed online by up to 350,000 people in a day.
Helping people make healthy choices
An Overview, Online Databases
A healthy home and family is a goal we all share. Smart, trusted resources can guide us to worthwhile changes.
I directed the creation of an online tap-water quality guide for 40,000 towns. I led the team that produced a simple, data-rich guide to good food on a tight budget, and ingredient safety reports for 2,000 household cleaners and 1,400 sunscreens.
With the right tools, it can be easy to click, learn, and act.
Helping companies be sustainable
An Overview
Green, organic products are on everyone’s shopping list. More companies join the game every day.
I led work with 432 companies improving their transparency and product safety in the national Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.
And I’ve directed programs that helped companies market new and safer products, free of the toxic chemicals used for decades in baby bottles, carpet, clothing, canned food and more.
A village
An Overview
Yes, it takes one.
As EWG’s senior vice president for research I led a stellar staff of scientists, programmers and web designers. Their inventive, crazy-smart work helped bring many good projects into the world.
Many of my portfolio projects took shape in this wonderful village.
At EWG I learned about the magic that comes from working with a mission-driven group aiming for a better world.
National drinking water database
Online Databases
How safe is your tap water? Water suppliers aren’t required to notify customers of some common water pollutants. I directed the research team that set out to fill the gaps.
First, we requested all available water testing data from state water officials. Then, with simple software and intensive data cleanup, we transformed the 20 million tap-water test results we received into an interactive, online atlas. People in 40,000 towns and cities can now […]
Bottled water scorecard
Online Databases
Every 27 hours Americans drink enough bottled water to circle the entire equator with plastic bottles stacked end to end.
I served as project director for the bottled water scorecard team. Our goal was to create an online guide revealing what each manufacturer is willing to divulge about their water’s source, treatment, and purity.
The results were eye-opening. In the first 24 hours after online publication, 350,000 people viewed the study to learn about […]
Healthy Cleaners Guide
Online Databases
What’s in the bottle? Look on the label of any household cleaning product and you’ll likely find directions, warnings, marketing claims – but few if any ingredients.
Reading labels won’t always help you find safe products.
To fill the gap, I directed the research team that created an online guide to healthy cleaners, rating more than 2,000 products for the bathroom, kitchen, floors and more.
To make this project work, we upped the power of […]
EWG’s Skin Deep cosmetics database
Online Databases
This database has become a game-changer.
Now in its eight year, the Skin Deep database, an interactive health guide, has logged nearly 250 million searches from people seeking safer personal care products.
I hatched the idea for Skin Deep, then led the project team (2004-2012) and helped co-found a successful national campaign (safecosmetics.org) that grew to 1,300 companies and 150 advocacy groups. Skin Deep has fueled the campaign and an ongoing green revolution in […]
Good food on a tight budget
Online Databases
Many families struggle to meet their weekly food budget. The most affordable foods often seem to be the least nutritious.
To help, I directed a project team in creating the “Good Food on a Tight Budget” guide. This practical, data-packed resource lists the most nutritious, most affordable, and least polluted choices from among common fruits, vegetables, proteins, grains and dairy foods.
Backing up the guide is our review of nearly 1,200 foods. We analyzed […]
… On a broad swath of eye-opening topics
Presentations
In 20+ years researching urgent health and environmental issues, I’ve learned what opens eyes and inspires action.
I create and deliver presentations with powerful graphics and stories that hit home, rock reality, and, ultimately, give hope. I’ve criss-crossed the country delivering up to dozens a year.
Contact me about your next event. Specialties: health and pollution issues for food, tap and bottled water, cosmetics, and pollution in people. I often cover sustainable business, getting […]
… To a broad range of audiences
Presentations
To Congressional committees I’ve testified on cosmetic safety and bottled waters’ environmental downsides.
To over 2,000 people at the Heinz women’s health conference I told the story of how nearly 300 pollutants can contaminate a baby before birth.
At the West coast Bioneers mega-conference I focused on plummeting children’s health trends, and the power of advocacy and market changes to combat them.
And to government science panels I’ve presented health risk calculations for mercury in […]
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