A New Chapter

At the start of spring, some exciting changes took place at Earth Island. After almost four decades as co-founding executive director, David Phillips stepped down from his position, and Sumona Majumdar, formerly the organization’s general counsel, took over as the new leader.

Phillips, along with Co-Executive Director John Knox, who retired in 2020, was instrumental in the development of Earth Island’s role as a fiscal sponsor for emerging projects and grassroots activists. The organization’s network now includes more than 70 groups working on a variety of environmental issues, from conservation, wildlife protection, and climate-change solutions to plastic pollution, sustainable food systems, and honoring Native cultures. In addition, he was involved in the creation of a national youth environment prize, a legal advocacy program, and this journal. Phillips was also one of the founding directors of the David Brower Center, named after Earth Island’s founder, which is an office and event space for the environmental movement in Berkeley, California.

Concurrent to his position as executive director of Earth Island, Phillips also led one of Earth Island’s flagship projects, the International Marine Mammal Project, where he spearheaded several successful environmental initiatives, including the dolphin-safe tuna campaign, resulting in the protection of tens of thousands of dolphins annually, and the rescue and release of Keiko, the orca featured in the popular Free Willy film. Phillips will continue to run the International Marine Mammal Project.

In his announcement to staff and projects that he would be stepping down, Phillips said: “It has been a big honor for me to serve in my role since Earth Island’s inception, and it has been an amazing journey. I’m very proud of Earth Island and our accomplishments in the fight for nature and environmental justice.”

His successor, Sumona Majumdar, has been with Earth Island as the organization’s general counsel for more than five years. During that time, she has led groundbreaking lawsuits against plastic producers, corporate greenwashers, and regulatory agencies. She has also handled internal legal, policy, and governance matters. Majumdar is a sought-after speaker on legal strategy to protect human health, the environment, and natural resources. Prior to joining Earth Island, she spent seven years enforcing federal environmental laws as a trial attorney with the US Department of Justice.

“As a woman of color, first-generation American, and mother of two young daughters, I understand deeply how our environmental crises disproportionately impact communities that face barriers to political power. For this reason, I am excited to step into this role and help harness the power of our collective action and voices to advance solutions to these pressing issues,” said Majumdar. “Together, we can ensure that the voices of those most affected by these crises are heard and create a better future for our planet, its inhabitants, and the generations to come.”

As Earth Island enters its next phase, it will continue to face the political challenges of environmental and climate advocacy, and the imperative of intersecting on issues of social justice and human rights. The Earth Island board of directors expressed its confidence in Majumdar’s ability to navigate the intricacies of the environmental movement.

“The entire board of directors would like to thank outgoing executive director Dave Phillips for his invaluable contributions to the establishment and growth of Earth Island Institute during his impressive 40-year tenure,” said Francisco Martinez, board vice president and chair of its succession committee. “While Dave leaves an enviable legacy behind, we are extremely excited for Sumona’s leadership and what she will bring to the role and the organization.”