Brooklyn’s Gloria Reuben appointed president of global clean water nonprofit

Environmental activist, actress, singer and author to lead Waterkeeper Alliance

December 9, 2020 Editorial Staff

Gloria Reuben will represent more than 350 Waterkeeper groups on six continents. Photo courtesy of Waterkeeper Alliance

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Waterkeeper Alliance, the leading global nonprofit which unites more than 350 Waterkeeper groups worldwide, focusing citizen action on issues that affect our waterways, on Nov. 30 announced the appointment of Brooklyn resident Gloria Reuben as its new president.

An actor and social activist, Reuben served as a trustee with Waterkeeper Alliance from 2007 to 2010, before becoming an advisor to Vice President Al Gore’s environmental organization, The Climate Reality Project. Reuben previously served on the Advisory Council of the National Wildlife Federation, as well as on the Leadership Council for the Natural Resources Defense Council.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Gloria Reuben as the new president of Waterkeeper Alliance,” said Marc Yaggi, the organization’s executive director. “Gloria is a champion of the movement to protect our waterways, and as we look ahead to the next decade — which will be a critical one in the fight for clean water — and prepare for the significant work that must be accomplished, we look forward to having Gloria’s voice, vision, and leadership at the forefront.”

“We are proud to welcome Gloria Reuben as Waterkeeper Alliance’s new president,” said Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., the organization’s co-founder and president emeritus. “Gloria has made protecting our waterways and climate advocacy part of her life’s work. For over a decade Waterkeeper has benefited from Gloria’s steady and passionate leadership. I look forward to watching a new wave of successes and growth for Waterkeepers with Gloria as our new champion.”

As president, Reuben will represent more than 350 Waterkeeper groups on six continents and amplify the organization’s vision for drinkable, fishable, swimmable water.

In addition to her life’s work as an environmental champion, Reuben is an actor, singer and published author whose credits in television include “ER,” “Raising the Bar,” Marvel TV’s “Cloak & Dagger,” “City On A Hill,” and “Mr. Robot.” She has also starred in films including “Lincoln,” “Admission,” and “Reasonable Doubt.” In 2007, Gloria won the Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Lead Actress for her portrayal of Condoleezza Rice in David Hare’s play, “Stuff Happens.” Gloria’s first nonfiction book, “My Brothers’ Keeper. Two Brothers. Loved. And Lost.” was published in November 2019.

“Our world has changed dramatically in a very short amount of time, but one thing that will never change is the fundamental, life-sustaining need for drinkable, fishable, and swimmable water,” said Reuben. “I’m honored to serve as president of an organization that is doing essential work for our planet and quality of life, and I am eager to get to work to support this incredible group of clean water warriors. With the determination and force of our network of more than 350 Waterkeeper groups urging us onward, I am confident that we will be able to achieve real progress.”

Waterkeeper Alliance is a global movement uniting more than 350 Waterkeeper groups around the world, focusing citizen action on issues that affect our waterways, from pollution to climate change. The Waterkeeper movement patrols and protects over 2.75 million square miles of rivers, lakes, and coastlines in the Americas, Europe, Australia, Asia, and Africa. Visit waterkeeper.org for more information.