Joi Travis

Joi Travis
Residence
Birmingham, Alabama
Nominating committee candidate
Member Since
2018
Occupation
Attorney
Sierra Club Leadership Positions

Chapter Chair (2021-2025), Chapter Vice Chair (2020-2021), Compliance Officer (2018-2020), Group Delegate (2025 - current)

Other Leadership Positions

Governance Chairperson, Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark Board (2020 – Current) President, Birmingham School of Law Foundation Board (2019 – Current)  Board Member, Alabama Forward (2023 - Current) Board Member, Alabama Equality (2023 – Current), Board Member, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) (2024 – Current), Vice Chair of Minority Affairs, Jefferson County Democratic Party (2021 - Current), United Negro College Fund (UNCF) Young Professional Advisory Council (2018-2025), Cahaba River Society Board of Directors (2023-2025), 1st Vice President, Metro Birmingham NAACP (2018-2023) 

Email
joitravis@gmail.com
Statement

I am seeking a position on the Sierra Club Board of Directors because I believe deeply in the organization’s mission and in the responsibility of its leadership to be effective, accountable, and inclusive. My long-standing service within the Sierra Club has given me a comprehensive understanding of how the organization functions at the chapter, group, and national levels, and how strong governance directly supports successful environmental advocacy.

 The leadership roles I have held in the Sierra Club have allowed me to lead volunteers, support staff and committees, ensure adherence to policies and bylaws, and represent local priorities in broader decision-making spaces. As Chapter Chair and Vice Chair, I worked to balance strategic vision with practical execution, foster collaboration, and support leadership development. As Compliance Officer, I gained deep experience in governance, transparency, and risk management—skills that are essential for a strong and trusted board. Serving as a Group Delegate strengthened my ability to listen, communicate across levels of the organization, and advocate for grassroots perspectives.

 In addition to my Sierra Club leadership, I bring extensive experience serving on multiple other nonprofit boards. This work has strengthened my understanding of fiduciary responsibility, strategic planning, executive oversight, and consensus-based decision-making. Serving on diverse boards has also reinforced the importance of respectful dialogue, clear accountability, and long-term sustainability.

 I am particularly committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within Sierra Club leadership. Our effectiveness as an environmental organization depends on leadership that reflects the communities we serve and incorporates a wide range of lived experiences, skills, and perspectives. Diverse boards are better equipped to address the interconnected challenges of climate, conservation, and social justice.

 I would be honored to bring my experience, collaborative leadership style, and commitment to inclusive governance to the Sierra Club Board of Directors.

 

Endorsements

Michigan Chapter of Sierra Club

Election Forum Responses

Candidates were asked ten questions to give voters more information about relevant issues. You can view the responses of all candidates to a question by clicking on the individual questions below.

Question 1

Question 1

Why are you seeking a position on the Board of Directors?

I am seeking a position on the Board of Directors because I am a Leader. I provide great perspective and insight towards concerns of the organization based on my experience in the organization since 2018 coupled with my experience serving on Boards across the country. These experiences have prepared me to be a board member who listens, research, ask questions and considers all members of the organization. I have experience in the legal and political worlds and currently, there is no one on the board with a legal background. I think it is important to have that perspective when making decisions for the well-being of the organization. I also bring diversity to board.

Question 2

Question 2

What experience do you have that prepares you for the responsibility of helping the Club stay fiscally sound for years to come, including but not limited to experience with internal information sharing and transparency?

have served on Boards and managed budgets of various sizes. I also understand the importance of how to handle sensitive information and making distinctions between what is sharable and what is not. I believe in transparency with strategic regulation to protect the integrity of any situation. I have supported development and fundraising efforts with my Board service that allow me to have consideration of multiple factors as it relates to finances of an organization and how to make sure financial decisions are sustainable. 

Question 3

Question 3

Chapters are forced to wait for national financial data to plan. As a board member, what steps will you take to ensure timely delivery of financial data to chapters and protect their solvency, without burdening them to compensate for national financial shortcomings?

It is important to plan and have deadlines established to be met in order to ensure timely delivery. As a board member, I will follow the chain of command to follow up with those involved in the financial data that will be provided to chapters. I will also be sure to respond to Chapter leaders regarding questions and concerns regarding national financial information. I would encourage chapters to have a plan as well as a back-up plan in the instance of any national financial shortcomings and work with chapters and support staff to provide guidance on compensation for any national financial shortcomings. I believe timely communication is important when handling financial matters at any level of the organization. 

Question 4

Question 4

How do you think that Sierra Club can better recruit and retain staff and volunteers, particularly from underrepresented groups, while prioritizing equity?

I believe the Sierra Club, at every level, must invest time and resources to engage underrepresented groups. I believe staff and volunteers should be encouraged to take an implicit bias assessments and have an analysis of the results to understand what challenges they may face. I believe it is important to meet groups where they are and engage at various levels of community. If you want to receive support, you must give support. There could be an opportunity to organize conversations with National Organizations such as the NAACP, LULAC, NCAPA, and others to create collaboration on activities and engagement. 

If Equity is the priority, then it should be embedded in every aspect of the organization, from the group level to the National level with staff and volunteers. One way to do this is by getting feedback from those people in the organization that represent underrepresented groups. There should be continuous efforts to develop and report on the efforts to diversify the organization and request to the group and Chapter level to provide reports on how they are approaching this challenge. 

Question 5

Question 5

The Sierra Club has had 4 years in a row, budget deficits requiring layoffs. What can be done to prevent this from happening in the future?

I believe an assessment from an outside party to provide guidance on the structure of organization, and the financial landscape of the organization should be done annually. There should be an annual strategy meeting with Board and Staff leadership on priorities, roles and responsibilities. I would encourage budgets to be developed two years – five years in advance to plan for what is to come and adjust when there is financial instability. I do not know a lot about what has caused budget deficits so until I have more information, I am not equipped to respond to this question with more suggestions of how we avoid this in the future.  

Question 6

Question 6

How should the Sierra Club prioritize efforts in the food and agricultural sectors, given that they contribute significant global greenhouse gas emissions and are the significant source of water pollution?

Matters involving Food and Agriculture should be prioritized with the same diligence as water, air and other environmental issues. Food and agriculture challenges impact the sustainability of communities and are affected by climate issues. There are also disparities in Agriculture that stem from historical discrimination which have a direct impact on the gender gap in land ownership and other inequities in the Global farming system.  

Question 7

Question 7

How can we build a culture and set of processes by which the allocation of resources to campaigns and issues be more inclusive of all volunteer leadership perspectives?

We need to hear from all volunteer leaders on what their priorities are and see their plan of action for campaigns. There should be a form that volunteer leaders can fill out so we are able to capture their issues. We should set multiple deadlines throughout the year for information to be provided by volunteer leaders on what types of campaigns volunteers will pursue and the funding request associated with them. We need regular check ins for volunteers to share their priorities while discussing among each other to foster communication and help volunteer leaders collaborate. 

Question 8

Question 8

What role do you feel Sierra Club should play as threats to democracy and vulnerable communities escalate?

We should encourage our members and supporters to continue to do the good work that we do and communicate any challenges faced in their communities. Sierra Club should create spaces quarterly for members to be able to get policy updates and encouragement about what is happening in our communities. 

Question 9

Question 9

The planet is facing climate change and a mass extinction crisis while the Trump administration is attacking clean energy initiatives and land/habitat protections. How can the Sierra Club effectively support clean energy sources and land/habitat protections?

The Sierra Club can do more with highlighting the options for alternative energy sources across the nation and in various communities while helping to promote and support protections in place to preserve land and energy. 

Question 10

Question 10

What does a strong and productive relationship between the Board of Directors and the Executive Director look like to you, particularly in terms of fostering trust and accountability?

There should be monthly reports that speak to the fiscal status of the organization to include any foreseeable challenges or successes. Continuous communication and information sharing between the Board and the ED. Also, opportunities for the Board and ED to address volunteer leaders and staff in regular open forums.