Shruti Bhatnagar

Shruti Bhatnagar
Residence
Kensington, Maryland
Nominating committee candidate
Member Since
2019
Sierra Club Leadership Positions

  • Vice President For Conservation (Since May 2024)

  • National Committees: Conservation Policy (Since 2022), Green Ventures and Business Partnerships (Since 2024), Equity (Since 2023), Finance and Risk Management (2023-25), Volunteer Leadership and Activism Committee (2023-24), Federal Organizing Program  – Volunteer Co-Lead (2022-2023), Maryland Chapter: Conservation Chair (Since 2023),   Montgomery County (MD) Group: Chair (2019-2022).

Email
shruti_bhatnagar@yahoo.com
Website
http://www.shrutibhatnagar.com/
Statement

I joined the Sierra Club to fight climate change, so my children and future generations inherit a livable planet and clean air, water and outdoors. I believe in Sierra Club’s people power as the oldest, most enduring, grassroots organization.

 Growing up in New Delhi, India, I saw the harms caused by polluted air, as my mother suffered from bronchitis and asthma. As a family with modest income and limited resources, we didn’t always have access to health care. My family experienced the injustices of environmental degradation -- people who do the least to cause pollution are often the ones who suffer from it the most.

 My personal and professional experiences give me a unique perspective needed to shape our work at this crucial moment. As a volunteer, I have advocated to advance policies for a just and equitable transition to 100% clean renewable energy, protecting public lands, wild spaces, biodiversity, food-Ag, air and water quality, outdoors, and smart growth issues; worked on coalition-building, campaigns, trained, and mobilized hundreds of volunteers, led youth engagement, voter activities.

 During my first term, on the board and as Vice-President Conservation, I helped develop National positions on issues, and have been a strategic partner to grassroots network, chapters and campaigns in policy development, reform and advocacy.

 My 30 years of leadership experience is based on values of active listening, collaboration, and inclusive partnerships. Building a broader, more just climate movement is essential to addressing climate crisis. I will work to strengthen transparency, volunteer co-leadership and meaningful engagement opportunities.

 I humbly ask for your vote. Together we can build a stronger movement, rooted in our core values, that uplifts the power and leadership of our grassroots volunteers.

Endorsements

Current Directors: President Murphy, Cheyenne Branscum, Rita Harris, Erica Hall, Meghan Sahli-Wells, Nathan Chan, Karl Palmquist, Dave Karpf, Scott Elkins, Igor Tregub, Clayton Daughenbaugh, Cynthia Hoyle. Former Directors: Allison Chin, Tony Fuller, Ross MacFarlane, Robin Mann, Debbie Heaton, Marion Klaus, Susana Reyes, Lane Boldman, Dick Fiddler. Chapter Chairs: Diane Stark(IL), Jacob Stern (Maine), John Bauters (SF). Chapters: Michigan, Individual: Vicky Hoover, Bob Bingaman, Bill Arthur, Verena Owen.

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 believe in Sierra Club’s strength as the oldest, most enduring and influential grassroots organization, and our peoplepower. I believe that my lived and professional experiences give me a unique perspective to shape our work at a moment that demands urgent action. The understanding of the challenges and opportunities I have gained during the first term on the Board, strengthens my commitment. 

Growing up in New Delhi, India’s major city with the worst air pollution, I saw my mother suffering from bronchitis and asthma from polluted air. As a family with modest income and limited resources, health care wasn’t always accessible. My family experienced the injustices of environmental degradation----- people who do the least to cause pollution are often the ones who suffer from it the most. As a mother, I want my children to inherit a liveable planet.

As a volunteer, I have advocated for a just and equitable transition to 100% clean-renewable energy, protecting public lands, wilderness, biodiversity, food and ag, clean air, water quality, outdoor access for all, and smart-growth issues.

Our organization's work is critical now more than ever -- given the threats to the climate, environment and democracy. I am committed to our mission and vision, building a strong grassroots movement, rooted in equity and justice, that uplifts the power of our grassroots volunteers.

My 30 years of leadership experience based on values of active listening, collaboration, and inclusive partnerships, across various sectors, nonprofit, community and corporate organizations, gives me a breadth of experience and skills.

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?

My professional work and experience serving on various boards and non profits, has provided me with relevant experience in finance, investment, philanthropy, and budget analysis. This includes experience in strategic financial oversight, risk management, transparent information sharing and long-term planning essential for fiscal stewardship.

As a Board member, I ask questions, review,and analyze complex financial statements, budget, and audit reports to understand the Club’s financial health, sustainability, and long-term viability. These oversight responsibilities have reinforced the importance of timely, clear and transparent information sharing so that financial decisions are informed, inclusive, and aligned across the organization. 

During my first term on the Board and as a member of the Finance and Risk Management Board Advisory Committee, I participated in financial discussions to deepen my understanding of the Club’s budget structure and financial framework.

My experience including serving on the Sierra Club Board of Directors has given me a strong sense of fiduciary responsibility to oversee financial and risk assessment, and prepared me to think critically about tradeoffs, priorities, and long-term sustainability. 

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?

I will support the Board’s responsibility in establishing clear policies that require timely, consistent, and transparent financial reporting, along with defined accountability for all entities involved. I will support the board actions that provide strategic oversight to ensure that key stakeholders are engaged, take responsibility and accountability for developing a process that sets clear expectations, assigns appropriate responsibility, ensures clear authority for decision-making and timely information sharing .

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?

To build a broader, stronger and more inclusive movement, we must foster a culture that creates a more welcoming  and inclusive environment, recruit people with lived experiences and of all generations, skills, expertise and perspectives. I have led several initiatives to engage interfaith communities, and youth. As the Maryland Chapter’s Conservation Chair, I have recruited, onboarded and mentored youth council leaders, creating opportunities for students to lead, participate and contribute meaningfully.

To better recruit and retain staff and volunteers—particularly from underrepresented communities—I believe we must lead with our core values and be intentional about how we build and sustain our people power. This starts with expanding recruitment through partnerships with BIPOC-led and community-based organizations, while cultivating a culture of belonging, shared purpose, and mutual respect.

Clear, unbiased pathways for advancement, equitable pay and growth opportunities, and ongoing training and professional development supports retention. Removing barriers to participation, while prioritizing cultural competency and anti-bias learning is important. Creating safe, supportive spaces for open and sometimes uncomfortable conversations—grounded in active listening—is essential so all voices are heard and valued.

Accountability in behavior is critical in building trust, psychological safety, and fairness, to strengthen retention. We must ensure that our new EOP policy effectively addresses the needs of our community.

Staff and volunteers should have meaningful engagement opportunities to help shape priorities, strategies, and decisions. When people feel respected and valued they are more likely to stay engaged and contribute to the organization for the long term.

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?

At the board level, strengthening oversight through the finance and risk management committee, setting clearer financial guardrails, ensuring new initiatives are launched with a realistic path to funding and building reserves, and intervening earlier when risks emerge can prevent such situations.

Organizations can benefit from scenario forecasting, ongoing risk assessment, establishing and protecting a clear operating-reserve policy, rebuilding, diversifying and stabilizing unrestricted revenue, and aligning staffing decisions with secured funding. 

Given that we are working in a rapidly shifting environment, and reliant on donor contributions, building reserves is important for long term sustainability and retention. It’s also important to recognize that having the systems and structures in place to manage clear expectations and a level of transparency can mitigate unanticipated surprises when decisions may rely on external funding sources.

I donate to national and chapter fundraising efforts, support advancement efforts on donor outreach, hosted and share a commitment to supporting fundraising efforts. I believe that to build long-term stability, prioritizing growing unrestricted and renewable revenue—such as grassroots fundraising, membership, and multi-year major donor commitments—while reducing reliance on short-term, restricted funding is also critical. 

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?

Food and agriculture are at the center of the climate, water, and public health challenges—and must be a clear priority for the Sierra Club. These sectors are major sources of greenhouse gas emissions and water pollution, but they also offer powerful opportunities for solutions that protect the climate, strengthen communities, and support farmers.

Meaningful progress can be made with a well-funded, resources and staff supported campaign. Our volunteer-led grassroots network teams who are advocating for a strong Farm Bill at the federal level need support with dedicated funding, staff, and training that builds skills in organizing, fundraising, and policy advocacy to scale their impact.

Strong collaboration between chapters and grassroot network teams to encourage that chapters include food and agriculture in their conservation and legislative priorities, engage and mobilize local communities to hold elected officials accountable at all levels of government.

Education about soil health, how food policies affect families, public health, clean water and climate, regenerative farming, reducing food waste, promoting sustainable diets, can empower communities to advocate for policy changes, investment in R&D for low carbon tech and support ecosystem restoration, tackling issues through science-based strategies that benefit farmers and communities.

By strengthening coalitions, we can amplify diverse voices, center farmers and frontline communities, and advance just, sustainable agricultural policies. Proven conservation programs that reduce pollution, improve health, and sequester carbon—while supporting family farmers— offer bipartisan solutions. By investing in peoplepower and smart policy solutions, Sierra Club can drive progress toward our 2030 climate and conservation goals.

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?

Sierra Club’s is unique as being a volunteer-led organization, with a co-leadership model with opportunities for volunteers and staff to work as partners, sharing leadership and responsibility to shape and lead our campaigns and initiatives together. I joined the Sierra Club as a volunteer because of its strength as a grassroots volunteer organization and to make a difference. I believe that people volunteer because they care deeply about the issues impacting their community. The commitment and tireless contributions of our grassroots volunteers inspires me. To build a broader, more inclusive and just climate movement, we need to foster a culture where everyone feels welcome, safe, valued and able to make a meaningful contribution. I believe it’s important to offer a range of opportunities, remove barriers to participation, share resources, tools, professional development and training opportunities similar to those that staff may have access to. It is also necessary to demonstrate a genuine commitment to equity and inclusion, build relationships that foster trust and reliability, and create environments where volunteers feel safe sharing ideas without judgment. It's also important to clearly communicate how volunteer contributions connect to campaign outcomes, and establish regular feedback loops through collaborative decision-making spaces. When volunteer leaders see that their input influences real decisions about priorities and resources, we strengthen trust, deepen engagement, and build more effective, equitable campaigns together.

Question 8

Question 8

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

We must remain steadfast in our mission and continue doing the work that defines who we are. The 2030 strategic framework firmly rooted in our Core Values provides a framework of a “Resilient Sierra Club to Meet the Challenges”.

Sierra Club is uniquely positioned as a grassroots advocacy organization. Chapters and Groups have meaningful relationships with their elected officials and local coalitions. They have a better understanding of their landscape and issues and priorities. It's important to support their grassroots efforts, provide resources such as training and tools that can strengthen their ability to advocate, engage and organize locally. Supporting Chapters in electing Sierra Club endorsed candidates, and voter protection initiatives to ensure free and fair elections is vital. 

The fight for democracy, equity, and a livable planet are interconnected. Without action to protect and strengthen our democracy, everything we’ve accomplished can be undone. By strengthening our partnerships with broader coalitions, and fortifying our organizational resilience, we can remain a powerful, trusted force in the environmental movement and effectively advance our mission —even in a rapidly changing political landscape and unpredictable federal actions.

I believe in the Jemez principles of grassroots organizing. As the Vice President for Conservation, I have been a strategic partner supporting volunteers and staff in developing guidance to empower chapter participation in local and national days of action.

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 2030 strategic framework firmly rooted in our Core Values provides the vision for the world Sierra Club wants to conserve, protect, and create.

Sierra Club’s strength comes from building long term peoplepower: members organizing locally, advocating boldly, and standing together to defend our land, water, wildlife, and communities.

Right now, the most effective path forward can be strong state and local action. We can effectively support clean energy and land protection against federal rollbacks by using every tool available—legal action, public education, corporate accountability campaigns, and grassroots mobilization—to defend hard-won environmental protections, stop unlawful actions and harmful policies. Advancing state clean energy standards, land conservation policies, Community Choice Aggregation, and smart permitting reforms allows us to accelerate renewable energy while protecting sensitive habitats through “least-conflict” siting.

Sierra Club’s 2025 wins, highlights the Conservation Campaign’s effective efforts to protect grizzly bears under the Endangered Species Act, secure new national monuments, defend the Roadless Rule, and block public lands sell-offs, while simultaneously, our Beyond Coal Campaign fought for an affordable, renewable future to move towards advancing grid decarbonization and making electricity more affordable for all.

I believe and shared in this Sierra Magazine article that we win by collective action, building a strong and just grassroots movement, mobilizing our peoplepower, centering Indigenous and frontline voices, and building broad coalitions, to meet this moment with courage and determination.

The challenges are real —but so is our power. Together, we will continue to protect our planet and build a just, clean energy future.

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?

A strong Board–Executive Director relationship is built on shared commitment to the mission, aligned values, and mutual respect for clearly defined roles. Trust is fostered through integrity, transparency, and a shared sense of purpose.

The relationship works best when governance and management responsibilities are clearly understood: the Board sets strategy, provides oversight, ensures fiduciary responsibility, and evaluates the Executive Director, while the Executive Director implements the strategy, manages operations and staff, leads fundraising, and reports candidly to the Board. Open, regular communication is essential, with the Board creating a culture that encourages transparency and constructive dialogue.

Collaboration further strengthens this partnership through joint strategic planning, regular engagement, and proactive problem-solving. Together, the Board and Executive Director provide the leadership, accountability, and strategic focus needed to advance the organization’s mission and ensure long-term success.

I am committed to working with my colleagues and building a strong, trust-based relationship with the Executive Director to advance our mission.