Marguerite Young • Rivernstream Consulting
Helping Mission-Driven Organizations Navigate Growth, Transition & Complexity
Interim Executive Leadership
Decades of executive leadership across environmental advocacy, labor, public governance, and coalition strategy. Ready to step in when organizations need steady, experienced leadership most.
About
Experience at the Intersection of Environment, Labor & Public Service
I help mission-driven organizations navigate complexity, transition, growth, and change.
Over four decades I have led initiatives spanning climate resilience, labor, environmental justice, public governance, electoral campaigns, workforce development, and coalition-based advocacy. My work has included executive leadership, fundraising, board governance, operational management, strategic planning, leadership development, and multi-stakeholder collaboration across nonprofit, labor, and public-sector institutions.
I am particularly effective in environments that require calm leadership, systems thinking, political judgment, coalition alignment, governance modernization, and practical execution under pressure.
As an elected Director and former Board President of East Bay Municipal Utility District, I work closely with executive leadership on governance, infrastructure, workforce, sustainability, climate resilience, labor-management collaboration, DEIJ initiatives, and long-range institutional planning for a utility serving 1.4 million residents.
I am currently available for interim CEO/ED leadership, organizational stabilization, transition support, governance advising, strategic operations, and senior leadership consulting for mission-driven organizations working in climate, environmental justice, democracy, labor, public policy, and civic engagement.
Available For
- Interim CEO / Executive Director
- Organizational Stabilization
- Governance Advising
- Strategic Operations
- Leadership Transition Support
- Board Development
- Fundraising Culture Building
Leadership Highlights
A Track Record You Can Rely On
Two-year district budget adopted while serving as Board President (FY 2026–27)
Personally raised across foundation, individual, campaign, and community giving
Organizers trained across multiple states in 2025
New directors onboarded through a board transition, with the district's first governance manual built for them
Field offices supervised across seven states
Expertise
Core Capabilities
Experienced across the full spectrum of nonprofit, labor, and public-sector leadership — bringing depth where organizations need it most.
Interim Executive Leadership
Stepping in as interim CEO, Executive Director, or senior leader to provide stability, direction, and forward momentum during transitions or crises.
Governance Modernization
Developing board governance manuals, orientation systems, onboarding practices, and accountability structures that strengthen institutional continuity.
Fundraising Culture & Systems
Building durable fundraising infrastructure — from grassroots to major donor cultivation, institutional support, and campaign strategy.
Strategic Planning & Operations
Designing organizational systems for onboarding, reporting, accountability, training, and distributed team coordination.
Leadership Development
Building leadership pipelines and scalable training systems that produce nonprofit, civic, and public-sector leaders.
Coalition & Stakeholder Alignment
Bridging labor, environmental, community, governmental, and civic stakeholders around shared priorities and executable strategy.
Climate & Environmental Justice
Policy development, program design, and advocacy strategy at the nexus of climate resilience, workforce equity, and environmental justice.
Public Sector & Utility Governance
Board governance, infrastructure investment, budget oversight, DEIJ initiatives, and labor-management collaboration for public agencies.
Organizational Transition Support
Guiding organizations through leadership transitions, coalition complexity, crisis response, and structural transformation.
Career History
Professional Experience
Principal & Founder
Rivernstream Consulting
- Advises nonprofits, labor organizations, public agencies, and mission-driven coalitions on organizational strategy, leadership development, governance, climate resilience, and operational execution
- Designs and implements scalable training and leadership development systems for distributed organizing and civic engagement
- Supports organizations navigating strategic transition, coalition complexity, and evolving operational needs
Elected Director / Former Board President
East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD)
- Governing board member for public utility serving 1.4 million residents in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties
- Presided as Board President over adoption of the district's $3.2 billion two-year budget for Fiscal Years 2026 and 2027
- Led governance modernization including development of governance manual and onboarding systems during major board transition
- Helped guide governance and operations during COVID-era operational challenges
- Instrumental in advancing DEIJ practices and organizational equity initiatives
Trustee
EBMUD Employee Retirement System
- Fiduciary oversight for $2B+ public employee pension fund
- Led modernization of governance policies related to ESG risk and active ownership practices
Assistant Director, Climate & Environmental Justice
Service Employees International Union (SEIU)
- Led national climate, resilience, and environmental justice initiatives spanning strategy, coalition-building, and policy
- Guided local union leaders in translating national priorities into locally actionable programs and campaigns
- Developed training materials, policy frameworks, messaging tools, and stakeholder engagement strategies
Corporate Accountability Director
Service Employees International Union (SEIU)
- Led national responsible investment and corporate accountability initiatives engaging CalPERS, CalSTRS, and major institutional investors
- Managed reporting, governance, and policy development related to ESG and fiduciary accountability
- Supervised staff, coordinated partnerships, and supported labor campaigns nationwide
Regional Supervisor
Clean Water Action
- Supervised nine field offices across seven states
- Directed multi-state field and fundraising operations generating more than $3M annually
- Developed leadership pipelines producing leaders nationwide
California Director
Clean Water Action
- Chief operational leader for California program — directed statewide strategy, staffing, budgeting, fundraising, and organizational development
- Grew annual program grant revenue tenfold through foundation cultivation and multi-year proposals
Education
University of California, Berkeley
B.S., Political Economy of Natural Resources
Selected Work
Engagements & Public Leadership
Climate and Environmental Justice Program Transition
Provided transition support to the leadership team of the Climate and Environmental Justice program, including strategic direction, campaign support, special projects, and mentorship for new Deputy Director.
Multiplier Project — Multi-State Organizer Training Initiative
Led development and implementation of a multi-state organizer training and leadership development initiative supporting nearly 1,000 participants across multiple congressional districts. Built modular training systems, facilitator guides, onboarding tools, and distributed support structures.
Yes on 5 — Affordable Housing & Climate Resilience Campaign
Alameda County delivered 56.4% yes against 45.0% statewide — one of only four California counties to carry the measure.
Boards & Public Leadership
Clean Water Action California
Advisory Board Member
Siesta Valley Foundation
Board Member
Friends of the River
Board Member
Carpe Diem West / Confluence West
Board Member
CALFED Bay-Delta Advisory Committee Water Quality Program
Co-Chair
California Recycled Water Taskforce
Member
EPA Federal Advisory Committee — Stage 2 Disinfection Byproducts Rule
Member
Let's Talk
Ready When Your Organization Needs Steady Leadership
Whether navigating a leadership transition, seeking interim executive support, or needing strategic guidance — I would welcome a conversation.
Available for interim executive roles, governance advising, and project-based engagements.