She has been quoted extensively in the media, including the New York Times, the Washington Post, the BBC, NPR and 60 Minutes.
GOLETA, CA, March 25, 2024 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Deborah L. Williams, JD, has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Hailing from a multifaceted background in law, government service and environmental advocacy, Ms. Williams has established herself as a respected lecturer at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where she has imparted knowledge on public lands and waters law and policy since 2017. Her dedication to environmental studies is evident through her development of a comprehensive curriculum and her creation of the "50 Great Public Land Destinations: Santa Barbara and Beyond" website. This resource, which she updates annually to ensure its relevance and accuracy, not only aids her students but also serves the community at large. Ms. Williams' commitment to education also extends beyond the classroom, as she shares, as a mentor, her experiences and life lessons with her students, fostering a deeper understanding of environmental issues. As part of her public education work, Ms. Williams' Opinion Editorials on conservation issues are widely read in publications such as The Hill, the Los Angeles Times, the Seattle Times, the Anchorage Daily News, the Santa Barbara Independent and Common Dreams.
Prior to her current role, Ms. Williams served as the executive director of the Alaska Democratic Party in Anchorage from 2009 to 2011, and the President of Alaska Conservation Solutions from 2005 to 2009. Her leadership was instrumental in advancing each organization's objectives during her tenure. She had previously served as the executive director of the Alaska Conservation Foundation from 1998 to 2005, during which time she played a pivotal role in environmental conservation efforts across Alaska. From 1993 to 1998, Ms. Williams worked as the Special Assistant to the Secretary of the Interior for Alaska at the U.S. Department of the Interior, a Presidential Appointment, where she contributed significantly to policy development and implementation concerning Alaska's vast national public lands and government-to-government relationships with tribes. Over 50% of all lands managed by the Department of the Interior are in Alaska and over 225 tribes.
Ms. Williams' career in public service began with roles as an attorney for both the National Park Service and National Fish and Wildlife Service within the U.S. Department of the Interior in Anchorage from 1980 to 1981, having previously participated in the Solicitors Honors Program at the same department in Washington, D.C. between 1978 and 1980. Throughout her career, she has authored many academic journal and law review articles, in addition to regulations; and has been quoted extensively in the media, including the New York Times, the Washington Post, the BBC, NPR and 60 Minutes.
Graduating summa cum laude, Ms. Williams attended Pomona College to study biology, economics and political science, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in 1975. Building upon a strong academic foundation, Ms. Williams earned a Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School in 1978 – during her studies there, she was co-founder of the Harvard Environmental Law Review, the nation's leading law review that publishes articles on environmental law, land-use, and the regulation of natural resources.
Ms. Williams has been recognized for her contributions to public education and advocacy on environmental issues with awards such as the Spirit of Defenders Award for Public Education from Defenders of Wildlife in 2007, the Murie Award for Outstanding Professional Contributions to Conservation from ACF in 2010, and achieving recognition as one of Reader's Digest's "12 Best Nonprofits in the United States" through her work with the Alaska Conservation Foundation. The support from her parents, husband, and mentors has been integral to her success, along with her unwavering passion for environmental conservation.
In addition to her professional endeavors, Ms. Williams enjoys a fulfilling personal life with her friends and family. Looking toward the future, she aspires to continue teaching and advocating for the protection of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA), as well as other critically important public lands and waters issues – at the national, state and local levels. Regarding her local public lands work, among other efforts, she serves as a Commissioner on the Goleta Parks and Recreation Commission. She is committed to strengthening platforms that support environmental conservation efforts while providing a robust framework for future generations.
About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Marquis celebrates its 125th anniversary in 2023, and Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. Marquis® publications may be visited at the official Marquis Who's Who® website at www.marquiswhoswho.com.
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