Joy Yakie is the Environmental Justice and Outreach Manager at Acadia Center. Joy plays a central role in spearheading Acadia Center’s objective to incorporate environmental justice values and goals in research, policy development, and outreach with coalitions and community voices. She also supports state-specific advocacy and outreach relating to environmental justice. In addition, Joy leads the organization’s internal diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice strategies.

Prior to Acadia Center, Joy was previously a Climate Justice Fellow at the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) where she supported the Climate Justice Braintrust to weave in justice and equity for the MI Healthy Climate Plan. She holds a Master of Science in Environment and Sustainability from the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (UMSEAS) and a BS in Environmental Science and Biology from Lincoln University of Pennsylvania.