Our Team :: New Jersey
Eileen McGinnis
Eileen McGinnis has held top policy, regulatory and management positions in state and federal governments for over two decades. Her experience in developing solutions to complex public policy problems complements her expertise in many areas of public policy including the environment, energy, education, and land use.
McGinnis served as Chief of Staff to the Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency where she provided advice and counsel on the key policy and regulatory issues facing the Agency. While at EPA, McGinnis led the effort to develop and publish EPA’s “Report on the Status of the Environment,” the first comprehensive report on the environment at the national level. The Report describes the measures and indicators that can be used to track the environment and human health. She also managed the first agency-wide reorganization of the Senior Executive Service with the goal of increasing the leadership capacity of the organization.
McGinnis also served in Governor Whitman’s Cabinet as Chief of Policy where she was responsible for the government operations of sixteen departments. During her tenure as Chief of Policy, McGinnis was responsible for the design and implementation of the state’s historic million-acre land preservation program; served as Director of NY/NJ Dredging Task Force, which led to the development of environmentally sound disposal sites; and managed the implementation of a federal-state program to expand health insurance.
In 2004, McGinnis successfully completed a mid-career program designed for leaders in public service at Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs where she was awarded a certificate in Science, Technology and Environmental Policy. During her time at Princeton, she conducted research on climate change programs and energy deregulation.
Since leaving public service, McGinnis has taught at Columbia, Rutgers and The College of New Jersey. Her courses focus on the science, economics and politics of climate change.