Leading the Way in Environmental Stewardship, ft. Julie Regan, Tahoe Regional Planning Agency

In this episode, we feature Julie Regan, Executive Director of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA). We recorded this episode onsite at the 2023 AEP State Conference, just a few minutes after Julie stepped off the stage from giving her keynote address. 

Julie is a seasoned leader in communications, government affairs, and environmental conservation, with decades of experience in both the public and private sectors. In 2022, she was appointed Executive Director of TRPA - the first environmental interstate compact agency of its kind in the United States. TRPA is charged with protecting the breathtaking Lake Tahoe – the second deepest lake in the United States and the ancestral home of the native Washoe people.  

Julie has been instrumental in finding a balance between environmental preservation and sustaining a thriving $5-billion dollar tourist-based economy at Lake Tahoe. 

Julie earned her master's degree in journalism from Temple University and is currently a Ph.D. candidate in environmental science at the University of Nevada, Reno, where she is focusing her research around the intersection of science and public policy.  

She is also a past Co-Chair of the nationally-focused Network for Landscape Conservation and has contributed to the global discussion on over-tourism through her writings on destination stewardship. 

We had a great time speaking with Julie to learn about her experience and leadership principles. Thanks for listening, and we hope you enjoy this episode!