Evanston’s Debra Shore named to key EPA position

President Joe Biden on Oct. 12 appointed former LGBTQ Victory Institute Board Chair Debra Shore to be the next Region Five Administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency – representing six states in the Midwest and the lands of 35 federally recognized tribes. She is currently an elected Commissioner of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago. Shore is the latest high-level LGBTQ appointee in the Biden administration, which reports that 14% of its appointees identify as LGBTQ.

“Debra is a longtime public servant who is deeply passionate about the connections between a clean environment and quality of life, especially for underserved communities who are most often affected by environmental laws and decision-making,” said Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Institute. “With LGBTQ people facing higher rates of poverty than cisgender heterosexual people, the regulations and enforcement actions of the EPA have a greater impact on our community. We know Debra will be a strong and consistent advocate for our nation’s environment, while also ensuring the well-being of LGBTQ people and other marginalized populations are always a top consideration.”

Shore served on Victory Institute’s board of directors from 2009 to 2016, serving as board chair from 2012 to 2014. She was endorsed by LGBTQ Victory Fund in all three of her races for the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District.

Victory Institute’s Presidential Appointments Initiative works with the administration to recommend and advocate for qualified LGBTQ leaders ready to serve in the administration. Victory Institute aims to help the Biden administration become the most LGBTQ-inclusive in U.S. history. The Initiative, first launched by Victory Institute during President Bill Clinton’s administration, achieved unprecedented success under President Barack Obama, who appointed approximately 330 LGBTQ people, the most in history. Of those, 158 were assisted by the Presidential Appointments Initiative.