NW Energy Coalition Board Names Tamara Kennedy as New Executive Director
Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 2, 2025
NW Energy Coalition Board Names Tamara Kennedy as New Executive Director
SEATTLE – The NW Energy Coalition Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Tamara Kennedy has been selected as its next Executive Director, following a nationwide search. Kennedy brings nearly two decades of leadership, coalition building, economic development, nonprofit management and fundraising experience to advance the mission of the Coalition, which has been advocating for clean and affordable energy for more than 40 years.
“Tamara’s leadership is exactly what the NW Energy Coalition needs as we navigate a rapidly evolving energy landscape,” said Shanna Brownstein, chair, NW Energy Coalition board of directors. “Her deep expertise in transition management, combined with a passion for equity and sustainability, makes her the right person to lead the Coalition into its next chapter. We are thrilled to welcome her.”
When Kennedy assumes the role on August 1, she will take the helm of one of the preeminent clean energy advocacy organizations in the Pacific Northwest. Kennedy will oversee the NW Energy Coalition’s continued efforts to strengthen and advance clean energy policies that center community needs, accelerate decarbonization, address rate affordability and system reliability, and rebuild abundant salmon populations and protect and restore the natural resources of the Columbia River Basin.
Kennedy succeeds longtime executive director Nancy Hirsh who joined the Coalition in 1996 as policy director and has led the organization since 2015. “Navigating the complex intersection of climate, energy and community requires bold, thoughtful leadership,” said Hirsh. “Tamara brings a collaborative spirit, fresh perspective and an unwavering commitment to justice. I’m confident she will lead the NW Energy Coalition forward with the same passion for clean, affordable and equitable energy that has guided this organization for more than four decades.”
“I am honored to join the NW Energy Coalition at this pivotal moment,” said Tamara Kennedy. “The opportunity to help shape an energy future that is clean, affordable and just for everyone in the Northwest is deeply meaningful to me. I look forward to working alongside staff, the Coalition’s members and our communities and partners to build on the Coalition’s incredible legacy and drive transformative change.”
Kennedy joins the NW Energy Coalition from the Port of Portland, where she most recently served as Director of Economic Development. Throughout her career, Tamara has been a catalyst for coalition building and systems-level change—bringing diverse communities, organizations and leaders together to drive equitable and sustainable solutions.
About Tamara Kennedy
Tamara Kennedy is Executive Director of the NW Energy Coalition. Tamara was previously the Director of Economic Development for the Port of Portland in the Trade and Economic development division. The Port of Portland’s mission is to build shared prosperity for the region through travel, trade, and economic development. In this role Tamara partnered with leadership and external partners in the region to attract investment, design workforce pipeline strategies, advance international trade strategy and equitable development initiatives for industry clusters in Advanced Manufacturing with a particular focus in ClimateTech and Mass Timber ecosystems.
Kennedy served on regional boards advancing equity and economic development including Black United Fund of Oregon, Greater Portland Inc., Clean Tech Alliance and Transition Projects. Tamara holds an MBA in Nonprofit Management from the University of Portland and a bachelor’s degree in communications-Training & Development from Marylhurst University.
Tamara’s passion is to align human potential with positive community impact. She is co-founder of Portland’s My People’s Market, an equitable marketplace for entrepreneurs of color in the greater Portland region.
www.mypeoplesmarket.com Tamara Kennedy | LinkedIn
About the NW Energy Coalition
Founded in 1981, the NW Energy Coalition is an alliance of more than 100 environmental, civic, and human service organizations, utilities, local governments, and clean energy businesses across Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and British Columbia. The Coalition advances clean, equitable and affordable energy policies to benefit communities while preserving the region’s natural resources. For more information, visit nwenergy.org or email nwec@nwenergy.org
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