Washington, D.C. – Ocean Conservancy’s Associate Director of U.S. Plastics Policy, Dr. Anja Brandon, was named one of Fast Company’s Most Creative People in Business 2023 for her innovative work to prevent ocean plastic pollution through policy.

In 2022, Dr. Brandon represented Ocean Conservancy as a lead negotiator and drafter of the strongest plastics legislation ever passed in the United States, SB 54 in California – also known as the Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act. Ocean Conservancy scientists estimate that the novel source reduction component of SB 54 will eliminate 23 million tons of plastics in the next 10 years – equivalent to 26 times the weight of the Golden Gate Bridge.

“I approach policy the same way I approach science. But instead of optimizing for an experiment or a math problem, it’s about optimizing for people and relationships,” said Dr. Brandon in the Fast Company article, ‘Meet the woman forcing companies to cut their plastic production.’ Fast Company’s list, which identified “54 enterprising individuals [who] did something recently that’s never been done before,” was first published online on July 6 and will be available in the print edition of the magazine on July 18.

Dr. Brandon has also been an invited speaker and lecturer on plastics policy and her scientific work at national and international conferences and at universities including Stanford, Oregon State University, and Bennington College. Prior to joining Ocean Conservancy, she was the AGU/AAAS Congressional Science Fellow in the office of U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), where she was the lead policy advisor on issues including plastics, ocean and water pollution, and toxic pollutants. Dr. Brandon holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering and Science from Stanford University where she was awarded an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship for her work. Her doctoral research focused on understanding plastic waste management challenges and developing novel methods to break down common plastics.

“I’m truly humbled to be part of such an outstanding group of individuals taking on some of the world’s greatest challenges. My work to stop plastic pollution at its source and this recognition was only made possible by Ocean Conservancy and the many passionate advocates who are fed up with plastics and willing to do the hard work to have an impact,” said Dr. Brandon.

“Dr. Brandon’s recognition by Fast Company’s Most Creative People in 2023 is well deserved. We are fortunate to have Dr. Brandon’s talent and expertise on Ocean Conservancy’s Trash Free Seas® team. We are immensely proud of her work on SB 54 and look forward to continuing to prevent ocean plastic pollution through upstream solutions like public policy,” said Nicholas Mallos, Ocean Conservancy’s Vice President of Conservation, Ocean Plastics.

To set up an interview with Dr. Brandon, please contact Roya Fox at [email protected] or +1 (202) 280-6285.

Learn more about Ocean Conservancy’s work on SB 54 HERE.

Learn more about Ocean Conservancy’s work to prevent and mitigate ocean plastic pollution HERE.

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About Ocean Conservancy

Ocean Conservancy is working to protect the ocean from today’s greatest global challenges. Together with our partners, we create science-based solutions for a healthy ocean and the wildlife and communities that depend on it. For more information, visit www.oceanconservancy.org, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.