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Liesl Eichler Clark

Liesl Clark sitting at her desk
Director, Climate Action Engagement
[email protected]
Primary office phone
517-243-2860

About

Liesl Eichler Clark of the School for Environment and Sustainability is U-M's first director of climate action engagement. She leads a new initiative aimed at linking the university’s expanding sustainability research, collaborations and engagement with external partners to accelerate climate action across the state of Michigan and beyond. Previously, Clark served as director of the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) in Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s cabinet, chaired the Council on Climate Solutions and led development of the MI Healthy Climate Plan.

In addition to her role as prior director of EGLE, Clark is a successful entrepreneur in the clean energy and sustainability space having co-founded the clean energy consulting firm 5 Lakes Energy. She also was instrumental in the creation of the Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council and served as the president for three years as well as serving on a variety of business and nonprofit boards. Her professional career combines the public and private sectors to inform her passion for leadership, communication, and this beautiful state.

 

Websites

  • LinkedIn

Speaking Engagements

  • SEAS Sustainability Leadership Speakers Series
    • MI Chief Climate Officer Officer Cory Connolly
    • MI Public Service Commission Chair Dan Scripps
    • MI Chief Climate and Clean Energy Strategist Kara Cook
    • MI Treasurer Rachael Eubanks
  • Michigan Climate Action Summit
  • MI Healthy Climate Conference 2024: Climate Plan Panel
  • MI Energy Innovation Business Council Workforce Panel: Leading the Midwest: Growing Michigan’s Clean Energy Workforce
  • ClimateCAP MBA Summit: Fireside Chat
  • Sustainable Urban Design Summit 2023
  • In Conversation with Shalanda Baker: Equity & Justice in the Energy Transition
  • National Sustainability Summit (workforce panel)
  • Ep. 22: SBN Detroit, The Green Stream

Accolades

  • Environmental Council of the States Founders Award (2023)

  • MI Energy Innovation Business Council Public Official of the Year (2019)

  • Crain’s Who to Know in State Government (2019, 2021)

  • Telly Award, Michigan’s Energy Future Today (2009)

Education

  • MS, Public Administration, Michigan State University (2008)

  • BS, James Madison College, Michigan State University (1998)

In the News
EPA repeals endangerment finding on greenhouse gases: SEAS experts available to comment
February 12, 2026

EPA repeals endangerment finding on greenhouse gases: SEAS experts available to comment

EXPERTS ADVISORY The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has revoked its 2009 declaration that greenhouse gas emissions are harmful to human health—known as the...

U-M’s Climate Week to feature Granholm, numerous activities
September 22, 2025

U-M’s Climate Week to feature Granholm, numerous activities

The University of Michigan is gearing up to host its first Climate Week, a series of engaging and innovative events focused on collaboration, engagement and collective...

Great Lakes Basin
May 16, 2024

Life is better by the lakes: A new summary of Great Lakes climate plans

What common themes exist across the Great Lakes region around climate action? What if the region had a unified vision? A team from the University of Michigan School for...

As International Auto Show closes, it's time to shape our EV future
September 25, 2023

As International Auto Show closes, it's time to shape our EV future

Liesl Eichler Clark is U-M’s director of climate action engagement. There’s a chill in the air, the leaves are turning, students are back in school, and you can hear the...

The University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) announced the selection of Liesl Eichler Clark as U-M’s first Director of Sustainable Climate Action Engagement. In this role, Clark will lead a new initiative aimed at linking the university’s expanding sustainability research, collaborations, and engagement with external partners to accelerate climate action across the state of Michigan and beyond.  Clark previously served in Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s cabinet as the Director of Mich
June 27, 2023

SEAS names Liesl Eichler Clark the inaugural director of sustainable climate action engagement

Contact: Jim Erickson The University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) announced the selection of Liesl Eichler Clark as U-M’s first Director...

In the Media
February 17, 2026

President Trump won't regulate pollution. Can Michigan do that on its own? (WDET Detroit Public Radio)

Liesl Eichler Clark
February 12, 2026

The energy boom is coming for Great Lakes water. Is Michigan ready? (Bridge Michigan)

Mike Shriberg Liesl Eichler Clark
January 5, 2026

Detroit gathering focuses on role of environmental justice in Michigan’s climate work (Planet Detroit)

Tony G. Reames Liesl Eichler Clark
November 15, 2024

Environmentalists, Industry Divided Over Energy Permitting Bill (Great Lakes Now)

Liesl Eichler Clark
October 2, 2024

Michigan bets on EVs to revive its economy — and hopes jobs will follow (Canary Media)

Liesl Eichler Clark
September 27, 2024

Climate change summit held at U of M Thursday (WSJM)

Liesl Eichler Clark
January 16, 2024

How URC is creating a sustainable tomorrow in learning spaces today (Metromode)

Liesl Eichler Clark
November 22, 2023

Energy bills will help boost economy and tackle climate crisis (The Detroit News)

Liesl Eichler Clark
October 23, 2023

Keeping an eye on Michigan’s current environmental legislation (Great Lakes Now)

Liesl Eichler Clark
October 6, 2023

Detroit Today: How Michigan plans to transition to 100% clean energy (WDET)

Liesl Eichler Clark
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University of Michigan
School for Environment and Sustainability
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Ann Arbor, MI 48109
(734) 764-6453
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