Aliza Wasserman-Drewes
Director
RIPE is directed by Aliza Wasserman-Drewes, a seasoned non-profit program director and policy expert, with a focus on facilitating consensus-based policy recommendations. She previously worked at the National Governors Association as director of energy and environment, Community Alliance with Family Farmers, and Business for Social Responsibility.
Wasserman-Drewes received her master’s degree in Public Affairs from Princeton University with a concentration in domestic politics and environmental policy through the Science, Technology and Environmental Policy program.
Jamie Powers
Senior Project Manager
Senior Project Manager Jamie Powers comes to RIPE after three years of project management with Environmental Defense Fund, where he led EDF’s engagement of private sector farm advisors. Jamie worked for nine years as a social network analyst, first as an intelligence collector with the U.S. Army and then as a senior and principal analyst in support of military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
With a bachelor’s degree in political science, Jamie went on to earn a graduate degree in both negotiation and conflict resolution, as well as environment and resource policy from The Fletcher School at Tufts University.
Additional Support
RIPE is a small and nimble organization guided by talented advisors, ad-hoc advisors, and supported by a team of seasoned consultants and volunteers, including economic consulting firm World Agricultural Economic and Environmental Services, agricultural consultants UnderstandingAG, law firm Dechert LLP, nonprofit consultant Nonprofit Engagement Advisors, public relations firm LookEast, nonprofit fiscal sponsor Multiplier, and communications and policy support from GreenLight Consulting.