Every city needs a Leslie Knope. Lauren McLean keeps Boise booming.
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Every city needs a Leslie Knope.
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Lauren McLean keeps Boise booming.
It’s hard to speak with the boisterous, enthusiastic Lauren McLean and not think of Leslie Knope, Amy Poehler’s iconic character on Parks and Recreation. (McLean’s kids even make the comparison.) And like her fictional counterpart, McLean also gets things done in her city. Since she joined the Boise city council in 2011, McLean has pushed for land conservation, energy efficiency, and social justice. In 2015, she renewed a $10 million levy that protects 10,000 acres of land for open spaces and clean water sources.
[pullquote]“I believe that cities and counties are a huge part of the solution for sustainability, justice, and the environment.” [/pullquote]
McLean also helps manage LIV District, an initiative that has deployed more than $5 million in public funding to date toward geothermal expansion, stormwater infrastructure, and park entrances for bikes in the Central Addition neighborhood. She has provided permanent housing for some of the city’s homeless population and has cosponsored a Welcome City program that promotes inclusiveness.
Idaho is among the states with the highest per capita percentage of refugee residents, with people from countries like Iraq, Somalia, Bhutan, Burma, Democratic Republic of Congo, and even a small number of Syrians. McLean wants to encourage Boise businesses to embrace diversity and create opportunities for the city’s new residents. “It is important to talk about diversity and development as we figure out ways to integrate women, refugees, and immigrants to really build a diverse workforce here,” she says. Leslie Knope would be proud.
The world feels pretty broken right now. That’s why we need Fixers — bold problem solvers working toward a planet that doesn’t burn and a future that doesn’t suck. For our annual list of emerging green leaders, Grist brings you 50 innovators with fresh, forward-thinking solutions to some of humanity's biggest challenges. Credits
Meet All The Fixers
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Donnel Baird
This Brooklynite retrofits cities.
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Nanette Barragán
This politician fights for polluted communities.
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Grist Member pick
Nicole Bassett
This clothing expert revives dead threads.
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John Bourne
This CEO provides clean energy for any budget.
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Rebecca Burgess
This innovator is stitching together a clothing movement.
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Van Jones' pick
Gilbert Campbell
This entrepreneur is diversifying cleantech.
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Karina Castillo
This climate organizer works on the front lines in Miami.
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Leilani Münter's pick
Chris Castro
This sustainability director drives change in Orlando.
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Marianne Cufone
This urban farmer grows in tight spaces.
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Carlos Curbelo
This politician reps bipartisan climate action.
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Tom Colicchio's pick
Irving Fain
This farmer uses AI for efficiency.
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Al Gore's pick
Catherine Flowers
This civil rights activist takes on the South's sewage problem.
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Rahwa Ghirmatzion
This housing advocate is rebuilding Buffalo.
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Dallas Goldtooth
This comedian spotlights indigenous rights.
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Ben Hartman
This farmer champions efficiency.
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Davida Herzl
This startup founder built a Fitbit for the planet.
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David Hochschild
This policy wonk shows state leadership on solar.
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Tara Houska
This lawyer stands with indigenous activists.
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Grist Member pick
Raj Karmani
This developer built an app for food waste.
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Justin Knopf
This young farmer is saving soil.
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L.A. Youth Groups
These teens sued for environmental justice.
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Mike Lewis
This farmer gives vets a chance to grow.
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Elena Lucas
This entrepreneur helps the solar industry compete.
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Mark Magaña
This advocate connects green Latinos.
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Cynthia Malone
This scientist brings social justice to her field.
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Xiuhtezcatl Martinez
This teenager gives the youngest generation a voice.
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Ahmina Maxey
This organizer fights for safer waste disposal.
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Gavin McCormick
This founder empowers people to choose renewables.
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Lauren McLean
This councilwoman keeps Boise booming.
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Sophia Mendelsohn
This airline exec is greening travel.
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Katherine Miller
This food advocate coaches up chefs.
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Yorman Nuñez
This Bronx community organizer is spreading the wealth.
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Kait Parker
This weather forecaster shames deniers.
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Hari Pulapaka
This chef takes a kitchen sink approach to food waste.
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George Reistad
This civil servant cooks up smart food policy.
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Erick Rodriguez
This architect designs better neighborhoods.
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Avital Shavit and Rubina Ghazarian
These transportation gurus coax Angelenos onto bikes.
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Nicky Sheats
This lawyer connects justice and the environment.
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Trisha Shrum and Jill Kubit
These mothers bring the future into the present.
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Varun Sivaram
This physicist is shaping energy policy.
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Liz Specht
This scientist connects investors to new food tech.
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Steph Speirs
This CEO plants community solar gardens.
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Erika Symmonds
This professional trains people for solar jobs.
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Cameron Russell's pick
Camila Thorndike and Page Atcheson
These activists want carbon polluters to pay.
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Anthony Torres
This organizer is uniting millennials.
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Ritchie Torres
This New Yorker champions affordable housing.
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Uma Valeti
This entrepreneur is making a better burger.
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Sean A. Watkins
This storyteller puts people first.
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Evan Weber
This young climate activist is demanding more.
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Jackie Weidman
This strategist trains clean energy leaders.