Joe Bonfiglio, Board Vice Chair

Senior Vice President, Environmental Defense Fund U.S. Region

As Senior Vice President of Environmental Defense Fund’s (EDF) U.S. region, Joe Bonfiglio leads a highly experienced, multidisciplinary team focused on stabilizing the climate, building thriving communities, and sustaining human health across the United States. Using his experience in government, politics, and nonprofits, Joe works to scale, align, and leverage the work of EDF and its many allies to secure high-impact, lasting climate and environmental progress.

Joe previously served as President of EDF Action, Environmental Defense Fund’s 501(c)4 sister organization. Under his leadership, EDF Action evolved into an advocacy and political force capable of delivering policy change and influencing elections at every level of government. In just the last few years, EDF Action successfully blocked some of the worst policies and personnel appointments pushed by the Trump administration; helped shape water, energy, and climate resilience policy in key states; and delivered billions of dollars in climate change investments in the 2021 bipartisan federal infrastructure bill.

Before joining the environmental community, Joe spent a decade in electoral politics and government. Much of that time was spent on Capitol Hill serving in a variety of roles: as Deputy Staff Director for the U.S. Senate Committee on Aging under Senator Herb Kohl of Wisconsin, as Chief of Staff for Congressman Charles Melancon of Louisiana, and as Communications Director for Congressman Brad Miller of North Carolina.

Joe received his B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and lives with his wife and son in Alexandria, Virginia.