Arlene Blum

Arlene Blum is a biophysical chemist, mountaineer, author, and environmental health advocate. As the founder and executive director of the Green Science Policy Institute and a former research associate at University of California, Berkeley, Blum has led research and policy initiatives that have contributed to the removal of toxic flame retardants and other hazardous chemicals from consumer products worldwide. Her work has influenced chemical safety regulations and supports education for decision makers in business and government to reduce the use of harmful substances, reflecting her expertise in public health and chemical policy.

Blum is known for her accomplishments in mountaineering, including leading the first American and first all-women's ascent of Annapurna I, one of the world's most challenging peaks. She also co-led the first all-women's team to climb Denali and was the first American woman to attempt Mount Everest, setting altitude records and influencing generations of climbers. Her expeditions across the Himalayas and the European Alps are chronicled in her books "Annapurna: A Woman’s Place" and "Breaking Trail: A Climbing Life," which are recognized in adventure literature.

Blum's career includes awards such as the Society of Women Geographers Gold Medal, the Sierra Club’s Francis P. Farquhar Mountaineering Award, and induction into the California Hall of Fame. Her public speaking engagements, keynote lectures, and leadership workshops are delivered internationally, addressing topics in environmental health, science, and mountaineering. Blum’s work in overcoming barriers in both scientific research and mountaineering, along with her advocacy for safer chemicals, positions her as a knowledgeable public speaker and leader in environmental health and outdoor adventure.