Mustafa Santiago Ali

Dr. Mustafa Santiago Ali is a Thought-Leader, Strategist, Policymaker and Activist committed to the fight for environmental justice and economic equity.

Mustafa Santiago Ali is internationally renowned as a Keynote Speaker, Trainer, Leader, Community Liaison and Facilitator specializing in Social Justice issues focused on revitalizing our most vulnerable communities.

Throughout his 26-year career, Mustafa Santiago Ali has conducted over 1,000 presentations worldwide, including speeches, guest lecturers and trainings.

Throughout his career, Mustafa Santiago Ali has worked to elevate environmental justice issues to strengthen environmental justice policies, programs and initiatives.

Mustafa Santiago Ali worked at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for 24-years. At the EPA, Mustafa S. Ali served as the Assistant Associate Administrator for Environmental Justice and Senior Advisor for Environmental Justice and Community Revitalization.

Mustafa Santiago Ali elevated environmental justice issues and worked across federal agencies to strengthen environmental justice policies, programs and initiatives. At the EPA, Mustafa led the Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice (EJIWG), which was comprised of 17 federal agencies and White House offices focused on implementing holistic strategies to address the issues facing vulnerable communities.

In March 2017, Mustafa Santiago Ali resigned from the EPA to join the Hip Hop Caucus (HHC) as the Senior Vice President of Climate, Environmental Justice & Community Revitalization where he led the strategic direction, expansion and operation of their portfolio on climate, environmental justice, economic equality and civic engagement.

Mustafa Santiago Ali was a Brookings Institution Congressional Fellow in the Office of Congressman John Conyers from 2007 through 2008. His portfolio as a Legislative Assistant focused on Foreign Policy in Africa and South America, Homeland Security, Health Care, Veterans Affairs and Environmental Justice.

Mustafa Santiago Ali graduated from West Virginia University. He has an Honorary Doctorate degree from Green Mountain College and an Honorary Juris Doctorate (J.D.) degree from Vermont Law School. Dr. Mustafa Santiago Ali is a Board Member for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Union of Concerned Scientist, TREE, National Children’s Campaign, Environmental Film Festival and Climate Hawks Vote.