Zakia Elliott Zakia Elliott comes to PCW with experience as the lead for PennFuture’s climate advocacy efforts where she put her creativity to use in blogging, planning engagement events, and brainstorming ways to reach and educate Philadelphia and SE PA residents. Zakia has experience as a research fellow with the GreenLight Fund, a philanthropic firm that replicates successful nonprofits addressing poverty issues. In that role, she assisted with needs assessments and pipeline development, and publicized the progress of GreenLight Fund’s portfolio organizations. Additionally, Elliott comes with experience as the lead outdoor experiences instructor with Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, where she provided environmental education to school groups and after school programs in recreation centers across the city. She is a Brown University graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies. Zakia focused her research on legislative solutions and public participation around climate change, and helped research and draft the Resilient Rhode Island Act of 2014. Elliott also worked with policymakers on identifying constraints around implementing environmental regulations in the Red Cedar Watershed in Wisconsin. She also facilitated a multi-year workshop around gender, sexuality, and reproductive health. She is a West Philadelphia native who enjoys drawing, painting, baking, hiking and walking around art musuems in her spare time.