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Leila Goldmark

Pursuing MBA in Social Enterprise from Columbia Business School J.D./LL.M. in International & Comparative Law from Duke University (2001), Attorney & Watershed Program Director at Riverkeeper, inc. (2002-2008).

Headline: Entrepreneur
Work status: Full-Time Student
Industries: Lifestyle, Retail
Skills: Business, Entrepreneurship, Languages, Law, Litigation, Negotiation, Public Relations, Writing
Next step: When I graduate from Columbia in May, I plan to start my own children's eco-apparel company featuring limited edition graphic art prints. My company will donate a percentage of profits and strategic support to select not-for-profits and children's arts and environmental literacy programs. As a former environmental attorney, my goal is to convert complacent consumers into empowered advocates for social and environmental justice. And let's have fun along the way!
Location: New York
Groups: Global Social Venture Competition 2011, Global Social Venture Competition GSVC 2012, [INACTIVE] Global Social Venture Competition 2009-10
Interested in: Brainstorming, Finding business partners, Finding cofounders, Finding experts, Finding mentors, Finding team mates, Meeting new people, Mentoring, Professional opportunities, Promoting my startups, Raising money, Receiving feedback, Recruiting for my startup, Starting a company
Tags: artist, eco-entrepreneur, environmental advocacy attorney, mba student, mommy
Schools: Columbia Business School, Duke University, Wesleyan University

WORK EXPERIENCE

Employer: RIVERKEEPER, INC.
Position: Program Director
Time period: January 2002 - December 2008
Description: Led cross-functional team in mission to protect NYC drinking water supply through: 1) litigation; 2) environmental policy and lobbying; 3) Smart Growth and planning; 4) voluntary partnership programs; and 5) outreach and education campaigns.
Participated as Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s designated representative on NYC’s Watershed Protection Partnership Council.
Evaluated and proposed improvements to NYC’s watershed protection regulations.
Analyzed scientific data to target pollutants of growing concern; developed public and private partnerships to achieve voluntary reductions of unregulated/quasi-regulated pollutants (e.g., road salt and de-icers, pesticides and fertilizers, pharmaceuticals).
Negotiated settlement for proposed Belleayre Resort, winning preservation of 1,200 acres, organic landscaping, and sustainable design of largest development ever proposed in Catskills.
Maintained Program PR communications through news media, website and direct mail.

Employer: RIVERKEEPER, INC.
Position: Staff Attorney
Time period: January 2002 - December 2007
Description: Monitored and reported on enforcement agencies’ performance.
Designed Construction Watch program to train and utilize volunteers to monitor construction sites for water quality violations; brought enforcement actions against violators.

Employer: DEWEY BALLANTINE LLP
Position: Environmental Group Paralegal
Time period: January 1997 - December 1998

EDUCATION

University: Columbia Business School
Time period: 2008 - 2010
Degree: COLUMBIA BUSINESS SCHOOL, MBA

University: Duke University
Time period: 2001
Degree: International & Comparative Law

University: Wesleyan University
Time period: 1991 - 1995
Degree: Philosophy, BA

INFORMATION

Clubs: Green Business Club (GBC); GBC Liaison with Environmental Law Society; GBC
Manhattanville Campus Expansion Project Consulting Team; Social Enterprise Club; CWIB
Women’s Rugby Club.
Memberships: Editor and Symposium Coordinator; Articles Editor. Member Environmental Law Society
Elected Managing Editor of Duke Environmental Law & Policy Forum; Senior Articles
Awards: Winner of IBM’s Watson Scholarship for academic performance. YWCA Salute to Women and Racial Justice; Selected as one of four “People to Watch.”

Leila's Startups (1)

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  • Green Rainbow

    Green Rainbow is an eco-social children’s clothing company that will offer affordable eco-clothing with limited-edition graphic art prints featuring up-and-coming artists. Art + Kids = Save the World!