Meet RRI’S Outstanding New Board Members
Rachel Zwillinger and Miles Johnson Join RRI in Shaping the Next Chapter of Our Work
Image: The whooping crane, a longstanding symbol of RRI’s resilience — down to 14 adults in 1941, the Aransas–Wood Buffalo population reached a record 557 in the 2024–2025 winter survey. These figures reflect hard-won progress and underscore why conservation matters.
Dear Friends of RRI,
One of the greatest strengths of the Resource Renewal Institute has always been the people who care deeply about our mission. Today, we're delighted to welcome two remarkable leaders who share that commitment.
Rachel Zwillinger and Miles Johnson join the Board at an exciting time for RRI. Whether we're pioneering climate-smart agricultural projects like Fish in the Fields, defending the Bay-Delta and California's rivers, helping restore our public lands like Point Reyes National Seashore, or implementing reforms to protect biodiverse coastal waters, our work depends on strong leadership and dedicated partners.
Rachel Zwillinger
Rachel serves as Vice President for Water Policy at the Repass-Rodgers Foundation, where she helps advance strategic investments to protect California rivers. Before joining the foundation, she served as Assistant General Counsel for Enforcement at the California Environmental Protection Agency and as California Water Policy Advisor at Defenders of Wildlife.
Throughout her career, Rachel has been a passionate advocate for California's rivers, salmon restoration, and freshwater ecosystems. Her experience in environmental law, public policy, and philanthropy, combined with her collaborative approach to solving complex challenges, makes her an extraordinary addition to RRI's leadership.
Miles Johnson
Miles is a 2029 J.D. candidate at New York University School of Law. He previously served as Water Program Manager at Environment Now, where he directed grantmaking strategy to protect California's waterways, ecosystems, and communities, and as an AmeriCorps fellow supporting improvements to wastewater management infrastructure.
As the grandson of our founder, Huey D. Johnson, Miles also has a special connection to RRI. Watching Huey and RRI work to protect ecosystems and communities throughout his life, he developed a passion for environmental advocacy and an understanding of RRI's mission.
Looking Ahead
Rachel and Miles bring different experiences and perspectives to RRI, but they share a belief that thoughtful leadership, sound science, and collaboration can make a real difference for California's environment. We're excited to have them help guide RRI as we continue working to protect our coastal waters, wildlife, public lands, and communities in the face of a changing climate. We're grateful that Rachel and Miles have chosen to share their time, expertise, and passion with RRI. Their guidance will help us continue growing our impact while staying true to the values that have shaped the organization since its founding. Please join us in giving them a warm welcome. And thank you, as always, for being part of the RRI family. Together, we're building a healthier, more resilient future for us all.
Warmly,
Deborah Moskowitz, President of Resource Renewal Institute
