Jolisa Brooks

Jolisa Brooks received her Masters of Environmental Science from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. At Yale, Jolisa's work focused on the geopolitics of energy development and the resource curse in the Balkans. During her undergraduate career she conducted geological research in Antarctica and Ushuaia, Argentina where she analyzed sustainable industrial fishing policies to protect keystone species. After graduating in May 2015, she served as a corporate responsibility analyst for ArcelorMittal USA. In that capacity, she worked on a range of projects including land restoration at former industrial sites, and creating and investing in preexisting STEM programs for inner-city Chicago youth. Jolisa has also worked on international policy as a legislative fellow with the US. House Committee on Foreign Affairs where she contributed to the Power Africa Initiative; Women, Peace and Security 2016; Education for All 2016 and the USAID Frontline Civilian Project. At Yale, Jolisa co-founded ROOTZ, an organization dedicated to cultivating Black environmental leaders. Jolisa received her Bachelors degree from Michigan State University, where she studied Political Theory and Science, Technology, Environment & Public Policy. Jolisa is a US Foreign Service Officer for the United States Agency for International Development.