News Release

Jeanne Rizzo, Board Chair

Contact: Allison Wescott
(916) 963-6246
Allison.Wescott@dtsc.ca.gov

New DTSC Board of Environmental Safety Names Executive Officer

Swati Sharma has history of focusing on underrepresented communities, public health
and environmental policies

SACRAMENTO – The newly established California Board of Environmental Safety today announced the appointment of its first Executive Officer, Swati Sharma.

“Swati brings over 15 years of dedication and experience to our critical mission,” said Board Chair Jeanne Rizzo. “Long focused on California’s underrepresented communities, her expertise in environmental health, toxicology, hazardous waste, public health and environmental policies will serve us well.”

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s historic budget last year included important environmental justice proposals to create safer, healthier communities. Along with significant investment in the cleanup and restoration of contaminated land in vulnerable communities, Senate Bill 158 implemented key governance and fiscal reforms to improve DTSC transparency, accountability and fiscal stability. This included the appointment of the five-member Board of Environmental Safety and the hiring of an executive officer.

California Secretary for Environmental Protection Jared Blumenfeld praised the selection of Sharma, who most recently was research and policy director at the California Healthy Nail Salon Collaborative. There, she crafted legislation focused on worker health protection and developed training tools for more than 3,000 nail technicians.

Previously, as manager of San Francisco’s Commercial Toxics Reduction and Green Business Program, she helped businesses choose safer products and was instrumental in implementing pollution prevention policies. Sharma created and implemented the Green Cleaning Custodial Program, adopted by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, and was the lead author for San Francisco’s ban on flame retardant chemicals in furniture and juvenile products, where she collaborated closely with manufactures and retailers to meet furniture specifications.

Sharma earned a Master of Science in Global Environmental Health from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Sharma will join the board as its Executive Officer at its May 19 public meeting. See the agenda and meeting information.