Regina R. Strong, MS APR, Environmental Justice Public Advocate for
Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy

Regina Strong is an effective advocate, powerful communicator and skillful negotiator. For more than 30 years, she has been a leader in public relations, public affairs, advocacy and the fight for justice and equity.

As the state’s inaugural Environmental Justice Public Advocate in the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE), she serves as head of the Office of the Environmental Justice Public Advocate. The office focuses on ensuring that all Michiganders benefit equitably from the state’s environmental laws and regulations while advocating internally and externally. Regina is also the Whitmer administration’s chief advisor on environmental justice.

Prior to her current position, she served as the Director of the Sierra Club’s Michigan Beyond Coal Campaign. In that role, she led a team focused on transitioning energy generation from coal dependency to clean, renewable energy.

As a passionate voice for change, she previously served the as the director of the Community Development Trade Association in Detroit where she fought to preserve the ability for nonprofit developers to build affordable housing for seniors and families. She also advocated for commercial revitalization and received Main Street Certification from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Regina holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Michigan State University in Journalism, as well as a graduate certificate in Strategic Communications Management and a Master of Science in Strategic Communications from Purdue University. She earned her Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) from the Public Relations Society of America and is also a Senior Fellow in the Great Lakes Region for the Environmental Leadership Program (ELP).

Regina serves as a member of the Racial Justice Task Force for the Oakland County Prosecutors Office and is a member of the board for the Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA). She is also a graduate of the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Leadership Detroit program. Regina is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.