Ernest Tollerson to step down as Chair of the Riverkeeper Board of Directors
Mr. Tollerson will remain on the board as Chair Emeritus
June 24, 2025
Riverkeeper Team
After nine years of dedicated leadership on the Riverkeeper Board of Directors, Ernest Tollerson has announced that he will be stepping down from his position as Board Chair. Under his stewardship, Riverkeeper has made significant strides in safeguarding the Hudson River and its tributaries, and protecting clean water for all New Yorkers. This work includes removing multiple obsolete dams to restore free-flowing tributaries, expanding Riverkeeper’s vital community science water quality monitoring program, and numerous advocacy efforts such as helping secure the passage of New York’s $4.2 billion Environmental Bond Act.
A seasoned environmental policy‑maker, sustainability expert, nonprofit executive and respected journalist, Mr. Tollerson has brought a wealth of experience to Riverkeeper. His 25‑year journalism career includes reporting at the Philadelphia Inquirer, opinion editing at New York Newsday, and serving as a national correspondent, Metro Desk editor, and Editorial Board member at The New York Times.
Prior to joining Riverkeeper, he served as Director of Environmental Sustainability and Compliance at the MTA, where he led the Blue Ribbon Commission on Sustainability and authored a roadmap for greener transit practices across North America’s largest transportation network. He also served as trustee and board chair of the Nathan Cummings Foundation (2004–2013), and interim president and CEO (2014–2015), reinvigorating the foundation's mission on climate, inequality, and social impact.
In addition to his Riverkeeper leadership — which included a period as Board Secretary — Mr. Tollerson currently serves on the boards of Environmental Advocates NY, the Regional Plan Association, the Hudson River Foundation, the South Street Seaport Museum, the Rudin Center for Transportation Policy and Management, and the Public Concern Foundation.
We are profoundly grateful to Mr. Tollerson for his years of service to Riverkeeper and his tireless advocacy for clean water, environmental justice, and the health of the Hudson River.
Mr. Tollerson will remain on the board as Chair Emeritus. Nicholas Groombridge will serve as Riverkeeper’s new Board Chair, and Karenna Gore will serve as Vice Chair (stepping into the Vice Chair seat that Mr. Groombridge has held since 2023).
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