Environmental Justice Coordinator Biography

Monica Kreshik, Esq. is the Environmental Justice Coordinator for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Ms. Kreshik began her career at the Department in 1994 serving as Senior Attorney in the Division of Environmental Enforcement. She handled issues involving hazardous waste, remedial measures, mining and other environmental programs. In 1999, Department Commissioner John Cahill appointed Ms. Kreshik to direct the newly created Office of Environmental Justice. The Office was established to address potential issues of disproportionate adverse environmental impacts on minority and low-income communities.

As part of her duties, Ms. Kreshik develops policy, provides counsel to Department staff, collaborates with staff to develop initiatives and legislative proposals, represents the Department in matters of environmental justice and serves as chair of the Department's Environmental Justice Advisory Group. She is credited with writing Commissioner Policy 29 on Environmental Justice and Permitting, placing New York State in the forefront of such policy development.

Ms. Kreshik received her J.D. in 1994 from Albany Law School and her B.A. in 1991 from Binghamton University. In October 2002, Ms. Kreshik was honored by the Albany Law School National Alumni Association with the Outstanding Young Alumni Award. Ms. Kreshik is admitted to the bars of New York and New Jersey. During 2004 she served as Vice Chair of Programs for the American Bar Association's Section of Environment, Energy and Resources Special Committee on Environmental Justice.