Adriana Espinoza recently joined New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation as the agency's first Deputy Commissioner for Equity and Justice. As Deputy Commissioner, Espinoza will oversee DEC's Office of Environmental Justice, the Climate Justice Working Group, and lead internal efforts to encourage diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice among incoming and current staff and enhance DEC's outreach to disadvantaged communities across the state. Prior to joining DEC, Espinoza served as New York City's first Senior Advisor for Environmental Justice in the Mayor's Office of Climate & Sustainability, where she directed the development and implementation of the City's Environmental Justice for All Program. Espinoza also previously served as New York City Program Director for the New York League of Conservation Voters, where she spearheaded a campaign for electric school buses. Espinoza is a first-generation immigrant and college graduate, earning her Master of Science in Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin where her concentrations were policy and community administrative leadership.