Rachel Silverstein

Rachel Silverstein is executive director and waterkeeper of Miami Waterkeeper, an organization focused on clean water, ecosystem protection, and sea level rise resiliency that’s part of the Waterkeeper Alliance. A lifelong clean water enthusiast, she is equal parts investigator, scientist, educator, legal advocate, and public spokesperson for the Miami-area watershed. Previously, Silverstein was a Knauss Sea Grant Fellow and staff member of the US Senate Commerce Committee Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard. While earning a PhD in marine biology and fisheries, she researched the effect of climate change on coral reefs. Silverstein was named the 2022 Water Conservationist of the Year by the Florida Wildlife Federation. Other honors include the Miami Herald’s Visionary Award, UM Abess Center’s Reitmeister Award, and the Diatom Award for Environmental and Civic Activism by the mayor of Miami Beach.