Theodora’s Bio

Theodora Okiro Quarles , an accomplished climate expert, clean energy professional, and successful businesswoman, boasts a thought leadership content with over 3 million views. She is a policy and strategy expert and has successfully advocated for the passage of groundbreaking climate legislations across the United States, including Illinois’ Clean Energy Jobs Act (CEJA) and the federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) - these legislations promote fair and inclusive benefits for marginalized communities. She has held roles at Nexamp, the largest community solar company in the U.S. and has provided advisory support for the U.S. EPA, Ameren and Elevate. In 2023, she established the climate consultancy EcoHealth Strategies, where she currently serves as Founder and CEO.

Coming from the Niger Delta region in Nigeria and being a native of the Bronx, New York City, she brings a unique perspective rooted in her lived experiences within historically marginalized and underserved communities. Growing up in two continents under similar circumstances has given her a profound understanding that environmental injustices are a universal concern. When combined with the challenges of climate change, it shapes the way she perceives and approaches the climate crisis.  

She graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.A. in History from the University of Illinois at Chicago and earned a Masters in Public Administration from the Fels Institute of Government at the University of Pennsylvania. Her work has been cited by Reuters, Climate X-Change, and Yale Climate Connections. She has also been recognized by Energy News Network on their 40 under 40 list as one of the top clean energy leaders and innovators in the U.S. In her spare time, she is a yogi, avid reader and aspiring filmmaker. She lives in Chicago with her husband and family.

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