Ayanna Jolivet Mccloud brings over twenty-five years of experience working in nonprofit creative, cultural, and environmental organizations. In her leadership at Bayou City Waterkeeper since 2021, she has led the creation and adoption of a 3-year strategic plan; expanded the organization’s budget through values-driven fundraising; launched a new communications plan, brand, website, and the organization’s first artist-in-residence program; and has nearly tripled staff size with the hire of new positions in organizing, policy, communications, law, and water justice.

She has developed programs framing the environment, arts, and culture. Highlights include launching inaugural environmental education programs at Houston Botanic Garden, founding a cross-disciplinary two-year creative studio at Project Row Houses, and developing community-based programs throughout the U.S. and international cultural exchanges throughout the Caribbean and in Mexico. She has also led strategic growth through capacity building and fundraising at organizations including University of Houston, the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, Diaspora Cultural Arts Incubator, and additional organizations in Houston, Miami, and New York.

Currently, she serves on the steering committee of the Water Equity and Climate Resilience Caucus at PolicyLink and is on the Board of the Houston Climate Justice Museum.