In addition to her past work with the U.S. Peace Corps and the Gulf Restoration Network, Casey holds a Masters in Public Health from Tulane University. As the Alliance celebrates the end of its 25th year, Casey is focused on ensuring that the organization will stay true to its founding principles as it navigates the next quarter of a century.
Q: You’ve spoken on a number of occasions about how much you love your work but if you had to pick one favorite thing about your job, what would it be?
A: I get to work with the best people. From the staff to our board to our membership and allies in the energy movement, the people I get to work with are dedicated, passionate, and generous of themselves. It’s an amazing blessing.
Q: You worked in Guatemala with the U.S. Peace Corps. How do the challenges and satisfactions that went along with that compare to those you encounter as the Alliance’s Executive Director?
A: In the Peace Corps, my job was to spend my time helping people. It’s an incredible feeling and I got hooked on public service. As the Executive Director of the Alliance, I get to continue that service by working to protect people from sky-high energy prices and dirty energy.
Q: On a scale of 1 to 10 (one being the least confident, ten being the most), how confident are you that significant strides will be taken to curb climate change in the next ten years?
A: My motto is “Hope springs eternal”. That said, even my interminable optimism is dismayed by the political rhetoric on climate change in the US and the impact this has on international negotiations. The fossil fuel industry has the money and the bravado to stop any good policy decisions. And, currently, our democracy is too compromised to stop them.
I believe that if we can remove personhood from corporations and stop “pay to play” politics in Washington then we will see significant strides on climate change. This could happen quickly, and frankly, must happen quickly to avoid what scientists call “dangerous tipping points.”
Q: If you were making a New Year’s Resolution for the Alliance, what would it be?
A: Give ourselves more pats on the back. This work is hard and every success should be celebrated.
Q: If you could have dinner with any historic figure, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
A: I have tried to answer this question before and it is too difficult to pick just one. I have a top 5 list that I could share.
1. Jesus: I would love to speak directly with my spiritual leader
2. President Obama: Discuss America’s energy future and climate change
3. Ellen Malcolm: To talk about the empowerment of progressive women
4. Rosa Parks: To talk about courage
5. Huey P Long: For advice on Louisiana politics
