Frances Beinecke is president of environmental action group Natural Resources Defense Council. NRDC has 1.2 million members and online activists who strive for a safe and healthy environment for all living things. Beinecke has worked with NRDC for more than 30 years. Prior to becoming the president in 2006, she served as the executive director for eight years, during which time NRDC's membership doubled. A former member of the Yale Corp., Beinecke is on the steering committee of the U.S. Climate Action Partnership and is a member of the Yale School of Management's advisory board. Back to the Debate Room.