cole genge
Director of Programs
Cole brings over two decades of environmental sustainability and international development expertise as Director of Programs at As You Sow. Overseeing six key areas — Biodiversity, Climate and Energy, Environmental Health, Racial Justice and Workplace Diversity, as well as Shareholder Relations Management — he leverages his diverse background to drive impactful change. His tenure at the United Nations (UN) Food and Agriculture Organization saw him aligning 33 country programs with UN Sustainable Development Goals, while his work at The Nature Conservancy led to the certification of 3.2 million acres of tropical forests. Armed with a Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration and fluency in English and Spanish, Cole combines academic insight with hands-on experience. An avid nature enthusiast and social justice advocate, he channels his passion for addressing the ravages of climate change and promoting equity into As You Sow's mission. Cole uses his expertise in environmental, social, and governance issues to create lasting impact through shareholder advocacy and corporate engagement.