“[Mr. Polakovic] has demonstrated a remarkable breadth of knowledge about environmental issues. I have the highest regard for his intelligence and professionalism.” - Arthur Winer, Associate Director of UCLA's Institute of the Environment.
Biography
Long recognized as a voice of expertise, Gary Polakovic chronicled and shaped the nation’s environmental narrative for more than 20 years. His front-row seat and backroom access at many of the country’s biggest natural resources controversies gives him a command of issues and a better sense of how public policy decisions get made than all but a handful of the most experienced insiders. Honed in excellence at prestigious institutions such as Stanford and the Los Angeles Times, he developed acute analytical skills to sift data, spot trends and translate complex information into forward-thinking strategies and game-changing messages. His strategic insight and pragmatic sensibility has earned numerous awards and accolades as well as the trust of executives in business, government and the environmental community. And his non-partisan background puts him in a better position to access leaders and provide strategic advice because he operates with high credibility and without political baggage. This unique blend of expertise creates an invaluable specialty in his work today as an environmental policy and communications strategist.
Mr. Polakovic is president of Make Over Earth, Inc., a public affairs firm specializing in environment and energy issues. He earned a B.S. in communications and environmental science at Cal Poly Pomona and attended the graduate program in Environmental Policy and Planning at California State University, Fullerton. He was the recipient of the John S. Knight Fellowship at Stanford, where he studied environmental economics, climate change and corporate social responsibility. A pioneer of environmental news, he collaborated with broadcasters and writers nationwide to establish the Society of Environmental Journalists – the organization that sets professional standards for environmental communications in North America – and chaired the organization’s four-day national conference at UCLA. He won the Pulitzer Prize as a member of the L.A. Times Metro staff and launched and managed a new section of the Times. His work has also been recognized by the American Institute for Biological Sciences, American Council of Engineering Companies, Society of Professional Journalists and the American Lung Association. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Coalition for Clean Air and the Board of Advisory Trustees for the California State Parks Foundation.