Speaker

Debra Shore
 

Debra Shore has been one of the Midwest’s leading environmental protection advocates for more than 30 years.Shore served for nearly three terms on the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago.  In October 2021, President Biden appointed Shore to be the Regional Administrator of the US Envrionmental Protection Agency's Region 5, which includes Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin and 36 Tribal nations.  Shore served as Regional Administrator until January 20, 2025.

 An award-winning author, Shore founded Chicago Wilderness Magazine, was a leader in the regional conservation consortium Chicago Wilderness and founded Friends of the Forest Preserves. Her favorite volunteer activity is habitat restoration in the Cook County forest preserves.

Shore is a past president of the board of directors for Congregation Sukkat Shalom in Wilmette, IL and a past chair and member of the Board of Directors for the Great Lakes Protection Fund. Shore served on the Board and is a past president of the LGBTQ Victory Institute. She also served on the board of the Illinois Women’s Institute for Leadership Training Academy and the Women’s Board of the University of Chicago.  

Shore graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Goucher College in Baltimore, MD with a degree in Philosophy & Visual Arts. She earned Master’s degrees from Johns Hopkins University and Columbia College (Chicago). In 2008, she earned a Certificate in Executive Education from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.
 
She has climbed 42 of the 58 mountains in Colorado more than 14,000’ high.
 

                                                                           Topic                                                                                                   

Debra Shore reflects on 18 years on the water (and regulatory) front both in the greater Chicago region and more broadly in the Midwest. What’s needed for a sustainable future and where will the action be?

***Registration Information***

Wednesday, March 18, 2026

Erie Cafe

536 West Erie Street, Chicago, IL 60654

Dinner includes:
Appetizers
Sirloin Steak
Cheese Ravioli
Chicken Vesuvio
House Salad & Cottage Fries
Members $80/ Nonmembers $95
*Additonal $10 charge for walk-ins*

Networking at 5:00 pm
Dinner at 6:00 pm
Presentation at 7:00 pm
Bring your questions!

Parking available at: Erie Cafe (Valet) or Spot Hero