David Monsma

Director, Clean Energy and Subsurface Energy Programs

David Monsma directs the clean energy and subsurface energy programs for the Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation in Austin. He is responsible for leading the design of clean energy and subsurface energy strategies, managing the programs' grants portfolio, and collaborating with CGMF's grantees, partners, and alliances.  

From 2006 to 2018, David served as vice president and executive director of the energy and environment program at the Aspen Institute. He also served as a senior moderator for the Aspen Executive Seminar.

An attorney by training, David has extensive experience in environmental law and policy. He was an assistant professor of Environmental Law and Social Responsibility at Loyola University in Maryland and served as director of business and environment at BSR in San Francisco. He co-founded the Environmental Justice Law Clinic at the University of Baltimore School of Law while serving as staff counsel for the Environmental Action Foundation.

During the Clinton Administration, David served as environmental management task force coordinator for the President's Council on Sustainable Development. He began his legal career working for the Maryland Office of the Attorney General and the ACLU of Maryland before joining the United States Environmental Protection Agency in the Office of Toxic Substances and Pollution Prevention in Washington, D.C.