Frances Beinecke is the president of NRDC and has worked with the organization for more than 30 years. Prior to becoming the president in 2006, Frances was the executive director for eight years, during which time NRDC's membership doubled and the staff grew to 300. She serves on the board of the World Resources Institute and the Energy Future Coalition and is co-chair of the Leadership Council for the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. Frances received her bachelor's degree from Yale College and a master's degree from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. She has received several awards, most recently the Rachel Carson Award from the National Audubon Society.