People

Alicia Vasto

Policy Manager, Mississippi River Water Initiative

With a background in water policy, coalition-building, and project management, Alicia Vasto brings crucial skills and experience to ÃÛèÖAPP's Mississippi River Water Initiative.

For over five years, Alicia worked in policy, advocacy, and outreach at the Iowa Environmental Council (IEC), serving most recently as Water Program Director. While at IEC, Alicia worked with coalitions to advance science-based policy solutions to protect and improve water quality, led the organization's efforts to curb pollution from fertilizer and industrial livestock operations, educated state legislators and community leaders on water issues, and expanded the Iowa Water Watch newsletter into a fully-fledged outreach program and advocacy pipeline. Her experience in state policymaking and regional coalitions will help advance ÃÛèÖAPP's policy priorities in the Mississippi River basin.

Prior to her role with IEC, Alicia worked in management and operations at an Iowa environmental education association and in stewardship, conservation, and communications at a North Carolina land trust.

Alicia holds a Master of Environmental Management degree from Duke University and a BS in Environmental Science fromthe University of Notre Dame. She lives in Des Moines, IA with her partner and cat.