Erik D. Olson

Erik D. Olson is the Senior Strategic Director for Health at the Natural Resources Defense Council. He has 40 years of experience and helps to lead NRDC’s strategy on toxic chemicals and drinking water. Previously, Erik oversaw key health projects at The Pew Charitable Trusts, including campaigns to address toxic chemicals in food and to enact the first overhaul of FDA’s food safety law in 70 years.  Prior to Pew, he was General Counsel and Deputy Staff Director for the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, focusing on addressing environmental health threats and on climate change. Prior to his Senate stint, he led NRDC’s health program, advocacy center, and campaigns to strengthen the Safe Drinking Water Act and pesticide law. He has litigated precedent-setting cases on drinking water, Superfund, pesticides, toxics and other issues at NRDC, the National Wildlife Federation and EPA. His law degree is from the University of Virginia and his Batchelor’s is from Columbia University.