Anna Ziai

Anna Ziai (she/they) serves as CESA’s Project Director of Federal Initiatives. Her work supports states in understanding and implementing national programs, policies, burgeoning clean energy technology, and equity perspectives from across the country. She is primarily focused on: (1) creating resources for and opportunities to convene states on imperative throughlines in their programs, such as energy equity, community and stakeholder engagement, and clean energy affordability messaging for the public; (2) convening states to share best practices, learn from experts, and achieve efficiencies in adopting state- and community-wide technologies such as networked geothermal; and (3) keeping states abreast of national clean energy developments relevant to their work via a number of mediums (such as the Federal Energy News newsletter and the CESA Water Coolers office hours for states).

Anna is a licensed attorney admitted to the Oregon State Bar. Before beginning at CESA, Anna served the Sierra Club’s federal Environmental Law Program, where she researched and drafted memoranda, briefs, and formal comments under a wide range of federal environment legislation. Anna also researched and reported on the causal relationship between high energy insecurity for Black households and access to weatherization and energy efficiency programs in the South.

Prior to the Sierra Club, Anna earned her J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School. Anna completed associate positions with major law firms and worked with the UChicago Abrams Environmental Law Clinic. She helped spearhead cases under federal environmental legislation for clients such as the Center for Biological Diversity. She also led cases before the Michigan Public Service Commission representing Soulardarity, a frontline community organization working to bring community solar to low-income and people of color communities in Highland Park, Michigan.

Anna is passionate about helping states make concrete progress on climate change and environmental justice. Outside of work, she likes to spend time in the ocean, watch her cat sunbathe, and practice the art of resting.