Governor Whitman served in the cabinet of President Bush as administrator of the EPA from January 2001 until June 2003. She was the 50th governor of the state of New Jersey, serving as its first female governor from 1994 until 2001. 

As governor, Whitman earned praise from both Republicans and Democrats for her commitment to preserve a record amount of New Jersey land as permanent green space. She also was recognized by the Natural Resources Defense Council as having instituted the most comprehensive beach monitoring system in the nation. Prior to becoming governor, Whitman was the president of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities and served on the Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

As EPA administrator, Whitman promoted common-sense environmental improvements such as watershed-based water protection policies. She championed regulations requiring non-road diesel engines to reduce sulfur emissions by more than 95 percent. During her tenure, the Agency was successful in passing and implementing landmark legislation to promote the redevelopment and reuse of “brownfields” — previously contaminated industrial sites.

Whitman currently is president of The Whitman Strategy Group, a consulting firm that specializes in energy and environmental issues and has been at the forefront of helping leading companies find innovative solutions to environmental challenges.

Whitman is visiting the School as its Judith H. Rawson and Robert Rawson Distinguished Visitor.