Tulane alumni Lisa P. Jackson, former administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and current Apple executive, visited Tulane University as a speaker on Thursday. 

Jackson previously visited Tulane to speak at the class of 2012’s commencement.

Jackson was the first Black administrator of the EPA during the Obama administration. 

This year’s moderator, Kim Boil, asked Jackson about any pushbacks she has faced as a Black woman in STEM.

Jackson mentioned her mother, her father and her grandmother as influences throughout her life.

“The advantage I had was I did have confidence,” Jackson said, “but I didn’t always have it.”

Jackson talked about struggling with algebra in grade school until she and her grandmother practiced until she could do it. 

“From that point on, I had the confidence,” Jackson said, “to not think you have imposter syndrome.”

Jackson discussed her experience growing up in New Orleans.

“The big things in my life were always related to community,” Jackson said, “[New Orleans] is about community.”

Now, Jackson finds community at Apple, where she serves as vice president of Environmental, Social and Policy initiatives. 

Jackson discussed how Apple is committed to the environment. For example, Apple is pushing to make their products and the energy used to power it carbon neutral by 2030.

In 2020, Jackson said she and a co-worker pitched the idea of the Racial Equity and Justice Initiative to Apple CEO Tim Cook, who approved. The initiative has three main focuses: advocating for justice in our criminal justice system, education and economic opportunity.

Jackson said that over $200 million have been allocated towards the initiative since its establishment.