Asia Guest
Asia Guest is a climate and environmental justice professional serving in a leadership role at the Environmental Defense Fund, where she works at the intersection of policy, community engagement, and climate action. As a Strategic Convener and incoming Civic and County Engagement Project Manager, she leads initiatives that support mayors, counties, and public officials in developing climate action plans, securing funding, and implementing resilient infrastructure solutions. Her work bridges government, nonprofit, and community-based organizations to advance equitable, data-informed strategies that strengthen communities across the United States.
With nearly six years of experience in the environmental sector, Asia has built a reputation for convening diverse stakeholders and translating complex challenges into actionable solutions. She is the founder of the Southeast Resilience Alliance (SARAH), a collaborative network of southern mayors focused on sharing best practices and driving regional climate progress. In addition to her work with public leaders, she also leads global cohorts of community-based organizations, expanding access to training, resources, and funding opportunities that empower frontline communities to advocate for sustainable change.
Asia’s path into environmental justice began unexpectedly but was solidified through firsthand experiences witnessing the disproportionate impact of environmental harm on vulnerable communities. A pivotal moment in St. James Parish, Louisiana—located in “Cancer Alley”—deepened her commitment to addressing systemic inequities in environmental policy and practice. Guided by a mission to create safer, healthier communities, Asia remains dedicated to advancing justice-centered solutions and amplifying the voices of those most affected by climate and environmental challenges.
• University of Mississippi
• Environmental Defense Fund
• Program Director for debutante program for high school students
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to being raised by a single mother and seeing the resilience of her, you know, making it happen each and every day. I got my strength from her and learned that just because things get hard, it's not impossible - you just have to be innovative. My mom showed me that at one point, that was me, so I always remember where I came from. She taught me resilience, grit, and that nothing is impossible if you press forward with intention and purpose.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've received is if you are always on the right side of the work, you never have to worry about anything. Like, if you're doing the right thing, you don't have to worry about something going wrong. Things happen, but if you're doing the right thing, you shouldn't have to stress or worry. I carry that with me today.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Even when it gets tough, stay in the fight. You may get knocked down, but you gotta get back up, because if we're not standing up for people, if we're not fighting, who else is gonna do it? Just because things get hard doesn't mean it's impossible - you just have to be innovative and keep pushing forward.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Given the current administration, there are challenges with all the strike downs and government funding not being available. People are also hesitant to attach themselves with terms like climate justice or environmental justice because of what's going on politically. However, I'm still able to see the small wins and opportunities to get creative. For example, because EDF has a partnership with Lowe's, when a mayor I work with in Arkansas mentioned they don't have a park for kids, we were able to make that connection so the kids could have a Lowe's Park in that town. The challenges are real, but there are small stories that make it so it's not a bad day at work every day.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Number one, always staying true to myself. Number two, I would say always being my authentic self. The third one would be listening first, because I find that sometimes, us as humans, we can be first to open our mouths or give our opinions first before we listen to what someone is actually saying, and you might miss what you're looking for if you don't listen. So I'd say be authentic to yourself and listen.