Marie Liu’s path to becoming a pivotal figure in California’s environmental policy was anything but linear. Born into a family where curiosity was a way of life, Liu’s journey from aspiring scientist to influential lobbyist is a testament to her dedication and adaptability.
Her story begins with a simple brochure that sparked a lifelong passion for public service. Over the past two decades, Liu has become a respected voice in environmental advocacy, shaping policies that impact millions of Californians.
From Science to Policy: A Career Defined by Curiosity
Liu’s academic journey started with a B.A. in Environmental Studies from UC Santa Cruz and a B.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from UC Berkeley. Initially, she planned to pursue a career in science. However, an accidental encounter with a California Senate Fellows brochure redirected her path.
“I realized this is a place where you can be constantly curious,” Liu said. “You’re always learning something new.”
The Capitol offered her a unique opportunity to see ideas translated into real-world outcomes. “We’re making decisions that have the ability to make people’s lives better,” she explained. “You can’t actually protect people without protecting the world that they live in.”
Navigating the Halls of Power: Liu’s Legislative Journey
Liu’s career in the Capitol began with the Senate Fellows programwhere she quickly established herself as a skilled policy advisor. Her expertise spanned a wide range of issues, including Climate policyair qualitywaterforestryand environmental justice.
Her role as environmental and climate advisor to then-Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon placed her at the center of some of California’s most consequential environmental policy debates. Carrie Cornwell, Staff Director for the California State Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committeepraised Liu’s negotiation skills and commitment to the cause.
“She’s a good negotiator. She’s tough, and she’ll stick it out when the going gets rough, and it always gets rough,” Cornwell said. “She has the right skill set to just be in those negotiations.”
The Power of Persistence: Overcoming Challenges
Despite her influence, Liu has always been more comfortable behind the scenes. The demands of Capitol life eventually took their toll, especially during the COVID years. As her children grew older, she found herself wanting more time for family.
“What my kids would really like me to do is be home sometimes,” she said with a laugh.
Liu spent a brief period at the Energy Foundation before realizing she missed being closer to the policymaking process. This desire led her to Fearless Advocacywhere she now represents environmental and environmental justice organizations.
Breaking Barriers: Representation and Advocacy
Liu’s connection to representation and public service is deeply personal. Her maternal grandfather, a Chinese American businessman in Los Angeles, believed civic participation was essential to belonging.
“He was very clear with my mom that the only way Chinese Americans would be accepted in society is actually for them to be involved in politics,” Liu said.
As Liu settled into her career, she began to recognize the significance of being part of a generation that broadened perceptions about who environmental advocates could be. An Asian American woman with a background in environmental science, Liu said she was often “an unusual face” in policy discussions about climate and environmental protection.
“People often didn’t think of environmental protection as something that is important to people of color,” she said. “But it absolutely is.”
Liu has also become accustomed to being underestimated. “Were there times where people underestimated me because, as an Asian female? Yeah, most certainly,” she said. “Could I work that to my advantage sometimes? Yeah, most certainly.”
Cornwell echoed this sentiment, noting that many who underestimated Liu often learned otherwise. “A lot of people have underestimated Marie Liu and lived to realize the error of their ways,” she said.
