Yasmeen Shaheen-McConnell | Senior Advisor for the American Climate Corps, AmeriCorps

On today's episode, Karan Takhar sits down with Yasmeen Shaheen-McConnell, Senior Advisor for the American Climate Corps, AmeriCorps. Yasmeen shares the origin story of the American Climate Corps and how she got involved. They speak about how the Corps recruits its members, how its structured, who can apply, and how an organization wishing to partner with the ACC can do so. Yasmeen then shares how she has been inspired during her time there and how she sees the ACC evolving in the next 5 to 10 years. They end with a lightning round of questions sure to encourage anyone wishing to get involved in the American Climate Corps. Many thanks to Yasmeen and her team for their help in making this episode happen.

If you have an organization and want to partner with the American Climate Corps, email acc@americorps.gov. If you want more information about becoming a member, visit acc.gov.

Show Notes: 

[1:45] - Yasmeen tells us what superpower the American Climate Corps (ACC) would have if it were a superteam. 

[3:10] - Yasmeen shares the origin story of the ACC, and how it came out of a challenge that President Biden responded to while he was running for president. 

[6:30] - Yasmeen talks about her background, and why she believes anyone can work in climate. 

[7:00] - What the goals of the ACC are, and the progress they are making on those goals. 

[9:30] - What it means to serve in the ACC. 

[13:30] - What kind of people are members of the ACC, and how organizations can partner with the ACC. 

[17:15] - The process of becoming a member of the ACC. 

[20:30] - Yasmeen discusses some of the challenges of implementing some of the projects of the ACC. 

[23:20] - Yasmeen discusses her work in the government to release funds to organizations outside of the government that are working in climate, like non-profits. 

[24:50] - Yasmeen tells us about the surprising amount of people who want to be a part of helping the climate crisis since working with the ACC. 

[26:00] - What are the things that the ACC does that people who work in climate across the world can learn from? 

[27:40] - Yasmeen talks about how FDR’s original CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) has influenced the ACC. 

[28:40] - What does the future look like for the ACC? 

[31:30] - Lightning round of questions about the ACC - including the number of climate jobs the ACC hopes to create before 2030, unexpected skills members learn in the climate corps, most rewarding aspects, etc. 

[34:40] - Yasmeen gives her 25 year-old self one piece of professional advice. 

Links and Resources:  

• Email: acc@americorps.gov 

• climatecorps.gov

• acc.gov