Mayor Ras J. Baraka recently announced the appointment of Nicole Hewitt-Cabral as the Chief Sustainability Officer of the City of Newark.
With 24 years of experience in environmental sustainability and community building at national levels, Hewitt-Cabral has a proven track record in creating and managing sustainable initiatives. She previously served as the founder and CEO of Community Action Strategies, LLC, based in Newark, where she led community-building projects.
“We are proud to appoint someone with the professional credentials and proven commitment to Newark and our residents like Nicole Hewitt-Cabral to the critical position of Chief Sustainability Officer,” said Mayor Baraka. “Ms. Hewitt-Cabral will provide our administration with the energy, determination, and leadership to take command of our sustainability office.”
In her new role, Hewitt-Cabral will report to the Business Administrator and work closely with an interdepartmental Sustainability Team to implement policies and programs that create a healthier, greener Newark in all five wards. This collaborative effort includes staff from key city departments, the Newark Environmental Commission, Newark Green Team, and other community, university, and private sector partners. The initiatives will be guided by principles of environmental and social justice, ensuring that all members of the Newark community benefit from the city’s progress.
Hewitt-Cabral earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Environmental Science & Policy from Hood College in 2000 and a Master’s of Public Administration from New York University in 2006, specializing in International Public and Nonprofit Policy and Management.
“It is an honor to serve in this role for a city that I love as we work together to continue shaping our sustainability initiatives,” said Ms. Hewitt-Cabral. “We will focus on increasing our urban tree canopy, supporting local growers to provide nourishing food to our residents, and investing in clean energy to prepare for a hotter and wetter future.”
Throughout her career, Hewitt-Cabral has held various positions in prestigious organizations. She interned for the President’s Council on Sustainable Development for the White House in 1999 and worked with the United Nations Development Programme in 2005. She also served in the U.S. Peace Corps in Bolivia from 2000 to 2002, managing community-driven agroforestry and soil conservation projects.
From 2007 to 2010, Hewitt-Cabral was a Program Officer for the Institute for Sustainable Communities, supporting leaders and communities in rebuilding efforts after Hurricane Katrina. She later worked at Public Agenda from 2014 to 2023, where she led innovative projects focusing on climate justice and resiliency planning in NYC neighborhoods.
In December 2022, Hewitt-Cabral founded Community Action Strategies, leading community-building projects with various clients, including the City University of New York (CUNY), Canarsie Community Development Inc., and the City of Newark, until her recent appointment.
