Cynthia Giles will speak about strategies that the U.S is using to increase compliance with environmental standards that protect public health and reduce pollution. Ms. Giles will describe U.S. EPA’s enforcement and compliance program, and its “Next Generation Compliance” strategy to use innovative approaches to effectively implement environmental laws. Next Gen builds on advances in monitoring and greater sharing of pollution and compliance information with the public. Ms. Giles will also discuss opportunities for the U.S. and China to learn from each other’s experience, and to share successful practices for reducing pollution. 

Giles has more than 30 years of service in the public, private and non-profit sectors. As Assistant United States Attorney in Philadelphia, she prosecuted civil violators of environmental laws. She led the water protection program for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, served as the Director of Enforcement Coordination for EPA Region 3, and before returning to EPA was the Director of the Conservation Law Foundation's Advocacy Center in Rhode Island, where advanced laws and policies to combat climate change and promote clean energy. Giles has a BA from Cornell University, a JD from the University of California at Berkeley and an MPA from the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government.