Vernice is one of the nation’s leading experts, pioneers and most respected thought leaders on environmental justice, a deeply skilled practitioner in multicultural engagement and organizational development with significant expertise in clean air and water, regulatory systems and environmental and urban planning.

Currently, Vernice serves as Executive Vice President for Environmental and Social Justice at Metropolitan Group, a social change agency.

In this position she consults for federal and state agencies, foundations, frontline community-based groups, and environmental nonprofits helping them to sharpen their understanding of the interplay of civil rights, environmental, racial and social justice. Prior to becoming a consultant, she established the environmental justice program for NRDC and initiated the environmental justice grantmaking portfolio for the Ford Foundation. Vernice has extensive experience working with communities that have undergone economic disinvestment and environmental degradation by facilitating community-based planning and implementing community revitalization and sustainable redevelopment initiatives and projects. She has the proven ability to bring unlikely partners and diverse stakeholders from all sectors together and to help find shared goals and solutions. She is trained in environmental conflict mediation, alternative dispute resolution, and how to navigate longstanding racial, cultural, economic, environmental and land-use conflicts.

Vernice is the co-founder of WeACT for Environmental Justice and serves on its board. She was appointed by Gov. Wes Moore as a Trustee of the Chesapeake Bay Trust, as well as on the boards of Clean Water Action/Clean Water Fund, Land Loss Prevention Project, National Community Reinvestment Coalition, Natural Resources Defense Council’s Action Fund, and on the advisory boards of Green Leadership Trust, Imani Energy and the Patuxent Riverkeeper.