Leaders in Stormwater: JODI ROSE

This Leader in Stormwater is the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay's 2023 Maryland Watershed Champion Award recipient - Jodi Rose, Former Executive Director, Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake (IPC), and newly appointed Section Chief, Watershed Stewardship for Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection. We’re excited to highlight Jodi’s dedicated work with IPC, and look forward to watching the impact she has in her new role with Montgomery County. 

Jodi was drawn to the environmental industry while volunteering with her church when she noticed there was a disconnect between environmental stewardship and the religious doctrine 'love your neighbor'. Jodi asked herself, 'Why are these things not one in the same?' At the time, she had a career as an environmental consultant, but grew disenchanted as she realized her efforts were simply assisting corporations achieve the minimum needed to comply with environmental regulations. Jodi felt compelled to do more.

In 2013, Jodi became the Executive Director for IPC, growing the nonprofit into an organization recognized for its impact on the Chesapeake with 400+ partner congregations on a mission to inspire the connection between one's faith and caring for the Earth. Shortly after coming on board, the Rain Tax landed on Jodi’s desk, throwing her into a crash course on stormwater where she recognized the importance of guiding congregations to accept their role in reducing stormwater pollution. Her team worked tirelessly to reframe the narrative in a way that made sense. Jodi gave sermons and hosted information tables, communicating the need for congregations to be a part of the solution. Farmer/Poet Wendell Berry's quote, ‘Do unto those downstream as you’d have those upstream do unto you’, became IPC's mantra, framing human context to the importance of stormwater management. Jodi says, "Once you see how your property impacts those downstream, you can’t unsee that."

Running IPC has been a labor of love for Jodi, time well spent contributing to something meaningful. Jodi explains, “Stormwater is a beautiful metaphor of how we are all connected to one another”. IPC's network of congregations have translated the principles of loving one another into the way they care for the watershed we all call home. That said, stormwater maintenance is a challenge for those without access to assistance. Ultimately, the goal is to follow stormwater best management practices, but in a way that leaves congregations without feeling overwhelmed with burdensome tasks or in a cost prohibitive situation. 

Originally from Illinois, Jodi and her husband moved to Maryland in 2011 with their sons; now living as empty nesters able to travel internationally and enjoy time with relatives back in the midwest. Jodi also supports the Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless - a nonprofit that successfully helped the County become the first in the nation to provide housing for every single veteran on the streets.