Keali‘i Bright joined the California Natural Resources Agency as Undersecretary in November 2024. Keali‘i has an extensive background in California natural resources and environmental policy development. Since 2018, Keali‘i led the Division of Land Resource Protection at the California Department of Conservation, running multiple programs to build regional capacity to lead protection and stewardship of the state’s most valuable agricultural and watershed resources through climate change and land-use challenges. Prior, Keali‘i served the California Natural Resources Agency as the Deputy Secretary for Climate and Energy from 2016-18 and the Deputy Secretary for Legislative Affairs from 2011-2016. Keali‘I began his career in public services at the California State Assembly where he held several positions in the Budget Committee from 2001 to 2011.
