College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Department of Community Sustainability

Diana Seales is a seasoned advocate for environmental justice and a scholar-practitioner whose work centers Indigenous feminism, climate resilience, and community-led solutions to environmental challenges. With extensive experience in project management, research, and grassroots organizing, Seales builds impactful alliances between environmental organizations, Tribal communities, community groups, and academic institutions to address pressing environmental health and justice concerns.

From 2011 to 2023, she served as President of the Grassroots Global Justice (GGJ) board and held leadership roles on the Executive Board and as Communications Chair for the Overbrook Foundation’s Building Equity and Alignment for Environmental Justice initiative. She currently contributes her expertise on the granting board for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Minnesota Foundation’s Vibrant Communities initiative.

Seales leads research and program evaluation partnerships with the Nokomis Anishinaabe Cultural Center, supporting Indigenous-led cultural restoration, environmental health education, and community storytelling. Her collaboration with Hemp 4 Humanity advances the development of natural fiber home solutions to houselessness and energy insecurity, integrating bio-based materials innovation with community priorities. In parallel, she works with Heart of New Earth to co-develop a place-based pipeline for sustainable building practices that weaves together traditional ecological knowledge, regenerative design, and community economic development.

Her research explores Indigenous futurism, grassroots innovations in climate adaptation, and women-led strategies for ecological resilience. Through her multifaceted approach, Seales remains dedicated to advancing environmental justice, empowering communities, and fostering social and ecological well-being across the Great Lakes region and beyond.

Recent Publication:

Seales, D.W. (in press). Detroit’s Climate Justice Journey: Centering Community Empowerment in University Partnerships. In C. Bird (Ed.), Exploring Equitable Community–Campus Relationships. Routledge.