About ICF

Debra Leight

Senior Manager, Environmental Planner
Debra is an environmental planning expert with over 20 years of experience providing solution-oriented compliance and planning services to support sustainable communities.

Debra is an expert in compliance and documentation relating to the California Environmental Quality Act, National Environmental Policy Act, and California planning, with experience as a public sector planner and private sector environmental project manager. With more than 20 years of experience, primarily focused in Southern California’s Inland Empire, she works on a diverse range of projects, including transportation and rail infrastructure, water infrastructure, general plans, habitat conservation plans, habitat restoration, health care, and development projects.

Debra brings various perspectives to environmental compliance and planning to find solutions to complex problems. Detail-oriented, she leads dynamic project teams to help clients achieve their goals and objectives efficiently and on schedule.

From small projects like double-track rail projects completed in under one year to large-scale high-speed rail programs, restoration projects, and general plans, Debra provides a well-rounded, sustainability-focused approach to identifying environmental impacts and appropriate mitigation.

Debra holds a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Analysis and Design, with a minor in Global Sustainability, from the University of California, Irvine.

"I feel personally connected to the perspective that when you focus on problems, you'll have more problems, but when you focus on possibilities, you gain opportunities. Experience, creativity, and passion are vital tools for solving problems and providing new opportunities for growth and knowledge. They are key factors that help me contribute to the sustainability of our planet."
Education
  • B.A., Environmental Analysis and Design (minor in Global Sustainability), University of California, Irvine