Gwen Steel is a program support associate with the Walton Family Foundation's Environment Program, where she provides operational and programmatic support to the Policy Initiative, helping advance nature-based solutions through effective grantmaking.

Before joining the foundation, Gwen led system development and training for the State of Minnesota’s Board of Water and Soil Resources’ grants management and conservation outcomes tracking system. She also served as systems manager for Growing GRASS, designing technical solutions to support regenerative agriculture.

Gwen holds a bachelor's degree in multidisciplinary studies from the University of Minnesota, with an emphasis on communications and environmental policy.