Melissa (she/her) is a socio-ecological researcher and organizational development consultant that brings her extensive experience in equitable engagement and participatory planning to help organizations navigate complex climate and environmental justice challenges. As a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation, Melissa brings a deep understanding of Indigenous perspectives to her work, specializing in transdisciplinary climate research, tribal engagement, and data and policy analysis.
Throughout her career, Melissa has held leadership and advisory roles in various organizations. Her work has focused on community-based research and participatory planning, including projects assessing tribal resilience to ocean change and improving engagement strategies with tribal communities. She has supported Native-led conservation programs, developed an Equity and EJ department for a state agency, and has led efforts in Tribal government affairs. Melissa’s diverse experience also includes co-designing strategic planning workshops, leading equity assessments, and policy development. She holds a Master’s degree in Policy Studies and dual Bachelor’s degrees in Ethics and Human Behavior and Global Studies from the University of Washington, Bothell.
Melissa has worked with a range of partners, from tribal and state governments to university departments and urban and coastal communities, to integrate environmental justice and equity into climate adaptation strategies and natural resource management. As a consultant, she continues to guide organizations in developing inclusive, data-driven solutions to address complex environmental and social challenges.
