On the Role of Ecology in the Public and Private Sector: A Perspective in Environmental Compliance

Former NOAA Scientist turned entrepreneur, Dr. Melanie Okoro, grew up fishing with her great-grandmother, who raised her in Tuskegee, Alabama. Those years were special and formative, and instilled in her a love for the environment. Currently, Dr. Okoro is the CEO and founder of Eco-Alpha Environmental and Engineering Services, Inc; an minority-owned firm providing sustainable environmental and engineering solutions in the water, utilities, transportation, real-estate industries.

I am proud to join the Board of Sacramento Splash; an organization who is leading the charge during a transformative time to implement initiatives, curricula, and educational programs that ignite exploration and investigation through nature in K-12 youth regionally and nation-wide! With a goal to inspire the next generation of stewards and I'm excited to be a part of Sac Splash - empowering the communities we serve.

Dr. Okoro is passionate about increasing diversity and inclusion in the STEM fields. Dr. Okoro holds a PhD in Marine Estuarine and Environmental Science from the University of Maryland Baltimore County and Bachelor of Science in Biology from Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU). Her previous appointments include Early Career Scientist presentative on the Board of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) and Minorities Pursuing Higher Degrees in Earth System Science (MS PHD'S). In 2016, she was awarded the Baltimore Ecosystem Study Distinguished Alumni Award and in 2018 the United States Department of Commerce, NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service Employee of the year. Dr. Okoro serves as the Sacramento Black Chamber of Commerce Small Business representative on the California High Speed Rail Authority Business Advisory Council. She is a proud member of the Sacramento Black Chambers of Commerce and currently serves as the Board President of the Sacramento Splash. During the COVID-19 pandic implemented workforce development programs to empower the communities her organization serves such as the Energy Baron Program, working alongside organizations such as the Sacramento Sustainable Communities Collaborative -- SHRA, UC-Davis Health, Sacramento Black Chambers of Commerce, Sacramento Kings, and SMUD. Charitable donations include MOSAIC SMUD Museum and Sacramento Splash.

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