PRESIDENT

Melinda has been involved in WIE since 2015, serving as the Portland Professional Development Committee Chair (2016 to 2020) and currently the Portland Chapter President. Melinda is a Corporate Environmental Manager at Schnitzer Steel Industries providing environmental compliance support and risk management, developing corporate environmental policies and programs. She holds a Bachelor of Environmental Science from Oregon State University and a Master of Environmental Management from Portland State University.

My favorite/most memorable WIE event was not an event at all, but rather, participating as a mentee in the WIE Mentoring Program for a full year with a tremendous personal life coach. I learned so much about myself, personally, that it had a positive impact on my life professionally.

The most valuable part of WIE for me has been the connections made over the years and the feeling of camaraderie. Walking into a room full of professional women and being able to strike up conversations, given our similarities working in the industry, has been really fulfilling and rewarding.

VICE PRESIDENT

Traci is an Environmental Engineer at Siltronic Corporation.  She has earned her bachelors of science from Portland State University. She specializes in industrial permit compliance with a focus on water quality and waste minimization. Traci resonates with WIE’s mission to foster and develop local community. When not at work, you will often find her in her garden, nerding out with the plants.

TREASURER

Heather has been a part of WIE for over 5 years and is currently serving as the Portland Chapter Treasurer, is on the Budget Committee, and participates as a mentor within WIE. Heather is also a Senior Geologist and Account Manager at Tetra Tech. She holds bachelor’s degrees in geology and mathematics from the University of Rhode Island and a master’s degree in environmental science from Rutgers University. She is a licensed geologist in Oregon, Washington, and Pennsylvania with 16 years of broad environmental consulting experience. Her practice focuses on helping clients with site investigation, cleanup, due diligence, and regulatory compliance, as well as helping clients navigate emerging contaminants regulations and assessment, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

For me, the most valuable part of WIE has been meeting and connecting to so many incredible, smart, and talented women in the environmental industry. My favorite part of WIE has been being a mentee and then later serving as a mentor for others. I have loved learning more about myself as well as serving as a resource to help others.

SECRETARY

Mel is a long-time member of Women in Environment with involvement as an attendee, a mentee, a mentor, a communications committee member, and now as the Portland Chapter Secretary. Mel is a Principal Geologist with over 25 years of diverse professional experience in the environmental consulting field. She currently works on the Environmental Management Permitting and Compliance team at SLR Consulting and holds a bachelor’s degree in Geology from Occidental College.

WIE has been very valuable for me by providing a welcoming space to connect, learn from, and be inspired by other professionals and upcoming professionals in the environmental field. I enjoy WIE’s focus on personal growth, networking, and fun.

NETWORKING CHAIR

Kirsten is the Chair of the Portland Networking Committee, and has served on WIE committees since 2016. She is an Associate Environmental Engineer at GeoEngineers Inc., where she specializes in site investigation, remediation, and regulatory compliance for environmental cleanup projects. Kirsten holds bachelor's and master's degrees in civil engineering from Purdue University.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CO-CHAIR

Jennifer King is a professional engineer (PE) turned senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), currently serving as a Talent Management Business Partner at Kleinschmidt Associates, an engineering, regulatory, and environmental consulting company. In addition, she is a certified executive coach, offering services through JLK Coaching with her 20 years of experience in industry in employee development, training, feedback, coaching, and career pathing.

Jennifer has been involved in Women in Environment since its inception, as an attendee, a mentee, a mentor and now as co-chair of the Portland Professional Development Committee. She still recalls the public speaking skills shared at a PD event by Amy Wolff and loves the natural networking at each and every event.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CO-CHAIR

Tish (Patricia) Schuyler serves as the co-chair for the Professional Development committee. As a project permitting specialist and biologist at Dudek, Tish navigates clients through regulatory processes associated with biological issues. Tish completed her master's degree in environmental science at Washington State University.

Two years ago, I relocated to the Portland area to expand my career. As I was looking for organizations that would help me to establish relationships with other women in the environmental field while also becoming an active member of a community, I stumbled upon WIE. Last year we put on a walk throughout Mt. Tabor Park with local herbalists, which helped me understand the local environment. I am looking forward to more adventures with WIE.

MENTORING CHAIR

Erin VanDehey is a partner at Mason, Bruce & Girard, Inc. (MB&G) and Principal of MB&G’s Environmental Services Group. She has more than 25 years of experience as a lead fisheries biologist with particular emphasis on threatened and endangered species, natural resource management, mitigation and conservation plans, restoration, and regulatory compliance. Erin is a long-time member of WIE and has thoroughly enjoyed being both a mentor and serving on the mentoring committee since 2019.