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 an environmental professional with demonstrated experience in environmental program management, due diligence, multimedia regulatory compliance, and site investigation/cleanup. 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.

VICE TREASURER

Shaelyn Thomas has been part of WIE since 2018 and is currently serving at the Portland Chapter Vice Treasurer. Shaelyn has also participated in the WIE mentor program for 4 years, first as a mentee in the Bay Area for two years and then as a mentor for the past two years in Portland. Shaelyn has over 10 years in the environmental field. She received a bachelor's degree in environmental engineering from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and started out her career working for a remediation contractor in California. The contractor specialized in installing HDPE piping systems, well vaults, and well vault mechanical. This was a very hands-on approach to environmental remediation, and she spent a lot of time in the field working on both design-build and more traditional design-bid-build construction projects. For past 2+ years, Shaelyn has been working as an Associate Environmental Engineer at Kennedy Jenks Consultants, specializing in remediation, facilities engineering and stormwater treatment design projects.

For me, attending WIE events have always been enjoyable. I really appreciate the opportunity to meet and learn from women who work in the same field but also approach the work from varying angles and viewpoints. I’m looking forward to supporting and expanding WIE to new members while serving on the board.

Some of my personal interests include snowboarding and snowshoeing during the winter, hiking and bike riding during the summer, and reading all year round.

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 CHAR

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.

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.