Suzanne Malec-Mckenna, Ph.D.

Suzanne believes that a strong economy does not preclude a healthy environment– and vice versa!  Rather, they are important partners in a resilient region. 
Suzanne’s career has been centered on stakeholder engagement and sustainability action, drawing from a balance of principles in environment, equity, and economy. Suzanne possesses deep knowledge and experience in climate mitigation and resiliency, regulatory efforts, workforce development, ecological restoration, urban forest management, industrial redevelopment, and management and governance practices. She led strategies and programs for over 17 years at the Chicago Department of Environment, culminating as Commissioner.  Key accomplishments included the launch and oversight of: Greencorps Chicago; Chicago Center for Green Technology and Green Tech University; the Chicago Conservation Corps; the Calumet Initiative; comprehensive stormwater management, air, and soil and rubble reuse legislation; restoration and expansion of North Park Village Nature Center; Action H2O; and hiring and leading an amazing cohort of environmental leaders who are making a difference across the region and the world, including Brushwood Center’s very own Executive Director, Catherine Game.
Suzanne has an additional 15 years of experience in nonprofit and corporate settings, in a variety of roles incorporating leadership, management, academic and on-the-ground expertise in the Chicago region.  Suzanne worked for Openlands, establishing the TreeKeepers and community gardening programs, ConTextos, establishing an office and programming in Chicago as expansion of its original work in El Salvador, and served as Executive Director for Chicago Wilderness.  Most recently, Suzanne consulted for Audubon Great Lakes on climate outreach, the MAAFA Redemption Project in West Garfield Park on job training, and the Chicago Community Loan Fund on climate resiliency strategies for development. Suzanne has consulted for additional organizations such as Jasculca Terman, Quercus Consulting, the Morton Arboretum and the Chicago Community Trust.  Suzanne served on Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s transition team and as Interim CEO for the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Cities Initiative.  Suzanne holds a B.S. in horticulture from University of IL, Urbana-Champaign, and a master’s and Ph.D. in communications from Northwestern University.