Diverse STEM Professionals

Topic:New Innovations & Entrepreneurial Opportunities in CleanTech

Melanie Harrison Okoro, PhD, is the Founder, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and Principal of Eco-Alpha Environmental and Engineering Services in Sacramento, California. Dr. Okoro has more than 15 years experience in the natural resource protection, water management and environmental stewardship field. Dr. Okoro’s background and leadership training provide her with an exceptional level of unique expertise in California and beyond integrated environmental and engineering management challenges.

Before Eco-Alpha, Dr. Okoro worked in a variety of advisory and coordinator positions at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in Sacramento, California overseeing the West Coast Region’s water quality and aquatic invasive species impacts to threatened and endangered species, Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7 consultations and regulatory decisions.

Dr. Okoro is a thought leader and advocate for increasing diversity and inclusion in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) workforce; served on the council of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) as an Early Career Scientist; and currently serves on the board of directors for the Earth Science Women’s Network (ESWN) and Minorities Striving and Pursuing Higher Degrees of Success in Earth and Space Science (MS PHD’S), all while designing professional development training courses for professionals in STEM.

Media Highlights:
– NPR Perspective
– American Scientist Perspectives
– Featured “You Should Know Scientist” Scientific America
– Science Communication workshop “Sci-Comm” Ecosystem Concept
– Keynote Speaker Oregon American Fisheries Society

Award Highlights:
– 2016 Baltimore Ecosystem Studies Distinguished Alumni Award
– 2017 NOAA Fisheries Employee of the Year Award

Dr. Okoro holds a doctorate in marine estuarine and environmental science from the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) and a bachelor’s degree in biology from Johnson C. Smith University.

Gary Simon has been building the region’s clean technology ecosystem since 2005, when he founded CleanStart, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization designed to accelerate the development of clean technology ventures within the Northern California region. Their mission is to empower entrepreneurs with the knowledge, capital, and connections that are critical to creating a successful new business. They do this by:

CONNECTING the Northern California region’s clean tech community through CleanTech Meetups.

PROMOTING the region’s clean tech economy in the annual CleanStart Progress Report, on social media & news outlets and at statewide and national events.

EDUCATING Clean tech business leaders through classes, professional resources, expert panels and the CEO Crash Course.

CleanStart Accomplishments & Updates

CleanStart has been busy working to build the clean tech hub in the Sacramento region. They have been supporting local growth through education, networking, and promotion. Some of their recent successes include:

CleanStart has continued to grow since restarting in 2016. From holding seven educational and networking events in 2017 , fifteen in 2018, to over twenty in 2019. Connecting with over 1000 stakeholders face to face.

Monthly Cleantech Meetups with an average of 60 attendees

Regular Virtual Web Meetings attracting 30 or more attendees to discuss the advancement of clean tech and opportunities in the region.

Businesses Skills roundtables and Expert Panels, where startups get one on one time with business professionals and clean tech consultants, like the Future of the Utility

Regular Investor Spotlight events where investors attend companies’ pitches

Regional Accelerator the CEO Crash Course with 5 Alumni who have reviewed funding

Central Valley Clean Tech Showcase 2019

Sponsoring Prizes in Regional Events such as the Big Bang at UC Davis and the College of Engineering and Computer Sciences Pitch Event