Background
Dr. Michelle Hawkins is the Program Manager for Climate Resilience and Community Action. In this role, Michelle advances the use of NASA Earth observations to support community resilience to climate change and to advance progress on equity and environmental justice domestically through the application of Earth science.
Prior to joining NASA, Michelle was the Senior Advisor for Climate and Sustainability at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) where she worked to incorporate climate and sustainability considerations in HUD’s operations and business practices to ensure communities can equitably prepare for a changing climate and recover from extreme weather. Prior to joining HUD, Michelle was selected as a Fellow in the prestigious White House Leadership Development Program where she spent sixteen months at the White House Council on Environmental Quality as Director for Strategic Initiatives in the Office of the Federal Chief Sustainability Officer. In this role Michelle led efforts to advance environmental justice, climate literacy, and Federal employee engagement on climate and sustainability priorities.
Michelle previously served as Chief of the Severe, Fire, Public, and Winter Weather Services Branch at NOAA’s National Weather Service (NWS). She oversaw the development of requirements, policy, and procedures for NWS forecast and warning services for some of the nation’s most dangerous weather hazards. Michelle also led initiatives across the Federal government to better understand, communicate, and minimize the health impacts of extreme heat, resulting in collaborative life-saving improvements to Federal heat services.
In 2019 Michelle received the Black Engineer of the Year Modern Day Technology Leader Award, which recognizes professionals who are shaping the future of STEM in their careers and communities. Michelle is a Fellow of the American Meteorological Society and holds a B.S. in Chemistry and Ph.D. in Atmospheric Sciences from Howard University.