Melinda Downing currently serves as the Department of Energy’s Environmental Justice Program Manager. She carries out her duties in the Office of Legacy Management (LM). Prior to transferring to LM, Ms Downing carried out her duties in the Office of Intergovernmental and Public Accountability within the Office of Environmental Management at the Department of Energy Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

During this tenure, she served as the Director of the Office of Environmental Management’s Center for Environmental Management Information, a clearinghouse for Environmental Management and Environmental Justice information. Ms. Downing also represents the Department as a member of the White House Environmental Justice Interagency Council. Ms. Downing has managed and conducted Public Participation and Environmental Justice and Tribal Training at Department of Energy Headquarters and Field offices across the nation.

Ms. Downing began her assignment in the Office of Environmental Management, which was called the Office of Environmental Restoration and Waste Management at that time, within the U.S. Department of Energy in October 1989, as the Assistant Secretary of Environmental Management’s Program Review Coordinator and Executive Assistant. Prior to joining the Office of Environmental Management, she was on the staff of the Secretary of Energy’s Office serving as the Administrative Specialist for the Secretary’s Chief of Staff.

Ms. Downing has 50 years of Federal Service, she has received numerous accolades and awards in recognition of her environmental justice achievements and her dedication as a public servant. Most notably, she received an honorary doctorate from Allen University. She has served on many committees, was Employee of the Year in 1990 and served as a member of the Board of Directors for the Energy Child Care Development Center and has received numerous Awards of Excellence for her work in Public Participation; efforts to provide small towns with computers, technology training and technical assistance; Certificate of Award from the U.S. House of Representatives and Congressional Black Caucus for outstanding support of the National Environmental Policy Commission; National Conference of Black Mayors Award; The National Campaign for Tolerance Honor for leading the way toward a more just America; Black Youth Leadership Development Institute Appreciation; Excerpts from students of the United Negro College Fund Special Programs Corporation/U.S. Department of Energy Mentorship for Environmental Scholars.