https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-miles-a4362b1b3

Melissa Miles (she/her) is the Executive Director of New Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance, the only statewide organization dedicated to serving New Jersey’s Environmental Justice communities. Melissa began her career as a grassroots activist and community organizer while living in an Environmental Justice community in Newark, New Jersey. “I wasn’t born, I was grown” is Melissa’s personal tagline and speaks to her entry into environmental justice advocacy. Melissa holds an MA in Anthropology from The New School, however, she is also adamant when it comes to solutions to the world’s current environmental crises. The best and most relevant solutions come from communities and not from universities: “Those that are most affected, have the solutions” is the sentiment from which her advocacy stems. She is a part of several national coalitions including the Climate Justice Alliance, Moving Forward Network, The Coalition for Healthy Ports, and international coalitions such as The Movement of People Affected By Dams (MAB) and the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives. She is also part of the New Jersey Environmental Justice Advisory Council responsible for advising state agencies including the Department of Environmental Protection on issues of Environmental Justice. Her “expertise” is rooted in her lived experience and her commitment to making sure that people at the frontlines are the protagonists in the struggle for their future.