About Us
Jenita McGowan, Deputy Chief of Sustainability and Climate

Melanie Knowles, Director of Sustainability and Climate
Staff
Emily Bacha, Fresh Water Institute Program Director
Email: EBacha@cuyahogacounty.gov
Phone: 216-544-4161
Katharyne Starinsky, Sustainable Development Program Coordinator
Email: KStarinsky@cuyahogacounty.gov
Phone: 216-698-4706
Audrey Ray, Cleveland Foundation Public Service Fellow
Sustainability in Action: Employee Engagement
Green Teams
Green Teams are groups of County employees who volunteer to carry forward the County’s commitment to address climate change specifically by:
- Developing projects and systems changes that are tailored to the needs of the department/floor/building they work in and also support the interests of its members
- Helping to promote the Department of Sustainability’s programs
- Providing employees with access to information, resources, and events available in the broader Northeast Ohio sustainability community
Sustainability Lunch & Learns
Each month, the Department hosts a webinar on a specific topic related to sustainability. Past topics include: how to reduce holiday waste, getting to know the spotted lantern fly, and learning how to compost. Interested employees may participate during their lunch hour when the webinar is presented live or by watching the recording at their convenience. Participation is amplified in concert with the County's employee wellness program.
Contact Information
Email:
Sustainability@cuyahogacounty.gov
Address:
Cuyahoga County Administrative Headquarters
2079 East Ninth Street
Cleveland, OH 44115
An official website of the Cuyahoga County government. Here’s how you know

