COLLEAGUE SPOTLIGHT: MELANIE ECKNER

In a world that seems increasingly calibrated by the quantifiable (clicks, dollars, destinations), I especially appreciate the ICA’s conscientious embrace of the qualitative (wishes, experiences, bends in the road) as well as its organizational generosity in sharing information about how to access and assess this special data, which is often pretty elusive.

Melanie has been engaged with ICA since 2012 and is currently involved in the ​Uptown Coastal Initiative and the Chicago Sustainability Leaders Network.

1. How did you find the ICA?
In September 2012, I heard about the Accelerate77 Share Fair while studying about sustainability at the Chicago Center for Green Technology. I was learning bits and pieces and a hazy and probably pretty odd larger shape was starting to form in my mind. When I attended the Fair, it was like my funny little sustainability shape suddenly fit into a whole jigsaw puzzle someone had been working on for a long time. I went off in search. That someone was the ICA. The ICA GreenRise is some card table!

2. What is your role?
I work with both the Uptown Coastal Initiative and the Chicago Sustainability Leaders Network (CSLN). I am also a member of the CSLN Shared Leadership team as the Northside Liaison.

3. What is your favorite thing about the ICA?
In a world that seems increasingly calibrated by the quantifiable (clicks, dollars, destinations), I especially appreciate the ICA’s conscientious embrace of the qualitative (wishes, experiences, bends in the road) as well as its organizational generosity in sharing information about how to access and assess this special data, which is often pretty elusive.
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4. What is a fun fact about you?
I have an imaginary dog who has an equally imaginary pilot’s license.