An intersectional approach to climate justice

Environmental justice consulting with DEIA and collaboration at the center

I CAN HELP WITH

Urban Planning

Climate and Environmental Planning

Inclusive Community Engagement

Environmental Program Services

Equitable Program Design

Carbon, Climate Resilience, and Social Equity Assessments

Project Management

Environmental Science and Policy

Research and Analysis

Policy Communications

Environmental Site Assessments and Regulatory Reporting

Organizational Support

Grant Writing and Grant Management

Fractional Consulting

Strategic Planning

“Marcella embodied the difference between saying it’s a priority and actually making it a priority. She has an awareness of how these issues impact different groups. They have intersections but separate agendas, and that makes it very important to have voices there from the start.”

Gary Arnold, Program Director, Progress Center for Independent Living

Project portfolio highlights

Affordable Resilient Net-Zero Homes for Evanston

I designed and managed an equity-centered data analysis and human-centered design study for a housing retrofit program. We created a program proposal that was funded and launched by the municipal government, partnering with community-based social service organizations to co-design it with low-income disabled, older adult, Black, and Spanish-speaking residents.
Elevated Chicago Ecodistrict Feasibility Scan

I authored a study evaluating existing conditions and the potential for implementing strategies to promote sustainable resource management, community ownership, and preservation of affordability, in support of equitable transit-oriented development (ETOD) surrounding seven transit stations. It integrated quantitative geospatial and demographic data with qualitative data derived from field visits and interviews.
Photo: Aaron Volkening
Climate Ready Oak Park

I oversaw all technical and engagement aspects of the award-winning Climate Ready Oak Park, a community sustainability, climate action, and resilience plan with ambitious commitments to greenhouse gas reduction, clean energy transition for building and transportation infrastructure, biodiversity protection, waste reduction, and equitable processes and investments. Climate Ready Oak Park was developed with a robust community engagement strategy that partnered with community-based groups and local service agencies to create affinity groups and human-centered design sessions to create a community-led planning process.
Photo: Village of Oak Park
Municipal Single-Use Plastics Ordinance

As project manager, I developed a human-centered design process to co-create the policy in collaboration with residents, local business owners, and community leaders, including environmental sustainability, and disability advocates. The ordinance was unanimously adopted by Village trustees, making Oak Park the first Illinois municipality to phase out polystyrene foam in restaurant food packaging.
Photo: Village of Oak Park
Green Values Strategy Guide: Linking Green Infrastructure Benefits to Community Priorities

I co-authored a guide for local government, policymakers, and advocates to support the development of a green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) program by linking and measuring the impact on community priorities.

Values-aligned organizations go furthest when we join efforts to move forward together to advocate for vulnerable communities.

My approach to climate consulting is rooted in values and supported by tools and techniques acquired over 20+ years.

Let’s discuss your project