In July of 2010, Mayor Gavin Newsom appointed Melanie Nutter as the Director of the San Francisco Department of Environment. Nutter leads the Department of Environment, which helps all San Francisco residents and businesses take an active role in protecting and enhancing the urban environment, produces and publicizes information on sustainable practices, and develops innovative and practical environmental programs for all residents.
Beginning in 2005, Nutter served as Deputy District Director for the U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, where she managed the Speaker’s district office by supervising staff, addressing constituent concerns, and advising on local policy issues. Nutter functioned as the district policy liaison to Speaker Pelosi’s policy advisors on issues including the environment, energy, transportation, environmental health, women’s issues, and food policy.
Melanie has over eighteen years experience in fundraising, events management, grassroots organizing and media relations. As a Principal for Nutter Consulting, she consulted for many organizations including Music for America and SEIU Local 250. In 2002, she worked as the Canvass Director for the San Francisco Democratic Party’s SF Vote Project and oversaw two assistant directors and 80 paid staff on Election Day.
Nutter founded and chairs the Energy and Environment Circle for the Full Circle Fund with the help of Vice President Al Gore and green jobs advocate Van Jones. Nutter has been a grassroots environmental organizer with Greenbelt Alliance, the Public Interest Research Groups (PIRG), and Green Corps. Nutter holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree from Northwestern University in Communications and Environmental Studies.
