Esther Acheampong
Houghton,Michigan
Summary
Accomplished international environmental policy specialist with over 7 years of experience driving sustainable development in coastal and climate-vulnerable regions. Skilled in blue and green economy governance, integrated spatial planning, and ecosystem services valuation. Develops systems-based strategies to enhance regulatory coherence and implement nature-based climate resilience solutions across government and institutional partnerships.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Environmental & Energy Policy Associate
Great Lakes Research Center
08.2023 - Current
- Provide technical and policy support to multi-year sustainability and climate governance initiatives aligned with international environmental frameworks and SDG objectives.
- Coordinated programme implementation for over 10 deliverables with governmental agencies, research institutions, and institutional partners to enhance collaborative outcomes.
- Develop analytical briefs and guidance materials supporting regulatory coherence, ecosystem-based planning, and climate resilience strategies.
- Facilitated stakeholder consultations and cross-sector dialogue, strengthening alignment between policy instruments and environmental sustainability objectives to foster integrated approaches.
- Supported monitoring, synthesis, and dissemination of programme-level outcomes to inform adaptive management and strategic planning, enhancing program responsiveness.
- Contribute to systems-based analyses linking environmental governance, energy systems, and sustainable development pathways in climate-exposed regions.
Assistant Environmental Permitting Manager
Environmental Protection Agency
05.2020 - 07.2022
- Supported implementation of national environmental compliance frameworks across air, water, and waste management sectors.
- Coordinated regulatory reviews among governmental divisions and external agencies, enhancing policy coherence and implementation effectiveness.
- Prepared regulatory guidance documents and technical assessments that supported environmental governance reform.
- Engaged with public agencies, regulated entities, and institutional partners to align compliance efforts and facilitate stakeholder collaboration.
- Supported monitoring and reporting processes related to environmental regulatory implementation.
Digital Decision-Support Project Lead / Programme Analyst
Africa Center of Excellence in Coastal Resilience
05.2018 - 04.2020
- Led development of policy-oriented digital decision-support tools integrating spatial data, ecosystem services valuation, and climate resilience indicators.
- Analyzed policies on sea-level rise, marine heatwaves, ocean acidification, and blue economy development strategies in climate-vulnerable contexts to guide strategic initiatives.
- Coordinated institutional partners to enhance marine spatial planning, ecosystem-based adaptation, and sustainable coastal governance strategies.
- Facilitated 15+ stakeholder consultations with government agencies, NGOs, private sector actors, and academic institutions to inform decision-making.
- Contributed to development of guidance materials supporting nature-based and ecosystem-based planning approaches.
- Supported monitoring and reporting aligned with institutional sustainability targets and resilience indicators.
Education
PhD - Environmental & Energy Policy
Michigan Technological University
USAMSc - Environmental & Energy Policy
Michigan Technological University
USAM.Phil. - Integrated Coastal Zone Management
University of Cape Coast
GhanaBSc - Fisheries & Aquatic Sciences
University of Cape Coast
GhanaSkills
- Blue economy policy
- Climate adaptation
- Ecosystem Management
- Land–seascape planning
- Stakeholder management
- Programme leadership
- Systems governance
Languages
- English, Fluent
- French, Basic
International Projects And Programme Experience
- Co-Principal Investigator, Michigan Coasts Geospatial Decision Support Tool, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), Co-led development of a spatial decision-support platform integrating ecosystem services valuation and climate risk metrics for coastal planning., Provided technical advisory support to state agencies to strengthen regulatory coherence and ecosystem-based adaptation strategies., Contributed to synthesis of spatial evidence for policy and investment prioritization.
- Co-Lead Investigator, Environmental Systems Analysis – Avu Lagoon Community Protected Area, Coordinated international and national partners to assess ecosystem services, biodiversity, and community resilience within a protected coastal system., Translated ecological and livelihood findings into policy-relevant guidance for conservation and sustainable land–seascape management.
- Principal Investigator, Ecosystem-Based Livelihoods – Keta Lagoon Ramsar Site, Ghana, Led evaluation of ecosystem-based livelihood models and regulatory conditions within a Ramsar-designated coastal system., Produced policy briefs informing blue economy planning and sustainable resource governance.
- Senior Personnel, Coastal Marine Conservation Drive Project (COMADRIP), Supported implementation and monitoring of marine conservation initiatives aligned with ecosystem-based management principles., Facilitated coordination among fisheries stakeholders, NGOs, and government agencies to strengthen programme coherence.
- Research Co-Lead, HOTSPOT of Multiple Stressors – Gulf of Guinea (International Consortium), Coordinated multi-country research collaboration assessing cumulative marine stressors and governance responses., Contributed systems-based policy recommendations addressing fisheries sustainability and coastal vulnerability.
- Research Co-Lead, Sustainable Aquaculture Feed Innovation (USAID), Evaluated environmentally sustainable feed alternatives within aquaculture supply chains., Analyzed regulatory and market conditions affecting adoption of sustainable production practices.
Core Technical Competencies
- Nature-Based & Blue Economy Policy
- Integrated Land–Seascape Planning
- Climate Resilience & Adaptation
- International Programme Leadership
- Stakeholder & Partnership Management
- Regulatory & Systems Governance
Timeline
Senior Environmental & Energy Policy Associate
Great Lakes Research Center
08.2023 - Current
Assistant Environmental Permitting Manager
Environmental Protection Agency
05.2020 - 07.2022
Digital Decision-Support Project Lead / Programme Analyst
Africa Center of Excellence in Coastal Resilience
05.2018 - 04.2020
PhD - Environmental & Energy Policy
Michigan Technological University
MSc - Environmental & Energy Policy
Michigan Technological University
M.Phil. - Integrated Coastal Zone Management
University of Cape Coast
BSc - Fisheries & Aquatic Sciences
University of Cape Coast