Michelle M. Caldwell
Crown Point
Summary
Results-driven professional with expertise in grants management and project coordination. Proven track record in advancing environmental justice initiatives while ensuring compliance and stakeholder engagement.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Physical Scientist
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 5
Chicago
08.2023 - Current
- As part of the Environmental Justice (EJ), Community Health, and Environmental Review Division (EJCHERD), my roles focused on environmental justice resources, community support and engagement, children’s health, cumulative impacts, and grants management.
- EJ State Liaison for Indiana
- Coordinated communication between the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) and the EPA to advance Environmental Justice (EJ) and equity.
- Collaborated with EPA Region 5 programs divisions to identify grants and engagement activities in Indiana.
- Served as primary contact for EJ concerns, addressing complaints and collaborating with the EJ coordinator.
- Supported Indiana communities to address cumulative impacts and environmental health.
- Partnered with specialists on risk assessment communication and education needs.
- Project Officer
- Oversaw four EPA EJ grants totaling over $22 million, ensuring project compliance and monitoring progress.
- Reviewed and approved grantee reports, public-facing materials, and invoices ensuring timely execution.
- HUD Early Warning System (EWS)
- Oversaw the coordination between HUD and EPA Region 5 programs conducting activities in/or adjacent to HUD properties. This included managing the EWS SharePoint site and routing communications to appropriate parties.
- Participated in multiple public engagement events throughout Indiana to provide resources on healthy homes and community lead awareness (children’s health, asthma triggers, lead, etc.)
- Served on merit review panels for over 20 Community Change Grant proposals and 7 SWIFR grant proposals.
- Served as a mentor and technical resource for other Project Officers
Senior Environmental Manager
Indiana Department of Environmental Management
Valparaiso
06.2008 - 08.2023
- Lake Michigan Beaches Monitoring and Notification Program Coordinator
- Implemented the Lake Michigan Beaches Monitoring and Notification Program (Beach Program) in Indiana to assess the water quality at the beaches and protect the health of public beachgoers.
- Grant Project Manager for:
- BEACH Act Grants:
- CU00E52701 – Beach Protection Grants
- CU00E73101 – Beach Protection Grant
- CU00E73102 – CU12E73102 Beach Protection Grants
- GLRI Grants:
- GL00E00453 – Indiana Lake Michigan Beaches Sanitary Surveys and Microbial Source Tracking Project
- GL00E01924 – Nearshore Bird Management at Grand Calumet AOC Beaches
- GL00E02345 – Phase II Nearshore Bird Management at Grand Calumet AOC Beaches
- Sought out and managed federal funding necessary for Beach Program implementation and related projects including:
- Completing all grant application forms required by Grants.gov
- State Budget Agency pre-approval forms
- Budget and workplan development for grant applications
- Grant workplan implementation, including tracking of grant budgets and outputs
- Verifying all grant expenditures and approval of invoices
- Final report preparation, and Grant closeout documentation.
- Developed, implemented, and oversaw work pursuant to federal joint funding agreements, contracts, and interagency agreements, including:
- Oversaw implementation of awarded contracts and grants, including reviewing and approving work products, progress reports, and invoices.
- Developed the new IDEM BeachAlert online portals for the public and for the beach managers.
- Conducted QA/QC of data entry into the IDEM BeachAlert online portal, including account creation, organization and contact records creation and maintenance.
- Design and development of outreach materials related to IDEM’s Lake Michigan Programs (Beach, Clean Marina, Clean Boater, LAMP, and RAP).
- Coordinated the annual WG Jackson Educational Boat Tours with Grand Valley State University.
- Served as a technical advisor on the Great Lakes Beaches Association (GLBA) board and assisted in the planning of the Annual GLBA Conferences.
- Served as an ad hoc member of the Indiana Coastal Zone Advisory Board.
- Participated in the development of the Lake Michigan LAMP as a member of the Lake Michigan Partnership Working Group, developed a plan for implementing the LAMP in Indiana, and oversaw plan implementation, including required annual reporting.
- Provided environmental education by speaking in high schools, colleges, conferences, and local municipalities
- Clean Marina Program Coordinator
- Implemented the Indiana Clean Marina Program within the Great Lakes basin to assist marinas with protecting Indiana’s waterways.
- Served as Indiana’s representative in the Great Lakes Clean Marina Network and the National Clean Marina Network.
- Clean Boater Program Coordinator
- Created and implemented the Clean Boater Program for Indiana:
- Tracking the boaters taking the Clean Boater Pledge
- Developing an interactive map of pledged Clean Boater.
- Coordinated with other State Agencies (DNR, BMV) on the promotion of and expanse of the Clean Boater program.
- Scholastic Officiating
- NCAA Swimming & Diving
- IHSAA-Certified Official in Volleyball, Swimming & Diving, Cross County, and Track & Field
Education
Bachelor of Science Honors - Biology
Indiana University
Bloomington, IN05.1993
Skills
- Grants and Contracts management
- Stakeholder engagement
- Risk assessment
- Project coordination
- Community outreach and engagement
- Conflict resolution
- Meeting facilitation
- Housing principles
- Environmental justice
- ArcGIS proficiency
- Quality assurance
- Technical writing
Certification
- Negotiating Better: An Interested Based Approach, 06/01/25
- Conflict Resolution Process Facilitation, 05/01/25
- Healthy Housing Principles Certificate of Knowledge, 03/01/25
- Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) Level 1, 03/01/25
- Winning Grants Step by Step, 02/01/25
- EPA Rules of Behavior for Responsibly Using Gen AI Technologies, 02/01/25
- The Changing Climate and Children’s Health, 02/01/25
- Clean Air in Buildings Challenge for Schools, 02/01/25
- EPA Response Support Corps, 01/01/25
- Children’s Environmental Health Risk Assessment, 01/01/25
- Introduction to OSHA Standards, 01/01/25
- Introduction to National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), 01/01/25
- Working Effectively with Tribal Governments, 01/01/25
- Understanding Lead Session/Train the Trainer, 08/01/24
- Civil Rights Complaints Process Training, 07/01/24
- Health Impacts Assessment Trainings, 06/01/24
- Dealing with Opposition and Outrage in Public Participation, 04/01/24
- Adaptive Facilitation: Crafting Durable Solutions to Complex Problems, 02/01/24
- Designing Effective Meetings, 02/01/24
- Appreciative Inquiry for Community Engagement, 10/01/23
- Intergovernmental Relations Training, 09/01/23
- Esri ArcGIS Massive Open Course Online Courses, 03/01/23
Timeline
Physical Scientist
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 5
08.2023 - Current
Senior Environmental Manager
Indiana Department of Environmental Management
06.2008 - 08.2023
Bachelor of Science Honors - Biology
Indiana University
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