Fellowship leads to job in governor’s office

An Alaska Sea Grant State Fellow has landed a full-time job as a policy and program analyst in Alaska’s Office of the Governor.

Danielle Meeker, a 2017-18 Alaska Sea Grant fellow, has started a new job as a policy and program analyst with the Alaska governor’s office.

“I will continue much of the work that I did as a fellow in policy research and stakeholder engagement, but with an expanded portfolio that includes climate change, marine resources, renewable energy and energy efficiency, air and water quality, and economic diversification,” said Meeker. “I’m particularly interested in how the state can incentivize energy efficiency to save money for businesses and consumers.”

Meeker moved to Juneau to begin her Alaska Sea Grant State Fellowship in July 2017 after completing her master’s in climate science and policy at Scripps Institution of Oceanography. The fellowship concluded this month. During her fellowship, Meeker focused on working with a variety of agencies, tribes and individuals to develop an action plan to help Alaska adapt to a changing climate. The Climate Action Task Force released its draft plan in April.

“In early 2017 I was looking for critical support for the Walker-Mallott administration’s Alaska Climate Change Strategy,” said Lt. Governor Mallott’s Chief of Staff Claire Richardson. “When I heard about the Alaska Sea Grant Fellowship program and saw that Danielle had not only earned her master’s from Scripps, but also was doing graduate research on climate adaptation in Alaska Native communities, I knew she would be the perfect fit.”

“Her research and writing skills aligned well with the work. Under the direction of Dr. Nikoosh Carlo, the Governor’s senior advisor on climate and Arctic policy, she has become an integral part of the team,” Richardson said.

Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott also had kind words to share about Meeker’s work.

“Having a well-trained and well-rounded employee such as Danielle just makes sense,” Mallott said. “She has brought a level of expertise to our work that is crucial in developing sound policy for Alaska.”

Meeker said she’s grateful for her experience as an Alaska Sea Grant State Fellow.

“It’s given me an insider’s view of state decision-making and an even greater appreciation for what makes Alaska unique and vibrant. I’m eager to collaborate with Alaska Sea Grant in the future and to continue to support their critical work in coastal communities,” Meeker said.

“We are proud of Danielle and are thrilled that the Alaska Sea Grant State Fellowship program is successful in attracting and retaining young professionals to careers supporting marine and coastal issues in Alaska,” said Ginny Eckert, Alaska Sea Grant’s interim director.