Megan Susman

Experienced climate change and smart growth policy analyst

Megan Susman's profile photo
Government service22yrsEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA)

About

For more than 20 years, I worked in EPA’s smart growth program, analyzing complex, interconnected issues and helping communities find solutions that bring multiple short- and long-term benefits. For most of that time, I focused on how smart growth and climate change affect and are affected by each other. I frequently took on leadership roles in my office, including managing our communications and messaging, coordinating our work on climate change issues, and leading our planning for presidential transitions. I enjoy tackling challenges that bring together multiple topics, including climate change, transportation, energy, equity, housing, green infrastructure, open space, and more. I currently serve on the Location and Planning Technical Advisory Group for the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED system, the world’s most widely used green building rating system.

Roles

Apr 2004–Dec 2025
Former role

Environmental protection specialist, GS-14

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Community Revitalization

District of Columbia

ResearchPublic PolicyCommunity Economic DevelopmentWriting and Editing

By working directly with communities, regional entities, states, and federal agencies, I developed and promoted multi-benefit solutions to cutting-edge challenges. I focused on how smart growth strategies that help communities get the future they want could also reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prepare for climate change impacts.

I researched and wrote reports, white papers, and tools on a variety of topics, including smart growth strategies for economic resilience, climate adaptation, climate mitigation, and other issues. I researched and explored how my office might work on emerging issues such as electric vehicle infrastructure, community-scale renewable energy, and climate migration/community-driven relocation and receiving communities.

I was selected to be an author for the transportation chapter of the 6th National Climate Assessment until the author teams were dismissed in early 2025. I participated in the U.S. government reviews of drafts for several National Climate Assessment and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports, and I contributed to technical inputs for the 2014 National Climate Assessment.

I conducted community engagement and technical assistance projects with communities, regions, and states on various topics, including climate adaptation, greenhouse gas reduction, green infrastructure, and downtown/corridor revitalization.

I spoke at conferences and in webinars, including the national conferences for the American Institute of Architects, American Planning Association, American Public Health Association, National Adaptation Forum, National Recreation and Park Association, and New Partners for Smart Growth.

I managed contracts and grants and periodically helped other EPA offices and other federal agencies with reviewing grants and RFPs/NOFAs.

For just under 20 years, I reviewed and edited all of my office’s publications for messaging and tone. I developed and managed the office’s messaging, including creating and delivering messaging and communications training for new employees. I managed EPA’s smart growth website, including writing or reviewing all content and posting and editing webpages.