Hello i’m

Meghna Tare

Chief Sustainability Officer

Higher Education

Download my CV

About Me:

Name:

Meghna Tare

Email:

mtare@uta.edu

Phone:

+(1) 510-364-8278

Place of Work

University of Texas at Arlington

Industry:

Education

Twitter:

@meghnatare

I am a leader with proven experience in public policy, education, and sustainability

As UT Arlington’s first Chief Sustainability Officer, I work collaboratively to foster partnerships among academic, research, and operational departments to promote sustainability in areas such as energy efficiency, waste management, transportation, education, outreach, community engagement, and interdisciplinary and sustainability-focused curriculum.

I launched two initiatives that have catapulted me as the recognized and influential sustainability leader in North Texas because I was successful in building broad regional consensus and collaboration to address the sustainability challenges of the region. In 2019, I launched a Regional Center of Expertise (RCE) for Education on Sustainable Development – a program of the United Nations University. RCE North Texas is one of the 179 RCEs across the world and the only one in Texas. Through this RCE, I collaborate with the private sector to advance sustainability programs focused on climate change, social innovation, and conservation in support of UN Sustainable Development Goal #4- Quality Education

In early 2021, I launched the North Texas Food Policy Alliance (NTFPA) to foster regional collaboration on sustainable and equitable food systems in North Texas which includes stakeholders such as city government, food banks, academic organizations, grassroot organizations, farms and growers, and private sector. This diverse group of stakeholders brings together an abundance of expertise across multiple sectors to work towards the common mission of a resilient and equitable food system in support of the UN Sustainable Goal #2- Zero Hunger

My biggest strength is establishing complex multi-stakeholder engagements and relationships. I bring expertise in areas such as UN SDGs, public policy, CSR, climate change, equitable food systems, place-based education, transportation, conservation, and social impact. I am a big idea person with the ability to apply systems thinking to any problem. I am an excellent writer, storyteller, and public speaker, and my repertoire includes a TEDx talk at UT Arlington and several articles and blogs.
I pride myself on my intellectual curiosity and mental agility and keep myself updated with the latest program and practices in the world of sustainability, including the private sector. I have experience working in and navigating political settings, with the ability to multitask, and meet fast-moving deadlines.

Awards

2022 | UNA Global Leadership Award

Received the 2022 UNA Global Leadership Award for Quality Education. The awards honor individuals whose work responds to imminent global challenges such as climate change, migration, rising inequity and the pandemic. I was recognized for my work and leadership on Quality Education.

2020 | Transformational Leader in Sustainability

Received the transformational leader honor at the 2020 Women in Sustainability Awards, presented by Wells Fargo. Wells Fargo and Charlotte, NC-based nonprofit, Envision Charlotte, partnered to invest in and celebrate the power and leadership of women in the sustainability industry. The Awards recognize women throughout the United States who have made significant contributions to sustainability in the private sector, government, and community. I was recognized for my transformative impact on the industry.

2018 | Women of the Decade in Corporate Social Responsibility

The award was conferred at the Annual edition of the Women Economic Forum (WEF) in New Delhi in April 2018.The Women Economic Forum is a global conference of the ALL Ladies League to foster empowering conversations, connections and collaborations among women entrepreneurs and leaders. With over 500+ chapters and over 70,000 members across 150 countries, WEF empowers women to expand their business opportunities and increase their global influence through peer exchange and networking.

2017 | Finalist -Sustainable Leadership Awards

Green Source DFW Sustainable Leadership Awards, hosted by the Memnosyne Institute, honors sustainable leaders in the nonprofit, municipal and business sectors of North Texas. Green Source DFW works to advance the environmental movement in the Dallas-Fort Worth area by promoting: green living, sustainable practices, nonprofit environmental organizations, eco-friendly green businesses, environmental education, scientific information, public policy discussions, and socially responsible investing.

Experience :

University of Texas at Arlington

2018 to Present

Chief Sustainability and Economic Development Officer

Regional Center of Expertise for Education on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS) launched the ESD project- a global multi-stakeholder network of the Regional Centers of Expertise on ESD (RCEs). An RCE is an existing formal, non-formal and informal organization that facilitates learning towards sustainable development in local and regional communities.

I founded and launched the RCE North Texas in March 2019, which is one of the 179 RCE’s worldwide. It is a network of multidisciplinary stakeholders, including higher education institutions, businesses, non-governmental organizations, community associations, and local, regional, state and federal government agencies.

RCE North Texas is an influencer in the community as cities expand, providing the resources to maximize the potential economic opportunity that well-managed communities can offer and be a conduit for trans-formative education in North Texas. We are focused on the following SDGs, deemed priority for our region: Good Health and Well-Being (3); Quality Education (4); Sustainable Cities and Communities (11).

North Texas Food Policy Alliance

2021 to Present

Founder and Director

In April 2021, I founded the North Texas Food Policy Alliance ( NTFPA) which includes stakeholders from local government, food banks, academic organizations, grassroot organizations, farms and growers, and private sector. This diverse group of stakeholders brings together an abundance of expertise across multiple across multiple sectors to work towards the common mission of a resilient and equitable food system in North Texas through education, capacity building and sharing of resources. https://sustainability.uta.edu/ntfpa/

University of Texas at Arlington

2010 to Present

Chief Sustainability Officer

Lead, develop and maintain university sustainability programs, projects, and initiatives that increase efficiency in facilities operations, energy and water consumption reduction, transportation services, and waste reduction and diversion.

Analyze and make improvement recommendations for university operations sustainability performance by identifying, tracking, and reporting on key sustainability performance indicator

Develop and support a governance/organizational structure to reach university operations sustainability goals

Align operational sustainability efforts with academic and research strategies, initiatives, institutes, and faculty interests and aspirations, leveraging the knowledge and research capacity of the university to help solve sustainability issues

Develop and implement strategies to integrate sustainability and practices into the university’s operational long-term strategic planning process, the management of its resources and operations, facilities planning and design, and the university’s cultural and co-curricular experience.

Collaborate with university leaders to prioritize campus sustainability efforts

Support and promote a culture of sustainability among students, faculty, and staff

Provide an immersive sustainability co-curricular learning experience through the development and implementation of initiatives in university operations

Plan and execute communications and marketing strategies that increase awareness and support of operations’ sustainability objectives, assessments and/or rating systems and practices

Identify and pursue external funding opportunities for sustainability efforts

City of Dallas

2007 to 2009

Sustainability & Environmental Manager

ISO 14001 implementation

Lead for projects of Dallas Sustainable Skylines Initiative- a collaboration with EPA Region 6 and North Central Texas Council of Governments

Developed the Sustainability Action Plan for the City, design and implementation of Green Building Policy

Project with ONCOR on offering energy rebates and incentives for residents of Dallas

Coordinated stewardship/education/training and outreach programs, training employees

Budget development and strategic planning

Sustainability projects including promoting water conservation through rainwater harvesting rebate program with the Dallas Water Utilities (DWU), use of wind and geothermal energy for the City facilities