Environmental, Energy Expert Suzanne Malec-McKenna Joins Jasculca Terman and Associates

Suzanne Malec-McKenna, a leading authority on energy, the environment and their connection to economic growth, and former Commissioner of Environment for the City of Chicago, has joined the strategic communications firm Jasculca Terman and Associates, Inc. (JT).

Malec-McKenna will serve as Senior Counsel, working with JT’s energy and environmental clients and advising JT’s corporate, not-for-profit and government clients on communications strategies for issues such as energy efficiency programs, sustainable development, environmental regulation and opportunities to promote economic growth and job creation.

“We’re pleased to add Suzanne’s expertise to our growing communications work on environmental and energy issues. Businesses and institutions across industry sectors are creating sustainable operating models for both environmental and economic reasons,” said Jim Terman, JT’s president. “To produce the greatest impact, these approaches must be coupled with effective communications that engage, inform and motivate stakeholders from the board room to the neighborhood.”

Malec-McKenna, 44, spent 17 years at the Department of Environment, serving as Commissioner from 2007 until May 2011 and previously as Deputy Commissioner of Natural Resources and Water Quality. Among her many achievements was the development and initial implementation of the Chicago Climate Action Plan, an ambitious effort to reduce Chicago’s greenhouse gas emissions and prepare the City to adapt to environmental changes already underway.

“I am thrilled to be joining JT. Its experience in issues engagement, strategic communications and event management is unmatched in the region. The diversity of issues in which JT is involved creates great opportunities for collaboration and partnerships to advance clients’ business and policy agendas,” said Malec-McKenna.

Malec-McKenna holds a B.S. degree from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and a master’s in Managerial Communications from Northwestern University. She is currently completing her Ph.D. in Communications Studies at Northwestern.