Crystall Merlino

Director for Resilience, Energy, and Sustainability Management

Department of Homeland Security

As the Director for Resilience, Energy, and Sustainability Management, responsible for strategy, oversight, and delivery of the program for the Department of Homeland Security. Responsible for implementing policy and guidance for the Department on climate change adaptation and mitigation, resilience, sustainability, and energy/water related matters. She led the development of the DHS Climate Action Plan, submitted and approved by the White House in September 2020. Over the past 20 years she has led and supported large-scale government, sustainability, energy, and environmental programs and projects providing leadership, mentorship, contract management, research, and technical support to government and private clients. Crystall is a LEEP GA, a chapter member of the National Capital Region, US Green Building Council, and sat on the board as president (2002) and secretary (2000), she was one of the original founding members and board member for the Building Commissioning Association and is currently member of the Women’s Council on Energy and Environment (WCEE). She also is very active in her local government and school system where she is currently on the George Mason Elementary School Parten-Teacher Association as the Vice President of Outreach and has participated in the City of Alexandria, VA Academies, to learn about the many responsibilities and functions of the City Government. Most recently became an city of Alexandria Eco-City Ambassador, which provides opportunity to take actions to make the city more sustainable.