Makeda Okolo
Makeda Okolo
Makeda Okolo is a skilled oceanic policy liaison who collaborates with government agencies and stakeholders. She grew up in St. Croix, in the U.S. Virgin Islands, surrounded by ocean, which has helped shape her career. Okolo has vast experience in the policy field, including holding positions at the United States Congress, White House Council of Environmental Quality, and her current position as the Director of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs with the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
“The only way that we continue to progress is by pouring into others, right?” -Makedo Okolo, 2024
Makeda Okolo is from the St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. Okolo was inspired to pursue a career in the environment by her aunt, an Environmental Science teacher, and her mother’s love and respect for nature. Her aunt helped develop environmental efforts on a local level, such as beach and roadside clean-ups and mangrove planting sessions. Okolo states that since St. Croix is an island community, “…there almost is not a separation between our existence and the environment that we depend on daily” (Survey, 2024). Okolo grew up in a culture that appreciates ocean resources for both recreation and commerce as well as for connection and healing.
Okolo received her Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies with a Concentration in Environmental Policy from American University in 2006. Okolo furthered her studies in the area, receiving a joint Master of Science and Master of Public Policy from the University of Maryland in 2009, focusing on Environmental Policy and Sustainable Development and Conservation Biology.
While an undergrad at American University, Okolo took a position with the United States Congress, where she worked for 11 years in various roles, including Energy and Environment Policy Advisor. In 2015, Okolo transitioned to her current organization, the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). When Okolo began, she was a Congressional Affairs Specialist, a title she held for almost four years. In 2018, she became the Senior Policy Advisor, and in 2020, she became the OCM Southeast and Regional Lead. From 2021 to 2022, Okolo spent seven months as the Director for Legislative Affairs for the White House Council on Environmental Quality.
In 2022, Okolo returned to NOAA as Director of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs. In this role, Okol’s work focuses on congressional, intergovernmental, and tribal partners concerning NOAA’s mission. Okolo describes this position as a critical junction between NOAA, Capitol Hill, and intergovernmental communities. The office helps facilitate engagement with the six line offices, including the National Weather Service, the National Ocean Service, the National Marine Fishery, the Office of Atmospheric Research, the Satellite Service, and the Office of Marine and Aviation Operations.
Okolo states, “the only way that we continue to progress is by pouring into others, right?” (Survey, 2024). The analogy that after going up in an elevator, we must be sure to hit the button so that somebody else can get on guides her. Okolo credits the Congressional Black Caucus Internship Program as pivotal to her career, as it helped her find community when she was starting out in the field.
Okolo believes in a responsibility to mentor others and that “it’s also really important and incumbent upon the mentee to come to the table ready with questions, a really strong work ethic, and a desire to learn and grow and do. When mentor and mentee are on the same page, we end up with some really powerful outcomes” (Survey, 2024). Okolo is involved in NOAA internship and fellowship programs, including the DOC Internship Program, the Ernest F. Hollings Scholarship for Undergraduates, and the Sea Grant Knauss Fellowship.
Okolo suggests that young professionals should never allow fear to be a deciding factor and that you should “really take some time and talk with someone that you trust to really discern what is guiding your decision-making” (Survey, 2024). Okolo also emphasizes that building community is imperative to success in work and that you should emphasize growth laterally.
Makeda Okolo. (2024). Linkedin.com. https://www.linkedin.com/in/makeda-okolo-b5042766/
Makeda Okolo. (2023). Noaa.gov. https://www.noaa.gov/our-people/makeda-okolo
Survey and interviews conducted by Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Sustainability Initiative staff. 2022-2024. Yale University-School of the Environment. New Haven, Connecticut.
NOAA.gov, 2023