Skip to content

Melissa Eckert

Melissa Eckert wears a dark green blazer and glasses in front of a natural green background.

March 10, 2022

Melissa joined the Prize in 2013 and manages the foundation’s finances, human resources, and office operations. She has worked in philanthropy, strategic planning, public health, and nonprofit administration for over 20 years, having held positions with the Koret Foundation, the Washington University School of Medicine, and the Center for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture. Melissa holds a BA in Psychology and a MPH in Community Health from Saint Louis University; she interned at the Carter Center and is a Coro Fellow.

Recent Posts

Goldman Prize winner Yuyun Ismawati stands in front of the English countryside. She is wearing glasses, a white jacket, and has short, greying hair.

Prize Winners Today: Fighting for a Toxic-Free Future with Yuyun Ismawati


October 12, 2026 – By Amy Breshears

17 years after her Goldman Prize win, Yuyun Ismawati is still busy—fighting against waste and leading the charge against mercury pollution.

Read more

There's No One Way to Stand Up for Nature


August 31, 2026

Environmental activism doesn't follow one strict blueprint. Discover four of the tactics that Goldman Environmental Prize winners have used to make a lasting difference.

Read more

Five Environmental Terms Explained


August 4, 2026

Read on to discover five key terms shaping the environmental movement of 2026.

Read more