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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

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.

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Five Environmental Terms Explained


August 4, 2026

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

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The Green Transition Cannot Be Built on Poisoned Rivers 


June 15, 2026 – By Pianporn (Pai) Deetes

Goldman Prize winners participated in a six-day march in Thailand to raise awareness about polluted rivers. The issue is complex, as the contamination is linked to mining for metals that are essential to renewable energy production.

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