Who We Are:
Megan S. Houston, Director
Megan Houston is an experienced leader committed to implementing resilient policies, programs, and practices in Palm Beach County. As the Director of the County's Office of Resilience, Megan oversees the County's climate mitigation, climate adaptation, and sustainable development strategies. She has a broad background in energy efficiency, environmental law, and community development.
Prior to her role with the County, Megan was a Program Manager for the non-profit Institute for Market Transformation in Washington, DC, where she developed the organization's multifamily buildings program to remove market barriers to energy efficiency. In addition, Megan has worked as a Legal Intern with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the New York City Department of Environmental Protection. Megan started her career as a Project Manager and Designer for commercial interiors at Idea|span in Atlanta, Georgia.
Megan holds a J.D. from Brooklyn Law School, a Master of Science degree in Urban Environmental Systems Management from Pratt Institute, and a Bachelor of Design degree from the University of Florida. Megan is a South Florida native, having been born and raised in Palm Beach Gardens, FL.
Katelyn Cucinotta, Environmental Analyst
Katelyn Cucinotta is an analyst for Palm Beach County's Office of Resilience with a background in coastal conservation, wildlife policy, renewable energy, and environmental science. Katelyn holds a B.S. in Environmental Science and Policy with a minor in Geospatial Science from the University of South Florida St. Petersburg and an M.A. in Marine and Coastal Studies from Nova Southeastern University. Throughout her studies, Katelyn focused on anthropogenic impacts on the marine environment, climate change, and how to effectively communicate science to inspire others.
After working for the federal government, a non-profit organization, academia, and the corporate sector, Katelyn is thrilled to be putting her knowledge and passion to work in the County she calls home. For the Office of Resilience, Katelyn focuses her efforts on coastal adaptation, developing a countywide Resilience Action Plan, and geospatial studies.
Jake Leech, Ph.D., Environmental Analyst
Dr. Jake Leech is an analyst for Palm Beach County's Office of Resilience with a background in climate science. As such, Jake works to adapt to the consequences of climate change, mitigate those consequences, and promote sustainable development within the County.
Jake holds a Ph.D. in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences from the Georgia Institute of Technology, with a focus on glacial climate and oceanography, and was previously a lecturer on the Geology faculty at the University of Miami. He also holds an M.S. in Chemistry from Georgia Tech, and a B.A. in Liberal Arts and Sciences, with a Concentration in Philosophy, from Florida Atlantic University.