Cadmus has appointed Melissa Deas as technical director in its resilient infrastructure practice.
A nationally recognized leader in climate resilience, Deas brings extensive experience in policy, planning and execution, with a focus on creating safe and equitable communities. At Cadmus, she will continue advancing these efforts, helping clients support underserved communities in accessing and managing federal grants.
Previously, Deas served as the District of Columbia’s chief resilience officer, driving policies to enhance the city’s resilience against climate change, economic inequality, technological advances and health challenges. Her accomplishments include overseeing emergency management, managing $100 million in grants, and authoring the District’s Keep Cool DC extreme heat strategy.
“Melissa’s experience in setting climate resilience policy and implementing change through multidisciplinary approaches will help us guide clients in cross-sector resilience planning,” said Nathan Smith, leader of Cadmus’ Public Sector Division. “Her focus on building consensus and ability to engage hard-to-reach communities make her a valuable addition to the Cadmus team.”