West Cook News

Suzanne Malec-McKenna, Ph.D., has been named the new director of the Cook County Department of Environment and Sustainability (DES), effective immediately. The appointment was made by Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle.

Malec-McKenna brings over 30 years of experience in areas such as climate mitigation, regulatory policy, workforce development, ecological restoration, urban forestry, and industrial redevelopment. Her background includes significant management and governance roles.

“I am pleased to have Suzanne at the helm of this critical department and look forward to working with her on behalf of our residents,” said President Preckwinkle. “Her decades of experience and dedication to public service are vital to ensuring sustainability and environmental justice throughout our County and specifically in some of our most under-resourced communities.”

Previously, Malec-McKenna spent more than 17 years at the Chicago Department of Environment, where she began as deputy director before becoming commissioner. She oversaw initiatives such as Greencorps Chicago, Chicago Center for Green Technology, Green Tech University, Chicago Conservation Corps, and the Calumet Initiative. She also worked on stormwater management and legislation related to air quality and soil reuse. Additionally, she led restoration projects like North Park Village Nature Center and Action H2O while building a team of environmental professionals.

Her career includes 15 years in nonprofit and private sector positions focused on leadership and sustainability in the Chicago region. Most recently, she was senior director in the President’s Office at the University of Illinois System, addressing sustainability through a One Health approach that integrates energy, water, food infrastructure, and technology solutions such as artificial intelligence. In June 2025, she organized the Sustainability Research and Innovation Congress in Chicago, which brought together 1,700 participants from 66 countries.

Malec-McKenna’s other work includes roles with Openlands—where she established TreeKeepers and community gardening programs—and ConTextos during its expansion into Chicago from El Salvador. She served as executive director for Chicago Wilderness and consulted for organizations like Audubon Great Lakes on climate outreach initiatives; MAAFA Redemption Project on job training; and Chicago Community Loan Fund on climate resiliency strategies. Additional consulting clients include Jasculca Terman, Quercus Consulting, Morton Arboretum, and Chicago Community Trust. She was also interim CEO for the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative.

Malec-McKenna holds a Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign along with Master’s and Ph.D. degrees in Communication from Northwestern University.

She resides in Chicago.