Water

Emily is the OEC’s Agriculture and Water Coordinator, leading the water team’s nutrient pollution reduction policy work. She also advocates for wetland protection and restoration, stream protection, and mitigating water pollutants like PFAS. Emily has a B.S. in Biology from Bowling Green State University and a M.S. in Environmental Science from Unity College. She brings experience working as a natural resource technician for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and as a certified Climate Reality Leader from training with Al Gore. Emily also has experience working for the Lake Erie Foundation where she found her passion for protecting the health of Lake Erie and other waterways to enhance water quality for residential communities. In her spare time, she enjoys Ohio’s waterways year round through kayaking and ice skating.

Melanie Houston is the Managing Director of Water Policy & Chief of Organizational Planning for the Ohio Environmental Council. In this role, she is responsible for leading, managing, and growing the organization’s water advocacy programs. Melanie works alongside partners to achieve policies that advance clean, safe and affordable water for all Ohioans. She leads OEC’s federal advocacy work on water and supports our regional team in advancing local water policy goals. Melanie also leads the organization’s strategic planning and annual planning efforts across departments.

Over the last decade, Melanie has led numerous climate and water campaigns for the OEC, including work to secure a landmark bill in 2016 to better protect Ohioans’ drinking water from lead contamination. Melanie has briefed congressional and state lawmakers, advised the White House Council on Environmental Quality, and testified in front of committees of the Ohio General Assembly. She has been quoted in numerous newspaper, radio and TV outlets including National PBS.

Melanie graduated with honors from Denison University and earned a Master of Science degree from The Ohio State University. She is an active member of her community, serving her second term as a Grandview Heights city council member. In her spare time, Melanie enjoys getting out into nature with her husband and two children.

As the OEC’s Senior Attorney for Land and Water, Nathan focuses on administrative agency actions that impact our public lands and waterways. He advocates and litigates for the protection of special places, increased access to public lands, and clean water for people and wildlife. Nathan resides in the Columbus area with his wife, two children, and numerous pets. He enjoys gardening, the aquarium hobby, and going on outdoor adventures with his family.

An Ohio-licensed attorney, Nathan received his J.D. from The University of Virginia School of Law and a dual B.A. in History and Philosophy from Denison University. Nathan is admitted to the Ohio Bar, the Federal District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, and the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Annalisa graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Economics and Management. While at Michigan State, she served as president of a student group focused on sustainability projects, which received a $25,000 grant to install solar-powered bus stop lights around campus to increase safety while raising awareness of renewable energy. She also worked for the university’s Office of Sustainability. There, she piloted their intern program and helped the university receive its first gold rating from The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE).