Michelle Hawkins

Dr. Michelle Hawkins is a distinguished atmospheric scientist with an exceptional background in weather and climate science and policy.

Currently, Dr. Hawkins serves as NASA’s Program Manager for Climate Resilience and Community Action, where she advances the use of Earth observations to support community resilience to climate change and to address equity and environmental justice issues. Prior to joining NASA, Dr. Hawkins held key positions at the Department of Housing and Urban Development and NOAA. As Chief of the Severe, Fire, Public, and Winter Weather Services Branch at NOAA’s National Weather Service (NWS) she oversaw the development of requirements, policy, and procedures for NWS forecast and warning services for some of the nation’s most dangerous weather hazards. Dr. Hawkins also led initiatives across the Federal government to better understand, communicate, and minimize the health impacts of extreme weather.

Notably, Dr. Hawkins was selected as a Fellow in the prestigious White House Leadership Development Program where she spent sixteen months at the White House Council on Environmental Quality as Director for Strategic Initiatives in the Office of the Federal Chief Sustainability Officer. In this role, Dr. Hawkins led efforts to advance environmental justice, climate literacy, and Federal employee engagement on climate and sustainability priorities.

Dr. Hawkins has been honored with the Black Engineer of the Year Modern Day Technology Leader Award and is a Fellow of the American Meteorological Society. She earned her B.S. in Chemistry and Ph.D. in Atmospheric Sciences from Howard University.