Melanis Stepanian

Melanis Stepanian has been working in the environmental field for almost 6 years, driven by a lifelong passion for water quality and sustainability that began during childhood visits to Descanso Gardens in the Pasadena area. She earned her bachelor's degree in urban and regional planning with an emphasis on sustainability and the environment from Cal Poly Pomona after four years of study, graduating magna cum laude. Stepanian is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration at USC, with graduation slated for next May, while working full-time as a Management Analyst in the public works department at the City of Calabasas. In this role, she handles water quality reporting and environmental programs, having previously served the cities of Glendale and South Pasadena as well as the Disneyland Resort. She is an executive board member of the Armenian Professional Society for about four years and participates in the USC Student Leadership Committee and the Cal Poly Pomona Alumni Association's Urban and Regional Planning chapter. Stepanian addresses challenges in her field, such as compliance with SB1383 organic waste separation requirements, by creating engaging educational giveaways to encourage behavior change among residents and businesses.