Sandy Walters
Sandy Walters is the President, CEO, and Lead Facilitator of Eco Legacy Solutions, LLC, a firm dedicated to creating sustainable environmental projects that deliver measurable benefits to both communities and ecosystems. With over 30+ years of experience in planning, environmental science, and project facilitation, Sandy has successfully guided public- and private-sector clients in achieving long-lasting, impactful outcomes. Her expertise includes environmental permitting, coastal and habitat restoration, and the design of nature-based solutions, all focused on aligning organizational goals with environmental and community priorities.
Throughout her career, Sandy has held senior leadership roles in multiple organizations, including founding and leading Sandra Walters Consultants, Inc., where she managed high-profile projects such as airport expansions, port master plan updates, and complex water management system rehabilitations. She also served as Coastal Group Lead at Resource Environmental Solutions LLC, overseeing initiatives that improved habitat and water quality across Florida. Her experience extends to advisory roles for the EPA and NOAA, providing over 20 expert court testimonies, and receiving gubernatorial appointments to regional planning boards, where she led collaborative efforts, strategic decision-making, and effective communication.
Sandy earned a Master’s in Marine Affairs, specializing in marine and coastal science and policy, from the Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science at the University of Miami, and a Bachelor of Science in Animal Behavior and Marine Biology from the University of California, Davis. A former classical singer, she enjoys hiking, kayaking, and traveling with her husband. Sandy leverages her 30+ years of technical expertise, leadership experience, and collaborative approach to build teams and deliver projects that create enduring environmental and community legacies.
• University of California at Davis - BS
• University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric and Earth Science
• Involved with Urban Land Institute
• Island Opera Theatre and other performing venues
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a combination of expertise, leadership, and the ability to bring people together across disciplines. Over my 30-plus years as a planning and environmental professional, I’ve had the privilege of contributing at the highest levels from providing expert testimony in more than 20 court cases to advising agencies like the EPA and NOAA. I’ve also been honored with gubernatorial appointments to a regional planning board, where I served twice as chair, and to a council overseeing a $100 million budget for Florida’s conservation lands. What I value most, however, is cultivating teams of experts who respect and challenge each other, fostering fearless communication and collaboration. Witnessing the waste that can result from dysfunction inspired me to create Eco Legacy Solutions, where I strive to build a lasting legacy of unity, innovation, and positive impact for both people and the planet.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
In both my professional and personal life, I value integrity, collaboration, and creating meaningful impact. I am deeply committed to fostering sustainable solutions that benefit both communities and the environment, and I take pride in facilitating projects that bring people together to achieve shared goals. Outside of work, I enjoy staying active and exploring the world with my husband through hiking, kayaking, and travel. My background as a classical singer has taught me discipline, creativity, and the importance of harmonizing diverse perspectives lessons I carry into every aspect of my life and work.