Tanya Melendez

Resilient Reading Cohort Manager

Tanya Melendez is the Reading Cohort Manager for the Green Building Alliance’s Resilient Communities program, where she leads transformative efforts to strengthen the city’s infrastructure and community resilience. With over 25 years of experience in operations, outreach, and sustainability, Tanya brings deep expertise and a hands-on approach to helping local organizations—schools, nonprofits, houses of worship, and small businesses—optimize their buildings for energy efficiency, climate resilience, and long-term affordability.

In partnership with the Met-Ed/Penelec Sustainable Energy Fund, Tanya provides tailored guidance to Reading-based partners, connecting them with technical support, funding referrals, and workforce training opportunities. Her work directly supports the city’s “Reading for 100” goal of achieving 100% clean, renewable energy by 2050, and she plays a key role in advancing equitable access to high-performance building practices across the community.

Known for her warmth, creativity, and practical leadership, Tanya excels at translating complex sustainability strategies into accessible, actionable steps for families, youth, and community stakeholders. Her background in art education and bilingual fluency in English and Spanish make her a powerful connector across diverse audiences, and her passion for environmental stewardship and inclusive engagement continues to shape a more resilient Reading.