Tammy Dillard-Steels, M.P.H., M.B.A.

Urban Sustainability Authority

Chicago, IL 60606

Biography

Tammy Steels, Executive Director and founder of Urban Sustainability Authority.  Her passion to help others was ignited very early in life by her mother.   As Executive Director she has partnered with After School Matters and South Shore High Schools to implement the Exposure 101, an apprenticeship project, giving at risk youth the knowledge and skills to non-traditional careers, such environmentalist, organizers, public relations, lobbyist  and economist to name a few. 

She has created and delivered numerous environmental health programs, such as Asbestos Abatement, Respiratory Protection, Hazardous Waste Removal and Environmental Sampling for several major US corporations.  She has held the position of Senior Safety Professional for commonwealth Edison, Environmental Health Director for Healthy Schools Campaign and Project Coordinator for the University of Illinois at Chicago – Center for Advance Distance Education.   

Tammy Steels received her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health from Illinois State University, is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago- School of Public Health where she received a Master of Public Health and completed her Master of Business Administration in Marketing and Non-Profit Management from Keller Graduate School of Management in 2004. With over 20 years of Environmental Health and Managerial experience in both the private and non-profit sectors, she is dedicated to preserving and improving the urban communities. 

Leadership Development Opportunities

Being an EPHLI fellow has been an inspiration.  I have received leadership skills and knowledge on subjects that I did not know existed.  I have been motivated to continue working as the Executive Director for Urban Sustain to promote environmental health in at-risk communities.

Being a community grassroots organization I have felt prior to this experience that I was on an island and was the only one who truly cared about the future of environmental public health and resources are scarce.  I was wrong and appreciate the enlightenment!.  After meeting so many other smart, creative Environmental Health professionals, it has renewed my respect for the profession.

I sincerely thank CDC for this eye opening opportunity.  I had blast learning, sharing, building relationships, and  becoming a  leader.