EPA Announces Appointment of Meg McCollister as Regional Administrator for EPA Region 7

Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael S. Regan announced that President Biden will appoint Meg McCollister to become EPA’s Regional Administrator for Region 7. McCollister will lead the implementation of the Biden-Harris environmental agenda in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and with nine Tribal Nations.

“Meg brings deep experience in community organizing and stakeholder engagement. I know she will ensure voices throughout Region 7 are heard on key issues and I’m very excited to welcome her to the team,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan.

“I’m incredibly honored to be appointed as Regional Administrator for Region 7 to address environmental justice, climate change, and also build resilience for our important regional industries” said McCollister. “President Biden and Administrator Regan have ambitious goals for addressing the climate crisis, and I look forward to working with staff, as well as local governments and regional stakeholders, to collaborate on innovative solutions to the challenges before us.”

“I want to extend a warm Region 7 welcome to Meg. We are excited to have her lead our efforts to enact President Biden’s and Administrator Regan’s priorities here in the Heartland,” said Deputy Region 7 Administrator Edward H. Chu. “I particularly would like to thank all our regional staff, who have worked tirelessly on behalf of the American public during the transition period.”

Meg McCollister has a strong advisory and advocacy background with nearly two decades of experience serving non-profits, candidates for public office and public policy campaigns. Born in Kansas and raised in both Kansas and Missouri, she received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas before attending the University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Law, where she earned her Juris Doctorate with an emphasis in Urban, Land Use and Environmental Law. After law school, McCollister and her husband moved to Sonoma County, California, where she served on the Board of Directors for Sonoma County Conservation Action and worked on environmental campaigns and in local government. Upon her return to the Midwest, she has continued to serve as an advisor and strategic thinker in areas including environmental, health, and social improvement initiatives as well as communication strategies. McCollister resides in Kansas City with her husband, three children and rescued greyhound. She enjoys running, hiking, and exploring the outdoors.