As the first-ever director of climate equity action for the Minneapolis Health Department, Megan Hoye (B.S. ’08, M.S. ’12) is passionate about reducing the community’s carbon footprint by meeting carbon reduction milestones that can set an example for other cities.

Before she started the position in August 2024, she built a solid foundation of policy expertise and clean-energy advocacy through roles like chief development officer at Minneapolis-based ZEF Energy, engagement manager at the Center for Energy and Environment, and policy fellow at Fresh Energy in St. Paul.

Hoye didn’t start her education with a goal of boosting sustainability and climate action. Instead, she focused on interior design and architecture, earning her U of M bachelor’s degree in that program—but one guest speaker turned into a significant pivot point. A designer spoke about sustainability in design and construction, and why that was a growing aspect to the profession.

“Up until that point, I appreciated design and the processes involved, as well as the history and philosophy of design—but I hadn’t felt like design could be part of a higher calling, and part of a broader change,” Hoye says. “This realization was truly eye-opening. The more I heard, the hungrier I became to make a difference.”

Hoye was so captivated by the speaker’s insights, she approached the designer afterward and asked for an internship at her architecture firm, Walsh Bishop. While there, Hoye launched sustainable material standards and managed building material research. “That moment really did change so much for me,” she says. “As an intern, while finishing my degree, I was able to delve into research on building materials to understand their carbon footprint. I wanted to know what was involved with energy needs, water consumption, use of natural resources—and I ended up reaching out to manufacturers to ask those questions.”

Hoye blended that curiosity, drive, and insight for her next step, as a designer at Studio 2030 in Minneapolis, a firm with LEED experience through 25 projects. As with her internship, she continued to manage and research sustainable building materials, but also added LEED consulting for both domestic and international projects.

Then, in 2010, a friend who was applying to the Humphrey School of Public Affairs invited Hoye along to an open house for their graduate programs. At the time, the economy was struggling and she realized her industry was highly vulnerable to economic downturns: as one of the least senior employees, Hoye felt like she needed to broaden her perspective in terms of possible career directions. That’s what led to signing up for a master of science program in public policy, science, technology, and environmental policy (MS-STEP).

“It was something of a sudden decision, but I did it and never looked back or doubted this is what I wanted to be doing,” she says. “In fact, it ended up deepening my interest in energy systems to the point that I did additional coursework with nonprofit leadership and management, so I could move into more policy work.”

That combination of design and policy education has created a framework for how she approaches her work at the City of Minneapolis, and Hoye credits the University of Minnesota with giving her skills that she uses every day in that position.

“What I learned most at the U of M with design is what it’s like to be in a culture of critique,” she says. “That sense of feedback and learning to defend your position is baked into design school, and that mindset is invaluable when dealing with policy issues. You learn early on in design that not everyone will feel and think the same way you do, and that you have to accept critique in order to grow as a professional. That allows you to have productive conversations.”

Hoye thinks often of a class in the basics of public finance that she took as part of her graduate studies. Even though it was just fundamentals, Hoye says she draws on those lessons often, and appreciates familiarity with balance sheets and financial documents that inform her work at the city. She also uses insights from a class on public engagement, which featured a collaborative and engaging cohort and excellent teacher.

“With that, I learned how to be comfortable inviting the public to comment on projects I was leading,” Hoye says. “Any time you can do that as an honest broker, and engage in meaningful ways, it will be a benefit to a project.”

All those threads come together in her current role, overseeing Minneapolis’s climate equity plan: the foundational document for climate work in the city. She directs climate and sustainability staff, and builds support and interaction within city departments. The role is part of the health department because environmental issues are tied to public health, Hoye explains; for example, air quality monitoring, soil erosion, and tree canopies all play a part in supporting the health of individuals and communities.

“When I started at the University of Minnesota, I envisioned doing design projects that would benefit a client,” she says. “But what I ended up with was a career that does feel like a higher calling, because it will impact future generations. We need to be thinking innovatively around our energy systems, and making those efforts more visible. I’m grateful to be part of that effort.”

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