Michelle Naccarati-Chapkis

Executive Director, Women for a Healthy Environment

Michelle Naccarati-Chapkis has worked in the non-profit field for 20 years. She is the first executive director of Women for a Healthy Environment (WHE). In this role she leads the organization’s education and advocacy activities focusing on prevention of human health illness and disease linked to environmental exposures. WHE provides the community access to reliable, scientific information; supplies citizens with the tools necessary to advocate for policy solutions that address environmental risks that impact human health; and informs the region through educational workshops and conferences, community events, online learning and speaking engagements. The organization’s main program areas are: Healthy Homes, Healthy Schools and Early Learning Centers, and Healthy Communities. Prior to joining WHE, Michelle was director of land protection at Western Pennsylvania Conservancy where she managed the Conservancy’s real estate transactions (totaling over $60 million) and oversaw the conservation of over 49,000 acres of land in the commonwealth.

Her experience includes working closely with communities; elected officials and government agencies; non-profit organizations; foundations and corporations. Ms. Naccarati-Chapkis has spoken at national, state, and local conferences and has been featured in regional media outlets and audio presentations. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh and completed post graduate work at Duquesne University’s School of Law. Michelle serves on the PA Green and Healthy School Partnership, Children’s Environmental Health Network, Protect Our Children Coalition, Healthy Schools Network, Plum Borough Zoning Hearing Board, Rock for the Heart board, Athena Pittsburgh Host Committee, and Girls Coalition of Southwestern Pennsylvania. She is a graduate of Leadership Pittsburgh’s Class of XXVIII and spends her time outside of work gardening and assisting her children’s PTAs.