During her legal career, Dr. Mendie adeptly handled Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG) initiatives, demonstrating a commitment to making a positive impact. Originally working for Big Oil, Dr. Mendie made a pivotal decision to transition to the clean energy and sustainability sector because she wanted to do more for the environment and disadvantaged communities.

Dr. Mendie is a FUSE Consultant and Executive Fellow currently leading the City of Los Angeles Bureau of Engineering's (BOE) efforts on the Taylor Yard Equity Strategy (TYES). She is focused on developing an equitable and sustainable plan for revitalizing public green spaces in Taylor Yard. Central to her work is prioritizing community input and ensuring that all actions are guided by an intentional, equity-focused approach that benefits the Taylor Yard communities.

Dr. Mendie now serves as the Executive Director of Ezrach Brain Trust Association, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit. In this role, she collaborates with faith-based and community-based organizations, focusing on environmental justice, social justice, and economic justice causes. As an environmental justice leader, Dr. Mendie actively engages in practical actions that promote environmental protection and sustainable practices.

Beyond her nonprofit work, Dr. Mendie teaches as an Adjunct Professor/Lecturer of criminal justice at California State University Sacramento (CSUS) and Texas Southern University. Being a change agent, her driving philosophy revolves around fostering a reciprocal relationship between research, teaching, and service to students, institutions, and communities. Utilizing evidence-based research and practical solutions, she guides students in understanding the intersection of working with marginalized communities, understanding criminological theories and societal policies.

Specializing in green criminology, Dr. Mendie conducts research on crimes against the environment and marginalized communities. As an environmental justice leader, she advocates for equitable solutions and strives to address challenges faced by communities, including environmental racism and climate change injustice. Her commitment to sustainable solutions led her to a fellowship at the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), where she contributed to beneficial electrification for marginalized communities. In addition, she engaged with a diverse group of clean energy stakeholders, business owners, community residents, community-based organizations, consultants, etc. to promote energy efficiency and reliance on renewable energy sources.

Dr. Mendie is also a mentor and advocate for empowerment. She has mentored businesses, professionals, professors (serving as a Teaching Institute Mentor for the Center for Teaching and Learning at CSUS), leaders, and students. Her extensive experience as a registered member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Arbitrator reflects her dedication to conflict resolution. Dr. Mendie has led and facilitated restorative justice programs and sessions in collaboration with organizations like the Center for African Peace and Conflict Resolution (CAPCR) and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

Dr. Mendie’s global perspective, cultivated through living and working in various parts of the world, equips her with cross-cultural skills. She enjoys public speaking and has presented at different international and local conferences, webinars, and platforms to technical experts and non-technical persons. Dr. Mendie foresees this experience as being critical in the energy transition process where you have people on the extreme end of fossil fuel use and those on the extreme end of 100% renewable energy use. Her unique skill set, developed through diverse cultural experiences, uniquely positions her to bridge this gap in the climate movement.

Dr. Mendie understands the energy transition nexus because she was born into an energy family and worked in the energy sector. Dr. Mendie’s transition from the fossil fuel sector to clean energy and sustainability aligns with her “why” to protect the environment. Her comprehensive understanding of climate change, informed by her legal, policy compliance, and social/environmental justice perspective, establishes her as a strategic leader and advocate for climate change and environmental justice concerns. Dr. Mendie envisions the cultivation of relationships as crucial in the energy transition process, facilitating the development of sustainable policies to address climate change and environmental justice.

Dr. Mendie holds the following Degrees:

• Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Degree in Administration of Justice from Texas Southern University Texas.
• Master of Laws (LL.M.) Degree in Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources Law from University of Houston, Texas.
• Barrister at Law (B.L.) Degree from The Nigerian Law School.
• Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) Degree from University of Benin, Nigeria.

COMMUNITY ACTIVISM AND SERVICE

Dr. Mendie’s dedication to community service brings her fulfillment, manifesting through her active involvement in nonprofit leadership. She oversees, supports, and mentors teams, and leaders, execute organizational strategies, and build relationships that contribute to making the world a better place.

Co-Founder/Board Leadership

Dr. Mendie is a Co-Founder and Board of Trustee of Mendlife Global Foundation, a nonprofit committed to social and economic justice. Mendlife caters to orphans, special needs individuals, widows and the vulnerable and marginalized in society.

Environmental Advocacy

Dr. Mendie utilizes her platform to advocate for effective environmental policies that benefit Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC communities). She volunteers as a co-leader of the Climate and Environmental Justice Action Team at Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL), overseeing approximately 648 members.

Dr. Mendie serves as one of CCL’s California State Coordinators, supporting Californian groups/chapters in leadership, strategy, and expansion. In the words of one of the senior leaders at CCL, “state coordinators are the indispensable glue that holds our volunteer-led organization together.”

Additionally, she is a co-lead of CCL’s local chapter in California (Silicon Valley South), supervising activities for about 963 members with a focus on lowering carbon emissions. Her involvement includes bipartisan advocacy with elected officials to promote effective policies addressing climate change.

Faith

Dr. Mendie is a woman of faith born into a loving Christian home. She served in her home church as a child and has continued this spirit of service into adulthood. She currently leads at her local church as a Service Team Leader in the Kidslife department. She facilitates a weekly virtual LifeGroup, and serves every Sunday as a prayer partner with the Online Engagement Team.

Peer-Reviewer

Dr. Mendie is an Associate Editor at the African Journal of Criminology and Justice Studies - a peer reviewed journal.