About

Meghan McDermott

Founder & Principal, Sungold Community Solutions

For more than a decade, Meghan McDermott has worked in the nonprofit sector, specializing in topics related to food, energy and transportation systems. She began her environmental advocacy career in Chicago with a small, woman-owned urban vermicomposting company and went on to pursue a multitude of experiences including work as an education outreach coordinator for one of the nation’s first grass-fed and organic butcher shops, two years as a FoodCorps service member teaching K-12 students in underresourced schools, and an academic advisor for a groundbreaking multidisciplinary learning and cooperative living community on food and agriculture at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY. Her work has included highly collaborative initiatives within state policy, public health, anti-racism, and more. Throughout her varied experiences, Meghan has witnessed time and again how clear communication and genuine collaboration are essential to any meaningful attempt to change systems- and that our individual humanity lies at the center of true progress. 

Meghan serves on the Advisory Board of Food Rescue Northern Michigan and has previously served on the Board of Directors for the Grand Traverse Foodshed Alliance, Commongrounds Cooperative, and as a supporting partner for the National Farm to School Network. She obtained a certificate in Facilitative Leadership from Michigan State University Extension in 2017, and obtained Master Gardener certification in 2015. She served as a United States delegate to the Slow Food International Congress in 2012. 

She holds a Bachelors degree from Vassar College, where she double majored in Psychology and an Independent program of her own design, titled “Food and Sustainability studies”. Meghan graduated with departmental honors for her thesis work exploring of the juxtaposition of social justice activism with gourmet food culture in the international Slow Food movement. She was also recognized by the Dean of the College for volunteer contributions to campus life.

Meghan has been recognized by the Traverse City Business News as a “40 Under 40” leader in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024.

She lives in Traverse City, MI with her husband, dog, and several cats. In her spare time, you can often find her gardening, DIY-ing, or walking her dog on the many beautiful trails in northern Michigan.