Tara Tisopulos
Deputy Director of Environmental Sustainability at OC Waste & Recycling
Tara Tisopulos is the Deputy Director of Environmental Sustainability at OC Waste & Recycling (OCWR), in Orange County, California. She oversees and manages the County’s sustainability efforts, working closely with all 22 departments and the County Executive Office to develop and implement the County Climate Action Plan and supporting initiatives, secure related funding, and spearhead regional collaboration.
With more than three decades of direct experience in environmental programs and mandates, Tara previously served as Vice President/Senior Project Manager at Environmental Compliance Solutions in Santa Monica, where she concentrated on project management, air quality compliance, grant writing, and interagency coordination. Her responsibilities also included permitting, CEQA/NEPA documentation, and sustainability planning and mitigation. In addition, Tara handled marketing materials, presentations, conferences, and public meetings, serving as the interface with nonprofits, government organizations, elected officials, and regulatory agencies. Throughout her career, Tara has led environmental efforts/projects with clients throughout California, including the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), WM (formerly Waste Management), and Southern California Edison (SCE). She also holds years of experience working with the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) as a technical writer and Air Quality Specialist, with additional experience in planning, CEQA documentation, and gaining valuable expertise in air quality issues and legislation.
She holds a Master of Arts in Mass Communications, with an Emphasis on Written Communications/Public Relations from California State University, Fullerton, and a Bachelor of Arts in Print Journalism and English from the University of Southern California, Los Angeles.