Meladie Lowe

Presenter of Inclusive by Design: Removing Barriers in Recruitment and Hiring or The Accessible Talent Pipeline: Building Fair and Inclusive Hiring Systems 

Panelist of Building Inclusive Environments for All Abilities 

Meladie Lowe is the Equity Implementation Program Manager at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Prevention Services Division (PSD). Originally from Colorado, she leads division-wide initiatives to embed Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) into organizational culture, systems, and practices. Her work includes guiding the development of behavioral norms, implementing equitable workplace design, coordinating bystander intervention trainings, and fostering staff belonging through innovative approaches such as decompression spaces and collaborative staff-led initiatives. 

In addition to her public service, Meladie is the founder of Planted Consulting LLC, where she partners with individuals, businesses, and systems to advance equity, strengthen culture, build confidence, and create inclusive environments. She also serves on the Executive Board of the Colorado Public Health Association, leading statewide anti-racist and health equity training efforts, and is a member of the Advisory Board for CU Black Blossoms, a program dedicated to supporting Black women in STEM. 

Her contributions have been recognized with the State of Colorado’s first “Colorado for All Equity Award”, the Public Health in the Rockies “Values in Action Award”, and national recognition from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) for her leadership in advancing equity and inclusion in hiring and recruitment.    

As a dedicated educator, Meladie teaches graduate-level social work courses at Metropolitan State University of Denver, mentoring the next generation of social workers to approach their practice with courage, reflection, and equity at the center. With a background rooted in social work, advocacy, public health, and human services, Meladie is deeply committed to creating environments where individuals and communities feel valued, respected, and supported. Her leadership reflects a vision for systems change that honors lived experience, advances equity, and fosters innovation in access and inclusion.