Melinda is often the first person contacted when a potential First Nation client calls. She speaks with the client to identify their needs. Those needs can range from the clean-up of a contaminated site to the environmental assessment of a site for a building project. "If there is a site that is contaminated, I will help them investigate how to remediate it. If they want to construct a new building like a new school, we'll assist them in the development of an Environmental Impact Assessment to assess how that new development will impact that community and that ecological setting."

In consultation with her supervisor, Melinda sees that a proposal is written, either by herself or by another member of the team. This team can include hydrologists, hydrogeologists, geophysicists, geologists, and engineers. When a contract is created, Melinda helps ensure that obligations are met.

As project coordinator, it is also Melinda's responsibility to ensure communication between members of her team and her clients. It is in this position that Melinda develops the relationships that are the cornerstone of her success. "I'm a firm believer in following up on everything that I do in a written form. If we discuss things with our clients, I always send them a letter to follow up our discussion. If we make some decisions together, I write a report and send them a copy to ensure that I have interpreted them correctly." Melinda also works with EBA and the aboriginal communities to not only address environmental concerns, but also to prevent them. "I primarily work with First Nations to develop strategies to manage environmental issues, as well as prevent them from occurring." Among those strategies are educational programs, sponsored by EBA, at aboriginal schools. Melinda is instrumental in coordinating these programs, giving something back to the communities she works with.