CHICAGO, IL – As millions of people throughout the world observe Earth Day, Chicagoans are certainly doing their part as well. Mariyana Spyropoulos, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) spoke to approximately 200 students from Chicago’s City Colleges about the importance of protecting drinking water, as well as how the MWRD invests in sustainability.

“It was refreshing to see so many students engaged in Earth Day activities and genuinely wanting to make a difference, said Commissioner Spyropoulos, according to a MWRD press release. “Each of us can do a small part that will make a huge impact on the planet. At MWRD, every single day is Earth Day. We are continually looking for ways to protect the environment and be good stewards of our natural resources.”

The MWRD, according to the press release, “is an award-winning special purpose government agency responsible for wastewater treatment and stormwater management. MWRD’s mission is to protect the health and safety of the public, the quality of the water supply source (Lake Michigan) and protect businesses and homes from flood damages.”

Spyropoulos’ biography, as it appears on the Public Building Commission of Chicago’s website, follows:
“Mariyana Spyropoulos is a current Commissioner at the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago. She is also an attorney with an MBA. As the only attorney on the Board, she brings a unique legal and business perspective combined with her environmental activism. Mariyana is the Chair of the Municipality Committee, Budget and Employment and Monitoring and Research at the MWRD. She has spoken to many community groups on the issues of the environment and specifically water issues.

“Mariyana Spyropoulos is an attorney with the Law Offices of Mariyana Spyropoulos & Associates which is a general practice. She is a member of the Chicago Bar Association, Illinois Bar Association, American Bar Association, Hellenic Bar Association, and Women’s Bar Association.

“Prior to opening her own law office, Mariyana worked as an Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney and then as a Hearing Officer for the State of Illinois.

“Before law school, Mariyana lived in London, England where she worked at Nomura Research Institute. “Her work focused on privatization efforts in Eastern European countries.

“Mariyana received her law degree from The John Marshall Law School and her MBA from Loyola University Chicago. She also completed graduate work in American government at Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.