Maria Belen Power grew up in Nicaragua in the aftermath of the revolution. She most recently served as the Assistant Executive Director of GreenRoots, a community-based organization dedicated to improving and enhancing the urban environment and public health in Chelsea. The city has some of the worst air pollution in the state, predisposing residents to higher rates of cardiovascular disease and respiratory ailments, including some of the highest rates of COVID-19 of any Massachusetts community. Power oversaw GreenRoots’ environmental justice campaigns and supported the work of the organizing team. She was appointed by President Biden to serve on the newly established White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council. She holds an undergraduate degree in sociology from Augsburg University, a Master of Public Policy from Tufts University, and a Certificate in Non-Profit Management and Leadership from the Institute for Nonprofit Practice.

Doria is the first ever Energy Manager for the City of Nashua. She is an emerging energy professional bringing seven years of experience to the community she serves. Doria specializes in Energy Portfolio Management, Renewable Energy Project Management, and Greenhouse Gas Accounting. Doria has a Bachelor of Science from Franklin Pierce University in Environmental Science with a concentration in Chemistry and Hydrology. She is a strong believer in climate change and that it is the responsibility of all generations to act now so that we will not be regretful later. When she is not working in the City, Doria enjoys making short form video content on her Earth Stewardess Platform, tending to her indoor vegetable garden, and binging Netflix.

Nikki is the Vice President of Clean Technologies in Eversource’s gas business unit. She is responsible for advancing clean technologies within the Eversource gas business portfolio to help achieve Eversource’s commitment to carbon neutrality by 2030, as well as supporting required statewide emissions reductions in Connecticut and Massachusetts.

As part of her role, Nikki evaluates the feasibility of clean technologies, such as renewable natural gas, geothermal energy, methane reduction and hydrogen, and manages the development and execution of projects incorporating those clean technologies. She plays a lead role in policy efforts regarding the future of natural gas and other strategic initiatives that help Eversource provide safe, reliable, and clean energy to meet its customers’ needs. In addition, Nikki oversees marketing, customer connections, and major account management across Eversource’s gas business, which includes traditional and clean technology offerings. Prior to this role, Nikki was Eversource’s Director of Clean Technologies.

Before joining Eversource, Nikki was a Project Director of Business Development for Enbridge. She was responsible for the development of new natural gas transmission ventures, services, and related energy projects in the Northeast region. She also managed the Enbridge commercial relationship with National Grid. Earlier in her career, Nikki held environmental permitting positions of increasing responsibility with Enbridge’s predecessor company, Spectra Energy, and worked as an environmental consultant specializing in ecological and health risk assessments.

Nikki holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science from Trinity College and a Master of Business Administration degree from the F.W. Olin School of Business at Babson College.

Sarah Haggerty is a Conservation Biologist/GIS Manager for Maine Audubon where she works on a variety of different projects. These include projects associated with aquatic and terrestrial habitat connectivity, insect population declines, policy review and advocacy, and most frequently these days – projects associated with renewable energy. As the lead author on Maine Audubon’s 2019 publication, Renewable Energy and Wildlife in Maine, she had an opportunity to dive into the literature to help the public understand the potential impacts to wildlife and their habitats from the siting, construction, and operations of renewable energy infrastructure as well as impact avoidance techniques. She also oversaw the development of Maine Audubon’s Renewable Energy Siting Tool which aims to provide resources developers and decision-makers the information they need to locate solar and land-based wind projects in areas that avoid or minimize negative impacts to important wildlife habitats. She was a member of the state’s Environment and Wildlife Working Group for the Maine Offshore Wind Initiative and currently sits on the Advisory Board for the Maine Offshore Wind Research Consortium. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Bowdoin College with a major in biology, and a Master of Science degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Conservation from the University of Maine in Amherst. Prior to joining Maine Audubon, she worked for 10 years at the Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program where she worked as a regulator for two years and a landscape-scale project manager for many more.

Rachel Pachter has over twenty years of experience in U.S. offshore wind development. Rachel leads Vineyard Offshore’s team conducting early-stage activities including technical development, permitting, environmental activities, and community engagement. Rachel led and finalized the approval of the first two offshore wind farms in federal waters of the United States, including Vineyard Wind 1, which is now under construction. Rachel navigates the projects she works on through complex regulatory paths at the federal, state, and local levels. She engages with critical stakeholder groups to reach agreements essential to the success of the project and the local host communities. Rachel is consistently ranked in global lists of wind energy leaders. Rachel has a degree in Geology from the University of Alaska.

Rachel was recently quoted in a lead business article in the New York Times on the significance of this moment in history for US offshore wind: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/27/business/energy-environment/marthas-vineyard-wind-farm-massachusetts.html#commentsContainer

Sue Kaplan is the Founder of Sustainable Futures Consulting. Her firm collaborates with business and institutional leaders to create and integrate their brand values, strategic communications, and sustainability practices. Client engagements include developing a brand and marketing platform for a suicide detection technology startup, facilitating the merger of three groups for a Dartmouth research institute, and stepping in as an interim communications executive for a national action tank.

Sue also teaches in the University of New Hampshire’s Sustainability Dual Major and is the faculty lead for the B Impact Clinic, training undergraduates to work with the B Impact Assessment to consult with business clients that are working to become a certified B Corp or supercharging their sustainability practices.

Prior to consulting, Sue worked with leaders in federal and state government, a global corporation, and nonprofit healthcare systems, typically managing large projects, leading strategic communication teams, bringing stakeholders together, and busting silos. Her favorite roles include pioneering work in corporate sustainability at Polaroid Corporation and marketing leadership in Massachusetts’ Department of Energy Resources.

Sue’s purpose is to communicate, collaborate, and connect people and their ideas to spark sustainable impact, fulfillment, and stewardship for a thriving planet. Her volunteer roles align with her purpose, as a member of NH Businesses for Social Responsibility’s Measure What Matters committee and an advocate on democracy, climate, and a just transition for the future.

Sue graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy, earned a B.A. from Northwestern University and an M.B.A from Simmons University’s School of Management. She adores her husband and two adult sons, border collie and cats, as well as friends, and soon-to-be new friends and associates. Best of all, she’s out in the woods everyday with her dog!