PURPOSE

To secure the health and wellbeing of the environment and of future generations.

VISION

A world where government fully recognizes the challenges we face and moves swiftly and effectively to address them.

MISSION

We build political power that meets the scale and urgency of our environmental challenges.

VALUES

We think systemically and plan for the future.

We are driven by the potential of our work to impact future generations. We see the connection between all things: people and planet, policy and social justice, environmental and economic health. We think critically about intersectionality and the complexities of cause and effect.

We are strategic and ambitious.

We are motivated by the enormity of the challenges we face and by Massachusetts’ potential to lead the world. We are science-based, data-driven, and results-oriented. We choose priorities based on their impact on the Commonwealth and their potential to be adapted and scaled.

We prioritize equity, inclusion, and environmental justice.

We recognize that bias, racism, classism, and privilege determine who has power. We use our influence to help remedy the harm caused by centuries of environmental racism and to build a more equitable future. We are dedicated to anti-racism and to reckoning with our own biases.

Partnerships are at the heart of how we work.

We believe that trust is the foundation for progress. Our strength is rooted in our relationships. We convene varied stakeholders to forge common ground. If we disagree, it is with respect. We listen carefully, consider divergent perspectives, and operate with integrity.


Staff

Casey Bowers

Action Fund Executive Director

Casey joined ELM in 2018. For nearly four years she served as the Assistant Vice President for Government Relations, developing and achieving ELM’s policy goals across state, federal, and local government. In January 2022 she assumed the role of Action Fund Executive Director.

She previously served as the American Lung Association of the Northeast’s Massachusetts Director of Public Policy, where her portfolio included work on renewable energy, lung diseases, and air quality. Casey has a wealth of policy knowledge, legislative expertise, and organizing skills from her time serving as the field organizer for the state on a campaign to protect, enforce and strengthen the Clean Air Act and a consultant at M+R Strategic Services, a boutique advocacy firm.

Casey received her Bachelor’s Degree in economics and history from the College of the Holy Cross.

Elizabeth Turnbull Henry

President

Elizabeth Turnbull Henry took the lead of the Environmental League of Massachusetts in 2017, drawn to the ambitious goals and pragmatic strategies that have long been ELM’s hallmark. She is committed to making Massachusetts lead the nation in environmental policy and getting on a pathway to net zero emissions. She has particular passion for expanding offshore wind, ending tailpipe pollution, and electing environmental champions to office.

Under Elizabeth’s leadership, ELM’s Corporate Council and the ELM Action Fund have grown. Both organizations build political will to create policy solutions that match the urgency of the challenges we face as a Commonwealth and a planet.

A proven sustainability leader, she previously directed climate and energy programs for Adidas. She also consulted to the US Department of Energy, worked as Sustainability Lead for a Massachusetts-based residential construction firm, and led international travel programs to over 30 countries.

In April 2021, Elizabeth was named #34 on Boston Magazine’s list of the 100 Most Influential Bostonians. She was also a member of the 2020 Boston Business Journals 40 Under 40.

Elizabeth has an MBA and Masters of Environmental Management (MEM) from Yale University and a BA in Environmental Policy and Economics from Colby College. Raised in West Virginia, she now lives in Concord, MA with her husband and three children.

Ben Bailey

Development Director

Ben Bailey joined Environmental League of Massachusetts in September 2023 as the Development Director. Ben works with the Development team to support and direct fundraising efforts to strengthen ELM and ELM Action Fund.

Previously, Ben served as the Director of Development for Energy Allies, leading their fundraising that helped to double their revenue toward a mission to have climate-impacted communities lead local clean energy solutions. Prior to that, Ben spent 18 years working in the Concord Academy Advancement office where he served in multiple roles.

Ben received his BA from Connecticut College. He currently serves on the Board of the Concord Carlisle Community Chest. He lives in Concord, MA, the same town where he grew up, with his wife, two children, two dogs, and two cats.

Amy Boyd Rabin

Vice President of Policy

Amy Boyd Rabin joined the Environmental League of Massachusetts team in September 2023. As the Vice President of Policy, she helps drive the Commonwealth’s equitable environmental progress by crafting an ambitious and strategic policy agenda. Specifically, she focuses on ensuring Massachusetts achieves its carbon neutrality goals, grows its clean energy economy, and drives economic benefits to historically underserved communities. 

Amy brings extensive expertise in environmental policy and law — particularly related to regulating utilities, decarbonizing buildings, and phasing out the use of fossil fuels. Before joining ELM, she worked for nine years at Acadia Center, joining in 2014, and most recently serving as Vice President, Climate & Clean Energy Policy. While driving policy at Acadia Center, she shaped the organization’s work in the Northeast across six initiatives. In 2021, she published Reforming Energy System Planning for Equity and Climate Transformation (RESPECT), influencing public thought on the future of utility planning processes. Prior to Acadia Center, Amy was an associate in the Environmental practice group of Foley Hoag LLP.

Amy holds a JD cum laude from Northwestern University School of Law and a BA in Environmental Studies from Wellesley College.

Leigh Chandler

Communications Director

Leigh joined the Environmental League of MA (ELM) team in March 2022. She is a marketing and communications professional committed to mobilizing action toward social equity. Prior to ELM, she was the Manager of Marketing and Communications at YW Boston. She also has experience in nonprofit development and as a public speaking coach. She currently serves as a board member and co-chair of the Marketing & Communications Committee for The Philanthropy Connection, a Boston-area collective giving network.

Leigh grew up in a small beach town in South Carolina and graduated from Davidson College in 2016 with a degree in English and Communication Studies.

Jennifer Delony

Offshore Wind Communications Director

Jennifer joined the Environmental League of Massachusetts (ELM) in August 2022. She serves as Offshore Wind Communications Director supporting the New England for Offshore Wind (NE4OSW) coalition. As a coalition of more than 100 organizations, NE4OSW is working to combat climate change and increase clean energy supply on the New England grid through procurements of responsibly developed offshore wind. 

Jennifer is the former New York-New England bureau chief at RTO Insider, where she led carbon-related news for the Northeast under the publication’s NetZero Insider segment. She served previously as editor of North American Windpower magazine, editor of Oilman magazine, associate editor of Renewable Energy World, associate editor of Solar Industry magazine, and analyst for TransmissionHub.com and GenerationHub.com. 

She holds a BS in marketing and integrated communications from the University of Phoenix. Jennifer brings a deep interest in an equitable energy transition to the NE4OSW communications role with the aim of supporting the diverse regional voices of the coalition. 

Madeline Davey

Data Systems Manager

Madeline joined the Environmental League of Massachusetts (ELM) team in October 2022. As Data Systems Manager, Madeline supports the mission of ELM by ensuring the quality and effectiveness of ELM’s data systems, processes, and overall data strategy.

Prior to her role at ELM, Madeline was a Business Analyst at Washington University in St. Louis (WashU), where she worked on a Salesforce implementation project in WashU’s Advancement department. Madeline enjoys building on this experience– as well as her experience working in development operations– to bring a deep understanding of how organizations like ELM can best utilize technology to implement effective systems and processes.

Originally from New Hampshire, Madeline holds a Bachelor’s degree in History from Tufts University.

Grace Doherty

Corporate & Foundation Relations Manager

Grace Doherty joined the Environmental League of Massachusetts in June 2024. As the Corporate and Foundation Relations Manager, Grace supports ELM’s fundraising operation with a focus on strengthening ELM’s foundation and corporate partnerships.

With a background in social work, Grace is passionate about systemic solutions that address the connections between the environment, individual and community health, and social justice. Prior to joining ELM, she was a Development Specialist at Codman Square Health Center, where she supported fundraising efforts to provide comprehensive health services to community members, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay. Before returning home to Massachusetts, Grace spent five years in St. Louis, Missouri, where she worked with a variety of nonprofit organizations.

Grace holds a Master’s degree in Social Work and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Psychology from Washington University in St. Louis. She currently serves as a board member of the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network of Boston.

Miriam Posner Harris

Executive Vice President

Miriam Posner Harris joined the ELM team in 2018. As the Executive Vice President, Miriam is responsible for building and growing ELM’s brand, identifying and leveraging strategic partnerships and crafting persuasive messaging to enhance its reputation, resources, reach, and impact on environmental policy. She also manages ELM’s Corporate Council, an alliance of some of the state’s biggest businesses that recognize the profound synergies between a healthy environment and a thriving economy. She works to bring to the forefront companies that have a demonstrated commitment to sustainable operations and recognize the value in advocating to state government leaders to implement bold, practical, well-designed policies.

Previously, Miriam was the founding Director of Energy & Environmental Policy at A Better City, a business association representing 130 members of the business and institutional community of Greater Boston. She led the organization’s clean energy and climate policy efforts, including the development of strategic and impactful legislative and research agendas. Miriam collaborated with state and local officials, public-sector staff, and other stakeholders to execute upon those identified priorities.

Before returning home to Massachusetts, Miriam spent four years as a Senior Policy Analyst at the U.S. Department of Energy in Washington, DC, supporting on energy system resilience and reliability, including working as an emergency responder during Hurricane Sandy. She also served in the Obama White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, the US Senate office of John Kerry, and at the University of Pennsylvania’s Kleinman Center for Energy Policy.

Miriam holds a Master of Public Administration and a certificate in Energy Management and Policy from the University of Pennsylvania where she was the recipient of the Institutional Service and Leadership Award. Her Bachelor’s Degree with honors in Political Science and Public Policy is from Case Western Reserve University.

Robert Hart

Campaign Manager

Robert Hart joined the Environmental League of Massachusetts in May of 2024 as Campaign Manager. Robert is responsible for supporting the electoral and advocacy efforts of the ELM Action Fund. He also manages and develops the ELM Action Fund Campaign & Advocacy Fellowship Program.  

Prior to joining ELM as a full-time employee, Robert spent two summers at ELM working as a Campaign & Advocacy Fellow where he expanded his passion for politics and environmental advocacy. He also previously served as the Manager of Policy and Planning at the 495/MetroWest Partnership, where he helped advocate for transformative local policies in the MetroWest area of Massachusetts.  

A lifelong resident of Massachusetts, Robert holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a Master’s degree in Public Policy from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. 

Imani James

Operations Coordinator

Imani joined the Environmental League of Massachusetts (ELM) in September 2022 as the organization’s Operations Coordinator, a role she coveted since she left University.

Imani was born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica. However, after attending University in Boston, she decided to make Boston her permanent home. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism and a minor in Public Relations from Suffolk University. While in University, Imani started her journey with operations and event planning, which soon became her professional passions.

Prior to ELM, Imani worked at a non-profit in Jamaica called Sandals Foundation where she tackled issues ranging from scholarship coverage for students in need to raising environmental awareness among people in the Caribbean. She became more invested in making more positive efforts towards changing the outlook of how people view the environment after her time at the Sandals Foundation.

Ellen Macaulay

Operations Director

Ellen joined the Environmental League of Massachusetts (ELM) team in 2015. As Operations Director, she serves as a project manager for many of ELM’s major internal operations and processes and coordinates the implementation and logistics of emergent advocacy initiatives.

She holds Bachelor’s degrees in Political Science and Environmental Studies from Suffolk University. In her time at Suffolk, Ellen interned at the State House and held an on-campus position orchestrating 11 alternative spring break trips, working with Habitat for Humanity as well as other nonprofit organizations.

David Melly

Legislative Director

David joined ELM in 2022. As Legislative Director, he contributes detailed policy knowledge, significant legislative experience, and organizing and management skills to ELM’s state, local, and federal advocacy efforts. David coordinates with the ELM political team to develop and advocate for effective, thoughtfully-crafted policies that meet our organizational mission of environmental protection, move the Commonwealth toward its climate goals, and prioritize equity and justice in vulnerable communities. 

Prior to joining ELM, David worked in the Massachusetts House of Representatives for over six years on issues related to energy and the environment, transportation policy, juvenile justice reform, and water infrastructure. A longtime Brighton resident, David and his family have deep roots in the communities of Newton, Arlington, Concord, and Roslindale. 

David graduated summa cum laude from Cornell University with a degree in Government. As an NCAA and post-collegiate athlete, he has become a prominent advocate for LGBTQ+ issues in athletics. As an avid runner, part of David’s passion for environmental protection comes from years of logging miles on Massachusetts’s beautiful trails, state parks, and conservation areas.  

Bianca Pokrzywa

Digital Communications Coordinator

Bianca Pokrzywa joined the Environmental League of Massachusetts (ELM) team in June 2023. As the Digital Communications Coordinator, she focuses on driving strategic and values-driven messaging surrounding equitable environmental policy.

Prior to joining full-time staff, Bianca worked at ELM as both a Campaign & Advocacy Fellow and Communications & Events Fellow. After being involved in political work since high school, Bianca discovered her specific passions for both environmental policy advocacy and nonprofit communications throughout her fellowships at ELM. She is especially interested in environmental justice, and the intersection between business and sustainability.

Bianca grew up near Detroit, Michigan, and graduated summa cum laude from Boston University in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a minor in Business Administration & Management.

Andrew Reed

Vice President of Development

Andrew Reed joined Environmental League of Massachusetts in December 2022 as ELM’s first Vice President of Development. In this role, Andrew is responsible for increasing and diversifying revenue and building a durable fundraising operation to support ELM and ELM Action Fund’s future growth.

Prior to joining ELM, Andrew served as Vice President, Development and Campaign at Environmental Defense Fund, where he served as a member of EDF’s Leadership Council and helped double fundraising revenue over his 5 years with the organization. Andrew also spent 9 years with The Nature Conservancy, serving in multiple leadership roles globally and at the state level in California, where he first gained an appreciation for the nuance and critical importance of environmental policymaking. He began his non-profit career at Brandeis University, where he served in multiple roles on the Development team over 8 years.

Andrew has loved the natural world and been committed to environmental causes and the intersection of human well-being and the environment for nearly his entire life. After earning a BS in Biology with a concentration in Ecology and Environmental Biology from University of Vermont, he interned with the Student Conservation Association and Massachusetts Riverways Program. He has also served as a board member of Green Newton and volunteer with Charles River Watershed Association, Save the Elephants in Kenya, and Helps International in Guatemala. Raised in Windsor, CT at the confluence of the Farmington and Connecticut Rivers, he now lives in West Newton with his wife, daughter and dog, Charlie (named for the Charles River).

Zahra Saifee

Policy & Advocacy Coordinator

Zahra Saifee joined ELM team during the fall of 2022 as the Coalition & Advocacy Coordinator. A recent graduate from the University of Utah with a degree in environmental studies and communications, Zahra is passionate and committed to green solutions. Particularly, she loves to learn about the diversity of ideas in the environmental space and connect over shared values.

Raised in southern Utah, nearby Zion National Park, Zahra joined ELM to gain a new perspective on environmental policy. In college, she was extremely involved with the environmental issues that affect Salt Lake City. She is excited to continue pursuing her personal and professional interests with ELM.

Randi Soltysiak

Finance Director

Randi joined the ELM staff in March of 2015 as the organization’s Accounting and Finance Manager, becoming the Finance Director in March of 2022. She manages all Accounting, Finance, and HR operations including payroll and benefits, financial reporting, and the annual audit process. Randi provides financial visibility to the Leadership Team to allow for informed programmatic planning and decision making. Randi earned her BA in English from Vassar College, and her J.D. from Boston College Law School. She is an active leader in Mothers Out Front, which organizes mothers and grandmothers to call for a swift, complete, and just transition to clean renewable energy, to keep children safe in the face of climate change.

Kelt Wilska

Offshore Wind Director

Kelt joined the Environmental League of Massachusetts (ELM) in January 2024. He serves as Offshore Wind Director, where on behalf of ELM he leads New England for Offshore Wind, a regional coalition of over 100 environmental and justice organizations, labor unions, academic institutions, and businesses and business associations that aims to drive regional collaboration and increased state commitments to responsibly develop offshore wind in New England.

Kelt has worked in politics and policy across New England, including roles with Maine Conservation Voters, Bernie Sanders’ 2020 presidential campaign, and Vermont Lieutenant Governor David Zuckerman’s 2020 gubernatorial campaign. He graduated from Hamilton College in 2017 and received his Master of Energy Regulation and Law from Vermont Law and Graduate School in 2022.

Kelt enjoys running, fishing, and skiing, and when the weather is more conducive to tea and a book, he enjoys a good political biography.

Board of Directors

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244

Elected climate champions since 2016

1942

Letters ELM Action Fund members wrote to lawmakers to pass the Roadmap Bill

7

Priority bills being advocated for this legislative session

Discover our virtual 2023 Annual Report

ELM’s and the ELM Action Fund’s interactive FY23 Annual Report showcases our achievements, our vision and goals, and our generous supporters.

Read the Full Report
Our Legacy

ELM Action Fund was launched in 2015 to build the political will in Massachusetts to pass bold and ambitious environmental policies. Since its founding, the organization has grown into a respected and reliable resource for elected officials, candidates and voters. The ELM Action Fund continues to pass laws that protect our environmental legacy, hold our elected officials accountable, and build the political power of the environmental community.

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