Kate’s role as a community development officer at the Island Institute involves working with waterfront businesses to help them transition away from fossil fuels. This work includes connecting businesses with resources that enable projects like solar and heat pump installations and the adaptation of electric outboard motors. Kate’s work is integrated with Spark! Grant awards, a part of the Tom Glenn Community Impact Fund that focuses on clean energy projects.

Kate has an undergraduate degree from Wellesley College in economics and environmental studies, and a master’s degree in policy planning and management from the Muskie School of Public Service at the University of Southern Maine. Kate is from Massachusetts, and she lived in Utah before moving to Maine. Before joining us at the Island Institute, she worked with the Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust doing communications and outreach work. After that, she worked with Volunteer Maine as the Climate Corps Planner where she worked with private and public entities to build a plan for a state-wide, equity focused public service program centered on work related to climate change.

Kate lives in Newcastle with her partner and their two rescue dogs. She loves skiing, whitewater rafting, and sea kayaking.