Staff & Board
Maine Conservation Alliance’s staff and board members combine a passion for conservation, climate action, and a healthy democracy with experience, diligence, and openness to continued learning, making them effective and eager agents for progress and change.
CHLOE HOFFMAN
she/they
Development Manager
As Development Manager, Chloe leads MCA’s membership program, engaging and growing a community of supporters who power our work to protect the environment in Maine and our democracy. They look forward to working with the people who make MCA’s work possible!
Favorite one-hit wonder: “Come On Eileen” by Dexys Midnight Runners
Contact Chloe at chloe@maineconservation.or
Dan Jenkins
he/him
Political Director
With a background in both policy and politics, Dan helps educate candidates and legislators on important issues and policies related to the environment and democracy. As the newest member of the team, he still occasionally gets roasted at group meetings. Before joining the Maine Conservation family, he worked on several political campaigns in the state, most prominently in several of Congressman Jared Golden’s successful races for US House.
Favorite one-hit wonder: “Peaches” by the Presidents of the United States of America
Contact Dan at dan@maineconservation.org
GABE COLE
he/him
Communications Manager
Gabe manages the organization’s internal and external communications and supports MCA’s mission by sharing stories that educate, empower, and create meaningful connections between people, communities, and the environment.
Favorite one-hit wonder: “Who Let the Dogs Out” by the Baha Men
Contact Gabe at gabe@maineconservation.org
KATE CARPENTER
she/her
Administrative Coordinator
From tech support to event planning, Kate keeps things running smoothly behind the scenes, helping staff and leadership with important administrative duties.
Favorite one-hit wonder: “The Safety Dance” by Men Without Hats
Contact Kate at kate@maineconservation.org
Keith Carson
he/him
Director of Environment & Science Communications
As Director of Environmental and Science Communications, Keith educates Mainers on the science of climate change, clean energy, and other environmental topics. He works to broaden the group of people who are interested in making positive changes for the earth, even if they are motivated by different reasons. His methods to achieve this are a little unorthodox and often riddled with humor.
Favorite one-hit wonder: “Break My Stride” by Matthew Wilder
Contact Keith at keith@maineconservation.org
MAGGIE SOMERS
she/her
Outreach Director
Maggie leads MCA’s outreach and organizing, building an inclusive movement for climate action and a healthy democracy. She brings people together across the state—through events, campaigns, and coalition work—to deepen engagement and grow lasting power for environmental change.
She runs MCA’s grassroots field program and advocacy efforts, including the popular Lunch & Learn series.
Favorite one-hit wonder: “Funkytown” by Lipps Inc.
Contact Maggie at maggie@maineconservation.org
MAUREEN DROUIN
she/her
Executive Director
Maureen is happiest outside in any kind of weather, drinking a strong cup of Irish tea, or working with MCA’s board, staff, and partners to ensure Maine is a place where people and nature thrive.
Favorite one-hit wonder: I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) by The Proclaimers
Contact Maureen at maureen@maineconservation.org
Nick janzen
he/him
Policy & Partnerships Director
Contact Nick at njanzen@maineconservation.org
PETER EIERMANN
he/him
Operations & Human Resources Director
Peter Eiermann is MCA’s Operations and Human Resources Director, spending his days wrangling haywire computers, reviewing coffee expenses with the seriousness of a federal audit, and quietly wondering why the entire staff hasn’t memorized the chart of accounts by heart. He speaks fluent QuickBooks, negotiates peace treaties between Ramp and reality, and he’ll never turn down a chance to blast “Rockin’ in the Free World” on the drive home.
Contact Peter at peter@maineconservation.org
RANI SHEAFFER
she/her
Deputy Director
Rani brings a collaborative, problem-solving approach to overseeing the organization’s political, communications, and organizing teams. She also leads special projects to help scale and align the organization’s campaigns and enhance our ability to protect the environment, act on climate, and safeguard our democracy. She has over two decades of experience working on environmental issues in the political arena.
Favorite one-hit wonder: “What’s Up” by Four Non Blonds
Contact Rani at rani@maineconservation.org
sarah woodbury
she/her
Legislative Director
Sarah spearheads MCA’s advocacy and coalition work. She works closely with legislators, coalition partners, and supporters to advance MCA’s mission to build a just, thriving future for all Maine people. Sarah brings with her over 15 years of experience in advocacy and communications.
Favorite one-hit wonder: “Come On Eileen” by Dexy’s Midnight Runners
Contact Sarah at sarah@maineconservation.org.
STACIE HAINES
she/her
Development Director
Stacie partners with donors who share MCA’s commitment to protecting and conserving the environment in Maine. She helps supporters make a meaningful impact by connecting them with opportunities to advance climate action, environmental justice, and a healthier, more equitable future.
Favorite one-hit wonder: “Dance Monkey” by Tones and I
Contact Stacie at stacie@maineconservation.org
MCA Board
Jennifer Burns Gray, she/her
MCA Board President
Kate Williams, she/her
MCA Board Vice President
Erin Cinelli, she/her
MCA Board Treasurer
Bridie McGreavy, she/her
Cori Messinger, she/her
Eliza Donoghue, she/her
Ivan Fernandez, he/him
Sara Freshley, she/her
Suzanne Lafreniere, she/her
William Ginn, he/him
WILLIAM GINN
he/his/him
MCA Board President
Bill is a business strategy consultant. He currently serves on the Board of the Davey Tree Company, a $1 billion-dollar green industry service company.
His distinguished career in conservation includes his role as Executive Director of Maine Audubon, where he oversaw the expansion onto the Gilsland Farm campus. He was campaign manager for two successful referendums establishing Maine’s Returnable Container Legislation and the first citizen chair of the newly established Pesticide Control Board. He was appointed by the governor to the committee responsible for removing Maine’s Billboards.
Bill founded Resources Conservation Services Inc, a business that manages recycling programs for industrial clients. After selling the company, he went on to work in New Zealand for the Nature Conservancy’s Asia and Pacific program. Upon returning to the U.S., he managed large forest conservation transactions for TNC which he chronicled in his book, Investing in Nature. In 2008, he was appointed Chief Conservation Officer of the Nature Conservancy and Executive Vice President in 2014. He founded NatureVest, a partnership with private investors that has brought over $200 million dollars of investment into conservation problems worldwide.
Erin Cinelli
she/her/hers
MCA Board Treasurer
After growing up in southern Maine and graduating from Middlebury College, Erin served as Executive Director of the Spannocchia Foundation for 12 years, supporting an education center and organic farm in Tuscany and splitting her time between Italy and Maine. Since 2013, she has been on the leadership team at the Rural Futures Fund, based in Portland, ME, and currently serves as Associate Director. Erin also works with the Rocking Moon Foundation, based in Washington, DC, and midcoast Maine, and moved into her current role as Executive Director in 2022 after serving as a grantmaking advisor since 2016. Erin earned a Master of Public Policy and Management degree from the Muskie School at the University of Southern Maine in 2005 and recently completed a term as Chair of the Maine Philanthropy Center board. She and her husband, Ben Slayton, have 2 children, ages 13 and 10.
KATE WILLIAMS
she/her/hers
MCA Board Secretary
Kate Williams has biology and ecology degrees from Tufts University and the University of Florida, and has conducted field work in marine, forest, and wetland ecosystems across North America. Kate’s research has focused on two primary topics: survey techniques and biases, and understanding the impacts of anthropogenic activities on wildlife. She is currently working at the Biodiversity Research Institute as their Wildlife and Renewable Energy Program Director.
PENNY ASHERMAN
she/her/hers
Penny is the Executive Director of the Chebeague & Cumberland Land Trust. Prior to this role, Penny was a member of the CCLT Board of Directors of the Chebeague & Cumberland Land Trust for many years and served as President of the Board for 13 years. Penny led the organization through a national accreditation process, and CCLT became the 12th all-volunteer land trust to receive the national award. Penny also serves on the Maine Land Trust Network Steering Committee, which sets goals and policies for the land trust community throughout Maine. As a member of the Town of Cumberland Conservation Commission for 10 years, Penny led efforts to inventory vernal pools and New England Cottontail populations in the town. She has received recognition for her environmental work from the Natural Resources Council of Maine, EcoMaine, and the Cumberland/NY Lions Club. Penny has a Law Degree and a Master’s in Environmental Studies from Vermont Law School and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Bowdoin College. Penny currently lives in Cumberland with her husband and three children. Penny enjoys outdoor adventures with her family and sharing her environmental interests with the local community.
Ivan Fernandez
he/him/his
Ivan J. Fernandez is Professor in the School of Forest Resources, Climate Change Institute, and School of Food and Agriculture at the University of Maine. He has received numerous honors and awards and has served on various U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Science Advisory Board committees in Washington DC since 2000. He recently chaired and continues to serve on a panel of the EPA Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) that is evaluating the Clean Air Act’s secondary National Ambient Air Quality Standards for oxides of sulfur, oxides of nitrogen, and particulate matter.
He represents the University of Maine in the USDA Northeast Climate Hub, and has been involved in leading the Maine’s Climate Future assessments in 2009, 2015, and 2020. In 2019 he was appointed to the Maine Climate Council, and also serves as co-Chair of its Scientific and Technical Subcommittee and a member of its Natural Working Lands working group. He has taught courses in soil science, forest soils, carbon and climate, and climate adaptation among others and served as a department Chair for a decade. He is a soil scientist, with a research program that focuses on the biogeochemistry of ecosystems in a changing physical and chemical climate and is actively engaged in promoting climate change solutions in Maine.
SARA FRESHLEY
she/her/hers
Sara is a recent law school graduate focused on building her career in environmental policy and advocacy. After growing up exploring coastal Maine, she earned a degree in marine science at the University of Maine before taking a sharp turn and moving to Bozeman, Montana. After three years of exploring the mountains, she boomeranged back to Maine to pursue law school. Sara spends her free time training her dog, singing karaoke, and sitting on porches drinking coffee.
Suzanne Lafreniere
she/her/hers
Suzanne Lafreniere is the Public Policy Director for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland. She earned her BA in Philosophy at Loyola University of Maryland and her Juris Doctor from the University of Maine School of Law. She lives in Scarborough with her husband Denis and daughters Lucie, Claire, and Rose.
Cori Messinger
she/her/hers
Cori Messinger is the Africa Campaign Director/ Principal Gifts Officer at The Nature Conservancy (TNC). She has worked to raise funds for conservation programs in Maine, Africa and the globe for 25 years. In previous roles, she served as TNC’s Director of Development for the Africa Region and as a fundraiser for TNC’s Maine Chapter. Cori’s expertise is in non-profit management, major gift fundraising and volunteer board development. She is a graduate of Middlebury College with a degree in Environmental Studies and received her Master’s in Public Policy and Planning from the Muskie School for Public Service at the University of Southern Maine. She lives in Kennebunk, Maine.