Eric Andrade
Impact Director, Groundwork Southcoast

Eric Andrade was born and raised in the Flint neighborhood of Fall River, a first generation American son of hard working parents who emigrated from the Azorean Islands of Portugal. He graduated from Bristol Community College in 2012, and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Anthropology from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth in 2014. From 2014-2018 he was a Health Promotion Coordinator for Mass in Motion Fall River, working on addressing root causes of public health issues. Before coming on as Programs Manager for Groundwork Southcoast, he served as the Board President, and was involved in the feasibility study and launch process for the organization.

His current role at Groundwork Southcoast is as the Impact Director, where he helps coordinate a number of initiatives including regional work for Climate Safe Neighborhoods Massachusetts (A Groundwork USA initiative), Resilience District work, while also overseeing organizational systems and data management. Eric is very passionate and committed to advancing equitable social justice causes, especially at the intersection of public health and the environment. He believes reclaiming and transforming open spaces to be truly accessible to all is central to creating a more equitable place to live for all residents in Southcoast MA

Rodney Avila
Ørsted Corporate Fisheries Liaison and Fourth-Generation New Bedford Fisherman

Rodney Avila is a retired, fourth-generation, commercial fisherman who fished for 47 years. He started fishing with his dad when he was just nine years old and has been a part of the fishing industry ever since, helping his sons and grandsons find their footing on fishing boats. After retiring, he served as a liaison for the New Bedford Fisherman’s Family Assistance Program and spent 12 years on the Fisheries Management Committee. Always in search of an adventure, Rodney has also nurtured a second passion: motorcycles. Having ridden in all 50 states on a motorcycle, Rodney now only has 53,000 miles left to go before he has covered one million miles on a motorcycle. In his most recent phase of retirement, Rodney joined Ørsted as a liaison between the fisheries and the offshore wind companies.

John Bullard
President, New Bedford Ocean Cluster

John Bullard is the President of the Board of the New Bedford Ocean Cluster. He retired in 2018 as Regional Administrator for NOAA Fisheries where he was responsible for the management of all living marine resources in federal waters from Maine to Cape Hatteras. John ran NOAA’s Office of Sustainable Development for the Clinton Administration in Washington after serving as Mayor of New Bedford from 1986-1992. Before that he worked for 12 years leading the effort to revitalize the waterfront historic district. John is on the Board of the Buzzards Bay Coalition, the Westport Planning Board and is a co-founder of The New Bedford Light. He has a degree from Harvard and advanced degrees from MIT.

Gordon Carr
Executive Director, New Bedford Port Authority

Gordon Carr joined the New Bedford Port Authority in October 2022 as its Executive Director. Gordon’s career has involved extensive work in the areas of economic development and business growth in both the public and private sectors. For the previous seven years, Gordon held multiple roles at the Massachusetts Port Authority, including leading the Department of Strategic and Business Planning and serving as Deputy Director for Strategy and Policy and Department of Real Estate and Asset Management. In these positions, Gordon was active in advancing the Port of Boston’s maritime industrial goals and positioning the Authority for long term sustainable growth. Prior to Massport, Gordon managed his own economic development consulting business, advising municipalities on business recruitment and retention, and assisting businesses with site selection and credits and incentives negotiations. Gordon is a graduate of St. Lawrence University and is a lifelong resident of Massachusetts.

Ethan de Aguiar
Artrepreneur & Videographer

A self-proclaimed “artrepreneur” & New Bedford native, Ethan de Aguiar is an experienced filmmaker, focusing on the art of storytelling. Ethan brings the essence of the subject matter to life with cinematic visuals that create a unique experience for audiences. Ethan has built long- term working relationships with notable local organizations such as Southcoast Community Foundation, YMCA Southcoast, NB Creative, Destination NB, Viva! Fall River and Fabric Festival, to name a few. With a multi-faceted eye on both the creative aspects and data analytics of video marketing, Ethan creates long- and short-form visual content that delivers impactful results.

Kathryn Duff
Founder & Director, studio2sustain inc

Kathryn Duff is a registered architect (RA) in Massachusetts, a Certified Passive House Consultant (CPHC), a Passive House Institute – United States (PHIUS) certified consultant and an Ambassador with the International Living Future Institute. Prior to s2s, Kathryn was founder of STUDIO of Architecture & Art. Kathryn is a member of the City of New Bedford Planning Board (Chair, 2018-2022), a past board member of WHALE (Waterfront Historic Area LeaguE), a past board member of the Lloyd Center for the Environment, and a founding board member of the REACH Foundation and the New Bedford Education Foundation. Kathryn lives and works in the port city of New Bedford. Kathryn earned a Bachelor of Architecture from Syracuse University, a Masters of Architecture from Harvard University and attended the Cleveland Institute of Art.

Thais M. Fournier
Coastal Resilience Extension Specialist, Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island

Thaïs is a Coastal Resilience Extension Specialist for Rhode Island Sea Grant and the Coastal Resources Center (CRC) at the University of Rhode Island. Thaïs assists Rhode Island’s coastal communities in becoming more resilient to the effects of climate change through interdisciplinary research, technical assistance, outreach and education. Thaïs’ training as a coastal ecologist has taken her overseas from New Zealand to work on conservation of overharvested shellfish, to an archipelago in Mexico assessing the effects of climate and marine input on terrestrial communities. Thaïs also spent two years in Rwanda teaching biology with the U.S. Peace Corps.

Thaïs gained a B.S. in Biology from the University of New Hampshire and was later awarded a M.S. in Marine Science from the University of San Diego, where she concentrated on habitat connectivity amongst coastal communities. Thaïs has also worked for several National Estuarine Research Reserves monitoring invasive species in coastal habitats and human induced effects related to climate change, while integrating outreach and education throughout her scientific career. Before joining CRC, Thaïs worked for the Town of Nantucket’s Natural Resources Department as their Water Resource Specialist, overseeing the Island’s estuarine monitoring and research program. Prior to her role on Nantucket, Thaïs worked for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Headquarters in Washington, D.C. to develop recommendations on policy and program issues to better characterize potential impacts of biosolids on water quality and human health.

Paulina Fuenzalida-Guzman
Cultural Manager and Textile Artist

Paulina Fuenzalida-Guzman combines her interior design and journalism background to create fiber art. Originally from Santiago, Chile, she relocated to New Bedford, Massachusetts, in 2018 to pursue a masters degree in fibers at the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth.

Her early work addresses human rights violations during the collapse of democracy in Chile and explores the intricate concept of identity. Each piece she creates reflects the interplay between personal experiences and external circumstances, inviting viewers to embark on their journeys of self-discovery.

In 2019, Paulina was honored with the prestigious Surface Design Association Outstanding Student Award for her excellence in Fiber studies. She actively contributes to Earth Creative, a nonprofit organization raising awareness of climate change and advocating for climate justice.

Through her collaborative textile project, exploring the meaning of migration for Latino families in the New Bedford community, and her organization of a traveling exhibition featuring Latino artists, Paulina amplifies underrepresented voices. She promotes diversity and inclusion in the arts.

Anjelica S. Gallegos
Designer, Page Southerland Page & Director, Indigenous Society of Architecture, Planning, and Design

Anjelica S. Gallegos (Jicarilla Apache Nation/Pueblo of Santa Ana) recharges architecture and nature, pushing frontiers of design and functionality, especially in sensitive environments like the Southwest, Arctic, and New England coast. Gallegos recently served as an inaugural resident at the Center for Architecture Lab in New York City, NY where she expanded her academic research on Indigeneity and relational aspects to nature. Gallegos now serves as an architectural designer in Albuquerque, New Mexico at Page Southerland Page, an award winning international design, architecture, and engineering firm.

Anjelica is a co-founder and Director of the Indigenous Society of Architecture, Planning and Design, with work featured in Architectural Digest, ByDesign Magazine, Landscape Architecture Magazine, and Metropolis Magazine. Gallegos served as an ambassador of President Obama’s Generation Indigenous Initiative, advocating for Indian and environmental priorities, including at the White House Tribal Nations Summit and United State of Women Summit. Prior, Anjelica served in public relations for the Jicarilla Apache Nation and the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad. Gallegos graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Cum Laude) in Architecture and a minor in Photography from the University of Colorado Denver. She graduated with her Master of Architecture degree from Yale School of Architecture as the Alpha Rho Chi Medal recipient.

Will Gardner
Fairhaven Resident and Education Consultant

Will Gardner is an educational consultant and entrepreneur. He is the founder and former Executive Director of Alma del Mar Charter Schools in New Bedford. Alma’s mission is to put every one of its scholars on the path to college and to challenge them to be service-minded leaders. During Will’s time at Alma, the organization grew from having one school serving 120 scholars to having two schools serving over 1,000 scholars. Alma has been recognized for strong academic achievement, proactive family engagement and exemplary work with English language learners. Prior to founding Alma del Mar, Will ran after school programming for middle schoolers in New Bedford. He began his career as a teacher with Teach for America in the Mississippi Delta. He has a BA from Wesleyan University and M.Ed.from Harvard. He lives in Fairhaven with a badass librarian, two quirky kids and a pit mix.

Chad McGuire
Professor of Public Policy at University of Massachusetts Darmouth’s College of Performing and Visual Arts

Chad McGuire is a professor of environmental policy within the Department of Public Policy at the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth. His background is in environmental law and environmental science. He teaches, writes, and practices in the fields of environmental law, policy, sustainability, and dispute resolution and he works primarily on policy issues related to climate change, coastal management, property rights, risk perception, and land use patterns. He has published numerous book, book chapters, and articles on these subjects.

Chad studied in his undergraduate years at University of Massachusetts, Darmouth where he majored in Environmental Science before getting a Masters in Environmental Science from University of Massachusetts, Boston. He also holds a law degree from Thomas Jefferson School of Law and a Masters in Environmental Law from University of San Diego Law School. His expertise has been sought in both private and public forums, and he currently serves on committees for both non-profit and government entities. His Curriculum Vitae can be found here.

Adelsa Mendes
MassDevelopment TDI Fellow, New Bedford

Adelsa Mendes is a Transformative Development Initiative (TDI) Fellow for New Bedford’s Acushnet Ave/North End TDI district. Prior to joining MassDevelopment, Adelsa served as the Business Assistance Manager for the Brockton Redevelopment Authority (BRA), where her understanding of diverse populations, community-building skills, and outgoing character were fundamental to enhancing minority-owned businesses’ access to critical resources, such as COVID-19 relief funds. She was responsible for building relevant partnerships to help address Brockton small businesses’ needs and nurturing a sustainable and stronger small business enterprise. Adelsa’s leadership at BRA made her one of the recipients of the MassINC Gateway City Innovation Award of 2022.

Adelsa spent nearly ten years working as the Coordinator of Immigration Affairs at the Consulate of Cabo Verde in the United States, where she provided case management to more than 400 individuals. She also worked as a liaison for the Boston Public Schools’ newcomer families. Adelsa helped implement an International Financial institution in Cabo Verde while working in a law office in Lisbon-Portugal.

She has a Juris Doctorate from the University of Lisbon.

Michele Paul
New Bedford Director of Resilience and Environmental Stewardship

With a background in civil engineering and twenty years of assessment and remediation consulting, Michele’s passion is Brownfields redevelopment and the public policies that shape these community rebuilding projects located largely in environmental justice neighborhoods.

Under the leadership of New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell, Michele’s role is focused on community resilience, combining infrastructure, social, and economic development efforts. New Bedford is the number one Fishing Port in the nation and the hub of off-shore wind infrastructure assembly and maintenance deployment, and New Bedford’s comprehensive climate adaptation and resilience plan: NB Resilient, will guide future capital and program direction through the lenses of equity and community character.

Michele is a member of the New England Municipal Sustainability Network where resilience professionals share best practices and lessons learned in this emerging field. New Bedford is a new member of the Urban Sustainability Directors’ Network. Michele represents New Bedford on the Mass Municipal Association’s Policy Committee for Energy and the Environment, is a member of MassDevelopment’s Brownfields Advisory Group, and serves on MassDEP’s Waste Site Cleanup Advisory Committee representing municipal officials. Michele is a Massachusetts Licensed Site Professional and is a past President of the Licensed Site Professional Association.

Mary Rapoza
Director, Parks, Recreation & Beaches of New Bedford, MA

Mary S. Rapoza has been the Director of the New Bedford Parks, Recreation & Beaches Department since 2013. Mary has a great love of public spaces and engaging children and adults in the great outdoors for health and recreation. Her commitment to improving the quality of life and health for all New Bedford residents through the development of city wide recreational opportunities and beautiful, safe open spaces is reflected in the new park construction and park rehabilitations that have occurred during her tenure as the Director of the parks department.

New Bedford Parks Recreation & Beaches has constructed several new parks under her direction including Captain Jack Peterson Dog Park, Noah’s Place Playground at Marine Park, the renovated bowling greens at Hazelwood Park and currently Abolition Row Park with the NB Historical Society. Her department manages the annual Play in the Park Summer Food Program which distributes over 88,000 free meals to city youth at parks, playgrounds and summer programs throughout the city, the Full STEAM Ahead program at the Ricketson Nature Center and Andrea McCoy Recreation Center, flag football, pre-K soccer and other recreational and enrichment programs.

Mary’s experience as a Landscape Designer and environmental educator brings a rich background to her position as Director. Mary S. Rapoza received a Graduate Certificate in Landscape Design from the Landscape Institute at Harvard University. As a professional Landscape Designer, Mary has designed and managed the installation of private estates, commercial sites and public parks and spaces. She previously worked as an environmental educator at the Children’s Museum in Dartmouth and the Buzzards Bay Coalition.

Skylah Reis
Marine Biology Masters Student; University of Cambridge

Skylah was born and raised in New Bedford, MA and is a proud product of the New Bedford public school system. She attributes much of her passion for ocean science to her proximity to the sea growing up and to Sea Lab, the New Bedford marine science summer school. Currently, Skylah is completing her International Masters degree in marine biology at the University of Cambridge in the U.K. She is interested in how the human-ocean relationship can evolve beyond its history of exploitation and into one of sustainability and mutual benefit. This evolution, to her, will be built on three pillars of research. These pillars are as follows: what role can healthy oceans play in mitigating climate change, what tools do we have to maintain and increase marine biodiversity and, finally, what practices will allow for sustainable production of commercially important species (like fish and bivalves) while stimulating the blue economy. More specifically, Skylah’s research shows how bivalves like oyster reefs, can restore ecosystems and build community resilience . She is also interested in plastic pollution in aquatic urban systems. In the New Bedford region, she has worked with the Buzzards Bay Coalition, Cuttyhunk Shellfish Farms, and the Sea Lab marine science school.

Alison Smart
Executive Director, Probable Futures

Alison Smart came to the issue of climate change after serving in leadership roles at world-class arts and cultural organizations.

Today, as Executive Director of Probable Futures, she is committed to providing opportunities for people around the world to deeply understand climate change and take actions to prepare for and mitigate its impacts. In her role, she convenes leaders across science, design, technology, business, and culture, to develop useful, resonant, and beautiful climate change tools and resources.

Alison’s previous roles have included Vice President for Strategy and Advancement at the Woodwell Climate Research Center, Vice President for Development and Marketing at the New Bedford Whaling Museum and several fundraising and community-building roles in southern Florida. Alison earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theater Arts Management from the University of Miami (FL).

Dominic Vaccari
Electric Utility Professional & U.S. Coast Guard Reserve Officer

Dom Vaccari is a recent graduate of Massachusetts Maritime Academy where he developed passions for leadership and energy infrastructure. At MMA, Dom studied energy systems engineering, a program that provides foundations in mechanical and electrical engineering while exploring global energy shortfalls and solutions. As an operations supervisor at Rhode Island Energy, Dom engages field workers, customers, and engineers to help deliver reliable electricity, enable grid modernization, and restore power during emergencies. Additionally, Dom is a U.S. Coast Guard Reserve officer at Port Security Unit 301 where he continues to embrace structure and service in a maritime environment. In both roles, Dom leverages honest communication, intrinsic motivation, and a strong technical understanding to bridge gaps between stakeholders. As a lifelong resident of Dartmouth, MA, Dom has a personal interest in engaging local community and organization leaders to harden our community’s coastline and infrastructure while preserving the incredible culture and history of the area.

Emma York
Associate Director of Education & Community at the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center

Emma York is an educator, curriculum designer, researcher, and lifelong resident of New Bedford, dedicated to giving people of all ages authentic opportunities to engage with the power of their own, and other people’s, stories.

She graduated valedictorian of New Bedford High School and Magna Cum Laude from Williams College with a Bachelor of Arts in English and Africana Studies. In her senior capstone, she designed curriculum exploring the history of New Bedford’s Black Panther Party and as the 7th and 8th grade Humanities Teacher at Our Sisters School she continued to design, and teach, curriculum that exposed her students to the hidden history of their own city and equipped them with the tools to be changemakers in their community.

Emma holds a Master of Arts in Teaching degree from Brown University and now serves as the Associate Director of Education and Community at the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center. She sees her work at “The Z” as an opportunity to amplify and connect others to the work and experiences of New Bedford’s diverse communities.

Emma is a member of The Women’s Alliance of Southeastern Massachusetts and serves on the Reimagining New England Histories Curriculum Committee. She was integral in the creation of a timeline cataloging the local fight for women’s rights over the past 50 years.

In 2021, Emma received an Art is Everywhere grant for her original project “Highlighting Diverse Stories: New Bedford’s Middle Schoolers as Literacy Ambassadors” and in 2023 she received NEFA’s Collective Imagination for Spatial Justice grant.

Eric Andrade
Impact Director, Groundwork Southcoast

Eric Andrade was born and raised in the Flint neighborhood of Fall River, a first generation American son of hard working parents who emigrated from the Azorean Islands of Portugal. He graduated from Bristol Community College in 2012, and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Anthropology from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth in 2014. From 2014-2018 he was a Health Promotion Coordinator for Mass in Motion Fall River, working on addressing root causes of public health issues. Before coming on as Programs Manager for Groundwork Southcoast, he served as the Board President, and was involved in the feasibility study and launch process for the organization.

His current role at Groundwork Southcoast is as the Impact Director, where he helps coordinate a number of initiatives including regional work for Climate Safe Neighborhoods Massachusetts (A Groundwork USA initiative), Resilience District work, while also overseeing organizational systems and data management. Eric is very passionate and committed to advancing equitable social justice causes, especially at the intersection of public health and the environment. He believes reclaiming and transforming open spaces to be truly accessible to all is central to creating a more equitable place to live for all residents in Southcoast MA

Corinn Williams
Executive Director, Community Economic Development Center

Corinn Williams has served as Executive Director of the Community Economic Development Center of Southeastern Massachusetts (CEDC) since 2002. Corinn co-founded the CEDC in 1997 in an effort to create economic opportunities for low- and moderate-income New Bedford residents. Located in the heart of New Bedford’s near North End on Acushnet Avenue, the CEDC aims to be a bridge for new immigrants and long-term residents to find their way to sustainable economic opportunity. To achieve this, CEDC promotes a three-pronged people-centered, asset-based pathway where all those in the immigrant community can access essential resources and skill-building, build connections within the wider community through collaboration, and develop partnerships to advocate for longer-term community change and resilience.

The CEDC’s ultimate goal is an active, vibrant community that gets its fair share of public and private services and provides opportunities for all. Increasing equitable access to health care, safe and affordable housing, and climate resilient employment are primary focus areas for Corinn’s work.

In addition to her leadership at CEDC, Corinn has served as a research consultant with NOAA to assess the socio-economic impact of regulations on the New Bedford fishing community. Her work has also included consulting assignments in community and microenterprise development in Central Asia and Latin America. Corinn earned a Bachelor's degree from University of Massachusetts Dartmouth (formerly SMU) and a Master’s degree and all but dissertation in Anthropology from the University of Connecticut. She lives in New Bedford.

Pedro Ortiz
Designer, DBVW Architects

Pedro Ortiz, was born in Caguas, Puerto Rico but was raised in New Bedford and has lived there since he was 5 years old. Ever since his childhood, he wanted to become an architect and as he grew up, he discovered what it truly means to be an architect. As a designer, he gets to influence the built environment and affect the way people live and enjoy their lives. He went to New Bedford’s Vocational High School where he studied Architectural Drafting as his Career Major. He obtained his Masters in Architecture at Roger Williams University and upon graduation joined DBVW Architects, in Providence, RI, full-time. While enrolled at RWU, he worked as a Team Leader/Project Manager for the Community Partnerships Center, where they provided design services to other non-profits around Rhode Island and Southcoast Massachusetts, including projects in New Bedford. At DBVW Architects he has contributed to projects that range from preservation of historic buildings, adaptive re-use of historic/abandoned buildings, and creating/designing affordable housing. He still lives in New Bedford and wants to get involved and see his city succeed and thrive for years to come.

Elise Rapoza
Senior Research Associate, MassINC

Elise Rapoza is the Senior Research Associate at MassINC, a nonpartisan think tank dedicated to making Massachusetts a place of civic vitality and inclusive economic opportunity. With dual master’s degrees in statistics and public policy analysis, her expertise lies in research methodology and advanced analytical techniques. She has authored many reports informing state-level policymaking, including analyses of emerging industries, clean technology, housing, and workforce development.

Elise completed her master’s degrees at Oregon State University and was a Commonwealth Scholar at UMass Dartmouth, completing a bachelor's degree in “Quantitative Public Policy Analysis” (a bespoke multidisciplinary track) and graduating summa cum laude. Her volunteer work includes serving on the steering committee of the New Bedford Science Café and on the board of Leadership SouthCoast. She currently resides in New Bedford and graduated from Fairhaven High School.

If you or anyone you know would like to join the advisory committee, please reach out to us at newsletter@envisionresilience.org

Nicholas Sullivan
Chair of Design, Art & Technology Massachusetts (DATMA)

Nicholas P. Sullivan is a writer and editor focusing on the impact of business and technology on international development. He is the author of The Blue Revolution: Hunting, Harvesting, and Farming Seafood in the Information Age (Island Press, 2022). Other books include Money, Real Quick: Kenya’s Disruptive Mobile Money Innovation and You Can Hear Me Now: How Microloans and Cell Phones Are Connecting the World’s Poor to the Global Economy. He has been codirector of The Fletcher School’s Leadership Program for Financial Inclusion (Tufts University), a consultant to central banks in developing countries, and a visiting scholar at MIT’s Legatum Center for International Development. He was a publisher of Innovations: Technology/Governance/Globalization (MIT Press) and editor-in-chief of Inc.com. Sullivan is currently a Senior Research Fellow at Fletcher’s Maritime Studies Program and Chair ofMassachusetts Design, Art & Technology Institute (DATMA), a public-art purveyor headquartered in New Bedford.

Annica Dupre
Southcoast Climate Reality Chapter Youth Leader

Annica is a student at Dartmouth High School and a local climate activist. For three years, she's been a member of the Climate Reality Project's Massachusetts Southcoast chapter. In 2021, she represented the chapter in a youth panel discussion at the New Bedford Zeiterion following a showing of "I Am Greta." She frequently works with Be the Solution to Pollution, an organization dedicated to beautifying the Southcoast, ditching unsustainable packaging, and holding companies accountable for manufacturing single-use plastics. With a specialty in plastic pollution, Annica's working on getting styrofoam and single-use plastics out of her school and her hometown. In August, she was selected to be on Governor Maura Healy's inaugural Youth Climate Council.

Annica is also a Dartmouth alumni of Project 351, a non-profit that empowers youth through service. She serves as an assistant editor on Dartmouth High's student newspaper, The Spectrum, where she incorporates youth and environmental perspectives into many of her articles. She deeply believes in the power of writing to open minds.

As a teenager living in a coastal community, Annica knows the climate crisis defines her present and her future. Taking action is the only productive way she knows how to deal with her climate anxiety. She's always looking for people in her community - especially other teenagers - to join the fight in saving our home planet.

MEET THE ADVISORS NEW BEDFORD AND FAIRHAVEN