Curtis Bohlen
Director, Casco Bay Estuary Partnership (CBEP)

Curtis Bohlen is an aquatic and wetland biologist with an interdisciplinary background in ecology, economics, and public policy. Bohlen currently leads the work of CBEP: to seek creative solutions to environmental challenges, support local communities, and improve management of Casco Bay. In recent years, the organization has expanded efforts to assist communities to understand and to prepare for impacts of a climate change. Bohlen has worked as a legislative aide on Capitol Hill, for environmental advocacy organizations, as an environmental consultant, and on the faculty of Bates and Colby Colleges. He holds undergraduate and master’s degrees from Stanford and a PhD from Cornell.

Curt Brown
Marine Biologist, Ready Seafood

Curt Brown is a lifelong Mainer, commercial lobsterman, marine biologist for Ready Seafood, and Chairman of the Alliance for Maine’s Marine Economy. When he began fishing at 8 years old, his passion for lobstering sparked his interest in science. After obtaining a master's degree in marine biology and marine policy from UMaine, Curt has worked tirelessly on policy and sustainability initiatives since 2015 to preserve this way of life for his children and future generations.

While still fishing 500 traps off the coast of Maine, Curt has worked closely with state and federal lawmakers and Ready Seafood customers to tell the story of sustainable Maine lobster. Curt has also been committed to spending his days between science and the fishing industry to push the ever-evolving endeavor of improving the overall sustainability of a resource that supports many Maine families and small businesses. As of late, Curt traveled to Washington, DC, to testify on behalf of Maine’s lobster industry to share the long history of the state’s conservation efforts.

Kai Fast
Sustainability Specialist, Kaplan Thompson Architects

Kai graduated from Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston in 2014 with a Master’s in Architecture. They decided to pursue sustainable architecture due to their concern for the future of the environment. “It really felt like the only logical direction to go, in any field, in order to protect our future. I love solving puzzles and problems in all areas of my life, and architecture provides the opportunity to do so. I love seeing an idea or a drawing take shape in the real world – it feels like a type of magic.”

Kai is first and foremost a maker and will dive with obsessive abandon into nearly any practice in order to see their imaginings come to life. They enjoy metal-working, herbalism, and gardening, and are a collector of orchids and carnivorous plants. Ultimately, Kai’s projects both at home and at the office center around bringing people and nature into closer connection through design, whether that means a self-watering kitchen garden or an energy efficient cabin in the woods. They are a certified Passive House Design Consultant and specialize in creating energy models to help inform energy efficient building designs.

Nell Donaldson
Director of Special Projects, City of Portland

Nell Donaldson is the Director of Special Projects in the Department of Planning & Urban Development at the City of Portland, where she has worked for the past 12 years.  In her various roles with the city, she has worked on large scale development review projects, policy initiatives, and long-range plans.  She is currently managing the city's ReCode effort.  She was born and raised in eastern Maine, graduated from Brown University, and holds a master's degree in city planning from MIT.

Bella Dziak
Program Coordinator, New England Young Fisherman’s Alliance

Bella Dziak is the Program Coordinator for the New England Young Fishermen’s Alliance (NEYFA). Originally from Chicago, she pursued her undergraduate studies in Community and Environmental Planning with a dual major in Sustainability at the University of New Hampshire. Bella’s journey into sustainable practices began with an impactful internship at a women-owned CSA farm, where she discovered the vital role local food systems play in empowering communities. After her work at the farm, she received the opportunity to work with NEYFA to develop and create a video project to bridge gaps between fishermen, decision-makers, and the community, and continues to work with them to develop the organization and support local fisheries.

Bella is now dedicated to NEYFA's mission of preserving New England's small-boat commercial fishing industry. The organization provides essential resources such as networking and training to young commercial fishermen, with the vision of expanding and strengthening the local seafood system and supporting all its stakeholders. Bella’s enthusiasm for sustainable practices and community engagement shines through her work at NEYFA, where she continues to make a significant impact.

Seth Goldstein
Director of Development, South Portland Historical Society

Seth Goldstein grew up on Cape Cod where he developed his passion for maritime history. He received his bachelor’s degree in European History from the University of California at Santa Cruz and his master’s degree in Global Historical Theory from Northeastern University. His research interests include the historic North Atlantic fishery, global piracy, New England shipwrecks and lighthouses, the whaling industry and Maine’s connection to Atlantic World African enslavement. He has worked for Greater Portland Landmarks and the Portland Harbor Museum. Seth has taught at the University of New England, Southern Maine Community College and the Maine College of Art and Design. Seth is affiliated with the Atlantic Black Box Project; a grassroots non-profit seeking regional historical recovery. He is currently the Director of the Cushing’s Point Museum and the Director of Development for the South Portland Historical Society.

Abigail Hayne
Youth Climate Engagement Coordinator, Maine Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future

Abigail is the youth climate engagement coordinator with the Maine Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future. Within this role, she connects Maine students with the state’s climate action plan, Maine Won’t Wait, and provides pathways for young Mainers to take climate action of their own. She recently launched Climate&Me, a new initiative to engage Maine youth in climate action in ways that make sense with their skills, passions and community needs.

Prior to joining GOPIF, Abigail worked as a marine biologist in academic research and environmental consulting, studying fish, sharks and their environments. She shifted her career upon graduating with her master’s in Marine Science to better connect communities, especially students, to science and the environment. She is experienced in written and oral communication, public engagement and science engagement. Abigail holds Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Marine Science from the University of New England in Biddeford, Maine. She has lived in coastal Maine for nearly 10 years.

Ethan Hipple
Parks, Recreation & Facilities Department Director

Ethan’s passion for recreation and the outdoors was ignited while working on trail crews in National Parks and National Forests. He went on to serve as Hut Crew in the Appalachian Mountain Club’s High Mountain Huts, guided trail crews and wilderness trips for youth, managed a nationwide youth conservation corps program (SCA), directed the AmeriCorps New Hampshire Conservation Corps, and ran the Parks and Recreation Department and Abenaki Ski Area in Wolfeboro, NH. Since 2016 he has served the City of Portland as the Recreation Director, Parks Director, and now the Director of the Parks, Recreation, and Facilities Department. He serves on the boards of the Portland Parks Conservancy and the music venue One Longfellow Square. His focus in his position as Director of Parks, Rec and Facilities is to create opportunities for Portlanders of all backgrounds to enjoy the outdoors and connect with each other through recreation and cultural experiences. 

Emily Hollyday
Science Teacher, King Middle School

Emily Hollyday is a science teacher dedicated to engaging students in interdisciplinary and authentic projects. As a founding teacher and team leader at an expeditionary learning school in New York City, she helped her students do research on oyster restoration, inspiring and supporting a student-group who wrote and lobbied for legislation on a tax credit that would incentivize mollusk shell recycling. Emily continues to develop and teach learning expeditions at King Middle School in Portland, Maine. During the spring of 2024, her students re-designed areas of Portland prone to coastal flooding and presented their work to local stakeholders at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute. Emily earned a BA from College of the Atlantic and a MA from Brooklyn College. During past summers, Emily has worked in a stem cell lab through Columbia University’s Summer Research Program for Teachers and has interned with NASA Langley Research Center.

Municipal Climate Action Program Team at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute
L to R:  Sienna Zuco, Climate Services Project Manager; Steph Sun, Climate Engagement Specialist; Gayle Bowness, Senior Program Manager

The Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) develops and delivers collaborative solutions to global ocean challenges. We are dedicated to the resilience of the Gulf of Maine ecosystem and the communities that depend on it. The Municipal Climate Action Program engages and collaborates with coastal communities, combining local knowledge and expertise with scientific data, to envision and build a climate-resilient and thriving future. We value: 

• Deep, empathetic, and authentic community engagement grounded in trust 

• Meaningful youth participation in community climate planning 

• Connections and cooperative collaborations with local organizations 

• Scientific data and the research process 

• Equity, which we prioritize in all our efforts

GMRI’s Municipal Climate Action Program is small, yet mighty! It includes Gayle Bowness (Senior Program Manager), Steph Sun (Climate Engagement Specialist), and Sienna Zuco (Climate Services Project Manager). The MCAP team has worked with over 30 coastal communities in Maine, co-developing and delivering programming across climate literacy, community science, climate planning, framework development, and capacity building.

Milan Nevajda 
Planning Director, City of South Portland

Milan Nevajda joined the South Portland Planning and Development Department as Planning Director in April, 2020. Milan's experience includes development review, long-range and master planning, economic development strategic planning, and environmental protection.

Prior to joining South Portland, Nevajda led the Sonoma County Planning Division, covering a 1,770 square mile region, a 76-mile coastal zone, 500,000 residents, and over 50 staff. Milan previously worked for the Town of New Gloucester as in 2013 before moving to planning consulting; first in Maine then in the Bay Area, California. As a consultant, Milan worked on South Portland's Mill Creek master plan. Milan holds a Master of Urban Planning from McGill University.

Julie Rosenbach
Sustainability Director, City of South Portland

As the Sustainability Director for the City of South Portland, Julie's role is to develop and adopt programs to address climate change, transition to clean, efficient, and renewable energy, facilitate waste reduction programs, improve alternative transportation options, minimize the use of toxics in the community, and educate people about sustainability.

She received her bachelor's degree in Russian History from the University of New Hampshire and a master's degree in International Environmental Policy from the Monterey Institute of International Studies. Prior to joining the City of South Portland, Julie worked as an Environmental Protection Specialist at the U.S. EPA in Washington D.C. and as the Sustainability Manager at Bates College.

Katie Tims
Sustainability Associate, City of Portland Sustainability Office

Katie Tims is a Sustainability Associate with the City of Portland Sustainability Office leading the office’s community engagement efforts and assisting with the development, implementation, and management of sustainability programs and policies. The Sustainability Office collaborates with all City departments, other municipalities, state offices, community organizations, citizens, and businesses to advance energy conservation, support waste reduction and recycling, strengthen coastal resilience, promote sustainable land use, build community resilience, and transition to a fossil fuel-free future. Born in Maine, Katie has been enjoying Portland’s vibrant scene for most of her life, until finally settling in in 2021. She holds a B.S. in Biology with a concentration in pre-medical studies from the University of Maine

Jesse Thompson
Principal, Kaplan Thompson Architects

Jesse Thompson is an award-winning architect who has become a national leader in green design, building science, and affordable housing.  Jesse started his career working construction in high school in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. Since then, he’s been through every stage of design and building. Jesse is relentlessly practical, but he sees possibility for greatness in every project. He is a sucker for a good challenge.  

Jesse’s always working on balancing elements - art and design with engineering, beauty with affordability, function with potential. Jesse is Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, a graduate of the University of Oregon, was there at the beginning of Passivhaus Maine, and has served as past President of AIA Maine.

Tyler Plante
Affordable Housing Real Estate Developer, Portland Housing Authority

Tyler Plante is an affordable housing real estate developer with Portland Housing Authority. For a decade, Tyler has lead LIHTC renovation projects for PHA, Community Housing Partners (Richmond, VA) and Avesta Housing (Portland, ME) that facilitate community redevelopment, create quality affordable homes, connect residents to opportunity, and improve sustainability and resilience. Before that, Tyler was a Peace Corps volunteer in Mexico.

Eli Rubin
Community Planner, City of South Portland

Eli joined the South Portland Planning & Development Department in August 2022. Prior to that, he worked as a Community Planner in Kennebunkport, a Finance Director in Bowdoinham, and has been working in municipal government since 2019. His experience includes climate action planning, coastal flooding mitigation and resilience, affordable housing policy, and public finance. His favorite activities range from creative community outreach programs to one-on-one conversations with residents and builders. Before receiving his master's degree from the Ed Muskie School of Public Service at USM, Eli worked as a house carpenter, building science enthusiast, timber-framer, organic farmer, and as a horse trainer.

Eli brings a passion for people-based planning and development, economic and environmental resilience, and inclusive community engagement. Outside of the office, you can find him biking to work year-round or paddling the great waterways of Maine.