< Back Michael Simpson Trustee Michael is a Professor Emeritus at Antioch University New England's Environmental Studies Dept. He is also currently Principal and Senior Environmental Scientist of MHS & Associates based in Norwich VT. Michael has over 40 years experience in the water resources and watershed fields and is a certified Wetlands Scientist. He was a founding Board Member for both NH Association of Wetland Scientists and NH Association of Natural Resource Scientists. Michael's most current applied research has been in conjunction with NOAA and US EPA looking at the impacts of climate change in the context of a changing landscape. All his research has necessarily included a stakeholder development process, as well as economic analyses associated with projected impacts. One such study was completed for the five communities in the Lake Sunapee watershed, a headwaters for the Sugar River tributary to the Connecticut River. Michael is currently writing a book on the Impacts of Climate Change to the Wetlands in the Glaciated Northeast. CRC@ctriver.org

kbuckman at ctriver.org 603-931-2448 She/Her < Back Kate Buckman Aquatic Ecologist Kate became CRC's Aquatic Ecologist in 2025 after serving as the River Steward for NH since 2022. She spent much of her career prior to joining CRC involved in marine and freshwater research. She received her bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences from Smith College where she worked on coral reef ecology and education in Belize and her PhD from the MIT/WHOI Joint Program in Oceanography where she focused her thesis research on the ecology of fish at hydrothermal vent systems on the East Pacific Rise. Kate made the short trip north back to her home state of New Hampshire in 2010 and spent many years at Dartmouth College as a member of the Toxic Metals Superfund Research Program studying trophic transfer of mercury and assisting with community science programs in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. When not contemplating how awesome fish are, Kate can often be found puttering in her yard and gardens, hanging out on the porch pondering which house project to tackle next, or walking her wiggly dog around the neighborhood. The Vermont Natural Resources Council conducted an excellent interview with Kate in December, 2025, which you can also read here. kbuckman at ctriver.org 603-931-2448 Our Mission Get to Know Our Mission, Vision, & Values Upcoming Events Register to Learn & Connect Get Involved Volunteer, Participate, or Donate

lherbert at ctriver.org 413-772-2020 She/Her < Back Laura Herbert Staff Accountant Laura Herbert joined CRC as Staff Accountant in 2022. She holds a BS in Elementary Education and has taught in the classroom and as an environmental educator. Since beginning her career in finance and administration, Laura has worked in corporate consulting as well as in the non-profit sector. Additionally, Laura has a lifelong passion for conservation and has worked for various environmental groups doing invasives removal, species inventories, rare plant surveys, and design and implementation of land management plans. She has also developed environmental conservation curricula for students K-6. Laura is a licensed wildlife rehabilitator with a specialty in the care of rabbits and turtles. In her spare time, she enjoys exploring natural areas and honing her skills as an outdoorswoman. lherbert at ctriver.org 413-772-2020 Our Mission Get to Know Our Mission, Vision, & Values Upcoming Events Register to Learn & Connect Get Involved Volunteer, Participate, or Donate

< Back Tony Judge Trustee Tony grew up on the Connecticut River in South Hadley Falls. For many years, he’s worked as a broadcasting executive and radio, television and film producer. He served as board vice-chair for the National Wildlife Refuge Association. Now returned from the Midwest to the Valley and its great river, Tony’s eager to help the Connecticut River Conservancy in its vital, exciting work.

< Back Geoffrey Habron Trustee I spent 25 years as a professor teaching Fisheries and Wildlife, Sociology, and Sustainability Science at Michigan State University, Warren Wilson College, and Furman University with a focus on applied and community engaged learning. Since 2021, I have participated in the $5M Carolinas Collaborative on Climate Health and Equity led by NC State University and funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Climate Adaptation Partnership program. My focus is on equitable climate resilience and adaptation having worked with African-American communities in Greenville , South Carolina and Bucksport , South Carolina. I also serve on the Statewide Resilience Plan Advisory Committee for the South Carolina Office of Resilience and the Justice Equity Diversity and Inclusion Committee for the American Society of Adaptation Professionals. View my Relevant Work Summary I earned a Ph.D. in Fisheries Science at Oregon State University with an interdisciplinary research project on Assessment of Community-based Adaptive Watershed Management in Three Umpqua Basin Watersheds. I earned a M.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries from Mississippi State University and a B.A. in Biology with a minor in Caribbean, African, and African-American Studies from the University of Miami. Prior to academia, I served in the Peace Corps in St. Lucia Eastern Caribbean as a Fish Pond Specialist in the Department of Fisheries. As a child I spent 5 years in Thailand and 4 years in Nicaragua. CRC@ctriver.org

ngordonkirsch at ctriver.org 413-772-2020 ext. 216 She/Her < Back Nina Gordon-Kirsch River Steward in Massachusetts Nina joined CRC’s staff in December 2023 after assisting with CRC’s water quality monitoring program during the summer of 2023. She moved to the Connecticut River Valley from northern California where she spent the past decade working across the water industry including regulatory and monitoring work for the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board, teaching a high school field course on natural and human-made water systems, and designing and installing professional greywater reuse projects. Before leaving CA, Nina walked 240 miles along the Mokelumne River to trace where her drinking water came from and feels passionate about connecting humans to their water sources. She holds an M.Sc. in Wastewater Reuse from Ben Gurion University, completed a Fulbright Scholarship in Israel and Palestine researching the fate of endocrine disrupting compounds in Palestinian wastewater treatment, and earned her B.Sc. in Environmental Science with a minor in Marketing from the University of Southern California. In her free time, you’ll find her dipping in local rivers (all year round!) and hiking with her dog Petey. ngordonkirsch at ctriver.org 413-772-2020 ext. 216 Our Mission Get to Know Our Mission, Vision, & Values Upcoming Events Register to Learn & Connect Get Involved Volunteer, Participate, or Donate

< Back Major Gifts Officer Position classification: Full-time, salaried, exempt Application deadline: August 10, 2026 Start date: October 1, 2026 Office location: Hybrid, preferably based out of our Middletown, CT office. Health benefit eligible: Yes Retirement benefits eligible: Yes Supervisor: Chief Development Officer Salary: $75,000 - $90,000 Position Description The Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC) restores and advocates for clean water, healthy habitats, and resilient communities to support a diverse and thriving watershed. The Major Gifts Officer (MGO) will deepen relationships with donors who share our passion for clean water and healthy rivers. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer, the MGO will lead CRC's major gifts efforts in Connecticut, a region of significant growth opportunity, while also supporting major gifts work across the broader watershed in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont. The MGO will inherit and grow a Connecticut-focused portfolio, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding 50-70 major donors and must bring demonstrated experience and confidence in securing four- and five-figure gifts with aspirations of closing six-figure gifts. Year one will be focused on retention and relationship-building with existing donors and year two will be focused on building a robust pipeline to drive growth. The ideal candidate pairs sophisticated major gifts fundraising skills with a genuine connection to environmental conservation and ability to translate the ecological complexity of the Connecticut River watershed into compelling stories that inspire transformational giving. Primary Responsibilities Manage a portfolio of active major gift donors (30-40) and new prospective major gift donors (20-30) for a total portfolio of 50-70 donors, with a strategic focus on cultivating and soliciting four- and five-figure gifts. Develop and implement individualized cultivation and stewardship plans for each donor and prospect in your portfolio, moving donors through the giving cycle with intentionality and care. Lead CRC's major gifts expansion, particularly in the southern watershed, deepening relationships with existing donors and identifying and cultivating new prospects in a region with significant untapped philanthropic potential. Conduct prospect research independently to identify new major gift prospects from CRC's existing donor base, lapsed donors, and new audiences to add to your portfolio. Develop and maintain major gift portfolios for the Executive Director and Chief Development Officer, conduct prospect research, and help schedule visits to support donor engagement and solicitation work. Prepare compelling gift proposals, impact reports, acknowledgment letters, and other donor communications that connect individual philanthropic interests to CRC's conservation priorities. Support legacy-giving conversations when organically appropriate, in coordination with the Chief Development Officer. Collaborate closely with the Chief Development Officer on portfolio strategy, goal-setting, and moves management, maintaining accurate and timely records of all donor contacts and activity in CRC's CRM. Plan and execute donor cultivation and stewardship events, including house parties, field site visits, and watershed experiences in coordination with CRC staff and volunteer hosts. Partner with program staff, particularly CRC's River Stewards, to stay current on conservation work in the region and translate outcomes into donor-ready stories. Represent CRC at community events, donor gatherings, and regional conservation convenings across the entire watershed as needed. Work collaboratively with the development team to support broader fundraising efforts, including year-end campaigns, as needed. Qualifications Are you excited about this opportunity and don’t meet every requirement? We understand that many people who may be impacted by biased hiring standards, such as women, individuals with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC applicants, may only apply if they meet every requirement listed in a job posting. If you are interested in this opportunity and believe you meet most of the job requirements, we encourage you to apply. Minimum 5 years of experience in major gifts fundraising, with a demonstrated track record of successfully soliciting and closing four- and five-figure gifts. Proven ability to build authentic, long-term relationships with donors and move prospects through a full cultivation and solicitation cycle. Experience conducting prospect research and translating findings into actionable donor strategies. General familiarity with CRM systems to track donor activity. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft compelling proposals, impact reports, and donor correspondence. Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple donor relationships and deadlines simultaneously. Ability to work well independently and as part of our development team, coordinating with other staff as needed. Ability and willingness to travel regularly within Connecticut and occasionally across the broader watershed. Commitment to CRC's mission of clean water, healthy habitats, and resilient watershed communities. Friendly and professional demeanor. Nice to Have Experience working in environmental conservation, natural resources, or a related mission-driven field. Familiarity with the Connecticut River watershed region and its communities. Experience planning and executing donor cultivation events. Knowledge of or experience with Virtuous or similar CRM platforms. Knowledge of community-centric fundraising principles. Salary and Benefits CRC provides medical, dental and vision benefits, ample paid time off, and up to a 3% match for retirement. Office Location This is a hybrid position. Candidates must reside within the Connecticut River watershed with a preference for Connecticut. Candidates in Massachusetts, Vermont, and New Hampshire will be considered. Regular in-person donor meetings and office attendance are required. Application Instructions To apply for the position, use the form below to upload your cover letter and resume as a combined PDF. Please name your file with your first and last name. Application Deadline August 10, 2026 Overview of the Organization The Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC) restores and advocates for clean water, healthy habitats, and resilient communities to support a diverse and thriving watershed. CRC has been a steward of the Connecticut River and its tributary streams since 1952. Our programs include advocacy, aquatic invasive species management, dam removal, habitat restoration, migratory fish surveys, recreation events, trash cleanups, and water quality monitoring. Through collaborative partnerships in New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, CRC leads and supports efforts for resilient and life-filled rivers from source to sea. We are uniquely positioned to leverage local, state, regional, and federal resources as the only science-based nonprofit working throughout the entire watershed. Our values of collaboration, integrity, purpose, and adaptability guide our ongoing work to address the climate crisis, biodiversity loss, and pollution. Together through community engagement and education, we’re helping to ensure healthy rivers for all. Learn more at ctriver.org . The Connecticut River Conservancy is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer and will engage in an inclusive recruiting and hiring process. It considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. The application deadline has passed and candidates are currently under review. Apply Now First name Last name Email Phone Applying for Choose an option How did you hear about this job? Please upload your resume and cover letter as a single PDF file. Upload File Upload supported file (Max 15MB) Submit Application Thanks for submitting! Previous Next

< Back Christine Palm Trustee Christine Palm recently completed her third term as State Representative for the 36th General Assembly District in Connecticut, covering the towns of Chester, Deep River, Essex and Haddam. As Vice Chair of the Environment Committee, she successfully passed a bill requiring the teaching of climate change as part of the school curriculum, making Connecticut the first U.S. state to require this teaching in all public schools. For her efforts, Palm won the Walter Cronkite Environmental Education Award. Palm also wrote and enacted legislation to create and fund the Office of Aquatic Invasive Species (housed at CAES), with a special emphasis on managing hydrilla verticillata. Palm, an assistant Majority Leader, has consistently been named a “Legislative Champion” by the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters. Palm also shepherded bills banning PFAS and restricting trophy hunting through the Legislature, and helped get the modernized Bottle Bill across the finish line. Palm’s other signature legislative efforts include enhancing women’s rights, securing gun safety measures, and increasing economic security for working families and young adult earners. She has been a newspaper reporter, high school teacher, marketer of non-profit and cultural institutions, and once owned a bowling alley. She was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize for essay writing. She is the author of the poetry chapbook, Preparing the Ground. In addition to conservation, Palm has a special interest in literary graves of New England and is in the process of researching a book on the final resting places of poets, authors, journalists, and other literary figures. She and her husband, the artist James Baker, have four sons.

mmccaughey at ctriver.org 413-772-2020 She/Her < Back Mary McCaughey Development Coordinator Mary joined CRC in September, 2022. Mary has been living in the Connecticut River Valley in Western MA since 2008 when she began her studies in Plant, Soil, and Insect Science at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Mary reluctantly worked in retail sales and customer service before being lucky enough to join CRC. She currently lives in Easthampton with her husband and dog. She enjoys art, music, and spending time with family and friends. mmccaughey at ctriver.org 413-772-2020 Our Mission Get to Know Our Mission, Vision, & Values Upcoming Events Register to Learn & Connect Get Involved Volunteer, Participate, or Donate

mstrider at ctriver.org 413-772-2020 ext. 201 She/Her < Back Mallory Strider Interim Director of Finance mstrider at ctriver.org 413-772-2020 ext. 201 Our Mission Get to Know Our Mission, Vision, & Values Upcoming Events Register to Learn & Connect Get Involved Volunteer, Participate, or Donate

rbudd at ctriver.org 413-772-2020 ext. 222 She/Her < Back Rebecca Budd Restoration Program Manager Becky joined CRC’s staff in October 2021. She received her B.A. in Psychology from Dartmouth College and M.S. in Natural Resources from the University of New Hampshire. She previously worked with American Rivers and The Nature Conservancy on land protection, river restoration, and conservation GIS projects. Becky has always lived near the river, from her childhood in Connecticut to her college dorm in “The River Cluster” near the upper Connecticut River. She currently lives in Northampton, MA with her family. In her spare time, she volunteers on rare species and habitat surveys and enjoys gardening, cooking, hiking, and skiing. rbudd at ctriver.org 413-772-2020 ext. 222 Our Mission Get to Know Our Mission, Vision, & Values Upcoming Events Register to Learn & Connect Get Involved Volunteer, Participate, or Donate

dchaplin at ctriver.org 413-834-0079 She/Her < Back Diana Chaplin Director of Communications Diana brings over 15 years of experience in communications strategy and marketing for both nonprofit and startup organizations with a distinct passion for conservation and uplifting storytelling. Her background also includes publishing, leadership development, and graphic design. Prior to joining CRC in 2022, Diana was the Marketing Director at global reforestation nonprofit One Tree Planted during 5 years of its early critical growth, establishing the organization as a media-savvy environmental brand and growing a robust internal team while funding the planting of over 40 million trees – including being a funding partner of CRC! Diana currently oversees CRC's content throughout this website, email, social media, and custom distribution channels in partnership with programs staff. When she’s not working, Diana enjoys exploring the great outdoors with her family in Massachusetts. dchaplin at ctriver.org 413-834-0079 Our Mission Get to Know Our Mission, Vision, & Values Upcoming Events Register to Learn & Connect Get Involved Volunteer, Participate, or Donate