Climate Finance Office Hours is hosted by the Gulf of Maine Research Institute, New England Environmental Finance Center, and Resilience Works, LLC. These sessions are meant to be an open opportunity for anyone to come and ask questions related to funding and financing for a wide variety of adaptation and mitigation projects, energy projects, development and a variety of other topics. Each session will focus on a short topical presentation or speaker, then will be open to questions from participants.

Hosts:

Nikki Yanok, Climate Finance Specialist, Gulf of Maine Research InstituteThe Climate Finance program supports communities, economic development, and other organizations to identify and manage funding and financing for adaptation and mitigation-related projects. Nikki's background in community development finance and impact investing helps faciliate projects like revolving loan development, grant writing, and innovative investment strategies in a wide variety of projects.

Allen Kratz, Principal, Resilience Works, LLCResilience Works, LLC helps communities seek, secure and implement funding and financing for climate resilience, energy efficiency and greenhouse gas reduction projects. Allen’s background includes community organizing, public procurement, contract administration and service on nonprofits boards, including Blue Hill Peninsula Forward.

Chloe Shields, Deputy Director, New England Environmental Finance CenterNEEFC supports communities across New England in building the capacity to plan, fund, finance, and implement projects that protect critical environmental resources and strengthen long-term community resilience. With a background in environmental planning and program implementation and focus on climate resilience and water infrastructure, Chloe helps communities identify actionable solutions to local challenges and identify and secure sources of grant and loan funding to make those projects a reality.

Andrea Berry, Climate Funding Manager, New England Environmental Finance CenterNEEFC supports communities across New England in building the capacity to plan, fund, finance, and implement projects that protect critical environmental resources and strengthen long-term community resilience. Andrea's background in nonprofit fundraising, organizational leadership, and municipal governance enables her to directly support communities in navigating financial landscapes, translating funding and financing concepts into actionable guidance for communities building long-term resilience.