Meet some of the new faces at Save the Sound fighting for your land, air, and water every single day:
Chris Kelly, Peter B. Cooper Legal Fellow
Chris supports the organization’s land conservation, climate, and environmental justice initiatives.
Chris’ career in law and policy is informed by experiences as a legal fellow at the Connecticut Urban Legal Initiative in Hartford and in various internships in local government. Before coming to Save the Sound, he helped develop a program for law students to be appointed as advocates in animal cruelty prosecutions.
“Save the Sound is full of knowledgeable and passionate environmentalists, and I’m already learning so much from everyone and feel like I’m helping to make a difference.” – Chris
Javier Román-Nieves, Ecological Communications Specialist
Javier conveys our ecological restoration projects through a lens of human ecology and ecosystem conservation.
He is a Puerto Rican artist, writer and naturalist with over ten years of experience in design and environmental communications. Javier thrives at the intersections of humans and nature, finding himself at home among the green infrastructure and dam removal projects of our Ecological Restoration team.
“Restoring a healthy relationship with our environment is necessary to sustain a culture of healing and caring for one another, so helping Save the Sound transform the landscape for the better is an opportunity that I cherish and appreciate.” – Javier
Maggie Cozens, Lands Communications Specialist
Maggie is the environmental storyteller for advancing land conservation campaigns at Save the Sound.
She received her M.S. in Environmental Science from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, where she researched wetland ecology and worked on sea turtle conservation at the National Estuarine Research Reserve on Masonboro Island. As a former newspaper photographer and visual editor, Maggie seeks to involve multi-media and interdisciplinary storytelling in her environmental communications whenever possible.
“I’m excited to work with this incredibly talented, intelligent, and passionate group of people to achieve meaningful environmental change for our local communities and ecosystems!” – Maggie
Malaika Elias, Clean Water Advocate
Malaika focuses on communities with longstanding water pollution problems and advances legislative priorities that protect the Sound.
She is a feminist social justice activist who has worked on campaigns that intersect environmental, racial, and gender justice throughout her career. She began drawing the link between human rights and the environment after traveling to the Brazilian Amazon to learn from Indigenous leaders and has since involved herself in local environmental justice organizing to empower communities into taking action for their environment and health.
“I am most excited about working with and empowering our local communities into taking action to protect Long Island Sound!” – Malaika
Katie Friedman, New York Ecological Restoration Program Manager
Katie Friedman is a member of Save the Sound’s Ecological Restoration team and works closely with the Western Long Island Sound office. She manages the New York Ecological Restoration Program.
Katie holds an M.S. in Biology from Clark University where she studied the effects of anthropogenic nutrient loading on New England salt marshes. joins Save the Sound with a background in urban watershed restoration and planning, wetlands protection, and water quality monitoring.
She is now thrilled to lead the expansion of Save the Sound’s ecological restoration work in her home state of New York.
Alex Rodriguez, Climate Advocate
Alex mobilizes youth and supports climate communications, coalition building, community engagement, and legislative advocacy.
Alex previously planned and executed campaigns on climate action, voting rights, and electric school buses at the CT League of Conservation Voters, and served as Chair of the Public Participation subcommittee of the Governor’s Council on Climate Change, and Vice Chair of Hartford’s Advisory Commission on the Environment.
“I’m so glad to be a part of such a dynamic team working to protect clean air, water, and public lands, and to work in coalition with diverse stakeholders to bring us closer to a clean energy and resilient future.” – Alex
Everett Grant, Accounts Payable Clerk
While you might not run into Everett at public events the same way you see our advocates and communications staff, he plays a critical role at Save the Sound—helping keep all our work humming along smoothly by paying the bills!
Everett graduated with a B.A. in accounting from Oakwood University. In his spare time, he enjoys playing soccer and researching ancient history.
“I enjoy the friendly atmosphere at Save the Sound and helping to protect our environment.” – Everett
Want to see your face among these? Check out our NEW postings for seasonal and permanent positions in fundraising, water protection, and land conservation!