Island Institute (II)

Island Institute logo

Dr Robert Snyder, IIDr. Robert Snyder is President of the Island Institute. He is responsible for working with island and coastal leaders in Maine to identify and invest in innovative approaches to community sustainability.
He oversees the Institute’s efforts to share solutions with communities that are experiencing similar challenges to their sustainability elsewhere. Rob’s background is in cultural anthropology, and his research and writing have focused on community economic development and the cultural politics of natural resource management. Rob writes a monthly Field Notes column for The Working Waterfront newspaper.

 

Suzanne MacDonald is Chief Community Development Officer. She is responsible for designing the organization’s strategic approach to sharing information and experiences across all areas of its work in order to further the sustainability of communities in Maine and elsewhere. For nine years, she directed the Institute’s Community Energy Program, partnering with island communities in Maine, New England, and beyond to develop and implement practical strategies to lower their high energy costs.

Suzanne holds an M.A. in urban and environmental policy and planning from Tufts University and a B.A. in international development and political science from McGill University. She serves as Vice-Chair of the Efficiency Maine Trust Board of Trustees and sits on the Maine Climate Council’s Buildings, Infrastructure, and Housing Working Group. She is also a Senior Fellow in the Environmental Leadership Program. In 2015, Suzanne gave a TEDx Talk entitled “What Islands Can Teach Maine About Energy.” 

Suzanne and her family live in Rockland and enjoy a close connection to the Monhegan Island community.

MOBILE: (207) 701-1401

WORK: (207) 594-9209 EXT. 144

EMAIL: SMACDONALD@ISLANDINSTITUTE.ORG