More than 80 members of the Greenbelt community came together on May 15 for our Annual Meeting — always a wonderful opportunity to connect, reflect, and celebrate our shared achievements from the past year. Highlights included an overview of completed projects by President Chris LaPointe and a compelling presentation by Vanessa Johnson-Hall, Director of Land Conservation, on the urgent need to safeguard vulnerable farmland in our region.
The event also served as an opportunity to welcome three new members to the Board and to recognize the service of outgoing members Leslie Burns, Philip Lake, and Spencer Purinton. The Al Creighton Award for Conservation was presented to environmental photographer and videographer Jerry Monkman, and Volunteer of the Year honors were awarded to beekeepers Ashley Desrosiers and Kaitlyn Stanhope, as well as to photographer and social media contributor Em Monahan-Skoff.
Outgoing Board Members
- Leslie Burns, Essex — Leslie has served on the Board for six years, contributing to both the Development Committee and the creation of the Thursday night invite-only event at Art in the Barn. Long before her Board tenure, she was a dedicated volunteer, supporting Greenbelt’s mail crew, events, and outreach efforts with unwavering enthusiasm.
- Philip Lake, Hamilton — Philip has been deeply involved with the Board for more than 20 years, including serving as Board Chair during a key leadership transition. He has played an active role on nearly every Board committee — standing and ad hoc — such as Land Protection, Governance, Finance, Investment, and Succession Planning, often serving in leadership roles. His steady guidance, strategic insight, and strong commitment to the Board's work have been invaluable to Greenbelt’s success.
- Spencer Purinton, Newburyport — Spencer just completed his second six-year term on the Board, bringing to a close 12 years of dedicated service. He has been a key contributor on several committees, including Development, Corporate Conservationist, and DEI, and has generously hosted Greenbelt events at his home. His energy, creativity, and deep commitment to conservation have been invaluable, and we're grateful he will continue to stay involved through committee work.
New Board Members
- Jessica Grigg, Boxford — Jessica is a freelance singer specializing in French, Italian, and German opera, as well as jazz standards and contemporary works. A passionate environmentalist, she serves as President of BTA/BOLT, a member of Greenbelt’s Land Protection Committee, and has volunteered for various environmental groups.
- Mary Ellen Kelly, Beverly — Mary Ellen has held diverse roles throughout her career in advertising, meeting planning, and community engagement, including Executive Director of the Sheldrake Environmental Center and Volunteer Program Manager at Greenbelt.
- Nancy Pau, West Newbury — Nancy is a wildlife biologist with more than 20 years of experience in habitat management, ecosystem restoration, and rare species conservation. She is actively engaged in promoting eco-friendly policies on public land and advancing nature-based climate solutions.