We’ve expanded our team! Help us give a warm welcome to Emily Southard, our new Marketing and Development Manager.
Emily has over a decade of experience in Maine’s nonprofit sector. She was most recently the summer residency manager at Hewnoaks Artist Residency in Lovell, and prior to that she lived in Portland and spent over six years with Classical Uprising as their managing director. Other past work experiences include positions at Creative Portland, Waterman’s Community Center, and the Boston University Community Service Center.
She received her undergraduate degree from Boston University and has a Master’s in Nonprofit Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania. Born and raised in Maine, she has a deep love for her home state and for cultivating projects that showcase its talent, protect its natural resources, and enrich its communities.
Get to know Emily with us:
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Gorham (go Rams!). It’s been so fun reconnecting with my hometown from this new role. For example: Becky Fortier was my fourth grade teacher, and now we’re going to be collaborating on a project together to build an outdoor classroom at Great Falls Elementary where she’s the principal!
What’s your favorite PRLT property?
I’m still exploring, but the new Rivermeadow Nature Preserve has left a strong impression. I just moved to Westbrook and love that there are trails basically right outside my front door. I also used the trails by Gorham High School and Frazier Preserve (a.k.a. “the old railroad bed”) all the time as a kid, so those hold a special place in my heart.
What’s your favorite way to get outside?
I learned to kayak when I was pretty young (my grandparents live on an island and we’d visit for a few weeks every summer), and it’s still my favorite way to explore Maine. A few years ago, I started getting more into hiking, too. Once I decided I would try going out to the woods on my own, I was driving to New Hampshire on the weekends and slowly checking off their list of 4000 footers. I still have a ways to go to get them all!
How else do you spend your time outside of work?
Besides kayaking and hiking, I’m a big crafts person. I’ve recently been teaching myself embroidery and re-learning how to knit (I swear it’s way harder than crochet). I minored in visual arts in undergrad, and I still sometimes dabble in painting and printmaking.
Quick! What’s your favorite…
Mountain – Tumbledown Mountain
River – Presumpscot River!
Craft project – Crochet
Podcast – Good Hang with Amy Poehler
Poet – Is it too on the nose to admit it’s Mary Oliver?
Travel destination – Spain (I walked the Camino de Santiago last year, highly recommend)
Coffee shop – If I’m in the midcoast I always stop at Rock City. Closer to home, Coveside Coffee has great vibes. But Bard has the best chai.
Musician – I can’t stop listening to Florence + The Machine’s new album
In one sentence, why PRLT?
Because as our towns continue to grow, now is the moment to make sure we save spaces for people and wildlife to thrive together for future generations.
How do we reach you?
emily@prlt.org or 207-358-9403 (or DM me on PRLT’s Facebook or Instagram accounts)
Header photo credit: Will Sedlack / Presumpscot Regional Land Trust