The Massachusetts Chapter of the Sierra Club announced the appointment of four new board members to its Executive Leadership Committee. Joining the board for the first time are Dorchester residents Vernon K. Walker and Jenny Lau, both active in community leadership and environmental action in the Boston area and the state of Massachusetts. In addition, Ben Pignatelli of Jamaica Plain and Clint Richmond of Brookline were reelected. All will serve a two-year term beginning February 2020.“We are excited to welcome Vernon and Jenny to our Executive Committee and happy Ben and Clint will join us again,” said Deb Pasternak, Sierra Club Massachusetts Chapter Director. “Their collective expertise adds strength to our presence and outreach throughout the communities in Massachusetts that are looking to get involved with our efforts educating and working with constituents to protect and restore our environment. The Sierra Club staff and volunteers look forward to working with them.”
Jenny has served on the Sierra Club’s Political Committee for the past year and has been an activist prior to her involvement with the Sierra Club. She brings experience in strategic planning, fundraising, and nonprofit management through working with women in politics and organizing poor workers, immigrants and communities of color, all frontline communities most impacted by the climate crisis.
Rev. Vernon K. Walker is program manager of Communities Responding to Extreme Weather (CREW) and is a member and part of the outreach department of the Pentecostal Church in Cambridge. His work with many diverse organizations across the state will help the Sierra Club build new ties and foster solidarity among groups effected by the climate crisis. Rev. Walker is frequently quoted in newspapers and television in the Boston area and he writes articles on diversity and climate change as well as about his work related to social justice.
Ben and Clint have been active members of the Sierra Club for several years, both serving on the Executive Committee as well as leading key initiatives for the Chapter. Ben served as chair of the Executive Committee and is the chair of the club’s Boston Inspiring Connections Outdoors youth outreach program. Clint is well-known for his efforts campaigning against single use plastics, solid waste and toxics. He also serves as co-chair of the Transportation Committee.
Current Executive members Daniel Vernick, Sue Butler, Paul Dale, Celia Doremus, Robert Kearns, and Cape Cod Group represenative, Chris Powicki will continue to serve through 2020. Click here for more information about the Chapter's Executive Committee.