Staff

Maria Finnegan, Director of CHICKs

Maria Finnegan is the Director of the Climate and Health Initiative for Caregivers and Kids (CHICKs). After a career in media and development at NPR, ABC, ESPN, the Democratic National Committee, MIT and Harvard, she came home to the Granite State and dedicated herself to combating climate change--first at the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, and then in greenhouse gas removal advocacy. She has found her true calling in building a grassroots climate movement focused on the physical and mental health of children and parents. Maria holds a degree in Journalism and Communications from the Newhouse School at Syracuse University and is currently pursuing an expanded Climate Change and Health certificate at the Yale University School of Public Health. She serves on the Executive Committee of the New Hampshire Public Radio Community Advisory Board, the Steering Committee of the New Hampshire Afterschool Network,  and is a member of her local Conservation Commission. Maria lives in the Monadnock Region with her husband, toddler, and two crazy cats.

Emily Thompson, Director of Operations

Ms. Thompson graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 2021 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Conservation and Sustainability. After completing an internship with Senator Hassan in 2019, she decided to major in a social track focused on environmental policy and politics, environmental conflicts, and the intersectionality between sustainability and other social issues. She has worked on the social media team for a global campaign, Solve Climate by 2030, encouraging educators around the world to incorporate climate change into their curriculum, as well as for UNH Cooperative Extension, in which she was a science liaison between the university and the State House, researching active climate bills in NH. Emily is very determined to begin her career in the field of environmental sustainability, and help mobilize a generation of young professionals to advocate for a more sustainable future for all. As the Director of Operations for NH Healthcare Workers for Climate Action, Emily oversees the development of each working group, outreach tasks, administrative duties, and overall development of different projects. 

Joan Widmer, MS, MSBA, RN, Treasurer, Executive Director

Ms. Widmer has a unique and varied professional background. Prior to becoming a nurse, she had a successful career in multiple corporate accounting and finance roles, including the roles of Chief Financial Officer, VP of Finance & Accounting and Corporate Controller. Ms. Widmer was responsible for the day-to-day financial and accounting management, including the preparation of financial statements, business plans, strategic plans and monitoring performance against these plans. In 2004, Ms. Widmer elected to pursue a second career in nursing. She holds a BA from University of California, San Diego and a MSBA from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She completed her nursing training at Rivier University and received a MS in Nursing from the University of New Hampshire. Ms. Widmer practiced clinically at Catholic Medical Center for 12 years and has served as Adjunct Clinical Faculty for UNH. She served as the Executive Director of the New Hampshire Nurses Association for four years and was responsible for the day-to-day operations of this non-profit professional organization for NH nurses. Ms. Widmer is currently serving as the Treasure for the American Nurses Association and working as the Executive Director of NH Healthcare Workers for Climate Action.