Staff

Maria Finnegan, Director of CHICKs, mfinnegan@nhclimatehealth.org

Maria Finnegan is the Director of the Climate and Health Initiative for Caregivers and Kids (CHICKs) at NH Healthy Climate, where she oversees the Adventures in Climate and Health Curriculum and the Climate Café programs. Her work focuses on addressing the physical and mental health impacts of climate change on both children and caregivers. With a background in media and development at NPR, ABC, ESPN, the Democratic National Committee, MIT, and Harvard, Maria returned to her home state of New Hampshire to focus on combating climate change, first at the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, and later in carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas reduction. She holds a degree in Journalism and Communications from the Newhouse School at Syracuse University and an expanded graduate certificate in Climate Change and Health from Yale University School of Public Health. She is also a member of the Executive Committee of the New Hampshire Public Radio Community Advisory Board, serves on the board of the Monadnock Sustainability Hub, and contributes to the Children’s Environmental Health Committee for the American Public Health Association. Her work is driven by a deep commitment to creating a healthier, more sustainable future for her four-year-old son.

Emily Thompson, Executive Director

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 Healthy Climate, Emily oversees the development of each working group, outreach tasks, administrative duties, and overall development of different projects. 

Joan Widmer, MS, MSBA, RN, Treasurer

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 Healthy Climate.