Mountainkeeper's Deputy Director, Katherine Nadeau, plays a pivotal role in all sectors of our work. Whether advocating for the Catskill Park or working alongside our allies at NY Renews to lobby for climate action in Albany, Katherine does it all. This week, we met with Katherine to discuss how she arrived at her role in the Mountainkeeper team.

What is your role as the Deputy Director of Mountainkeeper, and what are your main responsibilities?

As Deputy Director, I’ve got the best job at Mountainkeeper. I get to work in most of our program areas, helping to support our talented staff as they lead on the campaigns and initiatives you read about each week in our newsletter. As our ‘boots on the ground’ in Albany, I also get to work with legislators, regulators, statewide media, and the Governor’s office to bring the values outlined in Moutnainkeeper’s mission to life.

Could you share your background and what led you to work at Mountainkeeper?

I’ve been working on statewide environmental policy in New York since 2007 and, during the fracking fight, I was able to forge relationships with Wes, Kathy, Ramsay, and Beth from my position at a colleague organization, Environmental Advocates NY. I was blown away by Mountainkeeper’s dedication, expertise, and commitment to collaboration, so when the opportunity arose to head the organization’s Solar Outreach Initiative, I jumped at it.

What are some of the key achievements or initiatives you have been involved in during your time with Mountainkeeper?

I’ve loved working with the team to pass the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act in 2019, secure millions of dollars in investments in the Catskills, launch our stewards program, and make it easier and more affordable for nearly 800 homes and businesses in 15 New York counties go solar. Catskill Mountainkeeper is one of the best organizations in New York's climate movement. We get to work on a local level at our farmers markets, regionally to support the park, statewide in the climate justice fight, and nationally fighting extreme energy. And we do it all with the best people and partners on the planet.