Page 12 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, DECEmbER 1, 2023 Local Watershed Association adds four new experts to Board of Directors I n November the Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) announced the addition of Ryan Dings, Monica Ghosh Driggers, Helen Quac, and Kelly Ryan to its Board of Directors on October 24, 2023, bringing expertise in climate technology, environmental law, public health, and finance. Ryan Dings (he/him) serves as the founding chief executive officer of ClimateHaven, a community of climate technology companies and the passionate people that support them. Rooted in New Haven, Ct., ClimateHaven provides incubation, targeted programming and valuable networks to “climatetech” entrepreneurs working to build and scale the technologies we need to decarbonize the planet. In addition to his role at ClimateHaven, Ryan is a venture partner for Connecticut Innovations’ $100M ClimateTech Fund, which is designed to invest capital and strategic support in early-stage companies whose technologies will address the many challenges presented by climate change. Prior to these roles, Ryan served as the Chief Operating Officer & General Counsel of Greentown Labs. Prior to joining Greentown Labs, Ryan served as the Chief Operating Officer & General Counsel of Sunwealth, where he helped launch the Solar Impact Fund. Ryan also served on the executive team of venture-backed prefab Ryan Dings home builder Blu Homes and has advised numerous early-stage clean tech and building tech companies over the past 15 years. Ryan started his career as a lawyer and holds graduate degrees in law from Wake Forest University School of Law and in design from Harvard University Graduate School of Design, and a Bachelor of Arts from UNC-Chapel Hill. Ryan currently lives in the Greater Boston area with his wife, Kate Rigby, and their two daughters. “The Mystic River is such an incredible resource for our region and provides a vital connection to the natural world for so many communities. The benefits of a vibrant Mystic River cannot be understated, and the watershed’s role will only grow in importance as we navigate the challenges presented by climate change. I’m honored and excited to join the MyRWA Monica Ghosh Driggers board and commit my time and energy to making the Mystic as healthy and accessible for our communities today and generations to come.” Monica Ghosh Driggers (she/ her) is a Winchester resident. She studied environmental law and began her career examining water rights and forestry issues in the Intermountain West. She went on to spend 30 years working closely with policy makers to change state and federal court processes, specializing in evaluating systems that work with marginalized communities. She has conducted long-term studies on topics ranging from domestic violence to parole to the rights of disabled persons. Having never lost her commitment to the environment, she volunteered for many years with MyRWA’s Policy Committee. She is now a Senior Program Director at the Massachusetts Rivers AlliHelen Quach ance, helping that organization expand all of the work it does to protect rivers. In her free time Monica walks her dogs along local riverways and tries to become a better watercolor painter. “Several years ago I moved to an area close to Upper Mystic Lake and noticed the Bald Eagles flying overhead. This beautiful welcome to my new neighborhood inspired me to learn more about the habitat of eagles and the other wonderful wildlife that we have here. That’s when I discovered how much MyRWA does to protect the ecosystem supported by the Mystic River. I decided to do my part by joining the Policy Committee and MyRWA has been a great part of my life ever since. MyRWA gives me the opportunity to do something for my community while teaching me new things about the places and the people that surKelly Ryan round me.” Helen Quach (she/her) was born and raised in Boston and is now a Wakefield resident. Her professional background is in the field of nonprofit and public healthcare, and she is currently working as Executive Assistant to the Dean at the Office of Faculty Affairs at the Harvard School of Public Health. Helen has always been passionate about advocating and volunteering, and in the past has dedicated her time to the Department of Youth Services and Chinese Progressive Association. Now she spends most of her time helping with all things dragon boat–related from the Boston Dragon Boat Festival to running her team, Living Root Dragon Boat, which is now based in Rivergreen Park in Everett. Helen favorites include distance running, paddling, EXPERTS | SEE PAGE 18 Everett Kiwanis Club donates Thanksgiving meals Everett Kiwanis Club President Fred Capone (left) is shown with members of the EHS Key Club as they packed bags of food for Thanksgiving dinners for Everett’s needy families at the Connolly Center. (Courtesy photos) he Everett Kiwanis Club recently donated turkeys with all the trimmings (stuffing, corn bread, gravy, green beans, corn, cranberry sauce, T dessert, etc.) to help local families in need celebrate Thanksgiving. In total, the Club provided turkeys and provisions for over 150 famMembers of the EHS Key Club, along with their club advisor, were all smiles as they packed bags of food for Thanksgiving dinners at the Connolly Center recently. ilies! Thank you to the Everett High School Key Club and their advisor, DeAnn Gallagher, for all their efforts to ensure that each donation bag contained every item. Special thanks to the members who were on hand to assist with the project – President Fred Capone, Secretary Matt Alphen, Past President and former Lt. Governor John Mattuchio and Past President Pat Roberto. Thank you, Everett Kiwanis!
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