MCCE Staff

Chrissy brings together decades of global advocacy experience and a deep belief that a healthy democracy depends on informed, engaged, and empowered people—especially at the state and local level. With more than twenty years working at the intersection of policy, research, and action, she has helped turn big ideas into real-world impact. Her career spans global nonprofits, academic institutions, and the United Nations, where she has led initiatives to advance human rights, gender equality, and protections for children and marginalized communities. Chrissy holds a B.A. in Political Science from Colgate University and an M.A. in Human Rights from the University of Denver’s Josef Korbel School of Global and Public Affairs. She is proficient in French, a lifelong learner, and a self-described bookworm.

Jen is a Kentuckian who planted roots in Maine. She’s worked in nonprofits for 15 years, spanning public libraries, environmental education & sustainability, city government, and higher education. She served as an AmeriCorps VISTA for 3 years in the London Ferrill Community Garden, a radical space where members grew healthy and free food for the community. She has a B.A. in English and French from Transylvania University and a M.A. in French from the University of Kentucky. She enjoys hiking in the woods and reading a good book.

Jill Packard has been running nonprofits and small businesses for over twenty years. Jill is passionate about rural communities, our capacity to connect, and how our values shape our systems. Their work advocating for underserved communities led to wanting to do deeper work to support the organizations that have their feet on the ground. Jill holds a BA in Political Science and an MS in Environmental Studies where she focused on education, American government, sustainable communities, and connective capacity. Jill and her family moved to the Highlands area of Maine in 2007 and they can’t imagine living anywhere else.

Emilia has lived in Maine since 2022 and recently graduated from the University of Southern Maine with a BA in Women and Gender Studies and a BA in English. She started as an intern with Maine Students Vote, where she found a passion in organizing and working with young people to create a better future for all. Emilia became involved in community organizing and advocacy in high school, when she lived in Nashville, TN. Now a proud New Englander, she is devoted to supporting the next generation of youth leaders and creating opportunities for students to participate in civic engagement work.

Nico Martinez Nocito (they/them) is a recent high school graduate and past LWVME intern passionate about activism and social change. They’ve previously worked with Civics Unplugged and JustME for JustUS and are thrilled to be returning to the organization that sparked their advocacy journey. In their free time, Nico enjoys writing, reading, and acting in local theater productions.