Assistant Director Patti Kelly brings to Environmental Advocates a broad range of experience in nonprofit management, environmental advocacy, and policy development. As a member of several grassroots environmental organizations she has worked on issues ranging from solid waste and recycling to protection of the Hudson River. Prior to joining Environmental Advocates, Patti worked as Administrative Director at Hudsonia and Development Director at Hudson River Sloop Clearwater. Patti grew up on Long Island, went to college at SUNY Buffalo where she received both her B.S. and M.S. in English, and, after several years of teaching high school, settled in New York City where she worked professionally as an actress and, later, a casting director for television commercials. An offer to work for a newly elected New York State Assemblyman with a very progressive and activist environmental agenda lured her from New York City to the Hudson Valley- a move she has never regretted.

As Assistant Director, Patti works on program funding, fiscal and personnel management, and board development. She also serves on the board of Earth Share of NY, a workplace giving program for nonprofit environmental organizations.