Alexandra Vecchio

Experience

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  Loyola University Chicago

  Dec 2011 - May 2013

  Designed recycling bin collection layout across campus and educated study body about waste reduction Coordinated recycling outreach and monitored compost collection at campus events •Processed and analyzed waste collection data Mobilized and coordinated up to 10 vendors and 35 market volunteers for market success Promoted the market through print and social media, including posters, flyers, Facebook, and Twitter Assisted in managing the market and administering Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

  • University Recycling Assistant

    Dec 2011 - May 2013

  • Farmers Market Assistant Manager

    Dec 2011 - May 2013
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  Office of Congressman Mike Quigley

  Aug 2013 - Nov 2013

  Legislative Policy Intern

  Supported legislative staff with environmental policy research Authored constituent letters on all legislative topics Attended legislative hearings and prepared memos and summaries for staff

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  Office of Congressman Albio Sires

  Nov 2013 - Nov 2014

  Web Communications Director

  Managed the Congressman’s social media accounts and website platform Processed and assigned all incoming constituent correspondence Authored floor statements, talking points, memos, and letters for the Congressman

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  Office of Congressman Mike Quigley

  Nov 2014 - Jul 2016

  Energy & Environment Legislative Assistant

  Managed federal policy portfolio that included energy, natural resources, agriculture, education, housing, and government reform and oversightWrote speeches, outreach, and informational materials for the Member; monitored pending legislation, made vote recommendations, and developed new policy initiatives related to policy portfolio Advised Congressman on activities related to House Appropriations Committee; responsible for background memos, questions for witnesses at hearings, amendments, report language, floor statements, and vote recommendations Show less

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  Yale University-

  Aug 2016 - May 2017

  Sustainability Action Plan Assistant

  Crafted Sustainability Action Plans for the Yale Professional Schools and a set of top-level administrative units. Responsible for drafting a sustainability action plan that outlined the key academic, cultural, and administrative components in various schools across Yale's campus that would support the ambitions of a University wide Sustainability Plan.

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  Yale School of the Environment

  Jan 2017 - May 2018

  Served as a Teaching Assistant for the "Land Use Clinic" at Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. The Land Use Clinic gives students the opportunity to explore a variety of specific land use topics that are of current concern and relevance to the field, to the curriculum, and to society, including renewable energy, natural resources, rural-based land uses, watershed management, agriculture, and sustainable urban planning. In my role, I was the primary contact for all guest speakers and clinic project managers, organized all logistics for class lectures and field trips, and served as the primary resource to assist the professor with student project management. Show less

  • Graduate Teaching Assistant

    Jan 2018 - May 2018

  • Dean's Office, Research Assistant

    Jan 2017 - Jan 2018
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  Auckland Council

  May 2017 - Aug 2017

  Climate Adaptation Intern

  Contributed to the Chief Sustainability Office’s mission, which is to mainstream sustainability by providing high quality strategic advice to decision-makers, demonstrating and enabling transformative action and innovation in sustainability, and leading an inclusive and engaging conversation with key stakeholders and the wider community that inspires ownership and action. Specifically, crafted an urban water and resilience report for Auckland Council which outlined the key challenges and opportunities for water management within Auckland. Researched and recommended strategies that have been implemented in other C40 cities to help overcome challenges to drinking water, waste water, and storm water systems with the impending changes from climate change. Show less

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  Yale School of Management

  Aug 2017 - May 2018

  Graduate Teaching Assistant

  Served as a Teaching Assistant for the class "Strategic Communication" at Yale School of Management. The course focused on increasing one's competencies in oral communication and presentation. In my role, I gave students feedback on their presentations and group work, assisted with grading, and helped the professor with any logistical and organizational needs in order to ensure the class ran smoothly.

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  Urban Resources Initiative

  Sept 2017 - May 2018

  Development and Outreach Assistant

  Assisted with Greenskills program tree planting management and data collection. Communicated with community recipients regarding tree care and maintenance as well as support URI staff in on-campus and off-campus events including conferences and fundraisers.

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  Yale Center for Business and the Environment

  Jan 2018 - May 2018

  Green Infrastructure Research Assistant

  Worked on an interdisciplinary team made up of masters students and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) employees seeking to understand how and why the public and private sectors decide to pursue green infrastructure projects. In particular, I was responsible for developing a case study on the City of New Haven and their recent prioritization of bioswales as a stormwater management tool.

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  Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University

  Jun 2018 - Sept 2018

  Climate Adaptation Research Assistant

  Conducted climate-resilient assessments of Long Island communities (Babylon, Southampton, & East Hampton) using the C-RISE Local Assessment Tool. While using this assessment tool, I considered land use patterns, past and future areas of development, community support for improving resilience, and assessed any known natural hazards.

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  Mass Audubon

  Sept 2018 - Feb 2021

  Climate Change Program Director

  Responsible for writing and implementing the first organization-wide Climate Action Strategy. In this role, I managed and implemented the organization's statewide work to address climate change through strategic planning, advocacy, community engagement, education, conservation management, and communication efforts. In addition, as a Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) certified provider, I helped municipalities plan for the impacts of climate change through a community-driven resiliency workshop. Through this role, I facilitate discussions that allow communities to prioritize strategic action projects that will help them use nature to become more resilient to the impacts of climate change. Show less

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  Town of Brookline

  Feb 2021 - now

  Responsible for managing, organizing, and directing all activities of the Parks and Open Space Division, including the planning, design, acquisition, construction, and maintenance of Town parks, playgrounds, cemeteries, street and park trees, school grounds, town grounds, athletic fields, conservation areas, and small green open spaces.In addition, I manage and lead a team of fifty full and part-time technical, operations, labor and administrative staff. In this role, I serve as the sustainability lead on various Department of Public Work projects including drafting Brookline’s first Zero Waste Framework, implementing the Urban Forestry Climate Resiliency Master Plan, electrifying the Town fleet, installing EV charging stations on park grounds, and identifying green infrastructure solutions to enhance climate resiliency, such as building the Town’s first green roof bike shelter and first Miyawaki forest Show less

  • Director of Sustainability and Natural Resources

    May 2024 - now

  • Director of Parks and Open Space

    Feb 2021 - May 2024