Mike Urgo President [email protected] 860.236.5442 Mike is a passionate environmentalist bringing his leadership and fundraising skills to CTLCV. Mike recently completed two terms of service as First Selectman (Mayor) of North Stonington CT, helping to promote community wellness and execution of the town’s strategic plans and initiatives. During this time, he was proud to help oversee the construction of new schools and an emergency services facility, help install solar on all of the town buildings, and helped North Stonington achieve Bronze Certification three years in a row through SustainableCT. He has worked tirelessly for environmental and voting reforms both locally and on a statewide level. As a leader and volunteer, Mike has given thousands of hours of his time for the betterment of the local community. He served as a coach for the Westerly/Pawcatuck YMCA swim team, he's a founding board member of the CT chapter of SAM (Serve America Movement); an organization devoted to voting reforms. He's also a former member of Rotary and a longtime volunteer for the American Cancer Society. These are just a few volunteer initiatives and causes to which Mike has been dedicated. Mike is a graduate of The University of Rhode Island and lives in North Stonington, CT, with his wife, Jen, and two children, Michael and Abby. |
Lori Brown Executive Director [email protected] 860.236.5442 Lori has been the Executive Director of the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters since 2000, working to protect Connecticut's environment by making environmental issues a priority for our elected leaders and holding lawmakers accountable by publishing an annual "Environmental Scorecard”. Lori has organized multiple public education and grassroots lobbying campaigns, and has worked on political campaigns to elect pro-environment candidates across New York and Connecticut. She served on Governor Lamont’s transition team as a member of the Environment Committee assembled to provide policy recommendations to the incoming Lamont/Bysiewicz Administration. She is registered to lobby at the Connecticut General Assembly, working with all of Connecticut’s statewide environmental advocacy groups to push for important legislation that shapes our state’s policies on air, water, land, wildlife, energy and climate change. Prior to CTLCV, Lori helped to establish and directed the Sierra Club’s New York Chapter office. Her work in the private, public and nonprofit sectors also included media relations for the NYC School Construction Authority, and Communications for the New York League of Conservation Voters. |
Connor Yakaitis Deputy Director [email protected] 860.236.5442 Connor is first and foremost a Dog Dad and prefers to spend all of his free time with his yellow lab, Dakota. She has been known to supervise the office from time to time. He is also a budding musician and can be found playing guitar and singing original tunes at a variety of locations around CT. His love of the environment comes from a one-year trip around the country he took in an RV with his family in high school, where they visited 35 national parks and hiked countless mountains. After all of that traveling, he knew Connecticut was his one true home and chose a career that is dedicated to protecting its natural resources, pristine forests and beautiful coastline that he often spends boating with Dakota. |
Lilliana Sarju Policy & Outreach Coordinator [email protected] 860.236.5442 Lilliana grew up in Enfield, Connecticut, where her early years were shaped by her love for nature and a strong sense of community. After graduating high school, she pursued her education at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, drawn by its cultural history and environmental focus. During her time at UH Mānoa, Lilliana discovered her passion for politics, environmental advocacy, and public justice. Inspired by the pressing challenges of climate change and social inequality, she dedicated herself to making a difference. Whether volunteering for local initiatives or engaging in grassroots campaigns, Lilliana is committed to creating a more equitable and sustainable future for all. Outside of work, she enjoys taking her dog on hikes, going to the movies, and spending quality time with her friends and family. |
Michael Garman Development Coordinator [email protected] Michael's love for the environment was shaped by his childhood spent on his father and stepmother's organic farm on an island in Rhode Island. He came to Connecticut to study political science at Yale and became heavily involved in voting rights advocacy and campaign work in both CT and RI during his time in college. Michael is so excited to have the opportunity to combine his passions for building a stronger democracy and creating a more sustainable future for our planet with CTLCV. Outside of work, he enjoys running, photography, and investing a completely reasonable amount of emotional energy in his beloved New England sports teams. |
Gracie Pope Communications Manager [email protected] 860.236.5442 Gracie is new to the state of Connecticut, but is certainly not a novice at caring for the environment. After a childhood spent exploring state parks & the great outdoors in South Carolina, she took a class at Clemson University on the History of Environmental Science. This sparked a desire to advocate for environmental policy change (and to bring a reusable bag with her everywhere). She spent her early career working in local government and understands the importance of "starting small" when it comes to enacting change. Outside of her working life, she enjoys spending time with her two cats, decorating her apartment & visiting art & history museums. |
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Sophie Sperry
Political and Communications Intern Connecticut College Nina Engelbrecht Communications Intern Columbia University |
Chloe Harrison
Communications Intern Worcester Polytechnic Institute Antara Singh-Ghai Political Intern Brown University |
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