Coastal communities across New England are already experiencing the effects of climate change — from sea-level rise and erosion to ecosystem degradation and increased storm damage. Addressing these challenges requires a diverse set of solutions and strong collaboration between nonprofits, funders, and implementation partners.
The Coastal Resilience Climate Solutions Showcase, organized by Swissnex and the Climate Philanthropy Catalyst Coalition (CPCC) with support from the Ocean Foundation, brings together five nonprofit leaders actively working on climate solutions related to coastal resilience in the region. Each organization will deliver a concise, high-impact pitch tailored to philanthropists and philanthropic advisors interested in supporting practical, fundable climate action.
Following each pitch, a group of expert panelists will offer constructive feedback, partnership ideas, and strategic insights — creating an atmosphere that is collaborative and encouraging. The goal is to surface concrete opportunities for near-term philanthropic investment while deepening the audience’s understanding of the range of approaches to coastal resilience.
Designed for donors, philanthropic advisors, and potential partners, the showcase aims to catalyze meaningful connections and accelerate funding toward solutions that strengthen the resilience of New England’s coastal communities.
This event is invitation only. Participation is free, however the space is highly limited. Please register here at your earliest convenience.
Climate Central
Conservation Law Foundation
Gulf of Maine Research Institute
New England Environmental Finance Center
The Emerald Tutu
Bio
Randall Kempner is the founding executive director of the Climate Philanthropy Catalyst Coalition, a network of philanthropic support organizations dedicated to promoting more, and more effective, climate philanthropy. He is also president of Prosperity Strategies, a consultancy focused on sustainable economic development and philanthropy.
Randall recently worked as Senior Advisor to the Aspen Institute Energy and Environment Program, where he focused on “climate-smart money”, the intersection of climate action and philanthropy, investment, and economic development. While at Aspen, he authored a guide for climate philanthropists: Funding Climate Action: Pathways for Philanthropy. Previously, he was CEO of the Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation, a Texas-based grantmaking foundation that seeks innovative solutions for environmental problems. He is the founding executive director of the Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs, a global network of organizations focused on supporting small and growing businesses in emerging markets.
Bio
Philippe Roesle is the CEO of Swissnex in Boston and New York, and Consul of Switzerland in Boston since August 2025. He previously served as CEO of Swissnex in China and as Head of the Science, Technology and Education Office at the Swiss Embassy in Beijing. Philippe joined the Swissnex network in in London supporting startup internationalization, and has served in several roles since, including as Head of Swissnex at Expo 2017 Astana, and Acting Head of Bilateral Relations at the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation SERI. Philippe holds a Bachelors from University of Basel and a Masters and PhD from King’s College London.
Bio
Aly Rose is Director of Ocean Strategy at the Millbor Foundation, where she advances ocean health and conservation through strategic philanthropy, research, and partnerships that support innovation in the blue economy. She brings deep expertise in ocean sustainability, impact measurement, and finance-led solutions, having previously worked with investors and early-stage ocean ventures at CREO Syndicate and SeaAhead. Aly holds multidisciplinary degrees and is committed to accelerating meaningful action for ocean resilience and climate impact.
Bio
Sonja Plesset is Executive Director of the James M. and Cathleen D. Stone Foundation and The Plymouth Rock Assurance Foundation. She has over twenty-five years of experience in philanthropy, research and higher education. Previous roles include Chief Advancement Officer at the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Vice President of Institutional Advancement at Whitehead Institute, Lecturer at Harvard University, and Program Manager at the Yale School of Forestry. Dr. Plesset received her BA from Cornell University, and her PhD in cultural anthropology from Harvard University. She was a postdoctoral fellow at the Yale School of Public Health where she conducted research on eviction and health in a public housing community and is the author of Sheltering Women: Negotiating Gender and Violence in Northern Italy which was published in 2006 by Stanford University Press. Currently, she serves on the Board of Trustees for the Cathleen Stone Island Outward Bound School, on the Director’s Advisory Board for the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research, and as an Advisor to the Stone Living Lab and the Museum of African American History (MAAH) Stone Book Prize.
Bio
Carol Lavoie Schuster is Senior Director of Community Engagement at the Essex County Community Foundation, where she leads initiatives to strengthen relationships among donors, nonprofit partners, and community stakeholders to drive meaningful impact across Essex County. With deep experience in philanthropy, grantmaking, and nonprofit leadership, Carol fosters collaborative efforts that advance community resilience and shared prosperity. She has spent many years building strategic partnerships and empowering local change-makers to address critical social and economic challenges in the region.
This event is co-hosted by Swissnex in Boston and New York and the Climate Philanthropy Catalyst Coalition (CPCC).
