Charlene Swift, Associate Director of Special Projects

Charlene Swift (she/they) joined MCHT in February 2016 as the Executive Assistant to the President and Sr. Director of Communications & Philanthropy. Building on their strengths of creating and evaluating processes and managing cross-department workflows/projects, Charlene served in the role of Associate Director of Engagement Project Management.

As Associate Director of Special Projects, Charlene will continue working across departments with Work Teams that focus on specific bodies of work, as well as other strategic projects and initiatives as directed by the President & CEO. She is excited to work with staff across the organization as well as Sr. Leadership and Board more closely and be more involved in organization-wide processes and projects.

Originally from Massachusetts, Charlene, spouse Patricia, and their animal companions moved from Brooklyn, NY to Maine in the spring of 2015 after years of visiting. Exploring Maine continues to be a joy, and working with MCHT has been such a fantastic way to be connected to land, communities, and partners in Maine.

Charlene loves being by the water—river, pond, lake, marsh, ocean, and anything in between. Outside of work, they can usually be found puttering around the yard with dogs Cielo and Hoxley, cooking, messing around with yarn in some way, and connecting with community through efforts for racial, economic, and social justice in Maine and beyond.

On land conservation: “I spent a lot of time outside as a kid, hikes and walks on conserved and public lands were a part of my family’s weekly routine. I remember loving the freedom I felt as a kid to explore outdoor places around where we lived. I feel so much gratitude for having that connection to the outdoors and the impact that connection has on my life. Nature was then and is still so inspiring, fascinating, and essential for my overall wellbeing.”

On the job: Charlene is responsible for managing and supporting organization-wide projects and initiatives that hold strategic significance and enhance operations. With a focus on collaboration with all departments and MCHT locations, Charlene will facilitate and coordinate internal process improvements, develop and implement tools and systems, and support high-priority projects that contribute to MCHT’s mission and culture.