Our Staff
Sarah Lansdale, Executive Director, AICP
Sarah Lansdale was selected as Sustainable Long Island’s second Executive Director in September 2004. Under her leadership, the organization has engaged thousands of community leaders and elected officials to rethink, rebuild and renew communities across Long Island, resulting in tens of millions of dollars of investment, hundreds of units of housing, and dozens of new businesses.
Prior to Sustainable Long Island, she worked at the United Way of Long Island, WLIW21 New York Public Television and served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Guatemala. Sarah holds a Masters Degree in Urban Planning from New York University, a Bachelor’s of Science in Environmental Studies and Agricultural Economics, and a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Columbia Business School.
Sarah serves on the Board of Directors of the Women Economic Developers, was appointed by the Governor to sit on the MTA Sustainability Commission, and was appointed by Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy to the Suffolk County Planning Commission. She co-produced an Emmy-nominated documentary Farming the Future: Farm Life on Long Island. Sarah is a 2006 graduate of the Energeia Partnership and was honored as a Community Leader by the 100 Black Men of Long Island and most recently by the National Association of Women Business Owners.
Donna Boyce, Director of Programs
Ms. Boyce holds a Juris Doctor (JD) from Georgetown University Law Center and a Bachelor’s of Art in History and Political Science. She has experience working in governmental and non-profit settings; most recently in Nassau County’s Office of Housing & Homeless Services as Director of Homeless Services managing homelessness prevention and emergency programs. Previously, Ms. Boyce has worked in community development including Planning and Visioning in the Village of Hempstead. Ms. Boyce is currently responsible for Sustainable Long Island’s LI Brownfields Redevelopment and Community Revitalization projects.
Merline Campbell, Office Manager
Merline brings to the organization a strong background in office and information management of non-profits. Merline provides general office support to the organization and Sustainable Long Island’s Executive Director. She most recently worked as a development assistant for the Vice President and Fundraising Director of the Nursing Sisters Home Care & Hospice. Prior to that, Merline worked for 1 in 9: The Long Island Breast Cancer Action Coalition.
Erin Thoresen, Community Planner
Erin joined Sustainable Long Island in January 2009, bringing with her a diverse background with experience in project and team management, research, and a passion for planning and environmental sustainability. She holds a Master’s in Urban Planning from the University of Michigan's Urban and Regional Planning Program and a bachelor’s in art and art history. Throughout her graduate education, Erin focused on land use and environmental planning, pursuing courses that emphasized community planning and urban revitalization. Erin’s graduate Capstone team earned a US EPA prize in a student design competition for a project to mitigate urban air pollution.
Prior to joining the team at Sustainable Long Island, Erin worked with the Bureau of Planning and Development of the Bronx Borough President's office, conducting research and mapping to help complete the 2009 Report of the Bronx Borough Historic Preservation Task Force. As a community planner, Erin works to involve community members in planning and visioning activities and to advance implementation of community plans. A long-time, self-proclaimed food lover, she is thrilled to be involved in one of Sustainable Long Island’s newest initiatives, promoting equity in access to fresh, healthy food across the Island.
Erin is an active member of the American Planning Association and Planners Network - an association for progressive planning.
Scott Woodson, Communications Coordinator
Scott Woodson joined Sustainable Long Island in September 2009 as a communications intern and quickly developed into an important part of the team. In May 2010, Scott joined the full-time staff and continues to use his creative ideas and distinctive writing styles to promote the organization’s mission. Scott’s fresh perspective has already produced renewed engagement between Sustainable Long Island and the communities it serves. Mr. Woodson is a native Long Islander who earned his Bachelor’s of Arts in Public Relations from Long Island University’s C.W. Post campus and was awarded the Certificate of Merit for highest GPA in his department.
Katie Kelly, Development Coordinator
Katie Kelly has been a supporter of Sustainable Long Island for many years, and officially joined the staff as Development Coordinator in February 2010. While perhaps not a traditional path, Katie’s diverse experience with fundraising, youth programming, environmental education, community outreach, event management and her passion to further the organization’s mission led her to her current role. Katie most recently was an Event Manager for the Green Living Expo. Prior to that, Katie was a Senior Agent for Randstad USA and previously worked at Frost Valley YMCA and The Community YMCA in various roles. Ms. Kelly is a native Long Islander and a graduate of Adelphi University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communicative Disorders.
Janice Moynihan, Junior Community Planner and Program Coordinator
Coming soon...
Artineh Havan, Community Planner
Coming soon...
