Clare brings over 30 years of expertise in international development, with a dedicated focus at the intersection of gender equity and grassroots conservation. As Executive Director of the New England Biolabs Foundation, she collaborates closely with the Board of Directors to define and execute the strategic vision for the foundation’s global philanthropic efforts in support of community-based conservation.
 

Prior to this role, Clare spent two decades as the Executive Director of Creative Action Institute, a long-term partner of the foundation, where she and her team provided vital capacity building for NEBF grantees. During her tenure, the organization refined its approach to leadership and advocacy training and the development of educational resources such as curricula, toolkits, and training programs for international leaders, educators and organizations, and became a leading source for gender responsive climate justice content. Clare has significant experience working alongside grassroots groups to enhance biocultural diversity, particularly within the foundation’s core regions of Central America, Andean South America, and West Africa. Additionally, she has spearheaded initiatives in East Africa to advance girls' education and climate resilience. 
 

Deborah is responsible for the operational and fiscal management of the foundation. She also serves as the foundation’s point person on all local grantmaking. Deb has worked in the nonprofit sector for more than 20 years in various fundraising, programmatic, and management roles and primarily for organizations supporting community-led environmental initiatives.