May 21, 2026
5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Earth Night 2026
MAY 21, 2026
5:30PM – 8:00PM
Fenway Park, 521 Overlook
Save the date! ELM’s Earth Night returns on May 21, 2026.
At Earth Night 2026, we will celebrate ELM’s ongoing work to drive effective climate leadership, as well as present the 2026 Commonwealth Environmental Leadership Awards. We will honor two organizations and one individual advancing Massachusetts toward a resilient clean energy future: The Barr Foundation, accepted by the President of the Barr Foundation, Ali Noorani; Climate Jobs Massachusetts, accepted by the Chair of Climate Jobs Massachusetts, Chrissy Lynch; and Alicia Barton, CEO of Vineyard Offshore.
We look forward to building on the momentum of previous years, making Earth Night 2026 an evening to remember. We will gather with 500+ government officials, prominent business leaders, and environmental advocates. The event will include an open bar, heavy hors d’oeuvres, and ample time for conversation.
Meet Our Commonwealth Environmental Leadership Awardees
Climate Jobs Massachusetts
Accepted by Chrissy Lynch, Chair
Climate Jobs Massachusetts is a powerful force uniting the climate and labor movements, charting a course toward a more equitable and resilient future. Founded in 2020, Climate Jobs MA is a coalition of labor unions and partners who represent workers and residents with the goal of reducing emissions, reducing inequality, and creating good union jobs.
The coalition has transformed how Massachusetts approaches clean energy, from strengthening labor standards on clean energy projects such as offshore wind to furthering equitable access to our state’s workforce development programs. By bringing workers to the forefront of the fight against climate change, Climate Jobs MA is furthering a vision for climate progress that prioritizes the working class and communities that are often impacted the most by climate change.
Chrissy Lynch helped found Climate Jobs MA and has chaired the organization since 2022. Chrissy was unanimously elected as President of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO in October 2023 after previously serving as the Secretary-Treasurer and Chief of Staff of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO, and after spending 15 years running the political and legislative departments of the MA AFL-CIO. She also spent time as Director of Operations for the Greater Boston Building Trades Unions, where she helped run programs that advanced equity, inclusion, and community
standards in the construction industry. Chrissy is a current member of LiUNA Local 22 and former member and steward of OPEIU Local 6.
The Barr Foundation
Accepted by Ali Noorani, President
The Barr Foundation has become one of the leading charitable organizations advancing local solutions to address and adapt to climate change. Barr’s mission is to invest in human, natural, and creative potential, serving as thoughtful stewards and catalysts. With a primary focus on Massachusetts and the US Northeast and the issue areas of arts + creativity, climate, and education, Barr’s climate work aims to advance local, equitable solutions to reduce emissions, build community resilience, and elevate the leadership of those most impacted by the climate crisis.
Founded by Barbara and Amos Hostetter in 1997, Barr has grown to become one of the largest foundations in New England, contributing more than $1.7 billion to charitable causes since inception.
Ali Noorani joined Barr as president in December 2025. He brings a long history of coalition building and advancing commonsense solutions that strengthen communities. Previously, he led the U.S. Democracy Program at the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and served as president and CEO of the National Immigration Forum. He spent his early career in Boston, having led work at the Greater Boston Urban Resources Partnership within the City of Boston’s Environment Department, Codman Square Health Center, Dorchester House Multi-Service Center, and the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA). In his first message as President, Noorani spoke of the foundation’s commitment to “keep adapting and changing as the world changes around us – so that we can remain responsive to our partners and what they need to keep doing their work helping communities thrive.”
Alicia Barton
CEO, Vineyard Offshore
Alicia Barton is the Chief Executive Officer of Vineyard Offshore, a leading offshore wind developer with projects in New England, New York and California. Vineyard Offshore are the team behind the pioneering Vineyard Wind 1 project being constructed off the shores of Massachusetts. Vineyard Wind 1 is already delivering clean energy to Massachusetts residents with a planned completion date in early 2026.
With over 20 years’ experience in both public and private sectors, Alicia is a longstanding leader in clean energy development. Prior to joining Vineyard Offshore in 2024, Ms. Barton was the CEO of FirstLight, a leading clean power producer, developer, and energy storage company serving North America. Her past public service included serving as the President and as CEO of the New York Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA; from 2017-2020) and as CEO the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC; from 2012-2015), where she helped to lead both New York’s and Massachusetts’ efforts to advance nation-leading climate and clean energy strategies.
Through each of her roles, Alicia has been an instrumental leader in laying the groundwork for the offshore wind industry in the US, and she is passionate about building a clean energy future for her young son. Alicia holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Resources from The Ohio State University and a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from Boston College Law School. She lives in Concord, Massachusetts with her family.
We seek to award individuals, organizations, and corporations who are leading and implementing solutions on crucial and timely issues of climate and the environment.
Interested in sponsoring Earth Night? View our 2026 Sponsorship Opportunities and contact our Corporate & Foundation Relations Manager Grace Doherty at gdoherty@environmentalleague.org.
Our 2026 Sponsors:
