WHO WE ARE
Philip Conkling is a writer, editor, and environmental leader with a distinguished career in conservation, community development, and nonprofit leadership. In 1983, he founded the Island Institute, a nonprofit organization dedicated to sustaining Maine’s island and coastal communities. He led the organization for three decades, shaping its mission and impact while also serving as the founding publisher of Island Journal and The Working Waterfront. During his tenure at the Island Institute, he helped launch Fox Islands Wind, a community wind power cooperative that has enabled the island communities of Vinalhaven and North Haven to achieve energy independence.
A prolific author, Conkling has written extensively on coastal sustainability and climate change. His book, The Fate of Greenland: Lessons from Abrupt Climate Change, received the Phi Beta Kappa Award for Best Science Book of the Year in 2011. He is also the author of Islands in Time and continues to contribute thought-provoking articles to various Maine publications.
Beyond his literary and nonprofit leadership, Conkling has played a pivotal role in launching start-up nonprofits and leading successful capital campaigns that have strengthened Maine’s coastal and island communities. His expertise in strategic development and fundraising has helped bring critical projects to life, supporting economic resilience, environmental sustainability, and community-driven initiatives.
Conkling currently serves as a member of the Roosevelt Campobello International Park Commission, on the Maine Advisory Board of the Conservation Law Foundation, and as co-chair of the board at Herring Gut Coastal Science Center. He is also an advisor to the Wyeth Foundation.
He holds a B.A. from Harvard University and an M.F.S. from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. In 2013, Bowdoin College awarded him an honorary doctorate in recognition of his contributions to environmental sustainability, community resilience, and nonprofit leadership.
Peter Ralston has been photographing the coast of Maine since 1978, drawn especially to the working communities that shape the region's unique character. Peter’s imagery, both archival and new, enhances our projects, bringing client stories to life with authenticity and artistry. Known for his intimate portrayal of Maine's coastal life, Peter's photography captures the timeless connection between the people and landscape of the area. His work has appeared in numerous books, magazines, and network television programs, and has been exhibited in galleries, collections, and museums across the United States and internationally.
His photographs are included in prestigious collections such as National Gallery of Art – Washington, D.C., The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and The Smithsonian Institution. Peter is currently working on a major book about Penobscot Bay, Maine, and overseeing the management of Ralston Gallery in Rockport, Maine. For more information about Peter’s work, visit www.ralstongallery.com.
Paige Garland Parker shapes the "look and feel" of all communication materials for our clients. She has extensive experience in advertising and graphic design, having begun her career in television and radio, where she developed creative content. Her expertise is grounded in directing the design and production of various publications and marketing materials.
Beyond design, Paige has a strong background in developing thoughtful and professional fundraising strategies. She has curated compelling visual and communication materials that help organizations engage potential donors and secure funding. She has collaborated with numerous nonprofits, crafting visual identities and strategies that align with fundraising goals and strengthen donor relationships.
At the Island Institute, Paige played a key role in the design and production of Island Journal and materials for major fundraising campaigns, including the successful $20 million Sustaining a Way of Life capital campaign.
Bridget Leavitt is a project-based consultant who works with small businesses and nonprofits to achieve a variety of goals in an ever-evolving digital landscape. She leverages her entrepreneurial expertise to help clients develop marketing strategies and navigate the digital aspects of launching and growing their initiatives.
Previously, as Publications Director at the Island Institute, Bridget was responsible for graphic design, pre-press production, and print management for advertisements, brochures, membership materials, booklets, books, and exhibit displays. She produced a vast collection of tasteful, effective print and web-based materials while also managing print procurement, ensuring high-quality work at the most competitive prices within agreed-upon budgets.
Micah Conkling, M.A. is a marine-focused communicator, educator, and community engagement specialist with a background in ocean food systems and coastal development. Based in midcoast Maine, he has worked extensively in outreach, education, and stakeholder engagement, helping communities navigate the challenges and opportunities of sustainable marine industries.
With experience across the U.S. and The Bahamas, Micah has been a researcher, teacher, speaker, and facilitator, specializing in expeditionary learning, social license to operate, and community-driven food systems. He has led public engagement initiatives on aquaculture, fisheries, and coastal sustainability, working with schools, nonprofits, and industry groups to connect people with the evolving marine economy.
He is now expanding his focus to help municipalities and working waterfront communities explore new economic opportunities in the face of climate change. He helps our clients with project-based community outreach, bringing his expertise in stakeholder engagement and public communication to support sustainable coastal development initiatives.