NEWMOA’s Team

Melissa Lavoie,
Executive Director

(617) 851-9447 (work mobile)
mlavoie@newmoa.org

 

Melissa joined NEWMOA in 2020, after serving as the Director of the Maine Association for Public Housing Directors. Prior to becoming the executive director at NEWMOA in September 2023, Melissa served as their Interim Executive Director and as one of NEWMOA’s project managers, managing their Interstate Chemicals Clearinghouse (IC2) and the Toxics in Packaging Clearinghouse (TPCH), among other projects. Melissa is a former Maine state representative, having served two terms on Maine’s Joint Standing Committee on Environment and Natural Resources. Melissa sponsored multiple environmental bills in Maine including product stewardship, paint, medical sharps, pharmaceuticals, compact fluorescent lamps, electronics expansion, and beverage containers. Melissa holds a B.A. in Social Work from the University of Southern Maine. Melissa lives in Auburn Maine with her husband Jason and their dog Brody, where they can often be found walking, kayaking, and enjoying rides on their motorcycle.


Lois Makina, Office Manager

(617) 367-8558
lmakina@newmoa.org
Pronouns: she, her, hers

 

Lois Makina is the Office Manager at NEWMOA. She joined NEWMOA in 1986 and manages NEWMOA’s office, handles accounts receivables and payables, develops projects to green the office, posts information on NEWMOA’s website, develops and maintains spreadsheets, helps with organizing meetings and events, and assists staff with projects. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Belmont University. Lois enjoys traveling with her granddaughter, hiking, and reading.


Project Managers

 

Jennifer Griffith

Project Manager
(617) 571-9004
jgriffith@newmoa.org
Pronouns: she, her, hers

Jennifer Griffith is a Project Manager at NEWMOA. She joined NEWMOA in 1995 and is responsible for waste site cleanup and solid waste projects, including training and research. She manages a variety of initiatives, including those focused on construction and demolition waste, municipal solid waste, food waste, Brownfields redevelopment, and mildly contaminated soils. Jennifer has a Master’s Degree in Technology and Policy from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Prior to joining NEWMOA, she worked as a consultant at firms involved with landfill design and waste site investigation and cleanup. Jennifer most enjoys being active outdoors: gardening, running, riding her bicycle, hiking mountains, and backcountry skiing and snowshoeing in the winter.


Stephanie Frisch

Project Manager
HPCDS Administrator
(617) 835-1764
sfrisch@newmoa.org
Pronouns: she, her, hers

Stephanie Frisch is a Project Manager who joined NEWMOA in December 2022. She manages the High Priority Chemicals Database System (HPCDS), Anaerobic Digestion Project, and information technology (IT) infrastructure of the Association, overseeing many of NEWMOA’s IT assets and its various online resources. She supports a variety of solid waste initiatives, including projects on PFAS in consumer products, plastic waste reduction and recycling, and food waste reductions in health care facilities. Stephanie graduated with distinction from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a B.S. in Environmental Science, Biology and Conservation Biology along with a Sustainability certificate and was inducted into The Phi Beta Kappa Society. Prior to joining NEWMOA, Stephanie worked as a Research Assistant surveying the health of the Apostle Island black bear population and as an Antibiotic Discovery Student Researcher addressing the global health threat of antibiotic resistance. Stephanie enjoys baking, traveling, and spending time outdoors hiking, snowboarding, and rock climbing. 


Shaina Cohen

Project Manager
(857) 262-1135 
scohen@newmoa.org

Shaina Cohen joined NEWMOA as a Project Manager in December 2023. She holds a M.S. in Geology, which she received from Boston College in 2016. After receiving her degree, Shaina briefly relocated to Idaho, where she conducted research at Boise State University and was a main organizer of the 2017 Boise March for Science. Prior to joining NEWMOA, Shaina spent four years working at a marina in the Cape Ann region of Massachusetts where, amongst other duties, she oversaw compliance with environmental, health, and safety regulations. In her free time, Shaina enjoys kayaking, hiking, baking, gardening, and spending time with her three cats.


John Fay

Project Manager
(857) 262-3569 
jfay@newmoa.org

John Fay is a Project Manager who joined NEWMOA in December of 2023. He came to NEWMOA from the Windham Solid Waste Management District where he managed special waste programs, education and outreach, and technical assistance to member towns. Over the past 25 years, John has consulted on solid waste issues, run commercial-scale compost facilities, operated household hazardous waste facilities, and served as an environmental analyst for the Vermont DEC. John enjoys learning and sharing knowledge and resources, and in that capacity has taught at both the graduate and middle school levels. John holds an M.S. in Resource Management and Administration from Antioch University New England. Outside of work, John enjoys running with his dog, trail building, and paddleboarding with his wife.


Mikalah Bailey

IC2 Project Manager
(857) 260-0350
mbailey@newmoa.org

Mikalah’s background is in environmental management, with experience in steering digital content strategies and fostering impactful partnerships. She earned a Master of Science in Environmental Change & Management from the University of Oxford, coupled with a Bachelor of Science in Society & Environment from the University of California, Berkeley. Mikalah’s dedication lies in advancing substantive environmental solutions to feed her passion in both environmental and marine management. At Oxford, she conducted research on salt marsh restoration techniques and their efficacy across the United Kingdom and New Zealand. To reconnect to nature Mikalah enjoys swimming, abstract painting, and traveling with friends.


Karen Knaebel

IMERC Project Manager
(857) 262-2915
kknaebel@newmoa.org

Karen joined NEWMOA in February 2024 as a Project Manager for the IMERC program, after 25 years of service with the state of Vermont as the Mercury Education and Reduction Coordinator for all aspects of the mercury program. Karen’s previous role was to review, determine, and approve the labeling plans for Vermont. Those approved “plans” ultimately set the standard for labeling across the US as well as all mercury-product imports into the country. Karen also worked closely with other states in the region to develop comprehensive model legislation for mercury. Additionally, her work with other states helped to establish IMERC through NEWMOA to coordinate state efforts to implement the laws. Karen’s vast experience in mercury reduction will contribute to the work of IMERC and assist member states in the implementation of mercury-added product laws. Karen loves people, spending time with grandchildren, motorcycle rides with her husband, writing music, and singing with her band Messenger.


NEWMOA is an equal opportunity employer and provider.