ROCKLAND — Jessica Reilly-Moman, Ph.D., will be joining Island Institute as the director of the Center for Climate and Community. 

A dedicated social scientist, ecologist, and writer, Dr. Reilly-Moman brings over twenty-five years of experience and a deep passion for accelerating climate action for coastal communities. 

"We are thrilled to have Jessica on board as our Center Director for Climate and Community," said Jennifer Seavey, Ph.D., Island Institute’s Chief Programs Officer, in a news release. “Jessica possesses a wealth of experience and skills that perfectly align with our work to build resilience with coastal communities in the face of climate change.” 

Reilly-Moman  has successfully led diverse teams across the Americas, Europe, and Africa on climate adaptation and mitigation projects with a strong commitment to community engagement and human well-being. 

Since 2020, Reilly-Moman has played a vital role on the Maine Climate Council, initially serving as technical staff to the Coastal and Marine Working Group and now as a consultant, facilitator, and author for the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee, alongside Susie Arnold, Senior Ocean Scientist at Island Institute and Chair of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee. 

“I’m excited to join forces with the Island Institute team and support communities along the coast," said Reilly-Moman. "Having partnered with the Institute before, I’ve seen firsthand the positive impact we can create together, and I’m honored to now be part of that effort." 

As Center Director for Climate and Community, Reilly-Moman  will lead the Island Institute’s climate team and programmatic work focused on building climate resilience through mitigation and adaptation among Maine’s island and coastal communities. The Center for Climate and Community collaborates with the Center for Marine Economy, led by Director Sam Belknap, and the Center for Sustainable Communities, led by Director Kate Tagai, to provide wraparound support to Maine’s island and rural coastal communities. 

Reilly-Moman  holds a Ph.D. in Ecology and Environmental Sciences from the University of Maine, an M.S. in Energy and Resources from the University of California – Berkeley, and a B.A. in Ecology from Brown University. She expects to complete her M.F.A. in Creative Nonfiction from Stonecoast at the University of Southern Maine in January 2025. 

A native of coastal New Hampshire, Jess now resides on the Pemaquid Peninsula with her husband, daughter, two horses, and two dogs. 

The Island Institute is a 40-year-old nonprofit organization, based in Rockland, Maine, that boldly navigates climate and economic change with island and coastal communities to expand opportunities and deliver solutions. For more information, visit islandinstitute.org.