Events

Eric Tang, Director of Partnerships, Tang Institute, Phillips Academy 

Eric serves as the Precourt Director of Partnerships at Phillips Academy. Prior to joining the Academy, he served as associate director of the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders community and participated in the Forum’s Global Leadership Fellows program. Previously, he worked with the Inter-American Development Bank as a social sector research fellow.

Eric also served as a teacher of religion at Notre Dame Catholic High School (Fairfield, Conn.), evaluated a Central American civic education program with the Academy for Educational Development, and was employed by Accenture as a public sector consultant. He was a Fulbright Scholar in Montevideo, Uruguay, where he carried out research on regional economic integration and education policy in South America.

Eric earned a BA degree in international studies from Fairfield University and an MA degree in international relations from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.

Sophan Smith is the Executive Director of EforAll Lowell. Entrepreneurship for All (EforAll) is accelerating economic and social impact in communities nationwide through inclusive entrepreneurship. Programs include a Business Accelerator program, Pitch Contest, Virtual Workshops and co-working space. 

MATTHEW THORNE, Executive Director

 Matthew brings to MRWC a drive for systems-thinking, strategic planning, and organizational sustainability. He loves to turn innovative ideas into projects on the ground. His background in restoration ecology, outdoor education and art brings a creative, intuitive perspective to his non-profit leadership approach. Prior to settling in New Hampshire, Matthew spent the last 15 years working alongside diverse populations from the highlands of Guatemala up to the rain forests of southeast Alaska. Before joining MRWC, Matthew oversaw farm and food access programming at the Organization for Refugee and Immigrant Success in Manchester, NH. Matthew holds a B.A. from American University in International Development and an MS in Restoration Ecology from University of Washington.

matthew@merrimack.org

TRACEY CHALIFOUR, Director of Development

Tracey is a versatile professional with a successful track record of fundraising, grant writing, special event planning, marketing and communications, and leadership roles for non-profit organizations in the Merrimack Valley and North Shore of Massachusetts.

Tracey’s development expertise is instrumental in building the durable and generous support that we need to protect and improve the health of the watershed for all to enjoy. Joining MRWC in October 2021, Tracey’s career path has taken her on a journey through cities and towns located along the Merrimack River, working for healthcare, cultural, and human services agencies.

Prior to her nonprofit experience, Tracey worked in the technology and hospitality sectors. She holds two bachelor’s degrees from UMass-Amherst, in business administration and in hospitality administration. Tracey has lived in cities and towns adjacent to the Merrimack River for almost her entire life, and has served on the board of a local trail organization with direct connections to the river since 2004. Working at the MRWC is right at the confluence of her professional and personal experiences and interests.

tracey@merrimack.org 

Nancy Kannell, Founder and President 

When an acquaintance who was down on her luck came to Nancy and said her stove was broken and she had no money to fix it or buy a new one, she had an idea. Eighteen years later, Nancy’s passion for helping others has led PHA to grow from a one woman operation to a staff of dozens of volunteers serving hundreds of families a year.