Meet Nicole DiPaolo, one of RIEEA’s new board members of 2025!
Nicole is the Program and Operations Director for Roots 2Empower, an environmental justice organization that fosters a community-driven transition to an equitable, regenerative future. Nicole is proud to be the recipient of RIEEA’s 2024 Environmental Educator of the Year award for her work facilitating inclusive spaces for community members to learn, connect, and create solutions to Rhode Island’s environmental justice challenges. As an organizer, artist, and advocate for social justice, she is constantly synthesizing her professional and educational experience to build regenerative systems rooted in anti-racism. Nicole’s leadership in environmental and energy justice initiatives with organizations like the National Wildlife Federation and the BlueGreen Alliance centered on applying an equity lens to ensure marginalized communities are at the forefront of the clean energy transition. She is thrilled to further develop her leadership locally in her role at Roots where she provides strategic oversight and works to grow programming and expand the positive impact of their mission. Nicole graduated Summa Cum Laude from Lasell College with a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities with a Philosophy Concentration and Studio Art Minor. She has continued her education with hundreds of hours of training in anti-racism, facilitation, management, and clean energy.
Q&A
What’s your favorite outdoor place in Rhode Island, and why?
Beavertail State Park because it has the ocean AND the woods, and my best friend runs their educational aquarium!
How did you get involved in the environmental field?
My interest in the environmental field was first sparked in 2006 by my phenomenal science teacher Shannon Donovan. However, as a first-generation college graduate without the capacity to do several unpaid internships, I struggled to find a paid position in the environmental field after graduation. It wasn’t until I became involved in volunteer opportunities with Climate Action Rhode Island in 2017, that I began working with campaigns, which evolved into nonprofit work, and was the foundation that got me to where I am today.
What’s your favorite environmental fact to share?
Horseshoe crabs are older than dinosaurs and are my favorite Rhode Island sea creature
Why did you become a RIEEA board member?
RIEEA is simply the best! The organizational culture is so welcoming and fun while being deeply committed to honoring our shared humanity, the love of the earth, and working hard to protect both. For me, so much of environmental work comes down to the Jacques Cousteau quote, “We only protect what we love, we only love what we understand, and we only understand what we are taught.” Education is at the heart of my values, and I love how RIEEA brings folks together towards this end, and the people who gather who share this value.
This interview has been lightly edited for clarity.