Island Institute is pleased announced three new leadership appointments across operations, policy, and philanthropy that will strengthen the organization’s ability to deliver its mission: to boldly navigate climate and economic change with island and coastal communities to expand opportunities and deliver solutions.
Peter Rand has been named chief operating officer after nearly seven years of leadership at Island Institute as chief financial officer. In his new role, Rand will lead the organization’s operational strategy and oversee implementation of systems and structures that support the strategic plan and long-term sustainability.
Rand brings deep experience in both the public and private sectors. He began his career as a CPA with Baker Newman Noyes, working with healthcare, financial services, governmental, and nonprofit clients, and has since held executive financial leadership positions across multiple organizations.
Additionally, he has provided board leadership to organizations serving individuals experiencing homelessness, hunger, and poverty, and internationally through play therapy to children in impoverished and war-torn countries.
Rand holds degrees in business administration and accounting from the University of Maine and University of Southern Maine, as well as a master’s degree in policy, planning, and management from the Muskie School of Public Service at the University of Southern Maine. Rand and his wife Sophie, a high school social worker, raised their two children in South Portland. They now live in Jefferson.
Erin Quetell has joined Island Institute as public policy director. In this role, she partners with staff, communities, and external organizations to advance strategic initiatives and lead government relations and public policy campaigns that support the resilience of Maine’s island and coastal communities.
Quetell brings over a decade of experience in regional climate work, including clean energy transitions, electric vehicle infrastructure, comprehensive planning, and community development. She previously served as chief sustainability officer for Oakland County, Michigan and as environmental sustainability planner for Ferndale, Michigan.
Quetell earned a master’s of public administration in environmental science and policy from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Science in biology from Grand Valley State University. She relocated with her family from Michigan to Lincolnville.
Rosemary Price has joined the Institute as director of philanthropy. She leads the individual gifts team and is responsible for building meaningful connections between donors and the organization’s mission to advance climate and economic resilience with communities along Maine’s coast.
Price is a nonprofit fundraising leader with 20 years of experience spanning the arts, environment, and higher education sectors, successfully managing capital campaigns and programs for corporate sponsorship, individual giving, and planned giving. Her career reflects a long-standing commitment to mission-driven organizations.
She holds a master’s degree in museum studies from the SUNY Cooperstown graduate program and a bachelor’s degree in music performance and history from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She lives with her family on the Blue Hill Peninsula.
Island Institute is a 41-year-old nonprofit organization, based in Rockland. For more information, visit islandinstitute.org.
