Friend,

I’m writing to share that after 12 years working at ALIGN, this is my final week as Executive Director. This was a bittersweet decision to make, I am sad but also I feel immense pride for all that we’ve accomplished together.

ALIGN has been an unforgettable and deeply rewarding movement home for me. I have had the great privilege of advancing the work of ALIGN, from building strategic coalitions as an organizer to leading the organization toward a vision of a just transition as Executive Director.

Here are some of our greatest achievements under my tenure:

Passing the most ambitious climate law in the US with the New York Renews coalition, where we organized for 100% carbon-free electricity by 2040, 85% emissions reduction by 2050, and 35% of funding for environmental justice communities.
Winning the Dirty Buildings Law with the Climate Works for All coalition, a first-of-its-kind piece of legislation that will slash emissions from large buildings by 80% and create 20,000 jobs.
Transforming NYC’s private waste industry with the Transform Don’t Trash coalition, creating Commercial Waste Zones that will reduce truck traffic and pollution, protect workers, achieve equity for waste-burdened communities, and improve recycling rates.
Passing a historic congestion pricing plan that will raise billions of dollars for repairs and improvements to our public transit infrastructure.
Winning $4 billion for Green, Healthy Schools after ALIGN’s report became a blueprint for a new city program to electrify public schools, create healthier learning environments, and prioritize Environmental Justice communities.
Championing the Utility Thermal Energy Network and Jobs Act to decarbonize buildings and transition fossil fuel workers to green career jobs.
Holding Amazon Accountable by building a broad coalition of community and labor groups that defeated their HQ2 bid in Long Island City and supporting workers’ organizing efforts to form a union.
Championing the Warehouse Worker Protection Act with the New Yorkers for a Fair Economy coalition, legislation that brings transparency to secret quotas in the warehouse industry and ensures workers know their rights.
Winning the NY HERO Act with the NY Essential Workers coalition, the first-in-the-nation airborne infectious disease standard that also allows workers to create health and safety committees, empowering them to organize together and have a voice on the job.

ALIGN is in an incredible position to take on whatever lies ahead through the collective efforts of our staff, board of directors, volunteers, coalition partners, donors, political allies, and YOU. Will you show your commitment to this next chapter by making a donation today?

I am confident that we will build upon this work in the coming years with new leadership that will carry on the legacy that I and those before me left behind. I am excited to announce Lucas Shapiro as the incoming Interim Executive Director; he has served as ALIGN’s Deputy Director for the last year and has been part of our movement family for more than a decade.

Stay tuned for more about our ongoing work and our search for the next Executive Director.

Thank you for making our work possible—onward!

In solidarity,

Maritza Silva-Farrell

Executive Director ALIGN NY