ECLB Staff

Empowering Communities Through Their Dedication

President & CEO

Nicole Justice-Green

Mrs. Nicole Justice Green

President & CEO

Nicole Justice Green has worked in nonprofit, housing, and community development since 2014, with a background in historic preservation and competitive grant writing dating back to 2007. Before returning to the North Country, she worked for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, where she gained experience in history, preservation, education, and public programming.

She currently serves as President & CEO of the North Country Rural Development Coalition and the Essex County Land Bank, and helped create two land banks in Northern New York.

Nicole serves on the board of the Rural Housing Coalition of New York and chairs its Government Affairs Committee. She is also a Fair Housing Officer and a strong advocate for affordable housing, lead-safe homes, downtown revitalization, and helping small towns thrive.

Under her leadership, NRDC was named Rural Preservation Company of the Year in 2024. She has helped secure millions of dollars in funding for housing, historic preservation, workforce housing, public art, and community revitalization projects across the North Country.

Nicole is especially passionate about tackling lead poisoning and lead-based paint hazards, recognizing the long-term impacts they have on children, families, and communities. She is also committed to addressing food insecurity and expanding access to safe, affordable housing throughout the region.

Nicole was the first person in her immediate family to attend college. A former Fulbright-Gilman scholar, she holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in History and Teaching from Christopher Newport University. She speaks multiple foreign languages and is a passionate researcher with a deep interest in history, housing policy, and community development.

She lives in Ticonderoga with her husband and five children. Outside of work, she is a surfer, loves punk music, and considers the beauty and privilege of raising a large family to be one of her greatest joys.

Katie Long

Dr. Katie Long

Deputy Director

Dr. Katie Long holds a PhD in Sociology from the University at Albany, SUNY, with a focus on family sociology, gender studies, environmental justice, and demography. Originally from Pennsylvania, Katie earned her BA in Sociology from Kutztown University before relocating to Albany for graduate school. After completing her master’s degree in 2017, she moved to the Adirondacks, where she lives with her husband, Zach, and their daughter, Brooklyn.

As CDBG Program Manager for the North Country Rural Development Coalition, Dr. Long has successfully managed the organization’s CDBG programs for the past two years, overseeing application review, income eligibility, environmental review coordination, grant compliance, reporting, homeowner agreements, and project closeout. She has played a critical role in the successful administration of housing rehabilitation, public facility, and community development projects across the region.

Katie also serves as a key point person for NRDC’s New York Main Street programs, helping guide downtown revitalization efforts, building assessments, project development, and coordination with municipalities, business owners, and funding agencies. Her meticulous research, attention to detail, and strong organizational skills have been invaluable to the team and to the successful implementation of numerous grant-funded projects.

Dr. Long is deeply passionate about community development and dedicated to promoting socioeconomic equality throughout the region. With a background in teaching, research, and more than 15 years of customer service experience, she brings both technical expertise and compassion to her work, helping ensure that programs are responsive to the needs of the communities and families they serve.

Hope

Ms. Hope Carroll

Grant Program Manager

Hope Carroll is a graduate of the University of Maine, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Communication. During her time there, she developed a passion for community engagement, outreach, and building strong relationships, which now shape her approach to housing and community development work. After graduating, she relocated to Ticonderoga with her partner, Isaac, where they are excited to explore all the Adirondacks have to offer.

Since joining the North Country Rural Development Coalition, Hope has become an essential member of the team. She supports the day-to-day management of the Essex County Land Bank, assisting with property records, project tracking, reporting, and coordination with municipalities, contractors, and state agencies.

Hope manages much of the organization’s client intake process and helps administer several of NRDC’s major housing programs, including the Manufactured Housing Replacement Program, HOME-funded housing initiatives, and the Restore Emergency Repair Program. She is highly organized and excels at keeping complex projects on track, often managing multiple deadlines, reporting requirements, and moving pieces at once. Her attention to detail, strong task management skills, and ability to anticipate what needs to happen next make her an invaluable part of the team.

Hope also played a key role in administering the Essex County Land Bank’s CrossMod pilot program in Newcomb, which has since evolved into the Move In New York program. The pilot involved the first new home ever constructed by the Land Bank, making it a major milestone for the organization. Hope managed the extensive documentation, reporting, compliance, scheduling, and coordination required to move the project from concept to reality.

Hope is known for being dynamic, thoughtful, and kind. She approaches every project with professionalism, patience, and a willingness to help wherever needed. Outside of work, she is a devoted cat lover and a loyal fan of the New England Patriots.

  • Susan Zacharenko, Office Manager: Susan Zacharenko brings more than 20 years of experience in customer service and hospitality, along with several years in advertising and marketing. Her diverse background allows her to provide exceptional service while helping maintain an organized and efficient office. Susan is committed to creating positive experiences for both clients and colleagues. Outside of work, she is an active member of North Country Roots, a volunteer committee dedicated to bringing fresh, family-friendly community events to the region. She also enjoys photography and sharing her work with the community.
  • Sophia Palma, Program Administrator: Sophia Palma supports the day-to-day administration of our programs and projects, helping to keep files, communications, and timelines organized across a wide range of initiatives. Her attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and willingness to help wherever needed make her an invaluable part of our team.
  • Carey Bush, Arts and Events Administrator: Carey Bush helps lead the planning, coordination, and promotion of NRDC’s growing arts, placemaking, and community event initiatives. From supporting public art projects and downtown activations to organizing festivals and special events, Carey brings creativity, enthusiasm, and a strong sense of community to every project.
  • Calsie Granger, Support Staff: Calsie Granger provides valuable support to our team by helping maintain a clean, organized, and welcoming office environment. Her work helps ensure that our staff, partners, board members, and community members are greeted by a space that is professional, comfortable, and ready for the many meetings, events, and daily activities that take place at NRDC. Calsie’s reliability, care, and behind-the-scenes support are greatly appreciated and play an important role in keeping our office running smoothly.

We are incredibly grateful to Susan, Sophia, Carey, and Calsie for their hard work, professionalism, and dedication. Each of them plays an important role in the day-to-day success of NRDC and the Essex County Land Bank, and we are fortunate to have such a talented and caring team.

We also extend our sincere appreciation to our partners and subcontractors, including Flatley Read and Alexandra Hall of Public Space Consulting, whose expertise, guidance, and collaboration strengthen our work and help make our projects possible.

A special thank you also goes to the members of our North Country Roots Committee. Through their volunteer efforts and partnership with NRDC, they help bring many of our community events and celebrations to life. Their creativity, enthusiasm, and commitment to our communities make a lasting difference.

Finally, we would like to recognize former staff members Jeanne Wilson and Jada Beaudet. Although they have moved on from the organization, both were important members of our team and contributed greatly to our growth and success. We remain especially appreciative of the professionalism and care they demonstrated in ensuring thoughtful transitions and thorough handoff of their responsibilities. Their contributions helped lay the foundation for the work we continue today, and they are very much missed.