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Celebrating Marie Zack Nolan and Her Lasting Impact at The Green Engineer
After dedicating nearly two decades to The Green Engineer, we’re taking a moment to celebrate Marie Zack Nolan as she completes her final term on our Board of Directors.
Marie joined The Green Engineer shortly after it was founded in 2007 and helped shape the firm in its earliest days. Over nearly 15 years as a Senior Project Manager and Employee Owner, she played a key role in building both our work and our values, bringing thoughtfulness, determination, and a steady focus on helping projects succeed to the highest possible level.
Before joining The Green Engineer, Marie worked at DOER where she was involved in establishing green building requirements for public projects – standards that remain in place today. That foundation carried through her work here, where she became a trusted expert and a standout in building long-lasting client relationships. She also helped coordinate and strengthen the firm’s education efforts, ensuring knowledge-sharing and learning were embedded in how we worked and grew.
“Marie was one of the first people to join our team at TGE, and she was instrumental in our growth and success. Her previous experience developing the MA ‘LEED Plus’ requirements gave us credibility, especially on state projects, and she always kept us focused on the big picture - our impact on the planet.” – Chris Schaffner, Founder & CEO
In January of 2021, she authored an in-depth analysis of completed projects, culminating in the report Circling Back After Getting the Plaque. The effort focused on examining real-world outcomes after project completion, gathering client feedback, and identifying opportunities to strengthen future work – reinforcing the firm’s ongoing commitment to learning from experience and improving over time.
Beyond her formal roles, Marie had an outsized impact on office culture. She was known for hosting many of our much-loved holiday parties during her years as a full-time employee, and for quietly tending to office plants with the same care she brought to her projects. These small but meaningful gestures contributed to a welcoming office environment and reflected the same care she brought to her professional work.
After retiring from her full-time role in 2021, Marie continued her service through four years on the Board of Directors, offering continuity, insight, and deep institutional knowledge. As her board service concludes, we extend our heartfelt thanks for her leadership, mentorship, and nearly 20 years of lasting impact.
While her board service may be ending, Marie will always be part of The Green Engineer’s story. We thank her for everything she’s contributed and look forward to finding new ways to keep her within our orbit in the years ahead.
