Calling All Young Artists!

Our First-Ever Eco-Champion Art Contest!
Do you love art? Do you care about the planet? Here’s your chance to combine both! Coming in October 2025!

Our Management Team

4CCF is delighted to announce the appointment of Everett Hoag as its new Executive Director. In the coming months, Mr. Hoag will focus on strategic planning, fostering community partnerships, and overseeing the implementation of key initiatives to further 4CCF's mission and impact.

Everett Hoag
Executive Director, 4 Conservation Charitable Foundation, Inc.®

Everett Hoag is the Executive Director of 4 Conservation Charitable Foundation, Inc.® (4CCF), where he leads the organization’s mission to promote environmental stewardship through education, creativity, and community collaboration.

With over 20 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, Everett has cultivated strategic partnerships and designed educational programs with organizations such as Shri Service Corps, A Wish Come True, Save the Bay, the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, the RI Department of Education, and The World Ocean Observatory. His work is rooted in translating visionary ideas into real-world impact—advancing equity, sustainability, and inclusion through grantmaking, curriculum development, and public engagement.

A skilled strategist and storyteller, Everett has secured and managed major grants from the Rhode Island Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, and state arts councils across the Northeast. He has developed hands-on youth education initiatives such as Fashion Makers and Fashion Springboard, as well as environmental and wellness collaborations including Thriving With Style. Everett’s educational programs prioritize 21st-century skills, place-based learning, and cultural literacy—supporting underserved communities through both in-school and extended learning opportunities.

Everett’s background includes founding roles in creative agencies, international event production, and advocacy campaigns for youth leadership and gender equality. He holds a B.A. in Theatre Arts/Education from SUNY Potsdam and certifications in adaptive yoga, marketing, and nonprofit management. A dynamic leader and respected mentor, Everett is passionate about building a “community of practice” model at 4CCF—honoring diverse perspectives and encouraging collaborative, locally rooted environmental action.

PROTECTING OUR PLANET TOGETHER

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EcoChampions Initiative

Youth-Led Community Initiatives

Environmental Conservation and Recycling

Vision

Strengthening Shared Responsibility for Natural Resource Protection

Conservation means managing natural resources wisely and protecting the environment to ensure that it can support life for future generations

Preservation of habitats

Protection of wildlife

Ensuring clean air and water

Reducing waste, reusing items, and recycling materials

Create crafts and art using recycled materials

Participate in local conservation programs and community gardens

Family and Community Involvement

Board of Directors

4 Conservation Charitable Foundation, Inc.® (4CCF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in New England bringing together a diverse network of stakeholders – from scientists and policymakers to community leaders and concerned citizens – to explore critical environmental challenges.

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Chairperson and Founding Member

Dr. Robert A. DeRobbio, Ph.D.

Dr. Robert A. DeRobbio is a lifelong educator and public servant with over four decades of leadership in education, state government, and environmental advocacy. As Chairperson and Founding Member of 4CCF, he brings a deep commitment to equity, sustainability, and civic engagement.

Dr. DeRobbio has held leadership roles on numerous boards and commissions, including Chairperson of the Rhode Island Ethics Commission, Providence School Board, and Opera Providence. His career includes roles as a high school teacher, principal, and superintendent in multiple Rhode Island school districts, as well as senior administrative positions in the Providence School Department. He currently chairs the New London Board of Ethics and the Board of Recycling for Rhode Island Education. A dedicated advocate for the arts and social justice, he also served as Chair of the Urban League of Rhode Island and is a lifetime member of the NAACP – Providence Branch.

Vice Chairperson and Founding Member

Nanci T. DeRobbio

Nanci T. DeRobbio is the visionary co-founder and Vice President of 4CCF, bringing more than 30 years of experience in education, school leadership, and nonprofit work. She is a passionate advocate for arts integration, sustainable learning, and youth empowerment.

She led the founding of two schools, emphasizing creativity, equity, and environmental consciousness. Her outreach work connects communities to accessible arts programming, recycling initiatives, and inclusive education practices.

Nanci has served on several nonprofit boards advancing health, education, and the arts, including Resources for Rhode Island Education, Bradley Hospital, and the Anthony Quinn Foundation. Her workshops for educators promote sustainable practices and climate literacy through creative reuse.

Treasurer and Founding Board Member

Rahiem V. Eleazer

Rahiem V. Eleazer is an Indigenous environmental leader with a focus on climate resilience, ecological justice, and cultural preservation. As Treasurer of 4CCF and Environmental Liaison for the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, he leads cross-sector partnerships that center both land stewardship and tribal sovereignty.

He directed the BIA Tribal Resilience Program, authoring a Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment for MPTN and integrating Indigenous ecological knowledge into sustainability practices. He also co-directs the Alliance for the Mystic River Watershed and serves on the MPTN Historical and Natural Resources Committees.

Founding Board Member

Kenneth M. Reels

Kenneth M. Reels brings over 30 years of tribal leadership, military service, and civic advocacy to his role as a Founding Board Member of 4CCF. A U.S. Army veteran and longtime leader of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, he champions Indigenous self-determination, economic development, and cultural preservation.

Kenneth held key leadership roles on the Tribal Council from 1991 to 2008, including Vice Chairman and Chairman. He also led projects that improved tribal operations and local revitalization efforts, including the Chelsea Harbor Project. Currently Vice Chairman of the MPTN Gaming Commission, he also serves on the Board of Native American Bancorporation.

Founding Board Member

Michael J. Thomas

Michael J. Thomas is a distinguished cultural leader, environmental advocate, and public servant with decades of experience serving Indigenous communities and promoting cross-cultural understanding. A proud member of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation (MPTN), Mr. Thomas has dedicated his life to preserving tribal heritage, advancing sustainable development, and empowering future generations through education and the arts.

Mr. Thomas made history as the youngest person ever elected to the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Council, first serving in 1994. He went on to serve seven consecutive terms and was elected Tribal Council Chairman, leading the Nation through a pivotal era of growth and self-determination. His leadership helped shape environmental policy, cultural programming, and community infrastructure for the Tribe—including oversight of water and wastewater systems that continue to serve the Nation today.

An early steward of Mashantucket’s environmental health, Mr. Thomas served as the Tribe’s first Environmental Health Director and later as Natural Resource Protection Director. He has also chaired the MPTN Historic & Cultural Preservation Committee and the Tribe’s Pow-Wow Committee, working to ensure cultural continuity and spiritual wellness across generations. Currently, Mr. Thomas serves as a Board Member of the Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center. His leadership extends beyond the borders of Mashantucket. Mr. Thomas has served on numerous nonprofit and national boards, including the North American Indigenous Games, the UConn Foundation, the Native American Fish & Wildlife Society, and the Centre for Black Culture & International Understanding.

A lifelong traditional singer and founding member of the Grammy-nominated Mystic River Singers, Mr. Thomas continues to mentor emerging Native artists and advocates.
Mr. Thomas holds honorary degrees from Eastern Connecticut State University (Doctor of Humane Letters, 2004) and Mitchell College (Associate of Arts, 1998), awarded in recognition of his contributions to public service and cultural leadership.

Michael’s work continues to reflect a lifelong commitment to environmental stewardship, tribal sovereignty, and inclusive community development.

2025-2026 PILOT CONSERVATION CHAMPION INITIATIVES

Creative
EcoChampions

Reimagine, Repurpose, Create: 4CCF Online Art Competition with a Sustainable Twist!

Calling all eco-conscious artists! 4CCF is excited to launch a new series of online art competitions that celebrate creativity and environmental responsibility.

Community Service EcoChampions

Each quarter, we celebrate the extraordinary achievements of our community members who are making a positive difference. Here are some ways you can contribute and be recognized:

Community Service Champions: Have you organized a neighborhood cleanup, volunteered at a local shelter, or led a community garden initiative?
Environmental Heroes: Have you spearheaded a recycling drive, initiated a composting program, or raised awareness about environmental issues?
Emerging Leaders: Have you taken on leadership roles in community projects, mentored younger students, or demonstrated exceptional initiative and problem-solving skills?

Events & Workshops

Driving Change Together

4CCF brings together a diverse network of stakeholders – from scientists and policymakers to community leaders and concerned citizens – to explore critical environmental challenges. Through a series of engaging workshops, conferences, and discussions, we delve into evidence-based solutions for restoring the health of our oceans and lands.