Our People

Elizabeth McDade
Director

Elizabeth McDade is the Director of Rochester ENergy Efficiency and Weatherization (RENEW) Climate Fund and has worked in education, advocacy, coalition building, and environmental justice around health and housing for over two decades. Elizabeth has worked with the Coalition to Prevent Lead Poisoning and is certified by the EPA in Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) and credentialed in HUD’s Healthy Homes Rating System, Lead Wipe Sampling Technician, Essentials for Health Housing Practitioners, and Implementing Healthy Homes Programs and Combating Indoor Environmental Hazards. Elizabeth is a consultant to the University of Rochester Medical Center Finger Lakes Children's Environmental Health Center and with two URMC healthy-home studies—CARE and ROC HOME. Elizabeth grew up in the 19th Ward and is a Rochester City School District graduate. She holds a BA and BFA from SUNY New Paltz, an MFA from Visual Studies Workshop, and in 2020, Elizabeth completed the Yale School of Public Health certificate program in “Climate Change and Health.” In 2026, Elizabeth credentialed in the American Lung Association’s “Home-Asthma Services Training” and the Building Performance Institute’s “Building Science Principles.”

To reach Elizabeth directly, please contact her at emcdade@racf.org or (585) 341-4362.

Paige O’Connor
Rural Community Impact Associate

Paige O'Connor is a Rural Community Impact Associate. Paige works closely with Elizabeth and RENEW Community Partners as well as supporting the Community Foundation’s regional strategy to ensure equitable grantmaking across the eight counties RACF serves in Western New York, including coaching participants in the Community Heart and Soul initiative. A recent graduate from Binghamton University's 4+1 Master of Public Administration program, Paige’s background includes significant experience in civic engagement, program development, and data-driven change. She has previously contributed to the Rochester Education Foundation as a graduate intern and operations assistant.

To reach Paige directly, please contact her at poconnor@RACF.org or (585) 341-4332.