Mindy Germain champions sustainability from Main Street to policy table

Mindy Germain, a longtime Port Washington civic leader, founded Eco-Leap and serves on the Port Washington Water District; her work focuses on local sustainability, water protection and community engagement.

Mindy Germain has spent more than two decades involved in Port Washington civic and environmental efforts. She serves as a commissioner on the Port Washington Water District and founded Eco-Leap, a sustainability and climate action consultancy. Germain has also held leadership roles with Residents Forward, including time as executive director and now vice president. Her work centers on water protection, climate resilience and public engagement. What we know: - Germain moved to Port Washington in the early 2000s and was inspired by local volunteer groups such as Residents Forward. - She was named executive director of Residents Forward in 2007, later stepped down to start Eco-Leap in 2020, and continues on the group's board. - Germain was appointed to the Port Washington Water District in 2012, then won election to continue in that role. - She led local efforts to press for science-based study of groundwater impacts when New York City considered reactivating dormant wells; the wells were not reactivated and a $6 million sustainability study followed. - Through Eco-Leap, Germain has worked on townwide climate perception assessments and projects that helped North Hempstead secure funding, inform its climate action plan, and earn state recognition. - She serves on a New York State Department of Environmental Conservation steering committee for Long Island's drinking water sustainability study and has received several local and state honors. Summary: Germain's combination of grassroots volunteerism, municipal office and consultancy work has shaped local approaches to water and climate issues on Long Island. Her advocacy contributed to more research and planning around aquifer protection and municipal climate initiatives. She envisions continuing community-focused sustainability work through Eco-Leap and her roles with Residents Forward and the water district.