Our Team
Dr. Ricky Stern (Retired), Founder
Dr. Ricky S. Stern, “e” inc.’s longtime Founder and Executive Director Emeritus officially retired this past June. Dr. Ricky founded “e” inc. in 2002 at an empty Boston Housing Authority apartment as a free after-school program for local children in Charlestown, MA. Through her passion for action-oriented education and environmental stewardship, Dr. Ricky expanded “e” inc.’s reach and impact over 22+ years, influencing the lives of well over 15,000 local youth across 30+ schools and community centers across Boston and Cambridge. We wish Dr. Ricky and her husband Alan the best health and happiness in retirement and thank her for the vision, creativity, and passion that led to the creation of “e” inc.
Paul J. Coakley, Executive Director
A lifelong resident of the Boston area, Paul is a graduate of Dartmouth College (BA in History) with an MBA from Boston College’s Carroll School of Management. Paul spent over 30 years working in downtown Boston for a Boston-based financial services firms. He joined the board of "e" inc. in January 2025 and this past September took on the full-time role of Executive Director. Paul has a passion for our climate, clean energy, and education. He believes it is critical that all children have access to STEAM-based environmental science education, especially in the lower-income areas of Boston/Cambridge where climate change causes the most harm. He is excited to bring his business experience to the non-profit sector and "e" inc. His goal to sustain and grow the organization so it can impact even more local-area youth and positively influence the communities in which they live.
Sarah Bracken, Director of Education
Sarah is originally from Ridgefield, CT. She earned her degree in Elementary Education from Boston College and subsequently was a 4th grade teacher, where she developed a passion for hands-on science education. Sarah is excited to combine her interest in exploring the outdoors and passion for teaching in her work a “e” inc. In her free time, she enjoys listening to and playing music, reading, writing, and traveling.
Our Educators
Gabriella Rizzo, Educator & Social Media Manager
Gabriella is originally from Boston MA. She attended the University of Vermont to pursue her undergraduate degree in Environmental Science. While attending UVM Gabriella concentrated her degree on Agriculture and the Environment and minored in Agroecology. Upon graduation, Gabriella moved back to Boston and is eager to give back to her community. Growing up in Massachusetts Gabriella appreciated access to green spaces and strives to educate the next generation on the importance of such spaces. At “e” Inc., she hopes to instill a sense of curiosity in the students, leading them to explore a deeper understanding of our natural world. Alongside her teaching responsibilies, she is also pursuing her law degree at Suffolk University.
Kayla Bradley
Kayla is originally from Mansfield, MA. They received their B.S. in Environmental Sciences with a minor in communication from The University of Massachusetts Boston, where they now study environmental media and communication as a PhD student. As an educator, Kayla centers hands-on, accessible approaches to engage diverse audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Kayla encourages students to consider their connection with the environment, including often overlooked aspects of our Earth that influence our daily lives. Kayla hopes these activities help students see science as a concept beyond the classroom; and that they do not have to work in a laboratory to participate in science. By focussing on action, both big and small, Kayla uplifts students’ agencey, promotes environmental stewardship, and cultivates students’ capacity to enact change.
Lena Hicks
Lena is originally from Dallas, Texas but now calls Boston home. She attended Emerson College and graduated with a degree in Environmental and Scientific Journalism. While at Emerson, Lena also was a member of the women's basketball team. Lena is passionate about sparking excitement for the natural world. She believes that curiosity and care have the potential to drive positive change. In addition to teaching with "e" inc., Lena is a TerraCorps member working at a conservation nonprofit.