Meet Elizabeth Palchak
Chief Strategic Partnerships Officer
elizabeth.palchak@groundworkcenter.org | (231) 941-6584 x: 700
Elizabeth Palchak, Ph.D., joined Traverse City’s Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities as Executive Director in November 2024 and in 2026 tightened her focus and stepped into the role of Chief Strategic Partnerships Officer. She previously served as Director of Sustainability at the University of Vermont, implementing UVM’s first Comprehensive Sustainability Plan to cut greenhouse-gas emissions through partnerships. Earlier, as a clean energy consultant at VEIC, she designed sustainable energy programs with utilities and municipalities all over the country, and helped launch the Energy Equity Project. She also has experience in education—as a NOLS mountain instructor and as a farm educator with schoolchildren.
“I came to Groundwork because I believe this remarkable organization is uniquely positioned to meet this moment—for the planet, for our communities, and for our kids,” Elizabeth says. “The work Groundwork has led in our communities is impactful and can be a blueprint across Michigan and beyond.”
At Groundwork, Elizabeth leads our work to build new partnerships that position the organization for the future. These are relationships that support healthier children and families, vibrant local economies, and innovative solutions that others can believe in and follow. Groundwork helps communities thrive by making sustainability real and possible in everyday life.
“I’m honored to contribute to the amazing work happening across my home state as Groundwork leads on issues like food insecurity, the renewable energy transition, and climate adaptation,” Elizabeth says. “I believe we can do even more.”