.jpg)
Our Mission
Plastic Free QAC is committed to educating, raising awareness, and bringing clarity to the choices each individual can make to improve our environment.
The Team
Sara Shelley
Director and Co-founder. Since moving to Grasonville in 2017 Sara has remained naturally invested in making a difference in our Chesapeake Bay Watershed area. Shortly after completing the Legacy Institute for the Environment (LIFE) training, she joined the newly formed Plastic Free QAC team where she has been responsible for Outreach and Program Development. Sara also serves on the QAC Local Management Board as a community representative. When not volunteering, she finds great joy spending time in nature, kayaking, biking, hiking and traveling the world with family and friends.
Bente Cooney
Bente grew aware of the need to protect our fragile earth while sailing for 18 years before settling on the Eastern Shore. Bente worked on Capitol Hill and later with non-profit organizations. She co-founded a non-profit organization in Washington, DC to advocate for the rights of nursing home residents.
Peggy Young
Margaret “Peggy” Young, Plastic Free QAC’s Treasurer, grew up on the Chesapeake and has spent much
time sailing, crabbing, and skiing on the Bay. She worked for BoatU.S for 20 years in product marketing,
and retired after 13 years as Vice President of Marketing and Product Management for SECU Credit
Union. Peggy is dedicated to doing whatever is possible to protect our environment, especially from the
plastic mess we humans have created.
Courtney Leigh
Board Member, is Membership Coordinator for ShoreRivers. She worked for 11 years with the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center (CBEC) in many different roles engaging citizens of all ages in environmental education and stewardship. In her free time, Courtney gets outside for triathlons, kayaking, hiking, and camping. She loves connecting with her community as a volunteer with several nonprofits.
Alex Aiosa
Alex grew up on the Eastern Shore. Spending many a summer at his Aunt and Uncle's home in St. Michael's. Spending his summers boating, crabbing, and jet skiing is what made Alex fall in love with the Chesapeake Bay. Alex received his bachelor's degree from Salisbury University and his masters from the University of Maryland College Park. While Alex now lives on the Western Shore he still holds a special place in his heart for the Eastern Shore and comes back anytime he has the chance to take in the majesty of all the shore has to offer.
Courtney Leigh
Board Member, is Membership Coordinator for ShoreRivers. She worked for 11 years with the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center (CBEC) in many different roles engaging citizens of all ages in environmental education and stewardship. In her free time, Courtney gets outside for triathlons, kayaking, hiking, and camping. She loves connecting with her community as a volunteer with several nonprofits.
Jenny Vedrani
Team Member and Sustainability Consultant. Jenny has lived all over the globe and settled in Maryland in 2014. After 20+ years in Human Resources, she took a leap of faith and launched Refill Goodness, an eco-friendly market and refillery. Her passion for sustained living runs deep, and her love of the outdoors made her keenly aware of just how important it is to protect our natural resources. When not at a marketing or event educating on sustainable swaps, Jenny is likely seeing a favorite band, boating, hiking, reading or spending time with her family.
Laura Connor
Cofounder. A founding member of Plastic Free QAC, Laura now serves on its Board. She worked as Human Resources Director for an environmental law firm in Washington D.C. before retiring to stay home with her children. Laura is a volunteer mediator and board member at Community Mediation Upper Shore, which serves Kent and Queen Anne's Counties.
Tom Webb
Volunteer Coordinator
Tom sold his national healthcare consulting firm and moved from Columbia, MD to Stevensville full-time in 2020. He has been active in environmental issues for his entire adult life. Starting with working to pass the bottle bill in Massachusetts in the 70s. He is PFQAC’s clean-up volunteer coordinator. He enjoys boating, fishing, and crabbing on the bay with his family and friends.
PFQAC Partners
