Melissa Hoffer to step down as Massachusetts climate chief

Melissa Hoffer, the first state-level cabinet climate chief in the United States, will step down from her role in the Massachusetts administration. Hoffer is set to become the president of Vermont Law and Graduate School, effective December 1.

During her tenure under Governor Maura Healey, Hoffer worked to integrate climate goals across various state government functions, including state procurements and biodiversity targets. Her initiatives included helping launch the state’s climate bank, establishing a disaster response and resilience fund following the 2023 floods, and creating the state’s first youth climate council.

Governor Healey praised Hoffer as an “extraordinary partner and climate leader.” Before her current role, Hoffer served as principal deputy general counsel and acting general counsel at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The Healey administration plans to name a successor before Hoffer departs.