Elder brings over a decade of cross-sector experience. His expertise spans research, stakeholder engagement, community programming, event organizing, project planning/management, strategic communications, and policy analysis, development, and implementation.

Before founding GatherPoint, Elder served as the Grant Management Specialist for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts's EEA Climate Team. In this role, he led efforts to design and implement metrics for grant programs, established systems for data collection and reporting, and supported strategic oversight of the multi-million-dollar Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) program, managing a team of equity-focused partners.

Elder worked in local government as the Sustainability Policy Associate for the City of Providence, where he established the first Resilience Hub, organized the Youth Climate Summit, and advanced policies for urban flooding, sea-level rise, and equitable planning.

Elder also has significant non-profit leadership experience as Director of Community Programs for the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council, where he built urban leadership, forged partnerships, and led climate resilience, recreation, and fundraising initiatives.Elder is extensively involved in committees and boards with leadership roles in sustainability, equity, and civil rights.

He holds a B.S. in Environmental Science with a focus on Wildlife Conservation. A sought-after speaker, Elder has been invited to present at leading institutions and organizations including the Pulitzer Center, the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), Brown University, and the University of Rhode Island.