Sarah Nichols
she/her
Since 2014, Sarah has been a trusted presence in Maine’s State House, skillfully uniting advocates, policymakers, and business leaders to champion equitable and sustainable policies. She brings relentless energy, creativity, and determination to every project.
Sarah considers herself an “advocate for hire” as a way to distinguish herself from your average lobbyist. She specializes in representing mission-based nonprofits and businesses dedicated to advancing the clean energy transition, circular economy, and climate-resilient development.
By selectively partnering with clients whose values align with hers, she devotes her full energy and expertise to achieving their goals. Her mission is to deliver impactful services to clients while contributing positively to the broader Maine community—and beyond.
For more details on her professional background, please visit her LinkedIn profile. Read about her role in Maine’s first-in-the-nation Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging Law as profiled in Maine Women’s Magazine. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with friends and family and diving into one of her many hobbies. She lives in Cumberland with her two extraordinary sons and blue-eyed adventure dog.
What People Are Saying
"Sarah Nichols is one of the most effective advocates I've worked with in the Maine State Capitol. She always knows her subject thoroughly, surveys the policy and political landscapes adroitly, and thinks strategically while others are reacting tactically. I have seen her convene lawmakers and interest groups on a number of issue areas that have led to positive, landmark legislation that could not have been accomplished without her leadership.”
—Rick Bennett, Maine State Senator
"Sarah has an exceptional ability to look beyond the immediate task and understand policy both at its foundation and in the broader context. She amplifies underrepresented voices and champions inclusivity. While she skillfully seeks consensus and compromise, she remains steadfast in upholding her core values."
—Allison Hepler, Maine State Representative
“Sarah is a brilliant strategist and highly effective advocate. Maine will see significant waste reduction, especially with plastics, due to her leadership.”
—Beth Ahearn, Retired Director of Government Affairs for Maine Conservation Voters
“Sarah Nichols is a talented and highly effective advocate who brings unmatched expertise and strategic vision to her work. Her leadership on recycling and reuse policies has driven meaningful progress in Maine and nationally, and I’m confident she will continue to deliver transformative results."
—Nicole Grohoski, Maine State Senator
“Sarah is a powerhouse! When she commits to something, she's all in, her homework is done and she's up for the challenge. I've loved working with her and have deeply admired her ability to garner support across party lines, find suitable opportunities for everyone to feel heard and reach a compromise that gets policy across the finish line.”
—Stacy Brenner, Maine State Senator
“Sarah is a true environmental champion. She takes on our most urgent issues with tremendous expertise, courage, and determination to achieve the goal.”
—Anne Carney, Maine State Senator
Why I do this work
“I am completely enamored with the democratic process and deeply believe in the power of policy to enhance everyone’s quality of life. As a self-proclaimed "policy artist," I blend my passion for the issues, joy of collaboration, and big-nerd energy to push good bills over the finish line—or stop the bad ones in their tracks.
My neurons sparked with excitement when I first learned the principles of resource economics at UNH; I’m a systems thinker and everything just clicked. After three incredible years as a ski bum on the slopes surrounding Lake Tahoe, I returned to academia, earning a masters in environmental science and policy at UC Santa Barbara’s Bren School—a renowned institution for preparing leaders to tackle our most pressing environmental and political challenges.
Growing up in beautiful Bath, Maine, I developed a strong sense of place that drew me back to this beloved state in 2010. Since then, I’ve been making friends, honing my policy expertise, and have had the privilege of leading many initiatives, large and small. I feel incredibly fortunate to have found my purpose in this one wild and wondrous life—and I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to make a difference.”