The League of Women Voters of Winchester recently honored Susan McPhee with its 14th Civic Leadership Award during a ceremony held at Lynch Elementary School on September 22. McPhee has dedicated over 17 years to her role as the town’s energy conservation coordinator and serves as the CEO of Spark Energy Conservation.
Her efforts have resulted in substantial financial benefits for Winchester, including securing more than $9 million in grants to support various energy conservation initiatives. Notably, she played a pivotal role in launching WinPower, a renewable electricity program aimed at providing sustainable energy options for local residents. Additionally, she founded the Winchester Senior Energy Grants program and has been a strong advocate for the town’s energy conservation and climate resilience objectives.
During the award ceremony, McPhee emphasized Winchester’s leadership in sustainability, noting it was among the first towns in Massachusetts to be designated as a green community. “You only make progress in small chunks, and then they add up,” she remarked, highlighting the incremental nature of community advancement.
Acknowledging Civic Engagement
According to Caroline Shamu, who hosted the event, the Civic Leadership Award is presented annually to individuals who have made a lasting impact on civic life, demonstrating qualities such as collaboration, inclusivity, and measurable results. “This award recognizes idealism, intelligence, compassion, and the ability to shape public discourse in a civil manner,” Shamu noted.
McPhee was described by colleagues and family as a dynamic connector and a tireless advocate for sustainability. Carolyn Starrett, founder of Sustainable Winchester, praised her for being a “person of action” with a focus on practical solutions.
A Journey into Sustainability
McPhee’s path to sustainability advocacy began in an unexpected way. After earning a bachelor’s degree in Art and Architecture from Brown University in 1982, she spent 15 years as a buyer for Macy’s before working with ANTAR, an organization focused on advocating for Australia’s First Nations Peoples.
Her interest in sustainability took root at Lincoln Elementary School in 2008, when she volunteered to co-chair the school’s solar challenge. Through her leadership, the initiative surpassed its goals, setting the foundation for her subsequent work in energy conservation as the town’s coordinator and CEO of Spark Energy Conservation, which serves multiple communities in Massachusetts.
Community Initiatives and Impact
McPhee has been instrumental in various community efforts, including establishing a chick program at Wright-Locke Farm, enabling families to care for baby chickens until they are ready to live on the farm. She also facilitated the addition of solar energy systems to local structures and organized a sustainable speaker series. Her work has led to significant solar installations in homes throughout Winchester, contributing to lower energy costs and the town’s green community designation.
David Judelson, a board member of Wright-Locke Farm, highlighted McPhee as a role model, noting her commitment to sustainable living practices, such as maintaining a chicken coop and installing solar panels at her home. Select Board member Michelle Prior also commended her innovative approach and perseverance, reading a proclamation from the Select Board that celebrated her achievements and commitment to community improvement.
Looking Ahead
During the ceremony, McPhee’s children, Kate and Will, spoke about their mother’s profound influence on both her professional and personal life, emphasizing her ability to inspire action in others. “You do not get to just sit around and be mad at the world if you aren’t at least trying to change it,” Kate stated, highlighting the values instilled by McPhee.
The event began with a tour of the newly constructed Lynch Elementary School, which features a net-zero energy design, aligning with the themes of sustainability emphasized throughout the celebration.
The League of Women Voters traces its origins to the Winchester Equal Suffrage League established in 1888 and became the League of Women Voters after the ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920. The organization continues to promote civic engagement and advocacy for public policy through initiatives like the Civic Leadership Award.
McPhee concluded by outlining future sustainability goals for the community, including plans to transform Muraco Elementary School into a net-zero facility and encourage residents to implement sustainable home improvements, such as heat pumps. “In general, people are fearful about energy matters,” McPhee commented. “So you just have to roll up your sleeves and dig in.”
Crystal Yormick is a freelance journalist and a 2026 graduate of Boston University, where she studied journalism.