Jay joined the Elmina B. Sewall Foundation as its first executive director in 2008 and served in that capacity until retiring in 2019. During his tenure, he helped guide the Foundation’s philanthropic direction, including adoption of the Healthy People Healthy Places program aimed at improving the well-being of Maine people, communities, and environment. He also led the Foundation’s exploration of mission related investing and its initial efforts in impact investing.

Prior to joining the Sewall Foundation, Jay served for two decades as president of Maine Coast Heritage Trust, a statewide land conservation organization. Under his leadership, Maine Coast Heritage Trust accelerated its land protection efforts, conserving more than 125,000 acres and establishing the Maine Land Trust Network to supporting local land trusts throughout Maine. He also led the Trust’s successful Campaign for the Coast, raising more than $100 million for conservation and doubling the amount of protected land on Maine’s coast and islands.

Jay received his A.B. from Bowdoin College and master’s degrees in business and environmental studies from Yale’s School of Management and School of the Environment.  He serves on the board of directors of the Baskahegan Company and the Forest Society of Maine. He is a former board member of the Maine Philanthropy Center and steering committee member of the Environmental Funders Network.  He is also a former chair of the Land Trust Alliance, a national organization serving land trusts throughout the United States, and a former trustee of the Canadian Land Trust Alliance.