Mel Litter

Founder and CEO

Mel Litter is CEO of Elemental Impact Solutions with over 35 years of experience in strategic financial planning; real estate acquisition and development; non-profit operations; and local government. She began her community development and finance career while in Vermont, assisting with site selection analysis for the Burlington Community Land Trust and serving as Environmental Planner and Assistant Assessor for the Town of Shelburne where she also assisted in the creation of the town’s State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreational Plan and designed a local park. 

Upon moving to Boston, Mel expanded her career working for several large real estate development and management firms including the Krupp Companies and Boston Financial in acquisitions and portfolio and risk management. She assisted in the acquisition of over $100 million in real estate deals and worked on a diverse array of acquisition projects including LIHTC portfolios and the multi-use Lake Placid Club Resort proposal . Mel taught portfolio and grant writing at Boston University ‘s Metropolitan College and co-founded the Real Estate Portfolio Managers Association (REPOR).

Mel then served as the Director of Financial Administration for Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government Degree Programs for 11 years.  During that time she taught grant writing and portfolio management in the Communications Program, performed analysis on the impacts of a potential  Avian Flu pandemic and a domestic terrorist attack on the Degree Programs finances and recoded the school’s operating budget from a 13 digit to a 33 digit chart of accounts. 

Mel’s community service work has included 12 years as a Parks and Recreation Commissioner for the Town of Wayland, MA as well as in a variety of school and non-profit organizations.  She built and ran the first United State Pony Club Riding Center, Jordan Stables, until moving to Maryland in 2009 and served on the finance and fundraising committees for the Harford Land trust. In 2010 she obtained her Series 7, 66 and Life and Health licenses and worked in investments and strategic financial planning for banks and investment firms.

Mel has an adult son and daughter who keep her inspired.  She studied Environmental Planning and Political Science at the University of Vermont and is an avid hiker, equestrian and writer. 

PROJECTS

Re-evaluations of Somerville, MA; Burlington, VT; Shelburne, VT; Colchester, VT; Clinton County, NY

State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, Shelburne, VT

Site selection of housing partnership opportunities, Burlington Community Land Trust, Burlington, VT

Lake Placid Club Resort, Lake Placid NY. Strategic acquisition and re-use plan

Impact Study of Avian Flu outbreak on enrollment, KSG

Impact Study of Domestic Terrorist Attack on enrollment, KSG

Family Fair and Pet Show, Wayland, MA

Hannah Williams Playground revitalization, Wayland MA

Cleland Holden Natural Area, Shelburne, VT, Environmental assessment and multi-use strategic plan

Owner and Operator, Jordan Stables United States Pony Club Riding Center

Co-Founder and President, the Real Estate Portfolio Managers Association

City to Saddle under-served youth riding and education program, Marlborough, MA