Meet the team

From left: Isabel Aley, Heather Chandler, Patti Montana, Sheila Reiser

Heather Chandler

President & Founder

Exposed to a healthy & sustainable lifestyle at a young age, Heather never would’ve believed you then if you told her that some day she might actually like tofu and whole grain bread! Heather has ten years of experience in public relations and marketing—primarily with non-profit organizations—and founded The SunriseGuide in the summer of 2006. She has a BA in Liberal Studies from Mount Ida College and a graduate certificate in non-profit management from the USM Muskie School. In her spare time, she enjoys exploring Maine by bicycle, connecting with greater Portland’s fabulous art scene, gardening and building community in her new hometown of Westbrook.

Isabel Aley

Account Executive

Born and raised in Midcoast Maine, Isabel has a deep appreciation for Maine’s unique natural beauty, cultural vitality, and down to Earth people.  She was brought up to respect the natural world and developed a keen interest in all things related to sustainability. She earned a BA in English with a concentration in Environmental Studies, and after college enjoyed five years working for Portland Trails. After a year on the west coast, she returned to Maine and joined The SunriseGuide team to help grow the local green economy.  When she’s not working, you can find Isabel exploring the local trails and beaches with her husband and two dogs!

Patti Montana

Midcoast Representative

Love of nature and living a healthy life have always been priorities for Patti. When she wasn’t doing massage therapy or working in a natural food store, you could always find her on her bike. She loved to ride past mile after mile of spectacular farmland in Pennsylvania. This was the inspiration for a cross-county bicycle trip, exploring many beautiful places between Pennsylvania and California. After meeting her husband in Florida, sailing became a her new love. Together they explored the Florida Keys and the Bahamas. After getting married, they moved to New Hampshire where they spent as much time as they could hiking the beautiful White Mountains. But still the ocean called, so they moved to Maine where they are currently living, with their daughter, in an off-grid house. All their electricity comes from solar panels on the roof. Patti loves working at home and being able to look out the window at the organic garden that they are creating. She’s excited about bringing the SunriseGuide to Midcoast Maine.

Xander Karkruff

Publications Assistant

Xander grew up in rural upstate New York, where she spent most of her childhood exploring the woods behind her home and turning over rocks to look for critters. Having developed a healthy dose of respect and wonder for the natural world at an early age, it only made sense that College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, Maine, was the perfect fit for her when it came to higher education. Xander earned a BA in human ecology and fine art in 2006, during which she was completely won over by the gorgeous coastline, lush forests, and quirky communities full of impassioned people committed to a sustainable, DIY lifestyle. Xander has since moved down the coast to Portland to be part of the vibrant arts and entrepreneurial community. She loves being a part of locally-owned, eco-minded business in Maine, and is thrilled to join The SunriseGuide! Outside of work, Xander can still be found exploring the woods and looking under rocks.