About Joe

Joe smiling and walking on a wooden bridge in a forest during daylight, surrounded by trees and fallen leaves.

Joe Toolan is a proud Anne Arundel County resident who grew up in Pasadena exploring the woods behind his home and crabbing on the Chesapeake Bay. As the son of Irish parents through adoption and with cultural roots in Guatemala, Joe knows firsthand the strength of diverse communities. He attended Anne Arundel County Public Schools, graduating from North County High School’s STEM program in the top 5% of his class, before earning degrees from Anne Arundel Community College and the University of Maryland, College Park.

People attending a meeting, with Joe wrapped in a rainbow striped shawl, seated in a room with large screens displaying a presentation.

From an early age, Joe turned his passion for the environment into a career of service. At the Chesapeake Bay Trust, he built partnerships with local governments, nonprofits, and federal agencies, and helped expand the Chesapeake Conservation and Climate Corps, a program preparing young professionals for careers in environmental stewardship. Today, Joe serves as the Justice and Equity Fund Director at GreenLatinos, Joe has overseen nearly $100 million in grants to community-based organizations tackling climate change, clean energy, and conservation in his career.

Beyond his professional work, Joe has been a dedicated community leader. He was appointed by Governor Larry Hogan as the first Chair of the Maryland Commission on LGBTQIA+ Affairs, where he worked to elevate equity statewide. As Chair of Annapolis Pride, Joe spearheaded the first Legislative Reception to educate elected officials, launched candidate questionnaires to keep voters informed, and built strong partnerships with organizations including the Caucus of African American Leaders and Anne Arundel County Government. Joe also serves as Vice President of Defensores de la Cuenca, an organization that provides multi-generational community driven solutions in the Latino environmental community, and President of Adoptees with Guatemalan Roots, continuing his lifelong commitment to uplifting voices too often left out of decision-making.

Joe leads with his heart and believes in building Anne Arundel County as the best place for all. His vision is rooted in his lived experience as an adoptee, a member of the Latino and LGBTQ communities, and a proud product of public schools. Whether fighting for affordability, strengthening our schools, protecting our environment, or ensuring safe and inclusive communities, Joe brings the experience, compassion, and determination to deliver results for District 6.

“I am excited to be your next council member because I believe that every resident in Anne Arundel County, no matter who you are and where you are from or live, deserve financial security and mobility, physical and mental safety, a healthy and accessible environment to live, work, and play. Every resident also deserves access to a top-notch public education system supporting students and staff. I believe in honesty, integrity and have a strong work ethic. I promise to ensure your county government delivers for you!” - Joe Toolan

Joe Toolan and Adriane Alicia of Green 2.0 smiling in front of a large portrait of a woman with blonde hair, glasses, and pink lipstick, made up of illuminated dots.

Professional Experience

  • Justicia Y Equidad Fund Director, GreenLatinos (2025-Present)

  • Justicia Y Equidad Fund Manager, GreenLatinos

  • Senior Manager of America the Beautiful for All Coalition Strategy and Development, GreenLatinos

  • Manager of Chesapeake Bay Programs, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation

  • Program Officer, Chesapeake Bay Trust

  • Program Coordinator, Chesapeake Bay Trust

  • Program Assistant, Chesapeake Bay Trust

  • Certificate in Advanced Community Based Social Marketing, Doug McKenzie-Mohr

  • Certificate in Community Based Social Marketing, Doug McKenzie-Mohr

  • Certificate in Gender and Sexuality: Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace, University of Pittsburgh

  • Executive Certificate, Non-Profit Management, Georgetown University

  • Bachelor of Science, Geography: Environment Systems and Natural Resource Management, University of Maryland, College Park

  • Associate of Arts, Biology, Anne Arundel Community College

Joe Toolan and Christian Siriano standing in front of a brick building, one holding a rainbow-colored fan that reads 'Annapolis Pride'. Both are smiling and wearing glasses, one with colorful earrings, and the other with a tattoo on their arm.
Joe Toolan, Antonia Hylton, and friend Carly smiling outdoors among trees, wearing casual jackets and glasses.
County Executive Pittman and Joe Toolan sitting at a wooden table with podcast microphones, smiling for the photo.

Community Based Experience

  • Adoptees with Guatemalan Roots

    • President of the Board (2025)

    • Director (2024)

  • Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, Chesapeake Watershed Forum Planning Committee

    • Member (2023-Present)

  • Annapolis Pride

    • Chair of the Board (2021-2025)

    • Board Member (2020)

  • Anne Arundel Shepard-Byrd Hate Crime Prevention Multidisciplinary Action Team

    • Member (2025)

  • Anne Arundel County Public Schools, Strategic Planning Committee

    • Member (2023-2024)

  • Choose Clean Water Coalition, Young Professionals of the Chesapeake Program

    • Mentor (2020-Present)

  • Defensores de la Cuenca

    • Vice-President of Board (2025)

  • Environmental Grantmakers Association, Planning Committee for Fall Retreat

    • Member (2025)

  • Green 2.0

    • Mentor (2025)

  • Nature Forward, Naturally Latinos Conference, Planning Committee

    • Member (2022-Present)

  • Out for Sustainability

    • Board Advisor (2024 - Present)

    • Central-Atlantic Community Coordinator (2019-2022)

  • State of Maryland Commission on LGBTQIA+ Affairs,

    • Commissioner (2025)

    • Strategic Planning Committee Chair (2024)

    • Chair (2021-2023)

Joe Toolan and Friends at at a rally for Kamala Harris, with a large screen displaying the word 'FREEDOM' in the background. Others around are also smiling and looking cheerful.
Joe and PattieGonia posing in front of the Washington Monument on a sunny day. PattieGonia is dressed as a tree with branches and leaves, while Joe has his hand outstretched and is wearing sunglasses, a light-colored shirt, and red shorts.
Joe and Derek Matthews sitting in a soundproof recording studio with black foam acoustic panels. Both are positioned next to microphones, with a wooden table in front of them and notes and a yellow highlighter on the table.

Awards and Recognition

  • Young Gifted and Green, 40 under 40 Awardee (2025)

  • Featured in Perteneciendo (Belonging) from Nature Forward (2024)

  • Environmental Justice Monument at the Strathmore (2024)

  • Best Advocate in Anne Arundel County, Capital Style (2023)

  • Senior Fellow, Chesapeake Regional Network for the Environmental Leadership Program (2023)

LaTricia Adams in a black, sparkling, gown standing next to Joe in a colorful, embroidered western shirt, black pants, and a white cowboy hat. They are holding an award at a 'Young Gifted & Green' event, with a branded backdrop behind them.
Joe Toolan, Delegates Dana Jones and Kris Fair smiling, standing indoors, with Halloween decorations in the background. The person in the middle holds a colorful glass award.