Meet Our Team
Staff
Chad Schwartz
Executive Director
B.S. Environmental Science and Sustainability Studies, Muhlenberg College
Chad Schwartz has spent his life studying and exploring the natural world, and enjoys sharing his passion with others through his work at LGNC. In his free time, Chad can often be found outdoors birding, hiking, and fishing, or at home cooking, making folk art, and learning about history. He is also the 2nd Vice President of the Lehigh Valley Audubon Society. You can contact Chad at chad.schwartz@lgnc.org
Anna Costello
Office Administrator & Program Specialist
B.A. Environmental and Sustainability Studies, Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Anna has loved and worked outdoors for as long as she can remember. After almost a decade on the West Coast, she moved back East to be closer to family and became involved with LGNC. Anna loves observing and sharing her knowledge of nature with others, is a new but avid whitewater kayaker, and is often gardening. You can contact Anna at anna.costello@lgnc.org.
Riley Davenport
Education & Outreach Coordinator
B.S. Art Education, Kutztown University
While Riley got her start in education teaching art, her lifelong passion for animals and the environment led her to the world of conservation and environmental education and she has never looked back. Riley has a background in animal husbandry with non-releasable raptors and curriculum development. In her spare time, she loves to hike, bake for friends and family, and travel. You can contact Riley at riley.davenport@lgnc.org
Board of Directors
Diane Husic, Ph.D.
President
Executive Director, Center for the Environment, St. Lawrence University
Brandon Fogal
Vice President
Co-owner and Board Member, Pocono Whitewater, Skirmish USA, and Pocono Biking
Dan Kunkle, Hon. Ph.D.
Treasurer, Director Emeritus
Biology Teacher (retired); Executive Director, Lehigh Gap Nature Center (retired)
Terry Master, Ph.D.
Secretary
Distinguished Professor of Biology, East Stroudsburg University (retired)
Carolyn Albright
Board Member
Elementary School Teacher (retired)
Cynthia Berger
Board Member
Science Communicator, Volunteer Field Biologist
Alec Bodzin, Ph.D.
Board Member
Professor, Teaching, Learning, and Technology Program, Lehigh University
Dennis J. DeMara
Board Member
Northeast Supervisor, DCNR Bureau of Recreation and Conservation (retired); Conservation Outreach Coordinator, Wildlands Conservancy
Nadia Hassani
Board Member
Freelance Writer, Editor, and Translator
Anais Martinez
Board Member
Environmental Advocate and Community Builder
Jerry McAward
Board Member
President, Jim Thorpe River Adventures and Lehighton Outdoor Center
Dan Nickischer
Board Member
School Psychologist, CLIU #21 (retired)
Michele Varricchio
Board Member
Judge, Lehigh County Court of Common Pleas, Civil/Family Division (retired)
Board of Advisors
Anita Collins, Ph.D.
USDA bee geneticist (retired)
Holly A. Heintzelman, Esq.
Private attorney
Towlene Jackson
Owner, KULA Children’s Center
Roland Kushner, Ph.D.
Professor of Business, Muhlenberg College
Christian F. Martin IV
Chairman and CEO, Martin Guitar (retired)
Carl Oplinger, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus of Biology, Muhlenberg College (retired)
Dan Poresky
Founder/Owner, Dan’s Camera City (retired)
David Shaffer
co-CEO, Just Born Quality Confections
Melissa Starkey, Ph.D.
Marketing and Communications Manager, Mt. Cuba Center
Sue Tantsits
Co-owner Edge of the Woods Native Plant Nursery