Staff and Board of Trustees

Our Staff

The Nature Center employs more than 35 full-time, part-time and seasonal staff who are dedicated professionals. Approximately one-third attend to the administration of the Nature Center and two-thirds to the educational programs.

Our educators come from diverse backgrounds; many hold Masters degrees and all have extensive experience in the environmental education profession. Our teachers believe in the benefits of an interactive learning environment. We are dedicated to providing programs that include experiences involving interactive, hands-on lessons in a comfortable learning atmosphere. We strive to deliver programs that meet the needs of mixed audiences.

Name Administrative Staff Extension
Benedict J. Hren Executive Director 19
Felix Andreoni Facilities Manager 64
Ann Breakey Billik Director of Development 18
James Doolittle Front Desk & Reservations Manager 11
Chrissy Elmblad Development Assistant 50
Nancy Gamerman Volunteer Coordinator 20
Kevin Kelly Director of Finance and Business Operations 17
Loretta Lippoth Receptionist 10
Catherine Lucenti Office Manager 12
Hilary Wittmann Director of Marketing 21
Name Education Staff Extension
Kristin Garguilo Director of School Programs 40
Alan Gorkin Director of Horticulture Education 14
Keith Marshall Director of Education 15
Lisa Monachelli Director of Youth and Family Programs 38
Melanie Pearson Director of Animal Care 44
Kimberly Quieroz Weekend Teacher/Naturalist 70
Doug Winters Weekend Teacher/Naturalist  
Name Early Childhood Staff Extension
Lisa Combs Early Childhood Teacher / Nurturing Nature 31, 35
Stephanie DeYoung Early Childhood Teacher 33
Christine Dinella Early Childhood Teacher 29
Patricia Figueroa Early Childhood Teacher 33
Kathleen Gansert Early Childhood Teacher 33
Marianne Kay Asst. Director of Early Childhood Programs 28, 29
Mary Moran Early Childhood Teacher 31
Paula Stecher Early Childhood Teacher 31, 33
Priscilla Woyke Director of Early Childhood Programs 16

Board of Trustees

The administration of the New Canaan Nature Center is overseen by a sixteen person Board of Trustees, the members of which are drawn from both the Town of New Canaan and surrounding communities. An eleven person Advisory Board also provides guidance in planning.

Thomas B. Lewis, Jr. President
James R. Hays Vice President
Matthew M. Maddox Secretary
Christopher A. Pohle Treasurer
 

Paul C. Ahrens
Peter R. Ahrens
Rebecca Allen Barlow
Steven Batchelor
Shelly A. Berta
Jennifer S. Burns
Kelly P. Frankenfield
Marjorie O. Furman

Catherine C.B. Gedney
G. Warfield Hobbs
Dr. Mary M. Kolek
Douglas Mueller
Mary Otocka
Tracy Spain
Charles D. Wright


Ex Offico
Jeb Walker
First Selectman
Penny Young
Liaison Town Council


Advisory Board

Dr. David E. Abbey
Toni Boucher
Norma T. Dana
Jim Fowler
John W. Hetherington
John Hough
Fred Krupp
H. McKelden Smith
George Valchar
Deborah Wright