Our Team
Staff & Consultants
Lindsay earned her Bachelor of Business Administration from James Madison University with a minor in Nonprofit Studies. Most recently she was a key contributor to the Y in Central Maryland, where her impacts ranged from developing a peer-to-peer fundraising plan that significantly increased event donations, to leading their media strategy, to co-creating the Y's 3-year strategic plan.
Lindsay has also demonstrated a deep commitment to protecting the Gunpowder Watershed. She has served on GVC's Advisory Council since May 2024. Her environmental advocacy includes volunteering with Gunpowder RIVERKEEPER®, helping establish the northern branch of Chesapeake Water Watch, and co-founding "Mad About Mud" to address runoff issues affecting the Bird and Gunpowder Rivers. Additionally, she leads the Environment Committee of the Oliver Beach Improvement Association, mobilizing her community on critical environmental challenges.
Patricia Ceglia assists homeowners in designing and installing stormwater-absorbing Edible and Native Bayscapes. She is an ecological site planner, architect, educator and life-long organic gardener, with an architectural degree from Pratt Institute. In recent years, Patricia has transferred her design skills from 30 years of conventional architectural practice to functional landscape design. She designs rain-scapes for private clients and teaches Permaculture Design independently.
Born and raised in rural Northern MD, Elizabeth has always possessed an affinity for nature and a strong connection to Maryland's waterways. Elizabeth received her bachelor’s degree in Global Studies with a minor in Environmental Science, and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Writing. Before joining the GVC team, she was a second-grade teacher. She is passionate about motivating others to engage in their natural curiosity and to care more deeply about their local environment. She loves applying this passion to her work with GVC. In her free time, Elizabeth can be found reading or writing, running on trails, or traveling with her camera.
After having spent several childhood vacations on the Eastern Shore, Darcy moved to Maryland in 1994 to go to school and expand and indulge her love of the Chesapeake Bay region. Darcy has worked for several federal government contractors as a technical writer, editor, and proposal developer and more recently as a naturalist at Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary, and she now serves on the board of the Friends of Jug Bay. Among Darcy’s passions are citizen science, entomology, and birding. Darcy earned bachelor's degrees in zoology and English from Michigan State University and a master's in professional writing from Towson University.
Jack is an Assistant Professor of Landscape Architecture and director of the online graduate certificate program in Sustainable Urban Communities at Morgan State University (MSU). A registered landscape architect and LEED accredited professional, Jack is the founder and principal of JGL Design Associates, Monkton, Maryland. He holds a Bachelor in Civil Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology, a Master in Business Administration from Loyola College of Maryland, and a Master of Landscape Architecture from Morgan State University. Jack has worked with GVC for 10+ years designing rain gardens and microbioretention practices for our Clear Creeks Project. He also mentors MSU graduate students who gain hands-on experience creating rain gardens through a partnership between MSU and GVC.
A lifelong resident of Carroll County, Colin graduated from McDaniel College in 2022 with a B.A. in Environmental Studies. He will be a key part of GVC's reforestation team during his year of service as a 2024-2025 Chesapeake Conservation & Climate Corps Member. He will also assist with other GVC programs and outreach events. Colin looks forward to learning not just about reforestation, but how a nonprofit like the GVC functions and benefits the Gunpowder Watershed and its residents. In his free time, Colin enjoys reading (Agatha Christie mysteries are a favorite!), gaming, hiking, and spending time with his cats.
Karen is a sustainability educator, grant writer, and communitarian. She lives at Heathcote Community, an intentional community, permaculture farm, and education center located in in northern Baltimore County on Piscataway territory. Karen’s current projects at Heathcote include renovating the historic Heathcote Mill as an educational facility, organic gardening, and cooperative organizational development. She holds a B.A. in History and Science from Harvard University, a Post Masters Graduate Diploma in Organizing Learning for EcoSocial Regeneration from Gaia University, and a Ph.D. in the History of Science, Medicine, and Technology from Johns Hopkins University.
Kim recently graduated from Towson University with a B.S. in Environmental Science & Studies, with a concentration in Environmental Policy and Management. Growing up in Hereford, she enjoyed exploring the Gunpowder River from a young age and always wanted to find a way to have her work intersect with the natural world that she loves. When she is not planting or maintaining trees with GVC, Kim spends time outdoors hiking local trails and exploring the wonders that our watershed has to offer. She loves working with GVC and looks forward to continuing her work to help make a positive difference in our watershed.
Ebram is a graduate student in Landscape Architecture at Morgan State University. With a Bachelor of Science in Corporate Communication and a minor in Philosophy, Ebram uses his inner vision and voice to communicate the importance of bringing people and nature closer together. As an ecologically sensitive designer and builder, the aim is to create landscapes that remind us (and the birds, bees, and butterflies) of Nature's allure with texture, color, and smells. Ebram has experience working in many different aspects of the landscape industry, from the plants and people at the nursery to complete project installation and management, both community and private. His future focus is finding ways to utilize nature as therapy, as the mission has become to heal both the land and the man simultaneously.
After spending many years traveling across the country as a field ecologist, Amy is happy to call Maryland home. She has worked in a variety of habitats and plant communities: desert, mountain, prairie, wetland, rainforest, coastal dunes, and Fall Line Sandhills. Her projects have been similarly diverse, including monitoring forest regeneration after a wildfire, studying the reproductive biology of an endangered plant, mapping historical changes in a large wetland complex, and collecting native wildflower seeds for use in large-scale restoration projects. Amy earned a B.A. in Biology with an Environmental Studies concentration from Swarthmore College, and an M.S. in Plant Biology from the University of Georgia. She loves discovering the natural and cultural features of new places and hopes to instill a similar curiosity in her two young sons.
Board of Directors
Cyrus Green
Cyrus Green is the Vice President of Business Resilience at T. Rowe Price. He holds a B.S. in Engineering Physics from Morgan State University, an M.S. in Optical Engineering from Norfolk State University, and an M.B.A. from The Johns Hopkins University, Carey Business School. He also earned a Doctorate of Business Administration at the University of Maryland Global Campus. A resident of Baltimore, he spends his time outdoors camping, sailing, and hiking with his friends and family. He appreciates the importance of preserving the natural landscape of Gunpowder Valley and is attracted by GVC's goals and enthusiasm.
Don Callihan
Don Callihan is a clinical microbiologist and retired Staff Scientist from BD Diagnostics in Sparks, MD. Since retirement, he has become a Maryland Master Naturalist and joined the GVC board (2019). He serves on the Baltimore Area Council, BSA, Conservation Committee in various capacities teaching conservation and ecology, to scouting youth and adults and is the Council Outdoor Ethics Advocate. Don is an active member of the Maryland Invasive Species Council and of the Lake Roland Nature Council’s Environmental and Historic Preservation Committee. Don lives in Cockeysville above the Loch Raven Reservoir and is committed to the health of the forest in watersheds feeding this important regional source of drinking water for Baltimore City and County as well as its significant recreation potential.
Sarah Bunk
Sarah Bunk is a water/wastewater project manager at Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson (JMT). She holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Bucknell University and a M.S. in Environmental Engineering from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Sarah has volunteered with GVC as a reforestation crew chief since 2014 and joined the GVC board in 2023. She loves being outdoors and spends her time hiking, gardening, kayaking, and backpacking. She values the personal connection the region has to the watershed - both as a major source of drinking water to the Baltimore metropolitan area and for the outstanding close-to-home opportunities for outdoor recreation.
Mary Ann Wilson
Mary Ann Wilson is a CPA and a fractional CFO Consultant. She received her undergraduate degree in accounting from Towson University. A Harford County resident, she enjoys the outdoors, walking her golden retrievers, biking, gardening , and traveling with her family. The Loch Raven Reservoir holds a special place in her heart as she spent many hours biking and hiking there in her younger days and wants to help preserve the area for future generations.
Board
Brittany Anuszkiewicz
Brittany Anuszkiewicz is passionate about improving nonprofit organizations’ capacity and outcomes. She has led community change and child welfare reform initiatives at the Annie E. Casey Foundation. She holds a Certificate in Nonprofit Management and Master’s in Liberal Arts from Johns Hopkins University and a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Maryland in Baltimore. She is on the Board of the Oregon Ridge Nature Center Council and volunteers with MD Nonprofits and Baltimore Community Mediation. She has a strong interest in philanthropy and the environmental sector and enjoys working with communities for climate change innovations and solutions. She volunteered to restore a farm in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria and traveled to Costa Rica with urban youth to sustainably rebuild a playground to prevent flooding. Brittany enjoys hiking and writing poetry.
Taylor Casalena
Taylor Casalena is a multidisciplinary strategist who helps forward-thinking organizations connect with nature and deliver thoughtful approaches to sustainability. Taylor holds a B.S. in Environmental Studies from Goucher College. Growing up in Baltimore County, she was an avid explorer of the many trails and tributaries of the Gunpowder River and is passionate about inspiring the preservation and restoration of the watershed for future generations.
Joseph Clark, III
Joseph Clark 3rd is a Finance Controller at McCormick and joined the GVC board in 2021. He holds a B.S. in Business from the University of Baltimore, and an M.B.A from the University of Phoenix. Born and raised in Jamaica (Queens), New York he now resides in Baltimore County. He loves spending time with his family, swimming, playing golf, and finding DIY projects to complete. The mission of the GVC provides him with a great opportunity to improve the environment for generations to come.
Brent Clemmens
Brent Clemmens is an associate attorney with Bowie & Jensen, LLC in Towson, Maryland, where he advises clients on a variety of business law matters, including mergers and acquisitions and corporate governance. Brent has experience with environmental issues from his time in the Baltimore City Solicitor’s office advising the Department of Public Works, which helps oversee the protection of the Loch Raven, Prettyboy, and Liberty raw water reservoirs. He uses any excuse to get outside to mountain bike, hike, snowboard, or surf. Brent lives near the Loch Raven Reservoir with his wife, son, and daughter.
Bert Ficke
Roberta "Bert" Ficke is an internist retired from serving in the U.S. Army Medical Corps. On moving to Baltimore 10 years ago, she and her husband bought a woodland property and have been adding hundreds of native trees and shrubs annually to enhance the benefit to wildlife. They have planted 100 wild type American chestnuts they monitor for a Maryland Forestry Research Project. She is an active Baltimore County Master Gardener helping with the Demo garden small fruits orchard. She is the president of a local Garden Club of America affiliated garden club. She spends a lot of time learning about and extracting invasive non-native plants from her property and educating the citizens who walk by on the high traffic public path abutting their property. She volunteers at Johns Hopkins Hospital raising funds for critical equipment that advances patient care for the citizens of Baltimore.
Carl Gold
Carl R. Gold has practiced law in Maryland since graduating from Duke University Law School in 1981, where he also played basketball (intramural). An adjunct faculty member at Towson University since 2000, Carl is a Maryland Master Naturalist and a Baltimore City Forestry Board certified Tree Keeper and Weed Warrior. He lives 500 yards from the water’s edge of Loch Raven Reservoir and enjoys kayaking, hiking, trash and invasive plant removal there. He is a GVC Stream Captain, and a Trail Guide at Cromwell Valley Park and Marshy Point.
Amir Hammad
Amir Hammad has over 15 years of experience at Constellation, serving in a variety of roles including engineering, compliance, and plant management. He is currently the plant manager of Conowingo Dam and Muddy Run Pump Storage facility, as well as all associated recreation sites. Amir has a BS in Electrical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and an MS in Systems Engineering from the University of Southern California. Outside of work, Amir is passionate about community engagement and volunteers at the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter as well as at Moveable Feast. Amir has loved training for triathlons in the Gunpowder watershed as it allows amazing opportunities to swim, bike, and run in ways that Baltimore City cannot. Maintaining the cleanliness and easy access to all that the Gunpowder has to offer is something near and dear to him.
Luke Hancock
Luke Hancock is Community Engagement Manager at Constellation. He is the Events Co-Chair with the Exelon EcoTeam. Luke holds a B.S. in Marketing and Business and Professional Writing from Salisbury University. A resident of Harford County, he spends most of his time outdoors hiking, running, traveling, and going to the beach with his friends and family. He joined the GVC board in 2020.
Sachin Hebbar
Sachin Hebbar is a resident of Lutherville and a Data and Analytics Executive in the financial sector. Sachin is passionate about environmental justice and transportation advocacy. He has previously served as a Vice-chair of Maryland Transit Advisory Committee, Co-chair of Baltimore County Department of Aging Transportation Subcommittee, and served on the Baltimore County Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee. He is looking forward to advocating for preservation and protection of the Gunpowder Watershed.
Chris Johnson
Chris Johnson is a biologist with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the Baltimore District. He works directly with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which includes various studies from stream restorations to coastal storm risk management and civil works navigation projects. Chris is also a Co-Chair in Baltimore District’s Environmental Justice Working group. He received his B.S. in Environmental Science from Salisbury University and was born, raised and continues to work in areas within and around the Gunpowder Watershed. In his spare time, he enjoys landscaping, nature walks with his family, spending time with friends, and attending sports events. Chris is a new Board member to GVC, joining in May 2023, and looks forward to spreading awareness to local communities about the Gunpowder Watershed and the various ways to enjoy and protect it.
Jim Martin
Director of Research and Development at McCormick and Company, Inc., Jim has worked to drive positive environmental change and encourage social responsibility as both a member of the Corporate Sustainability Team and Chair of the Technical Innovation Center Team. He enjoys running, biking, and hiking in the beautiful northern Baltimore County landscape he calls home and feels deeply committed to protecting and preserving the Gunpowder Valley watershed for future generations
Kristen McConnell
Kristen McConnell brings a wealth of experience in bridging the gap between nonprofits and corporate volunteers, both in the Baltimore market and on a national scale. Kristen holds an MBA from Lebanon Valley College and a BSBA in Business Marketing from Shippensburg University. Her academic background, combined with her professional experience in the for-profit sector, equips her with a well-rounded approach to nonprofit engagement and corporate collaboration.
Joseph (Joey) Meyer
Joseph (Joey) Meyer is the Manager of Transmission & Substation Contracts, and a board member of the EcoTeam Employee Resource Group, at Baltimore Gas and Electric. He holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and an M.B.A. from the University of Maryland. In his free time, you can find him hiking with his wife and 12-year-old puppy, golfing, and enjoying wineries and breweries. He has visited 15 countries, 21 National Parks, 19 of Maryland’s State Parks, and has hiked across Maryland in a weekend. Supporting the GVC is important to Joey because he recognizes the need to combat the negative impact pollution can have on communities and there is no better place to start than your own neighborhood.
Jenn Shunfenthal
Jenn Shunfenthal believes strongly in environmental stewardship and first began volunteering at a local park in middle school. After college, she continued to work there on weekends and received her Certified Interpretive Guide certificate, volunteered to be a citizen scientist for FrogWatch USA, volunteered through the Master Naturalist program, and led educational programs for various ages. She joined GVC because she explores the Gunpowder Watershed and local parks with her dog and wants to make sure it remains a beautiful natural recreation area. She hopes to inspire the next generation to become environmentalists
Her Master of Science is in Environmental Resource Management, and she currently works for the federal government planning civil infrastructure projects
Deborah Slawson
Deborah Slawson is a semi-retired Fluvial Geomorphologist most recently working with the French National Research Institute of Science and Technology for Environment and Agriculture in Antony, France, specializing in dam removals and stream channel restoration. Previously she worked with several environmental engineering firms in the mid-Atlantic area. She received a Ph.D. from Pennsylvania State University in landscape ecology and a Master's degree from Johns Hopkins University in environmental engineering. Historically, she has served on the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) Legacy Sediment Workgroup, the Maryland Stream Restoration Association Program Committee, the Canaan Valley Institute (Mid-Atlantic Stream Restoration Conference Science Steering Committee), the Virginia Stream Alliance, and the Keystone Stream Team in Pennsylvania. Since retirement, she has become a mediator with the Mediation Services of Adams County (PA) and is pursuing landscape art studies in stained glass and copper plate intaglio printmaking. She became interested in the Gunpowder watershed while doing her doctoral dissertation fieldwork on old dam sites in the Upper Gunpowder Falls and canoeing most of the Gunpowder.
Bill Vondrasek
Bill is the Chief of Facility and Landscape Management for the National Park Service at Fort McHenry National Monument and Hampton National Historic Site. He received a B.A. in Mathematics from the University of Chicago and a M.A. in Public Horticulture Administration from the University of Delaware’s Longwood Graduate Program. Bill walks his dog daily in the woods around Loch Raven Reservoir, is a very amateur bird watcher, and a slightly better bee keeper.
Elisa Watson
Elisa Watson is the Creative Director and Partner at the Baltimore based, women-owned agency, Sunny Side Creative. In that position she oversees all creative projects and utilizes her 20+ years of graphic design and marketing experience to help clients meet and exceed their goals while illuminating what makes them shine. Her design career has focused on nonprofits and businesses that are working to make positive change in the world - supporting education, the environment, and communities - including working on the GVC rebrand. Environmental, conservation, and preservation efforts have been a life-long passion that she continues to cultivate. She loves spending her free time outdoors, running, hiking, camping, and gardening, with her husband and kids. Elisa is very excited to join the board and help continue to make a difference with GVC.
Advisory Council
Nick Capecci
Nick Capecci is currently serving as the Employee Relations Specialist for the Baltimore City, Department of General Services, and was part of the Business Volunteer’s Maryland – GIVE 2021 graduating class. During this time, he worked closely with GVC leadership which motivated him to want to join the organization. Nick obtained his Bachelors Degree in Business Management from the University of Baltimore in 2020, and is currently completing his MBA program within the same university. As a resident of Baltimore, Nick enjoys spending time outdoors. His activities include hiking, trash collection, playing Ultimate Frisbee and has started to scuba dive in local Maryland waters. He hopes to bring his passion of diving into GVC, and hopes to continue his efforts of cleaning up Maryland water ways one dive at a time.
Justin Esworthy
Purnell Glenn
Purnell Glenn received the 2016 Gunpowder Valley Conservancy's Community Leader of the Year award for significant achievements including but not limited to - coordinating and leading numerous community workshops (tree planting, rain barrel and more), contributing hundreds of hours of volunteer service, leading the effort to Bay Wise certify the Miramar Landing community (the first of its kind in Baltimore County,) and being a member of the GVC Clear Creeks Steering Committee. Purnell is also the President of Miramar Landing HOA, represents his community at the Essex Middle River Civic Council, volunteers for Young Life, and is a big brother to kids in need. He has been the owner of a small computer company since 1987. He grew up fishing on the bay which contributed to his love of the outdoors.
Bill Rees
Bill Rees is a retired Senior Business Analyst from the Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE) and was in various leadership positions in the BGE Vegetation Management Unit during his 36-year BGE career. Bill is originally from southeast Pennsylvania and has a degree in Forest Science from Penn State. He is an outdoor enthusiast and enjoys traveling. Bill currently does part-time consulting and continues to be involved in industry standards development. In his spare time, he enjoys volunteering to plant trees in Catonsville where he lives and furthering the mission of protecting the environmentally significant Gunpowder River watershed. Bill was a GVC board member form 2015-2022.