Our people

Our staff

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  Oded Holzinger Executive Director
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  Oded Holzinger

  Executive Director

  Oded Holzinger is a climate resilience and urban conservation professional with more than 15 years of experience advancing equity-centered strategies that strengthen communities and natural systems. His work focuses on translating research, policy, and community priorities into practical, place-based action.

  Before joining the Natural Areas Conservancy, Oded served as Executive Director of Groundwork Hudson Valley, where he led the organization’s work in community-based climate adaptation, youth leadership, and environmental restoration. Prior to that role, he served as Groundwork Hudson Valley’s Climate Resilience Manager, leading initiatives including the Saw Mill River Coalition and Climate Safe Neighborhoods.

  Oded began his professional journey as an outdoor educator, working with underserved communities using local natural spaces as educational and therapeutic assets—an experience that continues to inform his people-centered approach to environmental restoration work.

  He holds a master’s degree in urban planning from Hunter College with a focus on environmental planning, and a bachelor’s degree in Geography from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

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  Elizabeth Jaeger Deputy Director, Public Programs & Operations
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  Elizabeth Jaeger

  Deputy Director, Public Programs & Operations

  Elizabeth is a non-profit leader who loves nature and big ideas and has 20 years of experience in journalism, education, government operations, and the environment.

  She leads the NAC’s public programming, operations, and human resources teams to help build and scale programs that connect New Yorkers to nature and foster the care of our forests and wetlands while also ensuring the NAC team has the resources to do that effectively. She led the development of the Strategic Trails Plan for NYC and scaled the NAC’s internship program with CUNY into a year-round opportunity for local students seeking environmental careers. She has a master’s degree in Animal Behavior & Communication from CUNY Hunter College and completed undergrad at the University of Central Florida.

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  Shannon Jordy Deputy Director, Communications & External Affairs
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  Shannon Jordy

  Deputy Director, Communications & External Affairs

  Shannon is an urban planner and storyteller with an over 20-year career in strategic communications, government policy, learning and evaluation, and advocacy.

  She leads the NAC’s communications, marketing, and advocacy work, with the goal of building local and nationwide awareness of the NAC’s efforts to preserve and improve forests and wetlands. Prior to earning her master’s in urban planning from Hunter College, Shannon’s professional experience centered on content strategy and copywriting, with specialties in PR, digital marketing, and brand messaging, particularly around complex urban issues. She has previously worked for organizations like Everytown for Gun Safety, Living Cities, and Bike New York. She has a bachelor’s degree in corporate communications from the University of Texas at Austin.

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  Amica Khanal Controller
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  Amica Khanal

  Controller

  Amica joined the NAC in May 2023. She oversees all aspects of the organization’s finances, including developing and managing budgets, preparing financial statements, and reporting to the Board.

  She brings nearly 14 years of non-profit experience to the NAC, focusing on financial reporting, auditing, and compliance. She worked for over a decade at the Lymphoma Research Foundation, a non-profit that serves those touched by Lymphoma, where she was last the associate director of finance. Khanal is a CPA with a bachelor’s degree from Baruch College of the City University of New York.

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  Clara Pregitzer Deputy Director, Conservation Science
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  Clara Pregitzer

  Deputy Director, Conservation Science

  Clara Pregitzer led the Forest Assessment component of the NAC's Ecological Assessment for NYC parkland and the development of the Forest Management Framework.

  She previously worked with NYC Parks’ Natural Resources Group, conducting ecological assessments in over 1,500 acres of New York City parks. She holds a bachelor’s degree in forestry from Northern Arizona University, a master’s in ecology and evolutionary biology from the University of Tennessee, and a doctorate from Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. She is currently working on understanding conservation goals and management strategies for urban forested natural areas in NYC and across the U.S.

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  Kate Sease Deputy Director, Development
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  Kate Sease

  Deputy Director, Development

  Kate is an enthusiastic fundraiser with over 10 years of experience in non-profit development and relationship management.

  At the NAC, she develops and leads the organization’s strategy to raise the funds needed to champion urban nature in New York City and across the nation. Before joining the NAC, Kate spent five years as the assistant director of strategic investments at Girls Inc., a leading youth development organization that provides comprehensive programming for girls and young women. She began her fundraising career at the Lower Eastside Girls Club, where she held a number of roles. She has a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Vermont.

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  Talia Arif Executive Assistant
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  Talia Arif

  Executive Assistant

  Talia grew up in NYC and has a deep appreciation for the city’s green spaces.

  With a background in youth development, community organizing, and program coordination, she brings a versatile skill set to her role as an executive assistant at the NAC. She is committed to continuous learning and exploring innovative ways to improve daily operations. Talia holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from City College of New York.

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  Crystal Crown Senior Manager, Data Analytics
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  Crystal Crown

  Senior Manager, Data Analytics

  With over a decade of experience working at the intersection of ecology, urban greenspace management, and data science, Crystal serves as the senior manager of data and analytics.

  She is responsible for overseeing the NAC’s proprietary ecological datasets and leads comprehensive research and analysis that centers on the ecological condition and benefits of urban natural areas. Crystal completed her undergraduate education in biology and anthropology at the City University of New York – Brooklyn College, then attended Stony Brook University for her master’s degree in applied ecology. Before starting at the NAC in 2019, Crystal worked for NYC Parks on its street and park inventory projects and led analysis of community science data accuracy. She also spent two years at the Town of Hempstead’s Department of Conservation and Waterways, studying colonial waterbirds.

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  Gabriel Cummings Training Manager, Urban PATH Program
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  Gabriel Cummings

  Training Manager, Urban PATH Program

  Gabriel works as the NAC’s trails technical manager and oversees the trail design, construction, and maintenance operations for the Citywide Trails Team as part of a joint collaboration between the NAC and NYC Parks.

  His favorite part of working for the NAC is increasing access to New York City’s natural areas through sustainable trail design and management. In his spare time, he’s a multi-instrumentalist who enjoys performing live music at venues across NYC.

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  Helen Forgione Senior Manager, Conservation Science
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  Helen Forgione

  Senior Manager, Conservation Science

  Helen is a plant ecologist and restoration scientist with over 35 years of work experience in New York City’s metropolitan area.

  She is a member of the Research & Conservation Team and advises on and contributes to the NAC’s wetlands and forest research protocols and mentors field training. She has produced recent work on funding trends for forested natural area care and developed and guided the organizations’ citywide assessment of NYC’s natural areas–now poised for a 10-year refresh–and was an author of the Forest Management and Wetlands Management Frameworks. In her work directing the NAC’s Conservancy Engagement Program, she connected community stewards to the science-based management tools developed from the Forest Management Framework.
  Helen previously served as deputy director of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection’s Ecological Services Division, managing salt marsh and landfill restoration and piloting green infrastructure in the city. Helen holds a master’s of science in ecology and evolutionary biology from Rutgers and a bachelor’s in biology from the University of Connecticut.

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  Giselle Herrera Internship Program Manager
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  Giselle Herrera

  Internship Program Manager

  Giselle manages the NAC’s Internship Program and supports the growth of auxiliary programs with her almost 10 years of experience in urban ecology research, youth development, and program coordination.

  Her goal is to promote the next generation of diverse environmental leaders. She connects students with a variety of green career opportunities that promote healthy and accessible natural spaces, foster a sense of community, and leverage the NAC’s partnerships. She has previously worked with the Bronx Zoo and New York Botanical Gardens, and with local community-based organizations–all with the aim of connecting people of different backgrounds to nature. Giselle earned a bachelor’s in environmental science and biology from Florida State University and a master’s degree in ecology and evolutionary biology from Fordham University.

• 
  Sam Lawson National Partnerships Coordinator
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  Sam Lawson

  National Partnerships Coordinator

  Sam Lawson has made a career helping people share information and support each other to build more resilient networks.

  He works with the Forests in Cities network, NAC’s national initiative to connect professionals who care for urban natural areas. Previously, he conducted community engagement at New York City’s Department of Emergency Management. He holds a bachelor’s from Bennington College and a master’s degree in natural resources from Cornell University.

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  Grace Muset Development Coordinator
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  Grace Muset

  Development Coordinator

  Grace supports fundraising efforts across individual, corporate, and foundation donors.

  In her role, she seeks funding opportunities for ongoing programs and manages grant applications and deliverables across the NAC’s teams. Grace has a background in geography and non-profit programming, with a focus on education and community engagement. In previous roles, Grace has worked to engage local communities in urban forests and green space to demonstrate and share the incredible value these spaces have. Before joining the NAC, Grace collaborated with geography professionals nationwide to host a professional development network of geography educators. Grace holds a bachelor of arts degree in geography and sustainable development from the City University of New York – Macaulay Honors College and is currently pursuing a master’s in geoinformatics from CUNY – Hunter College.

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  Josh Otero Senior Manager, Urban PATH Program
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  Josh Otero

  Senior Manager, Urban PATH Program

  Josh leads NAC's Urban PATH Program, which focuses on the management, improvement, maintenance and activation of more than 250 miles of nature trails citywide, as well as the overall care of NYC's natural areas.

  The Urban PATH Program provides training to community members, NYC Parks staff and partners throughout the five boroughs in trail management and maintenance best practices. This includes the management of NAC’s Super Steward: Pathkeeper Program, a trail stewardship track within NYC Parks’ Super Steward initiative. The team also leads and works with partners to provide programming on nature trails citywide. These efforts contribute to the NYC Strategic Trails Plan and NYC’s Urban Forest Plan.

  Josh has been working on trails and with communities for over 7 years. Prior to working with NAC, he worked as a caseworker, teacher, and environmental steward with various nonprofit, community and governmental organizations. He received a bachelor’s in English from SUNY – New Paltz.

• 
  Leanna Rodriguez Internship Community Coordinator
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  Leanna Rodriguez

  Internship Community Coordinator

  Leanna is a dedicated conservation professional with over a decade of experience in environmental education. She has served as an Urban Park Ranger with NYC Parks, where she engaged diverse audiences through environmental interpretation and recreational activities.

  Leanna holds a Bachelor of Science in Conservation Biology from SUNY ESF and a Master of Arts in Biology from Miami University, earned through the Project Dragonfly Advanced Inquiry Program. She is passionate about using inquiry-based and place-based teaching methods to foster environmental leadership and professional development.

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  Melissa Rosenthal Community Engagement Coordinator
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  Melissa Rosenthal

  Community Engagement Coordinator

  Melissa works in close partnership with NYC Parks and other regional partners engaging advanced volunteers in the Urban PATH program.

  Her position includes providing training and technical assistance to support grassroots efforts to adopt and maintain trails across the city. Prior to joining the NAC, she worked with the Stewardship Team at NYC Parks training advanced volunteers to work independently in natural areas. Her previous projects include coordinating iNaturalist-based community programs, creating and presenting educational webinars, and leading nature tours throughout all five boroughs. Her favorite green space in New York City is Van Cortlandt Park, where she can be found in her free time hiking, cycling, and flipping logs. She enjoys baking, medieval history, and creating nature-inspired art.

• 
  Alison Uhrlass Senior Manager, Individual and Corporate Giving
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  Alison Uhrlass

  Senior Manager, Individual and Corporate Giving

  Alison joined the Natural Areas Conservancy in June 2024. She comes to the NAC with nearly 10 years of nonprofit experience spanning individual giving, special events, and partnership development, along with a passion for protecting the environment and connecting people to nature.

  Alison’s nonprofit work began in community engagement at Our Oregon. She launched her development career in NYC at organizations such as American Ballet Theatre, Third Street Music School, and the National Center for Learning Disabilities. She has a Master of Environmental Law and Policy degree from Vermont Law & Graduate School and a Bachelor of Science degree in geology from SUNY New Paltz.

  Alison grew up in the Mid-Hudson Valley. In her free time she’s active in the NYC running community and co-leads a local trail club, which has the goal of expanding access to nature and the outdoors for New Yorkers through hiking and trail running.

• 
  Emily Walker Senior Manager, External Affairs
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  Emily Walker

  Senior Manager, External Affairs

  Emily oversees the NAC’s advocacy and policy strategy, and works across coalitions to help raise awareness of urban natural areas and the resources needed to make them thrive.

  Prior to joining the NAC, Emily served as the executive director of the Broadway Mall Association and was previously the longtime director of outreach and programs at New Yorkers for Parks, where she oversaw the creation of the Play Fair for Parks campaign and the Daffodil Project. Emily is a graduate of the Urban Park Leadership Program of CUNY SPS and the Central Park Conservancy Institute for Urban Parks. She also has received her certificate in horticulture from Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

  She holds a master’s in nonprofit management and a post-master’s certificate in sustainability strategies from the Milano School of Policy, Management, and Environment at the New School, and has a bachelor’s in legal studies from Scripps College. Originally from Southern California, Emily now resides in Cypress Hills, Brooklyn, with her husband, two sons, and three cats.

• 
  Mormei Zanke Communications Manager
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  Mormei Zanke

  Communications Manager

  Mormei develops the NAC’s social media strategy, creates digital storytelling assets, and supports the production and implementation of outreach campaigns across the organization.

  Her professional experience includes copywriting, social media management, podcast production, and strategic communications. She earned her master of fine arts degree in literary reportage at NYU’s Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute and a bachelor’s in English literature and creative writing from the University of British Columbia.