Administration
Betsy Parker, President & Executive Director
betsyp@aldoleopoldnaturecenter.org
Betsy Parker has been a part of the Nature Center staff since the year 2000 when she started as an Educator. She has since served as a Strategic Development Manager and as the Nature Net Director at ALNC. Her educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in Conservation Biology from UW-Madison and more recently, a master’s degree in Human Ecology with a concentration on nonprofit leadership. Her career has included Board leadership roles at the Wisconsin Association for Environmental Education and Wingra School and a position with the UW Center for Nonprofit & Community Studies. Working statewide and locally, she has played a role in passing the Wisconsin “Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights,” drafting the state strategic plan for environmental literacy, and creating an outdoor classroom at her children’s elementary school. Betsy’s husband is a local restaurateur and her two children are in high school and college. They all enjoy cooking, visiting the Boundary Waters, and caring for a myriad of household pets, including backyard chickens.
betsyp@aldoleopoldnaturecenter.org
Betsy Parker has been a part of the Nature Center staff since the year 2000 when she started as an Educator. She has since served as a Strategic Development Manager and as the Nature Net Director at ALNC. Her educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in Conservation Biology from UW-Madison and more recently, a master’s degree in Human Ecology with a concentration on nonprofit leadership. Her career has included Board leadership roles at the Wisconsin Association for Environmental Education and Wingra School and a position with the UW Center for Nonprofit & Community Studies. Working statewide and locally, she has played a role in passing the Wisconsin “Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights,” drafting the state strategic plan for environmental literacy, and creating an outdoor classroom at her children’s elementary school. Betsy’s husband is a local restaurateur and her two children are in high school and college. They all enjoy cooking, visiting the Boundary Waters, and caring for a myriad of household pets, including backyard chickens.
Deb McCue, Business Manager
dmccue@aldoleopoldnaturecenter.org
Deb was born and raised in a small New Zealand city, spent weekends at family sheep farms and summer holidays camping. She loves to travel, decided to put down roots in the U.S., and settled in Madison in 1982. Deb is one of the original staff members, and joined ALNC during its formation in 1994. She oversees the financial management of the organization. She enjoys spending time at her family cabin on the Wisconsin River, sailing, cooking, growing orchids, yoga, and collecting teapots! She and her husband have two adult children, and two cats.
dmccue@aldoleopoldnaturecenter.org
Deb was born and raised in a small New Zealand city, spent weekends at family sheep farms and summer holidays camping. She loves to travel, decided to put down roots in the U.S., and settled in Madison in 1982. Deb is one of the original staff members, and joined ALNC during its formation in 1994. She oversees the financial management of the organization. She enjoys spending time at her family cabin on the Wisconsin River, sailing, cooking, growing orchids, yoga, and collecting teapots! She and her husband have two adult children, and two cats.
Advancement
Kelley Van Egeren, Director of Development & Stewardship
kelley@aldoleopoldnaturecenter.org
Like Aldo Leopold, having grown up on the Mississippi River, Kelley has a strong connection to the environment and a lifelong commitment to introducing others to the joy of spending time in nature. Having worked at the nature center since 2003 in development and communications, Kelley’s experience in strategic management, grant writing, event planning and marketing helps her connect the community’s needs with the center’s mission. Aldo Leopold once said, “There are some who can live without wild things, and some who cannot.” Kelley cannot. In her free time, Kelley enjoys hiking, biking and antiquing.
kelley@aldoleopoldnaturecenter.org
Like Aldo Leopold, having grown up on the Mississippi River, Kelley has a strong connection to the environment and a lifelong commitment to introducing others to the joy of spending time in nature. Having worked at the nature center since 2003 in development and communications, Kelley’s experience in strategic management, grant writing, event planning and marketing helps her connect the community’s needs with the center’s mission. Aldo Leopold once said, “There are some who can live without wild things, and some who cannot.” Kelley cannot. In her free time, Kelley enjoys hiking, biking and antiquing.
Education
Virginia Wiggen, Vice President & Director of Education
education@aldoleopoldnaturecenter.org
Virginia began working at ALNC in 2007 and oversees all of the education programs. She grew up exploring the prairies of North Dakota and holds a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Concordia College and a graduate certificate in Environmental Education from University of Minnesota Duluth. She enjoys all outdoor activities, but canoeing, camping and gardening are at the top her list.
education@aldoleopoldnaturecenter.org
Virginia began working at ALNC in 2007 and oversees all of the education programs. She grew up exploring the prairies of North Dakota and holds a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Concordia College and a graduate certificate in Environmental Education from University of Minnesota Duluth. She enjoys all outdoor activities, but canoeing, camping and gardening are at the top her list.
Shaina Stewart, Education Manager
shaina@aldoleopoldnaturecenter.org
Shaina’s enthusiasm for the outdoors began at a young age and continues to this day. Prior to joining ALNC, Shaina enjoyed working in and exploring a variety of mountain, desert, prairie, wetland, forest and river habitats. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Kenyon College and a master’s degree in environmental education from UW-Stevens Point. Birding, hiking and rock climbing are some of her favorite outdoor activities.
shaina@aldoleopoldnaturecenter.org
Shaina’s enthusiasm for the outdoors began at a young age and continues to this day. Prior to joining ALNC, Shaina enjoyed working in and exploring a variety of mountain, desert, prairie, wetland, forest and river habitats. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Kenyon College and a master’s degree in environmental education from UW-Stevens Point. Birding, hiking and rock climbing are some of her favorite outdoor activities.
Lauren Mordini, Camps Manager
camps@aldoleopoldnaturecenter.org
Lauren comes to us from the Chicago area. Growing up, she would enjoy annual summer road trips with her family that always included some national park or state park hiking, this was the start of her love for the outdoors. Since then, she has kept her connection with nature through running and her career aspirations. She has a BA in Environmental Studies with a concentration in Ecology from Luther College. Since graduating Lauren has found herself doing work with environmental-oriented organizations but was always looking for the connection between children and nature. She has found that calling here at ALNC. In her free time you can find Lauren running, exploring Madison and enjoying a good book!
camps@aldoleopoldnaturecenter.org
Lauren comes to us from the Chicago area. Growing up, she would enjoy annual summer road trips with her family that always included some national park or state park hiking, this was the start of her love for the outdoors. Since then, she has kept her connection with nature through running and her career aspirations. She has a BA in Environmental Studies with a concentration in Ecology from Luther College. Since graduating Lauren has found herself doing work with environmental-oriented organizations but was always looking for the connection between children and nature. She has found that calling here at ALNC. In her free time you can find Lauren running, exploring Madison and enjoying a good book!
Suzy Grindrod, Early Childhood Education Coordinator
suzy@aldoleopoldnaturecenter.org
Suzy is a 57 year resident of the Madison area, growing up with the Henry Vilas Zoo and UW Arboretum practically in her backyard. She taught Pre-K, Kindergarten, First Grade, and was a Library Media Specialist in the Madison public schools for 30 years, before retiring in 2016. She used to bring my students to ALNC (even back when it was the L.R. Head Nature Center!) and realized that environmental education was calling to her, so she started her second career here in the summer of 2017. She has loved taking the amazing Wonder Bugs program ‘On the Road’ to MMSD Play & Learn sites for the past two years. Be forewarned: She will talk your ear off about the importance of access to quality early childhood education, if you get her started.
suzy@aldoleopoldnaturecenter.org
Suzy is a 57 year resident of the Madison area, growing up with the Henry Vilas Zoo and UW Arboretum practically in her backyard. She taught Pre-K, Kindergarten, First Grade, and was a Library Media Specialist in the Madison public schools for 30 years, before retiring in 2016. She used to bring my students to ALNC (even back when it was the L.R. Head Nature Center!) and realized that environmental education was calling to her, so she started her second career here in the summer of 2017. She has loved taking the amazing Wonder Bugs program ‘On the Road’ to MMSD Play & Learn sites for the past two years. Be forewarned: She will talk your ear off about the importance of access to quality early childhood education, if you get her started.
When she’s not working, she loves hiking with her husband and dog, creating art, playing music, reading, and otherwise puttering about. She a pretty bad birder, but that doesn’t stop her. Her two grown daughters live together in Brooklyn, NY. Regular visits there have made her appreciate what an amazing place NYC is, with lots of nature to be found despite its size.
She’s thrilled to be here at ALNC full time, doing what she loves best, teaching and developing nature-based curriculum for young children and their caregivers.
Courtney Woods, Aldo Leopold Nature Preschool Director
courtney@aldoleopoldnaturecenter.org
Courtney is a lifelong educator who believes strongly in the power of playing and learning in nature. She taught kindergarten for ten years, most recently at Lowell Elementary in Madison. She has a Masters degree in curriculum and instruction from UW Madison, a reading specialist license, and a Bachelors in elementary education and psychology. Her connection with ALNC began in 2013 as a summer environmental educator. Courtney believes that nature can bring so much to both children and adults — joy, wonder, curiosity, peace — and is dedicated to helping nature-based education become a central foundation of all teaching and learning in our community. She is also passionate about social justice and anti-bias education which she believes is integral to early childhood learning environments. When not at ALNP, she spends time running, reading, and trying to tame her wild vegetable garden. She and her husband have a one-year-old who they love to take on hikes in the Madison area.
courtney@aldoleopoldnaturecenter.org
Courtney is a lifelong educator who believes strongly in the power of playing and learning in nature. She taught kindergarten for ten years, most recently at Lowell Elementary in Madison. She has a Masters degree in curriculum and instruction from UW Madison, a reading specialist license, and a Bachelors in elementary education and psychology. Her connection with ALNC began in 2013 as a summer environmental educator. Courtney believes that nature can bring so much to both children and adults — joy, wonder, curiosity, peace — and is dedicated to helping nature-based education become a central foundation of all teaching and learning in our community. She is also passionate about social justice and anti-bias education which she believes is integral to early childhood learning environments. When not at ALNP, she spends time running, reading, and trying to tame her wild vegetable garden. She and her husband have a one-year-old who they love to take on hikes in the Madison area.
Marketing & Communications
Cara Erickson, Director of Marketing & Communications
cara@aldoleopoldnaturecenter.org
With a background in Graphic Design, Cara joined the Aldo Leopold Nature Center in October 2013 in a part-time capacity as Designer & Programmer of Exhibits and Digital Curricula. After a couple of years of simultaneously managing a busy café on Madison’s east side, working at ALNC, and maintaining freelance work; she was promoted to Marketing & Communications Manager. Born and raised in Dane County, Cara developed a love for nature at an early age. She grew up camping, hiking, and canoeing throughout Wisconsin and other parts of the country. She believes strongly in the importance of our communion with nature and its ability to empower individuals, build relationships, heal what ails us, and sustain life. In her free time she loves taking long walks and hikes through natural areas with her partner, their children, and dog Lemon.
cara@aldoleopoldnaturecenter.org
With a background in Graphic Design, Cara joined the Aldo Leopold Nature Center in October 2013 in a part-time capacity as Designer & Programmer of Exhibits and Digital Curricula. After a couple of years of simultaneously managing a busy café on Madison’s east side, working at ALNC, and maintaining freelance work; she was promoted to Marketing & Communications Manager. Born and raised in Dane County, Cara developed a love for nature at an early age. She grew up camping, hiking, and canoeing throughout Wisconsin and other parts of the country. She believes strongly in the importance of our communion with nature and its ability to empower individuals, build relationships, heal what ails us, and sustain life. In her free time she loves taking long walks and hikes through natural areas with her partner, their children, and dog Lemon.
Stephanie Briand, Community & Communications Assistant
stephanie@aldoleopoldnaturecenter.org
Stephanie has been living in Madison since 2015 and is originally from France. She holds a BS in Geology from the University of Nantes (France) and a professional master degree in Environmental Conservation from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with the Nelson Institute. She grew up spending a lot of time outside and in her free time she enjoys hiking, canoeing, rock climbing, and gardening. After volunteering with UW-Arboretum and completing an internship with Clean Lakes Alliance, Stephanie has joined our ALNC team! She believes that education and building awareness are the first steps leading to a more sustainable community. She likes connecting people with nature by sharing her latest phenology observations on our social media!
stephanie@aldoleopoldnaturecenter.org
Stephanie has been living in Madison since 2015 and is originally from France. She holds a BS in Geology from the University of Nantes (France) and a professional master degree in Environmental Conservation from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with the Nelson Institute. She grew up spending a lot of time outside and in her free time she enjoys hiking, canoeing, rock climbing, and gardening. After volunteering with UW-Arboretum and completing an internship with Clean Lakes Alliance, Stephanie has joined our ALNC team! She believes that education and building awareness are the first steps leading to a more sustainable community. She likes connecting people with nature by sharing her latest phenology observations on our social media!
Beatrice Lazarski, Communications Intern
beatrice@aldoleopoldnaturecenter.org
Beatrice is a senior studying Life Science Communications, Psychology, and Spanish at UW-Madison. Outside of class, she has enjoyed learning new skills by being involved in a food magazine on campus, The Dish. In her free time, she explores the wide variety of outdoors available in Madison by hiking, sailing, and biking.
beatrice@aldoleopoldnaturecenter.org
Beatrice is a senior studying Life Science Communications, Psychology, and Spanish at UW-Madison. Outside of class, she has enjoyed learning new skills by being involved in a food magazine on campus, The Dish. In her free time, she explores the wide variety of outdoors available in Madison by hiking, sailing, and biking.
Kira Breitlow, Communications Intern
kira@aldoleopoldnaturecenter.org
Kira is a recent graduate of the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) where she received her BFA in Illustration and minor in Digital Media Production. Growing up in Sun Prairie, Kira loved exploring the parks around Dane County and is excited to be working for ALNC. In her free time, Kira enjoys many creative pursuits such as drawing, painting, animation and sewing. She is also an avid reader and storyteller. When not caught up in the world of art and stories, Kira can be found going for walks with her dogs or sitting down to do a puzzle or three.
kira@aldoleopoldnaturecenter.org
Kira is a recent graduate of the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) where she received her BFA in Illustration and minor in Digital Media Production. Growing up in Sun Prairie, Kira loved exploring the parks around Dane County and is excited to be working for ALNC. In her free time, Kira enjoys many creative pursuits such as drawing, painting, animation and sewing. She is also an avid reader and storyteller. When not caught up in the world of art and stories, Kira can be found going for walks with her dogs or sitting down to do a puzzle or three.
Operations
Chris Gillette, Facilities Coordinator
chris@aldoleopoldnaturecenter.org
Chris is a lifelong Midwesterner striving to be the change he wishes to see in the world. A former science teacher, he has taught for over 30 years as a Peace Corps volunteer in Kenya, in northern and southern Wisconsin, and in the Caribbean. Chris developed his interest in a land ethic in college at UW-Madison and understands that education and reconnecting people to nature will continue to be key to our future. To that end, Chris works to support the nature center buildings and grounds. In his free time he enjoys XC skiing, bicycling, and adventures with his family.
chris@aldoleopoldnaturecenter.org
Chris is a lifelong Midwesterner striving to be the change he wishes to see in the world. A former science teacher, he has taught for over 30 years as a Peace Corps volunteer in Kenya, in northern and southern Wisconsin, and in the Caribbean. Chris developed his interest in a land ethic in college at UW-Madison and understands that education and reconnecting people to nature will continue to be key to our future. To that end, Chris works to support the nature center buildings and grounds. In his free time he enjoys XC skiing, bicycling, and adventures with his family.
Isabella Heffron Neuhold, Private Events Manager
isabella@aldoleopoldnaturecenter.org
Isabella grew up in southeastern Wisconsin but spent the last couple years living in Northern Wisconsin on the shores of Lake Superior. Nature has been an integral part of Isabella’s life since she was a kid, from road trips through national parks to numerous sailing adventures to running her own nature and sustainability-based art business. Aside from selling her art, Isabella has experience working in childcare and event/guest service management. Isabella spends her time making art, traveling, gardening, dancing, cooking and visiting with friends and family. She has always loved big events; growing up her family threw multiple large parties throughout the year and recently she has begun writing, planning and executing mystery dinner-type parties. This passion translates into her desire to help weddings and events run as smoothly as possible at ALNC. Isabella feels like ALNC is a perfect match for her based on her interests and experience and is thrilled to have joined the wonderful team.
isabella@aldoleopoldnaturecenter.org
Isabella grew up in southeastern Wisconsin but spent the last couple years living in Northern Wisconsin on the shores of Lake Superior. Nature has been an integral part of Isabella’s life since she was a kid, from road trips through national parks to numerous sailing adventures to running her own nature and sustainability-based art business. Aside from selling her art, Isabella has experience working in childcare and event/guest service management. Isabella spends her time making art, traveling, gardening, dancing, cooking and visiting with friends and family. She has always loved big events; growing up her family threw multiple large parties throughout the year and recently she has begun writing, planning and executing mystery dinner-type parties. This passion translates into her desire to help weddings and events run as smoothly as possible at ALNC. Isabella feels like ALNC is a perfect match for her based on her interests and experience and is thrilled to have joined the wonderful team.
Brian Schneider, Director of Land Management & Conservation
brian@aldoleopoldnaturecenter.org
Brian grew up traveling around the state of Wisconsin with his family and exploring the many landscapes the state has to offer. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Zoology and Environmental Studies from UW-Madison and an M.S. in Conservation Biology from UW-Stout. Brian has been an environmental educator at ALNC for 8 years and has enjoyed leading backpacking, canoeing and camping trips, as well as working camps and field trips with kids of all ages. Brian believes every day spent outside leads to new discoveries and that connecting with nature is an integral part of education. In his free time Brian enjoys birding, photography, camping, and cheering on his favorite Wisconsin sports teams.
brian@aldoleopoldnaturecenter.org
Brian grew up traveling around the state of Wisconsin with his family and exploring the many landscapes the state has to offer. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Zoology and Environmental Studies from UW-Madison and an M.S. in Conservation Biology from UW-Stout. Brian has been an environmental educator at ALNC for 8 years and has enjoyed leading backpacking, canoeing and camping trips, as well as working camps and field trips with kids of all ages. Brian believes every day spent outside leads to new discoveries and that connecting with nature is an integral part of education. In his free time Brian enjoys birding, photography, camping, and cheering on his favorite Wisconsin sports teams.
Sarah Voss, Director of Community Engagement
sarah@aldoleopoldnaturecenter.org
Sarah grew up hiking, camping, and playing outside in the state of Oregon before moving to Wisconsin when she was 13. She has her bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Sarah looks forward to facilitating engaging, eco-friendly experiences for all who visit the nature center. When she’s not at the nature center, she’s busy making lots of coffee, exploring the outdoors with her husband and dog, and hanging out with her cat.
sarah@aldoleopoldnaturecenter.org
Sarah grew up hiking, camping, and playing outside in the state of Oregon before moving to Wisconsin when she was 13. She has her bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Sarah looks forward to facilitating engaging, eco-friendly experiences for all who visit the nature center. When she’s not at the nature center, she’s busy making lots of coffee, exploring the outdoors with her husband and dog, and hanging out with her cat.
