Matt Babbitt
Conservation Acquisition Specialist
215-345-7020 ext. 135
mbabbitt@heritageconservancy.org
As a Conservation Acquisition Specialist, Matt advances collaborative and lasting partnerships with private land owners, local municipalities, and public agencies to protect lands throughout the greater Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley region. He joins Heritage Conservancy with 15+ years in the environmental/outdoor education field, having most recently served as the Site Director at Abbott's Mill Nature Center of the Delaware Nature Society in Milford, DE. Matt holds a B.A. in Communication Studies with a minor in Outdoor Education from Virginia's Longwood University. He enjoys connecting with the natural world through fly fishing, birding, astronomy, canoeing/kayaking, and backcountry camping.

Elizabeth Barmach
Senior Development Associate
215-345-7020 ext. 105
ebarmach@heritageconservancy.org
As Senior Development and Community Engagement Associate, Liz is responsible for donor and new member outreach as well as engaging the broader community with the Conservancy’s mission. She assists with the organization of engagement programs and special events and managing donor relationships. Liz holds a B.A. in Anthropology from Kenyon College and a certificate in Historic Preservation from Bucks County Community College. Before joining Heritage Conservancy’s staff, Liz worked for the Bucks County Parks and Recreation Department.

Emily Bonavitacola
Membership & Special Events Manager
215-345-7020 ext. 107
ebonavitacola@heritageconservancy.org
As Membership & Special Events Manager, Emily focuses on cultivating both individual and business members for Heritage Conservancy as well as planning and hosting outreach events, which include Heritage Conservancy’s two major fundraising events, Christmas at Aldie and Farm to Table. Prior to joining Heritage Conservancy, Emily worked at Pennsylvania Ballet, where she expanded the Young Friends program, working to cultivate the next generation of donors. Emily also has experience in special events after serving as a development intern at The Historical Society of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Emily holds a B.A. in History from Temple University.

Kaylyn Brindisi
Community Programs Associate
215-345-7020 ext. 157
kbrindisi@heritageconservancy.org
As Community Programs Associate, Kaylyn focuses on developing and implementing environmental education and community programs. She helps people of all ages to connect with nature, the environment, and the historic heritage of our community in meaningful ways through fun and interactive learning experiences. Kaylyn holds a B.A. in Environmental Conservation and a minor in Communications from Cedar Crest College.

Tara Camp
Conservation Acquisition Specialist
215-345-7020 ext. 113
tcamp@heritageconservancy.org
As a Conservation Acquisition Specialist, Tara works with private landowners, local municipalities, and public agencies to conserve land in the Delaware Valley and Lehigh Valley regions. Before joining Heritage Conservancy, she most recently worked in residential real estate. Tara holds a B.S. in Business Management with a concentration in Marketing from Boston College and an MBA from the University of Oklahoma.

Jim Drennan
Land Conservation Manager
215-345-7020 ext. 134
jdrennan@heritageconservancy.org
As Senior Conservation Steward, Jim’s primary responsibility is to identify and implement conservation projects on our preserved properties to maximize the health of their natural resources for the benefit of wildlife and our community. Jim has a B.S. in Natural Resource Management from Rutgers University. Before joining Heritage Conservancy’s staff, Jim worked as an environmental educator and land manager for the National Audubon Society and as a high school science teacher.

Environmental Educators
Rick Anderson, Clarissa Beck, Beth Clark, Bernie delPrado, Patty DeMaria, Jason Gleaton, Mia Hibbs, Ray Hoskinson, Katie Lutzker, Carol Miller, Bridget Mulcahy, Aaron Schoen Taylor Smith
215-345-7020
info@heritageconservancy.org
Heritage Conservancy's passionate and energetic part-time Environmental Educators assist with school and community programs throughout the year. Educators are trained in and deliver programs on a variety of topics including watersheds, water quality, environmental issues, ecosystems, wildlife, and more.

Shannon Fredebaugh-Siller
Community Engagement Programs Manager
215-345-7020 ext. 104
sfredebaugh@heritageconservancy.org
Shannon works to connect people of all ages to the natural and historic wonders on Heritage Conservancy’s preserved properties. She develops innovative cross-curriculum educational programs in partnership with local schools and works to provide moments of awe in nature for individuals, partner organizations, and students through community programming. Collaborating with communities and across regional watershed-wide initiatives, Shannon helps to connect the local work that Heritage Conservancy does to broader environmental initiatives. Shannon holds a B.A. in Zoology and Environmental Studies from Ohio Wesleyan University and an M.S. in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Shannon has worked on research projects ranging from wildlife behavior and habitat use to species diversity in biofuel agricultural systems and many more.

Heather Gaghan
Associate Director of Development
215-345-7020 ext. 103
hgaghan@heritageconservancy.org
As Associate Director of Development, Heather is responsible for building relationships with new and existing donors, stewarding their passion for conservation, and helping shape their philanthropic goals. She works closely with the development team, board members, and executive staff to plan and implement effective, multi-year strategies for the continued growth of Heritage Conservancy and its positive, lasting impact on Bucks County and the surrounding region. Heather holds a B.A. in English from Saint Joseph’s University. Before joining Heritage Conservancy’s staff, she began her fundraising career writing grants and running after school programs for Saint Charles Mission in San Carols, AZ on the San Carlos Apache reservation. Since then, she has spent the past 25 years serving the missions of organizations ranging from education, to animal advocacy, and cancer research. She most recently worked in the Advancement Department of Solebury School in New Hope, PA.

Joe Ganguzza
Grants Manager
215-345-7020 x124
jganguzza@heritageconservancy.org
As Grants Manager, Joe oversees Heritage Conservancy’s grant portfolio. His responsibilities include grant research, applications, tracking, and reporting. He enjoys collaborating with colleagues throughout the grant process to identify, secure, and discuss grant funding, projects, and programs. Prior to joining Heritage Conservancy, Joe’s work experience included nonprofit development, designing and performing with puppets, and spending a season as the Box Office Manager for a minor league baseball team. He holds a BFA in Theatrical Design from Florida International University, and a Masters in Public Administration from Rutgers. Outside of work, Joe enjoys reading, exploring the arts, and spending time with his wife and daughter.

Sebastian Harris
Conservation Easement Steward
215-345-7020 ext. 154
sharris@heritageconservancy.org
As one of the Conservation Easement Stewards, Sebastian is responsible for completing baseline documentation studies for new property acquisitions and monitoring existing conservation easements. Sebastian is a conservationist with a background in ecological research. He graduated from Delaware Valley University with a B.S. in Biology, and earned his M.S. in Biology from East Stroudsburg University studying Timber Rattlesnake ecology. He has worked with a number of threatened and endangered reptiles and amphibians, as well as native and invasive insects.

Whittier Henke
Senior Community Engagement Associate
215-345-7020 ext. 110
whenke@heritageconservancy.org
As Senior Community Engagement Associate, Whittier collaborates closely with local partners and individuals in order to create inclusive public programming. He is passionate about utilizing our shared land as a catalyst to form new connections and start important discussions. Whittier earned his B.A. in Environmental Studies from Richard Stockton University. Previously, he worked with schools and youth from low-income areas as an Outdoor Educator and summer camp Coordinator at College Settlement Outdoor School.

Diane Hillman
Accounting Manager
215-345-7020 ext. 118
dhillman@heritageconservancy.org
Diane manages and performs various accounting functions such as developing, implementing, and maintaining the accounting systems, policies, and procedures. She also compiles, analyzes and reports accounting data for management and decision-making purposes. She brings nearly thirty years of Accounting and Financial Management experience, ten of which were in non-profit, and an additional ten years were spent in residential and commercial development and land acquisition. With a strong interest in environmental issues and conservation, Diane has offered her support and services to several nationally-recognized organizations, one of which included marsh land restoration due to the BP oil spill in the Gulf Coast.

Laura Hornby
Facilities Manager
215-345-7020 ext. 121
lhornby@heritageconservancy.org
As Facilities Manager, Laura is responsible for maintaining the integrity and beauty of the building and grounds at Aldie Mansion, and she manages the maintenance of all other Heritage Conservancy-owned buildings. Before working for the Conservancy, Laura worked for the McCarter Theater in Princeton (some of the props she crafted have gone on to Broadway and international tours!) and the Bucks County Playhouse. She joined Heritage Conservancy’s staff to continue working for an organization that values the protection and stewardship of cultural and natural resources. Laura holds a B.F.A. in Theater Design and Production from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Saint Margaret College, Edinburgh, Scotland.

Kim Johnson
Conservation Acquisition Specialist
215-345-7020 ext. 153
kjohnson@heritageconservancy.org
As a Conservation Acquisition Specialist, Kim works with land owners, local municipalities, and public agencies to conserve critical habitat and open spaces within the Delaware and Lehigh Valley regions. Kim grew up on an active farm in Solebury Township, where she still lives and helps with in her free time. Prior to joining Heritage Conservancy, Kim worked in the commercial real estate field after attending Penn State for a degree in geography and NYU for real estate.

Kris Kern
Vice President
215-345-7020 ext. 101
kkern@heritageconservancy.org
Kris has more than ten years of land-use planning and conservation experience. In addition to assisting with Heritage Conservancy’s grant writing and fundraising efforts, Kris works with municipalities and private landowners to protect land via conservation easements and fee acquisitions. Before joining Heritage Conservancy, she worked for the County of Bucks, administering three grant programs under its Open Space Program. Kris is a graduate of Kutztown University and the University of Pennsylvania, where she earned a Master of City and Regional Planning degree.

Kate Klaver
Digital Communications and Design Associate
215-345-7020 ext. 112
kklaver@heritageconservancy.org
As Digital Communications and Design Associate, Kate assists the Communications Department through the management of Heritage Conservancy’s social media outlets, the production and distribution of the organization’s e-newsletter, and updating content featured on Heritage Conservancy’s website. She holds a B.A. in Anthropology and English from Franklin and Marshall College and is interested in social justice and historical preservation from an archaeological perspective. In her free time, she enjoys fashion styling, poetry, and painting. Before joining Heritage Conservancy, Kate worked as a Lifestyle Editor for Mood of Living Magazine.

Tyler Kovacs
Senior Conservation Biologist
215-345-7020 ext. 102
tkovacs@heritageconservancy.org
Tyler conducts conservation projects on our preserved land to help restore ecosystem health, benefiting both wildlife and our community. His previous experience includes conducting ecological restoration projects and studying wetlands, reforestation, and wildlife conservation in multiple countries. Tyler holds a B.S. from Shippensburg University and an M.S. from James Madison University in Biology.

Bill Kunze
President and Chief Executive Officer
215-345-7020 ext. 158
bkunze@heritageconservancy.org
Bill joined Heritage Conservancy in fall 2021, after 15 years as a senior leader with The Nature Conservancy. He brings deep experience helping organizations accelerate the pace and scale of land conservation and developing innovative strategies around conservation funding, community engagement, sustainable forestry and agriculture, urban conservation, and climate resilience. Before becoming a conservation leader, he was a Division Chief at the Federal Communications Commission and worked as a management consultant, an attorney, and in academic publishing. Bill brings to Heritage Conservancy a passion for nature and history, the two foundations of the Conservancy’s mission: he earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in history, and as a young child, he fell in love with nature through birding excursions to Hawk Mountain in Berks County and Brigantine (now Forsythe) National Wildlife Refuge near Atlantic City.

Mary Lou McFarland
Senior Preservation Specialist
215-345-7020 ext. 109; 215-283-0383
mlmcfarland@heritageconservancy.org
Mary Lou founded The Conservancy of Montgomery County (CMC) and served as its president for more than 20 years. As part of Heritage Conservancy’s 2012 merger with CMC, she joined our staff in a leadership role. In this position, Mary Lou oversees the continual monitoring of eleven acquired conservation easements from CMC in addition to the conservation easements in Montgomery County already preserved by Heritage Conservancy. With an extensive background in historical research, she heads historic preservation projects in Montgomery County and surrounding areas as well. Mary Lou received her B.A. from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and her Master’s degree from Ohio State University.

Katie Paone-Kulp
Director of Development
215-345-7020 ext. 108
kpaone@heritageconservancy.org
Katie is responsible for overseeing and managing the daily activities to implement fundraising and outreach efforts. Her role entails organizing engagement programs and special events and managing donor relationships. She also works to align individuals from the community to support strategic initiatives, continue organizational growth, and expand mission awareness. Katie holds a B.S. in Tourism and Hospitality Management with a concentration in Destination and Event Management from Temple University.

Andrea Szyper
Communications Manager
215-345-7020 ext. 128
aszyper@heritageconservancy.org
As Communications Manager, Andrea works to raise Heritage Conservancy’s profile in the community and to share its mission with a broader audience. She oversees the organization’s website, social media, print collateral, press outreach, and marketing. Andrea has a B.A. in journalism from Marquette University. She built and managed Italian travel programs for over a decade at Untours, a founding B Corp, before serving as the company’s Communications Director. She also worked in digital communications and membership at WHYY, where she edited the organization’s major newsletters and spearheaded inbox fundraising. Andrea has freelanced for various nonprofits in greater Philadelphia.

Katie Toner
Conservation Easement Steward
215-345-7020 ext. 106
ktoner@heritageconservancy.org
As one of the Conservation Easement Stewards, Katie is responsible for completing baseline documentation studies for new property acquisitions and monitoring existing conservation easements. Recently graduated from Wesleyan University with a degree in Earth and Environmental Science, Katie was the Alliance for Watershed Education Fellow at Heritage Conservancy before joining the staff in 2020.

Stephanie Tsouloufas
Resource Protection Coordinator
215-345-7020 ext. 150
stsouloufas@heritageconservancy.org
As Resource Protection Coordinator, Stephanie manages the administrative needs of the stewardship team, including outreach to landowners and vendors, as well as managing the filing system and schedules for the team. Stephanie is also involved in many cross-departmental tasks, such as daily operations for staff, as well as planning and implementation of many of our events. Stephanie initially studied kinesiology at Bridgewater State College in MA, but has always been passionate about outdoor spaces and their preservation. Prior to joining Heritage Conservancy, Stephanie was an administrator at the Y.A.L.E. School in Manayunk.

Hayley Wright
Development Administrator
215-345-7020 ext. 131
hwright@heritageconservancy.org
As Development Administrator, Hayley provides direct support to the Development Department with the membership renewal and landowner outreach processes, as well as by processing gifts and acknowledging donors. She also assists with the registration process for organizational activities, general office operations, and meeting coordination. She holds a B.A. in Sociology and a Minor in Communications from Eastern University and is interested in the equitable preservation and sustainable use of land to combat environmental discrimination. In her free time, she enjoys gardening and crafting. Prior to joining Heritage Conservancy, Hayley handled Volunteer and Client Coordination at Meals on Wheels of Lancaster, PA.