Our Team
Since 1958, Heritage Conservancy has been preserving and protecting our local natural and historic heritage.
About Our Leadership
Heritage Conservancy is an accredited nonprofit conservation organization that specializes in open space preservation, natural resource protection, property stewardship and sustainable land management, historic preservation, adaptive reuse of existing structures, wildlife habitat restoration, public connection to nature, and environmental education for local students and the broader community.
Through over six decades of professional land use planning and design, innovative land conservation and historic preservation strategies, public outreach and education, and the application of “best management practices” for property stewardship, the Conservancy has established itself as an acclaimed full-service leader. Its national accreditation by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission affirms Heritage Conservancy’s commitment to excellence, trust, and permanence.
Our Board of Directors
Chair
Jeffrey H. Nicholas, Esq.
Vice Chair
Lynn T. Bush
Treasurer
Richard Henriques
Directors
R. Brent Alderfer
Brenda Bray
Rebecca Bushnell
Anthony Calvitti
Douglas L. Carr, CPA
Christopher B. Chandor, Esq.
Brian J. Clark, Esq.
D. Rodman Eastburn, Esq.
Catherine M. Harper
Gregory Kessell
Louis J. Lombardi
Stephen L. Phillips
Kevin Putman, Jr.
Scott A. Reines, MD, PhD
Beth Snyder, DMD
Craig Sutton
Chair Emeriti
William Hart Rufe III
Marvin L. Woodall
Directors Emeriti
Elizabeth H. Gemmill, Esq.
J. Lawrence Grim, Jr., Esq.
Joseph R. Kempter, CPA
President & CEO
William W. Kunze
Vice President & COO
Erika Blumenthal
Secretary
David D. Oxley
Heritage Conservancy’s Staff
Land and Resource Protection
Matt Babbitt
Senior Resource Protection Specialist
Matt Babbitt
Senior Resource Protection Specialist
As Senior Resource Protection 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 a Site Director at Delaware Nature Society. 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.
mbabbitt@heritageconservancy.org
215-345-7020 ext. 135
215-345-7020 ext. 135
Tara Camp
Resource Protection Specialist
Tara Camp
Resource Protection Specialist
As a Resource Protection Specialist, Tara works with private landowners, local municipalities, and public agencies to conserve land in the Delaware Valley and Lehigh Valley regions. She also supports our historic preservation work, including facade easements and our Register of Historic Places. 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.
tcamp@heritageconservancy.org
215-345-7020 ext. 113
215-345-7020 ext. 113
Kim Johnson
Resource Protection Specialist
Kim Johnson
Resource Protection Specialist
As a Resource Protection 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.
kjohnson@heritageconservancy.org
215-345-7020 ext. 153
215-345-7020 ext. 153
Katie Toner
Easement Stewardship Manager
Katie Toner
Easement Stewardship Manager
As Easement Stewardship Manager, Katie oversees the monitoring of existing conservation easements and the promotion of best management practices on those lands. A graduate of 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.
ktoner@heritageconservancy.org
215-345-7020 ext. 106
215-345-7020 ext. 106
Devon Funt
Conservation Easement Steward
Devon Funt
Conservation Easement Steward
As the Conservation Easement Steward, Devon carries out the annual monitoring of
easements, while maintaining landowner relationships and easement enforcement. She
is a graduate of Unity College with a degree in Parks and Forest Resources. Prior to
joining Heritage Conservancy, Devon worked at Natural Lands, where she worked in
both environmental education and stewardship. Outside of work she loves to run, read,
and plan future backpacking trips.
easements, while maintaining landowner relationships and easement enforcement. She
is a graduate of Unity College with a degree in Parks and Forest Resources. Prior to
joining Heritage Conservancy, Devon worked at Natural Lands, where she worked in
both environmental education and stewardship. Outside of work she loves to run, read,
and plan future backpacking trips.
dfunt@heritageconservancy.org
215-345-7020 ext. 138
215-345-7020 ext. 138
Science and Stewardship
Jim Drennan
Director of Science and Stewardship
Jim Drennan
Director of Science and Stewardship
As Director of Science and Stewardship, Jim’s primary responsibility is to implement conservation projects on our preserved properties to maximize the health of their natural resources for the benefit of wildlife and our community. Jim leads a team of conservation biologists who oversee community science projects and habitat restoration. He 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.
jdrennan@heritageconservancy.org
215-345-7020 ext. 134
215-345-7020 ext. 134
Tyler Kovacs
Senior Conservation Biologist
Tyler Kovacs
Senior Conservation Biologist
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.
tkovacs@heritageconservancy.org
215-345-7020 ext. 102
215-345-7020 ext. 102
Sebastian Harris
Conservation Biologist
Sebastian Harris
Conservation Biologist
As Conservation Biologist, Sebastian completes baseline documentation studies for new property acquisitions and monitors existing conservation easements. He also consults on organizational conservation efforts. 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.
sharris@heritageconservancy.org
215-345-7020 ext. 154
215-345-7020 ext. 154
Joe Ganguzza
Stewardship Operations Manager
Joe Ganguzza
Stewardship Operations Manager
As Stewardship Operations Manager, Joe oversees Heritage Conservancy’s grant portfolio and assists with our conservation and land stewardship. His responsibilities include grant applications, tracking, and reporting. He also assists the Stewardship Team in the field. Joe enjoys collaborating with colleagues throughout the grant process to secure grant funding for natural resource protection. 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. Joe enjoys reading, exploring the arts, and spending time with his wife and daughter.
jganguzza@heritageconservancy.org
215-345-7020 x124
215-345-7020 x124
Education and Community Programs
Shannon Fredebaugh-Siller
Director of Education and Community Programs
Shannon Fredebaugh-Siller
Director of Education and Community Programs
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.
sfredebaugh@heritageconservancy.org
215-345-7020 ext. 104
215-345-7020 ext. 104
Beth Clark
Education Programs Associate
Beth Clark
Education Programs Associate
As Education Programs Associate, Beth shares her passion for the environment with school groups across Bucks County. She brings Heritage Conservancy programming to life at schools, after-school nature clubs, and public programs. Beth has over 25 years of experience in informal science education, working in the education departments of Da Vinci Science Center, Nockamixon State Park, the Academy of Natural Sciences, and Elmwood Park Zoo. Beth has a BS in Wildlife and Fisheries Science from Penn State University and an MA in Environmental Education from Arcadia University.
bclark@heritageconservancy.org
215-345-7020 x150
215-345-7020 x150
Mara Strauss
Education Programs Associate
Mara Strauss
Education Programs Associate
As Education Programs Associate, Mara supports Heritage Conservancy’s mission by creating and delivering engaging environmental education experiences for all ages. She coordinates community tabling events, public programs and outreach that highlight the importance of preserving natural lands in Bucks County and beyond. Mara is a graduate of Slippery Rock University with a B.S. in Parks and Resource Management and researched student perceptions of climate change. She worked for Scouting America for several years, supporting camps and programs that connected youth from inner-city Philadelphia with outdoor experiences, and most recently with Mass Audubon in the Blue Hills, helping Boston children explore New England ecosystems.
mstrauss@heritageconservancy.org
215-345-7020 ext. 109
215-345-7020 ext. 109
Environmental Educators
Multiple Part-Time Educators
Environmental Educators
Multiple Part-Time Educators
Rick Anderson, Layla Ballner, Reuben Becker-Klein, Kate Brenton, Chip Bosch, Beth Craighead, Emma Craven, Andrew Cyr, Lucas Denton, Sandra Elsner, Mia Hibbs, Amanda Kline, Garland Lamb, Carol Miller, Bridget Mulcahy, Megan Myers, Mary Ellen Noonan, Tate Pronel, Tracy Radcliffe, Tanvi Raman, Allison Cameron, Andrew Wraith, Michaela Yaede
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.
info@heritageconservancy.org
215-345-7020
215-345-7020
Administration
Bill Kunze
President and Chief Executive Officer
Bill Kunze
President and Chief Executive Officer
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.
bkunze@heritageconservancy.org
215-345-7020 ext. 158
215-345-7020 ext. 158
Erika Blumenthal
Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Erika Blumenthal
Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
As Vice President and COO, Erika leads finance, human resource, and operations functions at Heritage Conservancy. She brings over 20 years of operations management experience, including four in non-profit. She has held roles as COO, CFO, and Vice President Operations, managing the financials and facilities at both a local non-profit as well as at a large education company, Kaplan Inc. Erika brings a passion for mission-driven work and for building sustainable infrastructure to support the mission of Heritage Conservancy. Prior to joining Kaplan, Erika spent time teaching language and literature at Rutgers University. She earned her B.A. from La Salle University and holds a Ph.D. in German Literature from Rutgers.
eblumenthal@heritageconservancy.org
215-345-7020 ext. 101
215-345-7020 ext. 101
Diane Hillman
Accounting Manager
Diane Hillman
Accounting Manager
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.
dhillman@heritageconservancy.org
215-345-7020 ext. 118
215-345-7020 ext. 118
Doug Wood
Facilities Manager
Doug Wood
Facilities Manager
As Facilities Manager, Doug manages the building and grounds for Aldie Mansion and other sites owned by the Conservancy. This includes managing vendor maintenance contracts and developing property improvement plans, along with daily functions to keep the sites operational. He has over 35 years of experience in landscape maintenance, design/build, and light construction. Doug owned his own landscape design and construction company for the last 15 years. Prior to that, he worked for Brickman, the nation’s largest landscape company, where he was involved with project and account management, commercial sales, and portfolio management for some of the largest property owners in the US. Doug holds a B.S. in Ornamental Horticulture and Landscape Design from Delaware Valley University.
dwood@heritageconservancy.org
215-345-7020 ext. 121
215-345-7020 ext. 121
Gary Smarsh
Facilities Assistant
Gary Smarsh
Facilities Assistant
Gary works part-time as a facilities assistant at Heritage Conservancy’s Aldie Mansion. He retired after 30 years as a geologist with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and previously held similar positions with engineering firms, geotechnical firms, and oil and gas companies in Florida, western Pennsylvania, and Wyoming.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in geology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and completed graduate-level coursework in safety science, engineering geology, and engineering science at IUP, Drexel, and Penn State.
Outside of work, he likes to run, bike, kayak and play pickleball. He’s particularly drawn to the geology on display at national parks, especially Death Valley and Yellowstone.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in geology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and completed graduate-level coursework in safety science, engineering geology, and engineering science at IUP, Drexel, and Penn State.
Outside of work, he likes to run, bike, kayak and play pickleball. He’s particularly drawn to the geology on display at national parks, especially Death Valley and Yellowstone.
gsmarsh@heritageconservancy.org
Development
Katie Paone-Kulp
Director of Development
Katie Paone-Kulp
Director of Development
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.
kpaone@heritageconservancy.org
215-345-7020 ext. 108
215-345-7020 ext. 108
Heather Gaghan
Associate Director of Development
Heather Gaghan
Associate Director of Development
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.
hgaghan@heritageconservancy.org
215-345-7020 ext. 103
215-345-7020 ext. 103
Elizabeth Barmach
Senior Development Associate
Kaylyn Brindisi
Volunteer and Development Events Associate
Kaylyn Brindisi
Volunteer and Development Events Associate
As Volunteer and Development Events Associate, Kaylyn coordinates Heritage Conservancy’s various volunteer groups and opportunities. She also assists with large organizational fundraisers. She has previously worked on Heritage Conservancy’s education programs, developing and implementing environmental education and community programs. Kaylyn holds a B.A. in Environmental Conservation and a minor in Communications from Cedar Crest College.
kbrindisi@heritageconservancy.org
215-345-7020 ext. 157
215-345-7020 ext. 157
Emily Bonavitacola
Senior Development Associate
Tori Falk
Development and Database Administrator
Tori Falk
Development and Database Administrator
As the Development and Database Administrator, Tori manages donor data and processes – processing gifts, maintaining accurate records, building and running reports for the Development team, and managing special event data. Tori has over 10 years of nonprofit experience and has prioritized working for organizations that are making a difference to their greater community. Prior to joining Heritage Conservancy, Tori worked at the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, where she oversaw and assisted in the creation and management of a mentoring program. Tori holds a B.S. in Business Management and a Minor in Psychology from Pennsylvania State University.
tfalk@heritageconservancy.org
215-345-7020
215-345-7020
Communications
Emily Landgreen
Digital Communications Associate
Emily Landgreen
Digital Communications Associate
As Digital Communications Associate, Emily supports all aspects of Heritage Conservancy’s marketing and communications efforts, from managing social media and email campaigns to designing event materials and maintaining website content. She plays a central role in shaping the organization’s digital presence and ensuring consistent, engaging storytelling across platforms. She holds a B.S. in Elementary Education from Champlain College in Burlington, Vermont, and a Marketing Certificate from DeSales University. Her previous experience includes public school and outdoor education as well as marketing for real estate and the native plant design/build industry.
elandgreen@heritageconservancy.org
215-345-7020 ext. 112
215-345-7020 ext. 112
