Staff & Board

Alina (she/her) joined BTLT in June 2026. With a BS in Biology and Anthropology, she has a passion for conserving the land and how people connect to places around them. Originally from Pennsylvania, she came to Maine to serve with the Maine Conservation Corps in 2019 and held various positions with them focused on completing trail projects, volunteer engagement, and member support. When not on the trails, Alina loves boxing, running, and finding new swimming spots around Gardiner.

Emma (she/her) joined BTLT in early 2026. A former Brunswick resident and BTLT volunteer, she returned to the area after several years in North Carolina, where she managed a nature preserve and environmental learning center. With a Master’s in Biological Sciences from the University of New England and a Master’s in Education from Thomas College, Emma loves stewarding meaningful experiences in nature for people and is excited to continue this work at BTLT. In her free time, Emma enjoys bird watching, reading, getting nerdy over unexpected nature treasures, and hiking and exploring with her husband.

Lydia (she/her) joined BTLT in 2021 and brings a strong background in communications, education, and food systems. With a BA in Conservation Biology and Environmental Sustainability from Hampshire College and a graduate certificate in Food Studies from USM, she has worked in outdoor and environmental education, food redistribution, wildlife care, and event management. Lydia is passionate about sharing stories that connect people to the land and each other. She now calls Lisbon Falls home, where she lives with her partner and two cats. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, camping, and nature walks with friends. 

Kristi (she/her) joined BTLT in 2019 and now leads fundraising, donor engagement, and strategic initiatives. She is deeply inspired by the generosity of BTLT’s supporters and the community’s commitment to conservation. Raised in Bar Harbor, Kristi is a graduate of Skidmore College and William & Mary Law School. Her career has included work on Capitol Hill and in Boston before returning home to Maine in 2005. Outside of work, she enjoys any excuse to be outdoors or curled up with a good book. Kristi lives in Brunswick with her husband, two daughters, and two cats. 

Jamie (she/her) has been with BTLT since 2018 and leads the Land Trust’s agricultural programs. With a background in farming, food systems, and hospitality, she is passionate about building partnerships that strengthen local agriculture and community resilience. Jamie serves on the boards of Tedford Housing, Growing to Give, and Bath Development Corporation, and also works with the Merrymeeting Food Council. She and her husband own Flight Deck Brewing in Brunswick. Jamie lives in Bath with her family. 

Sarah (she/her) has been part of the CREA community since 2007, first as Education Coordinator and now as Education and School Partnerships Program Manger with the Land Trust. She helped launch CREA’s first summer and vacation camps and has spent nearly two decades expanding programs that connect local students with the natural world. Sarah previously taught at Wolfe’s Neck Farm, Maine Audubon, and in local school gardens and afterschool clubs. A Bowdoin College graduate with a BA in Environmental Studies, she lives in Brunswick with her husband and their two daughters. She enjoys gardening, family game nights, and exploring Maine’s outdoors. 

Lindsey (she/her) joined BTLT in 2025, bringing a strong background in communications and a lifelong love of Maine’s landscapes. A Vermont native with deep family roots in the Pine Tree State, Lindsey earned her BA in Art with minors in East Asia Studies and Creative Writing from Saint Michael’s College before moving to Freeport in 2015. She worked in marketing and communications for Maine Behavioral Healthcare and the City of Bath before stepping into the nonprofit conservation world. Now living in Woolwich with her husband, young son, and energetic black lab, Lindsey enjoys drawing, writing, cooking, and taking nature walks that often pause for sketching. She is excited to support BTLT’s mission of protecting the places and communities she calls home. 

Carey (she/her) brings more than 25 years of experience in environmental education to her role at BTLT. She has taught and led programs for NH Audubon, The Science Center of New Hampshire, Morris Farm in Wiscasset, and many other organizations across the country. She also spent several years teaching 4th grade at Hussey School in Augusta, an experience that deepened her appreciation for public school educators. Carey holds a BA in Environmental Studies from Connecticut College and is passionate about sparking curiosity and connection to the natural world in learners of all ages. She lives in Bowdoin with her husband and two children, and in her free time can often be found gardening, canoeing, skiing, or hiking with her family. 

Alice (she/her) joined BTLT in 2021 to support the Development team and is grateful to contribute to an organization that strengthens both local communities and natural lands. Originally from New Jersey, she grew up balancing a love for city life with time spent outdoors, later moving to a farm in rural Turner before settling in Brunswick. Alice enjoys backpacking, gardening, and creating in many forms — though much of her energy now goes toward chasing after her adventurous four-year-old through the woods and waters of Maine. 

Liz (she/her) brings a strong background in environmental law and gift planning to the Land Trust. A member of the Maine Bar, she spent much of her early career in environmental regulation and risk management, including serving as Deputy Commissioner of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. For the past decade, Liz has focused on charitable gift planning, first at Colby College and now at Bowdoin College. A Brunswick native and long-time Topsham resident, Liz is deeply committed to strengthening community and protecting the natural resources of Maine. She and her husband raised their two children in Topsham, where they continue to enjoy the outdoors.

John (he/him) has a lifelong love of Maine’s landscapes and wildlife, especially birds. An avid birder, he has led birding walks for BTLT and other organizations, and travels widely in search of new species. John holds degrees from MIT and Northeastern and was a licensed CPA. He has served in CFO roles for Maine corporations including Sebago, Stinson, and Oakhurst, and has provided financial leadership to several local firms and startups. His professional expertise and passion for conservation make him a valued member of the board.

Joan grew up on a Pennsylvania farm, sparking an early appreciation for seasonal rhythms, the land, and local economies. After a 30-year career in the apparel industry, she transitioned to coaching and consulting, supporting farmers, nonprofits, and small businesses. She first connected with BTLT through the Farmers Market and Community Garden, later joining the Board and Communications Committee, which she now chairs. A Brunswick resident since 2010, Joan is passionate about community building, storytelling, conservation, and local food systems. She enjoys gardening, cooking, and traveling.

Rol (he/him) spent 30 years at L.L. Bean, where he built and managed the company’s global supply chain and advanced human rights standards with international partners. A lifelong volunteer, he has served organizations ranging from the Brunswick Planning Board to Mid Coast Hospital and the Appalachian Mountain Club. Rol treasures time outdoors, whether daily walks with his wife, Averil, or longer treks in the mountains. He is committed to ensuring that future generations can experience the same healing power of nature.

Robert “Bob” Frank came to Brunswick in 1960 as a Bowdoin student and formed a lasting connection to the community. He earned a law degree from Harvard and had a distinguished career at Choate Hall & Stewart in Boston, serving 14 years as Managing Partner and handling complex commercial and intellectual property cases. A dedicated public servant, Bob held leadership roles in Winchester, Massachusetts, and now, semi-retired, splits his time between Harpswell and Boston while remaining engaged in his communities.

Jenny (she/her) grew up in the South but has deep roots in Brunswick, returning often for vacations, college, and time with friends before settling back in 2023 with her partner. Her career has spanned teaching, education policy, and product development in both nonprofit and for-profit organizations, always grounded in the belief that every child deserves access and opportunity regardless of their zip code. Drawn to BTLT’s mission of protecting land and building community, Jenny is excited to contribute her experience to an organization that connects people with the places she has long loved exploring. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, running, and open-water swimming.

Keisha (she/her) has been Bowdoin College’s Director of Sustainability since 2001, leading efforts to integrate sustainable practices across campus and engage the community in climate action. Her early career included environmental education with Chewonki and Maine Audubon. She holds degrees in Geography, Environmental Studies, and Community Planning from the University of Southern Maine and is a Senior Fellow in the Environmental Leadership Program. Keisha lives in Brunswick with her husband, two teenagers, and their dog, and enjoys gardening, hiking, boating, and running.

Susan (she/her) has worked in fundraising and social work in both New York City and Maine. She returned to her hometown region to be closer to family and the rivers and trails she loves, settling in Topsham. In retirement, Susan has devoted her time to local nonprofits and town committees, including CREA/BTLT. Her passion for community and the outdoors inspires her work, particularly efforts that connect people of all ages to nature.

Peter Simmons is a longtime arts administrator and nonprofit leader with over three decades of experience in Maine’s cultural sector. A Bowdoin graduate, he founded a museum services business, served as Assistant Director of the Maine Arts Commission, and led the Bowdoin International Music Festival as Executive Director from 2000 to 2016. Since retiring, Peter has stayed active in nonprofit governance and community initiatives. A Brunswick resident since the 1970s, he enjoys gardening, craftwork, and exploring the natural world.

Sandy (he/him) is a writer, teacher, and lifelong outdoors person. He taught English, coached, and served as dean at Concord Academy for more than 30 years, while also editing the Appalachian Mountain Club’s journal Appalachia. His recent book, Critical Hours: Search and Rescue in the White Mountains, explores mountain rescue and community in the outdoors. A Brunswick resident, Sandy serves on the Conservation Commission and enjoys kayaking, hiking, and daily trail walks with his wife, Lucille.

Emily (she/her) is business manager of Pine Island Camp, a boys’ camp that has been running since 1902. A long-time Brunswick resident, she has served on the BTLT board at different times since the early 1990s, including work on the campaign for Crystal Spring Farm. She has also served on multiple town planning and review committees and volunteers with Curtis Memorial Library. Emily enjoys birding, foraging, and traveling with her husband, Ben, and is grateful to have her three grown children living nearby in Portland.

A Maine native raised on a Topsham dairy farm, Dan (he/him) a brings a lifelong connection to the outdoors and a distinguished career in community leadership to BTLT. An accomplished hiker and mountaineer, he has completed the Appalachian Trail, John Muir Trail, Mt. Kilimanjaro, Aconcagua, Cotopaxi, the Mt. Blanc Circuit, and all 67 New England 4000-footers. Dana was inducted into the Maine Business Hall of Fame and served as CEO of Avesta Housing for 22 years, as well as Executive Director of Coastal Economic Development Corporation and Deputy Director of the Maine State Housing Authority. Today, he advises nonprofits, government agencies, and other organizations on board and policy development, affordable housing, and homelessness.

Rick (he/him) and his wife moved to Brunswick in 2011, drawn by the Midcoast’s natural beauty. He currently serves as Director of Planned Giving at Ocean Conservancy and has held leadership roles at Colby College, The Nature Conservancy, and the Maine Planned Giving Council. Rick also served on the board of Curtis Memorial Library and has been an active member of BTLT’s Development Committee. He enjoys gardening, woodworking, and cooking, and is deeply committed to protecting the environment.

Nick (he/him) is the founder of Morningstar Stone and Tile, now 100% employee-owned, and co-founder of Whatley Farm, an organic vegetable farm in Topsham. He grew up in Texas and attended Middlebury College before beginning a life in agriculture with his wife, Laura. Together they raised two sons, Ben and Dan, and now enjoy spending time with their grandchildren. Nick is passionate about soil health, music, and land stewardship, and brings that care to his work with BTLT.

Margaret (she/her) has lived in Brunswick since 1996 and has been active in conservation and community planning for decades. She began her work in land conservation in Wisconsin with the Ice Age Trail and later practiced land use law in Maine. At BTLT, she has chaired the Lands Committee since 2010, guiding acquisitions, leading site walks, and volunteering on stewardship projects. Margaret has also served on the boards of the Natural Resources Council of Maine, United Way of Mid Coast Maine, and multiple Brunswick committees. She is committed to protecting land and fostering community engagement in conservation.