Lauren Hierl joined VNRC as Executive Director in August of 2024. She previously served as Executive Director of Vermont Conservation Voters, a position she assumed in 2018 after working for four years as their Political Director. Prior to that, Lauren worked for two years as Environmental Health Advocate at the Vermont Public Interest Research Group (VPIRG). She spent the previous decade working as an environmental advocate in Washington, DC at National Audubon Society and Alaska Wilderness League. She also conducted climate change research in Kruger National Park in South Africa, and oversaw a land and endangered species conservation assessment in San Diego. Lauren received her Master of Environmental Management and Master of Public Policy degrees at Duke University.

802-223-2328 ext: 122 | lauren@vnrc.org

Alex joined VNRC in August 2020. After earning a BA in history from Boston College, Alex worked in publishing, construction, and childcare, among other fields, while nurturing a longtime interest in environmental issues. Originally from northern New Jersey, Alex moved to Vermont in 2016. He is an avid hiker (favorite hike: Mount Hunger) and enjoys playing basketball at the local rec center. Alex lives in Montpelier.

802-223-2328 ext: 126 | aconnizzo@vnrc.org

Karina joined VNRC in April 2020. As Science and Restoration Director, she is responsible for running VNRC’s dam removal program and contributing her scientific knowledge and expertise to policy issues around the conservation and restoration of Vermont’s waters. Most recently, Dailey was Senior Ecologist at Trudell Consulting Engineers (TCE) in Williston, overseeing natural resource-related projects and providing testimony for Act 250 and Act 248 land use permitting projects. Formerly, Dailey was a Project Manager for the Winooski Natural Resources Conservation District and a Restoration Ecologist for the US Fish and Wildlife Service and Intervale Nursery. Before moving to Vermont, she taught environmental science and worked in conservation in the Greater Yellowstone area in Wyoming.

Karina holds a Masters in Environmental Science from Antioch University New England, and a B.A. in Environmental Studies and Sociology from St. Lawrence University. She is a Certified Wetland Scientist and Wildlife Biologist. Karina lives with her family in Jericho and enjoys every opportunity for outdoor exploration.

802-223-2328 ext: 123 | kdailey@vnrc.org

Stephi joined VNRC in the summer of 2025 as the Ecological Restoration Fellow, assisting with the dam removal program. Stephi worked previously as a Restoration and GIS Technician for The Nature Conservancy in Wisconsin, a Strategic Watershed Cartographic Technician and Wetland Restoration Planner for the Vermont Association of Conservation Districts, and as a Research Assistant with UVM, contributing to research for the Functioning Floodplains Initiative. Prior to VNRC, Stephi was a Biologist with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, where they helped plan restoration projects and worked to acquire new easements for the wetland restoration easement program. Stephi received bachelor's degrees in Geography and Environmental Studies from Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois and graduated with a Master’s in Natural Resources from the University of Vermont. Stephi’s research focused on estimating floodwater storage volume and prioritizing floodplain reconnection in the Northern Lake Champlain Basin in Vermont. When not at work, Stephi can be found in the garden or the woods, foraging and then subsequently cooking up all the great things that grow in Vermont.

802-223-2328 ext: 124 | sdrago@vnrc.org

Kati Gallagher joined VNRC in fall 2021 as the Sustainable Communities Program Director. Prior to VNRC, Kati worked with the Mad River Valley Planning District, implementing a program of bioregional planning focused on affordable housing, sustainable transportation, and placemaking. Kati also gained experience as a grassroots advocate, organizer, and researcher while working with the Vermont Public Interest Research Group (VPIRG). Kati holds an M.S. in Community Development & Applied Economics with a concentration in Community Resilience & Planning from the University of Vermont. Her master’s research focused on Vermont’s “new economy,” including social entrepreneurship and alternative wellbeing measurement. Kati lives in Waterbury Center with her family and overgrown garden.

802-223-2328 ext: 114 | kgallagher@vnrc.org

Jon has served as the Policy and Water Program Director for the Vermont Natural Resources Council (VNRC) since 2015. Jon previously held the positions of Water Program Director and General Counsel at VNRC before being asked in 2009 to serve as General Counsel for the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources. In 2013, Jon was appointed to Chair the Natural Resources Board (NRB), which administers the Act 250 program, Vermont’s statewide land use program. In addition Jon served as Director of the Vermont Water Resources Board, Director of the Law Center for the Vermont League of Cities and Towns, Act 250 Land Use Attorney for the State of Vermont, and in the Legislative and Legal Affairs Department of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection. Jon received a B.A. in Psychology from SUNY Binghamton in 1988 and his J.D. from Quinnipiac College School of Law in 1991.

802-223-2328 ext: 111 | jgroveman@vnrc.org

Colin joined VNRC in 2018, and has a background in environmental education, social work, and energy project management. He holds an M.S. in Environmental Policy and Sustainability Management from The New School and a B.A. in Social Science from Ramapo College of New Jersey. Colin's appreciation for effective environmental policy was shaped through various educational experiences, including undergraduate research into the social and environmental impacts of lead contamination, a study abroad program in applied sustainability at the Findhorn Ecovillage in Scotland, and graduate work managing a feasibility study to design and build a microgrid for a group of New York City hospitals with the purpose of incorporating renewables, improving energy efficiency, and ensuring resilience in the event of a grid outage. Colin lives in Burlington, and serves on the board of the Vermont Solidarity Investing Club, a group dedicated to supporting cooperative enterprises. In his spare time, Colin enjoys hiking, gardening, paddle boarding, and reading about all things science and nature.

802-223-2328 ext: 119 | ckeegan@vnrc.org

Louise Lintilhac joined VNRC as Communications Director in 2025, working to convey the diverse and impactful programs and policies that the organization strives to steward and shape for the Vermont community and landscape. Louise graduated from Middlebury College in 2007 with a degree in Environmental Science, and in 2013, she earned a master’s degree in Environmental Thought and Culture at the Rubenstein School of the University of Vermont. She is dedicated to a life spent both enjoying and preserving active opportunities outside and so chose to dive into communications in the Outdoor Industry following her graduate education, first as managing editor of Backcountry Magazine and then as Senior Brand Manager for the Vermont marketing and PR firm Press Forward Agency. When she’s not at work, you can find Louise exploring the outdoors by bike, ski or stand up paddle board near her home of Waterbury, Vermont.

802-223-2328 ext: 120 | llintilhac@vnrc.org

Johanna Miller is the Energy & Climate Program Director for the Vermont Natural Resources Council (VNRC). Johanna also serves as the coordinator of the Vermont Energy and Climate Action Network (VECAN), the statewide network of 120+ town energy committees and the partners who support them. In these roles, Johanna works from the grassroots to the Legislature to help advance clean energy and climate action programs and policies. In 2020, Johanna was appointed to the 23-member Vermont Climate Council, which is charged with crafting a plan to meet the climate mitigation, adaptation and resilience requirements of the Global Warming Solutions Act.

Before that, in 2017, Johanna was appointed as a member of Governor Phil Scott’s Climate Action Commission, and she also serves on the board of the Clean Energy Development Fund, the Vermont Energy Education Program board, and the Vermont System Planning Committee. Prior to joining VNRC in 2005, Johanna spent five years working as an organizer and policy expert for a statewide environmental policy and advocacy organization in Michigan. Johanna is a graduate of the University of Vermont and lives with her family in Montpelier.

802-223-2328 ext: 112 | jmiller@vnrc.org

Tara joined VNRC in 2026 as the Forest & Wildlife Program Director, working to protect and strengthen the natural systems that sustain our human and natural communities. Throughout their career, Tara has worked at the intersection of science, advocacy, and public policy, helping turn research into real-world conservation outcomes. They hold a Ph.D. in Ecology from Boston University, where their research focused on how climate change and human activities affect plant and wildlife communities. Tara's past work has included advocating for responsible clean energy development across the Northeast, supporting Environmental Justice communities in developing policy solutions to coal dust pollution in Virginia, and conducting plant ecology research in Norway and Maine. Outside of work, they enjoy hiking, cross-country skiing, reading, songwriting, and baking many-layered cakes.

802-223-2328 ext: 117 | tmiller@vnrc.org

As a VNRC staff member for over twenty-five years, Stephanie brings a broad, diverse knowledge of VNRC’s history, foundation contacts and donors to the table. Her previous positions include fundraising work for the Jackson Hole Land Trust, the Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance and the Northern Rockies Conservation Cooperative. Stephanie completed a double major in environmental studies and creative writing from St. Lawrence University. She lives in Burlington with her husband, son Owen and daughter Sadie.

802-223-2328 ext: 113 | smueller@vnrc.org

Jack joined the VNRC team in February of 2025 as the Climate Action Coordinator. He comes to VNRC with a background in electoral and environmental organizing. After working at VPIRG as a canvasser and assistant canvass director in the summers of 2022 and 2023, Jack joined the Vermont House Democrats as a campaign coordinator to support candidates, events, and campaign fundraising efforts. He then served as Organizing Director for the Vermont Democratic Party's 2024 Coordinated Campaign. Jack is passionate about engaging community members and elevating their voices in support of bold climate action. He graduated from the University of Vermont with a B.A. in Philosophy and Political Science. In his free time, Jack enjoys playing music, reading, and spending time with his partner Carly, and cats Gilbert and June.

802-223-2328 ext: 115 | jpitblado@vnrc.org

Maggie joined the communications team at VNRC in July 2024. Maggie is passionate about using the power of digital marketing to promote environmental responsibility and sustainability. In her past work, she’s worked at a diverse array of local nonprofits like Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility and the Center for Research on Vermont, as well as Rhode Island-based Creature Conserve and Northern Virginia-based Phoenix Bikes. Most recently, she worked as the Marketing Coordinator at Turtle Fur, an outdoor retailer and BCorp. When she’s not marketing, she enjoys hiking, biking, hunting for vintage clothes, and watching scary movies. She lives in Burlington with her partner and two cats.

802-223-2328 ext: 121 | mrichardson@vnrc.org

Evelyn joined the VNRC team in August 2024 as the Climate Action Organizer. She graduated from the University of Vermont’s Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources where she received a BS in Environmental Studies and a minor in Equine Studies. Born and bred in Vermont, Evelyn has a long-standing passion for the environment. She has been involved in climate action work in the state for a number of years, beginning with the Youth Lobby in high school. More recently she has worked for VPIRG and completed the EAN summer research internship before joining the team. In her free time, Evelyn competes in the equestrian discipline of dressage with her horse Don Quixote. She also enjoys spending time outdoors, especially when her corgi Arthur can come along.

802-223-2328 ext: 116 | eseidner@vnrc.org

Emily Shaw joined VNRC in May 2023. After receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Wheaton College, MA, she worked as the Office Manager of the Manchester Music Festival in her hometown of Manchester, VT. That experience has provided her with a background in non-profit administration. An eighth-generation Vermonter, Emily enjoys hiking, skiing/snowboarding, and spending time in the beautiful outdoors.

802-223-2328 ext: 110 | eshaw@vnrc.org

Sereena Knight joined the VNRC team in January as our Legislative Intern for 2026. Born and raised in Maryland, she graduated from Dartmouth College in 2024 with a double major in Environmental Studies and History and a minor in French. Sereena has a deep passion for environmental advocacy, and has supported environmental policy in domestic and international settings, including as a Legislative Intern in the U.S. Senate and a Policy Intern at the Embassy of Grenada to the U.S./Permanent Mission of Grenada to the Organization of American States. As an undergraduate, she analyzed the impacts of the Great Vermont Flood of 2023 on communities in South-Central Vermont. Sereena is interested in broadening her experience in environmental policy and research and supporting the work of local communities and organizations to build climate resilience and advocate for stronger environmental protections. In her free time, Sereena enjoys listening to music and DJing, hiking and seasonal outdoor activities, and traveling to explore new cultures.

802-223-2328 ext: |

Dan joined VCV as Executive Director in 2025. He previously worked as Climate Action Coordinator for VNRC, where he led the organization's grassroots climate organizing work and supported the Vermont Energy and Climate Action Network (VECAN). Before joining VNRC, Dan was the Movement Politics Director and Organizing Director for Rights and Democracy in Vermont. Dan served in various roles in community organizations and unions in Michigan and New York before moving to Vermont in 2019. Dan holds a B.A. in History and Communication from Albion College and lives in Plainfield with his wife Mo.

802-223-2328 ext: 118 | dfingas@vermontconservationvoters.org

Justin Marsh joined VCV in 2022 as Political Outreach Director bringing a decade's worth of communications, conservation, and campaign experience with them. In 2012, they ran for the state legislature and have worked on several historic campaigns since. They are a published editor (Tasteful Traditions, Red Barn Books, 2014), and have held or currently serve in several positions on local non-profit and municipal boards. In 2016, they helped write the grant known as The Silo Project, which transformed two abandoned concrete silos on preserved land into the largest outdoor public art installment in the state of Vermont. In 2020, as chair of Cambridge Conservation Commission, they were instrumental in the conservation of 51 acres of land now known as the Peter A. Krusch Nature Preserve. Prior to joining VCV, they were the lead organizer of the Pride Vermont Parade & Festival as well as Director of Communications & Development at Pride Center of Vermont. They are an alum of Vermont State University and currently reside in Cambridge on their family's farm and sugar bush.

802-223-2328 ext: 125 | jmarsh@vermontconservationvoters.org