Staff & Board

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Staff

Gail Farmer

Executive Director

Gail brings to Wissahickon Trails 22 years of experience in the environmental nonprofit sector. When asked to summarize her role in a single word, she said “relationships.” She spends her time in partnership with staff, board, donors, and other community leaders to ensure that Wissahickon Trails is able to effectively fulfill its mission today, tomorrow, and for many years to come.

Gail currently serves on the Montgomery County Planning Commission’s Open Space Board, the Board of Directors for WeConservePA, the Water Quality Advisory Committee of the Delaware River Basin Commission, and is an advisor to the Wissahickon Clean Water Partnership. She is a Senior Fellow of the Environmental Leadership Program and a Community Scholars Fellow of the University of Pennsylvania. In 2018, she received PennFuture’s Woman of Community Engagement and Environmental Education Leadership Award. Gail earned her M.Sc. in Environmental and Forest Biology from the S.U.N.Y College of Environmental Sciences and Forestry in 2001.

Gail lives in the Wissahickon watershed with her husband and two boys who share her passion for protecting, stewarding, and enjoying the natural world. In her out-of-office time, Gail is an associate member of her township's Environmental Advisory Commission and she likes to read, spend time with her family, and write and play music with her band.

Development Department

Anna Marchini

Development Director

Anna creates opportunities for people to invest in work that is meaningful to them. A native New Yorker, Anna spent nearly a decade in Seattle before settling in Philadelphia. She began her professional career in the environmental field as a New York City Park Ranger, where her duties ranged from education programs to wildlife rescues to park enforcement. She firmly believes in access to open space and a healthy environment for everyone. Anna is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) and is an active member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP)-Philadelphia chapter.

Anna is mom to two daughters, an ardent coffee drinker, amateur birder, and occasional runner.
Lisa Hansell

Senior Development Manager

Lisa manages our fundraising events and corporate giving. She started at Wissahickon Trails in 2003 and over the years, she has enjoyed getting to know many of our donors, sponsors, and volunteers. Lisa loves to keep it local. She grew up and still resides in the Wissahickon watershed in Abington Township.

Lisa loves to cook, especially using her veggies from Pennypack Farm, where she also volunteers. You might have met her husband, Todd, and daughters, Anna and Zoë, at a variety of Wissahickon Trails events. She keeps her cats at home, Edward, Jasper, Jake and Tito, but loves to share them on social media.
Samantha Douglas

Development Manager

Samantha has joined the team as the Development Manager – Donor Stewardship. She has served in Development for over 5 years, most of those taking place at Tryon Palace in New Bern, NC. Samantha works for Wissahickon Trails because she has a lifelong appreciation for natural beauty and enjoying the water.

Samantha calls the Southern Outer Banks of NC home, where she was always at the beach. "Water and people" are not just a slogan, it’s how she was raised. You can most likely find her on the trails with her family, or at home watching “The Office”- again.
Maureen Boring

Development & Executive Assistant

Maureen has joined Wissahickon Trails as the Development & Executive Assistant. With a background in financial services and a Master's degree in Human Services Administration from Chestnut Hill College, Maureen blends analytical acumen with a deep commitment to community service. Having spent most of her life living in the Wissahickon Watershed, Maureen was raised to treasure spending time outdoors, engaging in an active lifestyle and exploring nature. In her free time, you can find Maureen and her family exploring the Ardsley Wildlife Sanctuary, vacationing in Sea Isle City, NJ, listening to Taylor Swift or hopping on the bandwagon of whichever Philadelphia sports team is doing well at the moment.

Engagement Department

Erin McCool

Engagement Director

Erin McCool is an education leader with more than 20 years of experience working in environmentally focused organizations. She earned a degree in Biology from Salisbury University and a graduate certificate in Environmental Communications from Duke University.

She is passionate about the power of networks and partnership and has created a strong network of experts in education, nonprofits and environmental conservation to advance access to nature and environmental literacy. She currently serves on the PA Environmental Literacy Capacity Building steering committee and is active in the STEM education community. She is a member of PA SEED and the Pennsylvania Science Leadership network (PenSel), working to support teachers and schools in transitioning to the new PA STEELS academic standards.

Erin's influence extends nationally as a member of the facilitation team for Open Sci Ed. Collaborating with educators across the country, she strives to advance innovative science teaching and learning that supports all learners.

Beyond her professional commitments, Erin finds joy in spending quality time with her husband and two children. Whether engaging in sports, theater, or traveling, she embraces a well-rounded life. An avid runner, Erin can often be spotted on the trails, training for upcoming races with fellow mom runners. Notably, she serves as the chair of her township's Environmental Advisory Council (EAC), embodying her commitment to environmental stewardship in both her personal and professional spheres.
Kristy Morley

Senior Naturalist

A lifelong resident of the Delaware Valley (if you don’t count the two years in Minnesota), Kristy grew up with Herrontown Woods as her backyard, fostering an early love of nature and the outdoors. An extreme bird nerd and avid photographer, Kristy enjoys helping people to understand how everything is connected in the natural world. Kristy is the Christmas Bird Count Compiler for the Wyncote Audubon Society’s circle and serves on the Advisory Committee for City Nature Challenge.

In her down time, Kristy can be found studying field guides for her next birding adventure, reading, enjoying old movies with her wife or playing with their dogs Oliver and Henry.
Alex McWhorter

Outreach Manager

From volunteer coordination to outreach planning, Alex is our point person for community members and local organizations looking to make an impact.

After graduating with a journalism degree from the University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!), Alex spent nearly a decade in the media industry. But after living across the breadth of the west coast, he is now incorporating his love for the outdoors into a new career path. He is an avid hiker, biker, kayaker, rock climber, reader and writer – when his rambunctious dog, Boone, will allow.
Eryn Jackson

Environmental Educator

Eryn is an experienced educator, working with students k-12 for over 10 years. She leads field experiences and classroom lessons as a part of our education program. Educating in the outdoors is Eryn's passion and she loves to see how excited and interested students are when they can experience their world hands on. Learning from doing and using your senses is her favorite way to teach!

In her spare time, Eryn can be found in the garden, or hiking and traveling with her family. She is also involved with Girl Scouts of Eastern PA, leading a troop. Her favorite National Park is Olympic National Park in Washington because of the great diversity in ecosystems and organisms as well as the beauty of the area.

Eryn is a Pennsylvania certified teacher with degrees in Environmental Studies, Geology and Education.

Conservation Department

John Ferro

Conservation Director

John oversees our work to protect open space and the health of the Wissahickon Creek, improve habitats and trails, and monitor wildlife communities. He has been with Wissahickon Trails since 2008 and in that time has built strong relationships with partners and volunteers. John grew up close to the Wissahickon and spent his childhood around the creek.
Margaret Rohde

Conservation Manager

Margaret plans and implements habitat and trail restoration and management, monitors conservation easements, and oversees the bird banding program. Margaret is an NABC Certified Bird Bander and serves on Wyncote Audubon's Board of Directors. Her love of the natural world led to a degree in Environmental Studies and after a few nomadic years working with birds in five different states, she joined Wissahickon Trails in 2015.

Margaret grew up in New Jersey, where she spent her days exploring the lakes and woods around her home. In her spare time, she’s usually birding, hiking, drawing, or carving spoons (donations of good carving wood welcome).
Erin Landis

Water Programs Manager

Erin works on efforts to improve water quality and connect people to their local streams! She has lived in the Wissahickon watershed almost her whole life, and has always loved exploring the outdoors. After graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, she worked in environmental remediation and watershed protection and also got involved in her local community’s Environmental Advisory Council before joining Wissahickon.

Erin can usually be found outside, whether it’s hiking, camping (or even backpacking on ambitious weekends) or rock climbing! She loves good food (less so cooking it) and she can’t survive a day without chocolate.
Tom Voter

Stewardship Assistant

Tom joined the Conservation team in 2022 to assist with habitat restoration and trail management. He brings a passion for the outdoors and wildlife to his daily duties maintaining the trails, monitoring habitat, coordinating volunteer conservation projects, and assisting with daily operations.

Tom grew up in the Wissahickon watershed where his interest in nature was cemented exploring around the creek. He spends his free time birding, biking, and backpacking. Stop and say hi if you find him on the trail!
Steve Blubaugh

Head Miller

Steve oversees the stewardship of our Evans-Mumbower Mill. This includes everything from ensuring that the facility is maintained and operational to educating visitors of all ages. Steve has had a lifelong interest in history and technology innovation. For nearly 25 years, he was a volunteer Miller’s Assistant and docent at the Mill, and recently retired from a career as an electronics technician. Steve loves interacting with visitors to the mill and hearing their impressions of the experience. He also enjoys his role as “super miller” for the education program.

In his free time, Steve is an avid reader and bicyclist and enjoys attending a variety of concerts with his wife and friends.

General Administration

Michaelle Fleisher

Finance & Human Resources Director

Michaelle (pronounced ‘Michelle’) believes that giving back to your community is a priority and feels so lucky that she can work for Wissahickon Trails. Michaelle spent the first 35 years of her career in business. She is responsible for all aspects of Finance and Human Resources. Michaelle is a long time community volunteer, she is a past Chairperson and 21 year Board member for the Ambler Y Board and is currently Treasurer of the Wissahickon Valley Public Library.

She and her husband love art, hiking, gardens and travel. She is accompanied almost everywhere by her yellow lab Nellie, or maybe it’s the other way around!
Madalyn Neff

Communications Specialist

Madalyn enjoys connecting with the community to share the mission and work of Wissahickon Trails. She is responsible for the website, social media, and all print and digital communications. She grew up in central Pennsylvania, where she took wooded areas and open space for granted. While attending Temple University, she discovered she could have a career that merged her passion for communicating with environmental conservation.

She enjoys hiking, reading, traveling with her husband, and playing with their dog, Luna.
Caz Tobin

Administrative/Operations Assistant

Caz has joined our team as the Administrative and Operations Assistant. Since graduating with a degree in Recreation and Parks Management from Frostburg State University, they have gained a variety of experience ranging from customer service to program planning. They look forward to helping advance the mission of Wissahickon Trails in any way they can.

Caz is an avid collector of VHS tapes and vinyl. They enjoy cooking for their partner, watching whatever sport is in season, and going on hikes with their dog, Ducky.

Office Dogs

Henry Morley

Director of Underdogs

Loves cuddles and treats. Afraid of thunder.
Nellie Fleisher

Chief Greeting Officer

Loves to meet you, make you feel welcome, shed on you, chase a ball and is very nosy.
Oliver Morley

Squeaky Toy Coordinator

Loves walks on the trails, tennis balls and de-stuffing toys.

Board of Directors

Kristen Haugen

Chair

I am the Director of Academic Advancement at the Meadowbrook School in Abington. Data-driven academic innovation is my favorite way to bring life to learning. I enjoy cooking, hiking, and painting in my free time.

What's one environmentally friendly practice that you have adopted and why?
My family loves conifers. We have over 500 different species planted at our house- most of them dwarf varieties. Unfortunately, the deer love them, too. To discourage browsing, we make our own deer repellent with old eggs, milk, dishwashing liquid, water, and chili powder.
Wendy Weirman

Vice Chair

Before retiring, I was the Director of Therapeutic Recreation at Magee Rehabilitation Hospital in Philadelphia. I have been involved with Wissahickon Trails for more than 20 years. I've enjoyed volunteering for a wide variety of organizations, including Upper Gwynedd Township Parks and Recreation Board, American Association of University Women in Lansdale, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, Youth Conservation Corps of Bucks County, and served as Judge of Elections in Upper Gwynedd. My family and I love spending time outdoors. In my spare time, you can find me bicycling, paddling, running, swimming, skiing, hiking, or cheering from the stands at Penn State football games (my alma mater).
Keith Eby

Treasurer

I am a lifelong resident of Lower Gwynedd and currently live in Gwynedd Valley with my wife, Michele, our twin daughters, and dog, Finley. I am a portfolio manager with Haverford Trust where I'm responsible for helping the individuals and institutions I work with manage current and future financial needs, as well as helping them steward their assets to future generations.

Why did you join Wissahickon Trails' board?
Over the years, I have walked my dogs on many of the properties preserved by Wissahickon Trails and shared numerous adventures with my family along the Wissahickon and its tributaries.  I am proud of what Wissahickon Trails has accomplished and hope to help them make great contributions to our community in the future.
Darrell Gunter

Secretary

I am a digital publishing executive with a very strong sense of community service. I enjoy my international client base and sharing with them the great work of Wissahickon Trails. I enjoy time with my wife Deb, daughter Bailee and her fiancé Wynfield Rall, and our fur babies.

What is one thing you want people to know about you?
That I have a strong sense of community and youth development.

What's something you have learned since becoming involved with Wissahickon Trails?
When being on the trail, to not disrupt nature and leave logs that are not on the path alone.
Bob Brockway

I am a retired President/COO of a large independent soft drink company. I am excited about applying my general management skills including strategic and financial planning to non-profit organizations. I have lived in Lower Gwynedd for 25 years and truly appreciate the open space beauty and the trails/waterways in our community. My children / grandchildren live in the area and my wife and I would like to help leave as much of this blessing to future generations.

What's one environmentally friendly practice that you have adopted and why?
Plastic bottles have a negative impact on our environment. As a board member of the Pepsi Cola Bottlers Association, we encouraged Pepsico to adopt environmentally responsible packaging which helped pressure our parent company to develop new biodegradable packaging enabling significantly reduced plastic disposition in our country's landfills. I will continue to advocate for innovations required to solve this important environmental issue.
Suzanne Bush

I am curious about the world--from the critters in our yard (there are lots of them!), to the ways geography has been destiny for people throughout the world. I'm a writer and an animal lover, and my husband and I are chronic travelers.

What's one environmentally friendly practice that you have adopted and why?
Composting! It's a great way to turn veggie scraps, coffee grounds and egg shells into fabulous fertilizer for the garden.

What's a practice you have changed since becoming involved with Wissahickon Trails?
My husband and I are much more intentional about what we plant and where, so we avoid planting species that are invasive; we look for plants that pollinators like and trees that are native. And, no chemicals on the lawn, on the weeds or in the garden!

Why did you join Wissahickon Trails' board?
I have been a volunteer at Wissahickon Trails for more than 20 years, and believe that open spaces and trails are amazing gifts. It has been a privilege to be part of the board.
John S. Han

I am a Trial Attorney at High Swartz LLP, the oldest law firm in Montgomery County, with 30 years of public service as a Military Trial Judge for the United States Navy, federal prosecutor for the United States Department of Justice, Assistant District Attorney, and defense counsel. I am actively engaged in diverse community activities, and serve on the Board of Directors for the Montgomery Bar Association, the Philip Jaisohn Memorial Foundation, and the Montgomery County Community College Foundation. I am fluent in Korean and Italian.

What's something you have learned since becoming involved with Wissahickon Trails?

Wissahickon Trails is committed to improving and advancing diversity and inclusion in our community.

Why did you join Wissahickon Trails' board?

To strategically leverage my leadership and community building skills and experience to assist Wissahickon Trails in successfully carrying out its mission.
Kate Harper

As a lawyer and former state representative, I have been an open space advocate for years. As a Lower Gwynedd Supervisor, I helped to save the Penllyn Woods from development. Recently, I served on the committee that wrote "Return On Environment," a study about how Montgomery County's open spaces produce real economic benefits for its citizens. In my spare time, I ride horses on the Wissahickon Trails.

What is your favorite preserve to visit?
Anywhere along the Wissahickon Creek.
Sara Hertz

I have worked and volunteered in nonprofit leadership and resource development for more than 30 years. I have had the privilege of working for local and national organizations throughout the U.S. and the U.K.. They include The Nature Conservancy, World Wildlife Fund, Philadelphia Zoo, the Academy of Natural Sciences, and Philabundance. In my work-life, I work closely with volunteer boards. I've also served as an elected official at the local level.

What is one thing you want people to know about you?
I am a committed locavore. I live in the Wissahickon Watershed. I make every effort to invest in, and support my local community, whether by holding elected office, shopping in town or heading to my local nonprofit theater, if I can walk there, it's better.

Why did you join Wissahickon Trails' board?
Wissahickon Trails is a dynamic and impactful organization whose staff make a difference every day through education and conservation. I'm proud to contribute what I can to ensuring its long-term wellbeing.
Patrick Hitchens

I am an attorney with Kilkenny Law, LLC where my primary practice is in the areas of land use and municipal law and representing various municipalities and zoning hearing boards in Montgomery and Bucks Counties. As a municipal lawyer, I am able to combine my long-held interests in government, community service and preservation. When not at municipal night meetings or busy with our three kids, my wife and I enjoy cooking, gardening and spending time with family and friends.

What's one environmentally friendly practice that you have adopted and why?
We actively teach our children the value of activities such as recycling, water conservation, plastic reduction and environmental awareness. I also enjoy gardening, especially learning about native plants and shrubs that benefit the local biosphere while beautifying our home.

What is your favorite preserve to visit?
Four Mills Nature Reserve
Nancy B. Kreider

I was introduced to Wissahickon Trails through volunteer work in the school-based education program and have become passionate with regard to its importance to our organization and our community. It is my goal to aid in the education of our entire community about the importance of environmental stewardship and the joys of getting into the woods. I can be found hiking on the trails whenever I have a bit of free time!

What's something you have learned since becoming involved with Wissahickon Trails?
I am much more conscious of how all of the stormwater and stormwater drains in our area end up in the Wissahickon Creek and what we do on our own property effects everything and everyone downstream.

What is your favorite preserve to visit?
I enjoy walking in Camp Woods and Armentrout Preserve and very much look forward to the connection of these preserves with Briar Hill Preserve!
Ann Laughlin

I am passionate about the outdoor environment, the field of horticulture, and landscape design. I co-founded and lead Eco-Chic Gardens, a residential landscape company, in partnership with Kimberly Lock for 15 years. My background includes expertise in horticulture business development, business systems and human resources. I believe that plants, horticulture and working in the landscape are fun ways to connect people with nature. When I am not working, you can usually find me with family or friends, at the yoga studio, or with a book, (usually nature related...I can’t help it.)

What's one environmentally friendly practice that you have adopted and why?
Water conservation - to limit careless use of a valuable natural resource.

Why did you join Wissahickon Trails' board?
I joined Wissahickon Trails' board because I wanted to have an impact on the outdoor environment that I grew-up in and love...the Wissahickon!
Mark Schafer

I'm a Research Professor in the School of Biomedical Engineering at Drexel, and my entire career has been about developing engineering solutions to biological issues. I take the same approach with the environment, leveraging analytical skills and management experience to help the Wissahickon Watershed. I've enjoyed hiking and exploring the environment of the Wissahickon, living in the watershed for 20+ years, and I'm working to give back.

What's one environmentally friendly practice that you have adopted and why?
I've actively changed our approach to managing the environment around our home to make it more multi-species friendly, from plants to insects to birds to (small) mammals.

What is your favorite program to attend?
Walk the Wissahickon in September!
Harm Scherpbier

I love to be out on the trails -- running, hiking, bird watching, guiding hikes, or doing trail work with the conservation crew. When not outdoors, I work as an independent Health IT Advisor and teach at the Jefferson College of Population Health. My wife, Titia, and I grew up in the Netherlands, moved to the US over 30 years ago, and now live in Fort Washington, PA.

What's one environmentally friendly practice that you have adopted and why?
I like to pretend that I don't have a car and do all my local trips by e-bike. It helps reduce my carbon footprint, and it's fun!

What's something you have learned since becoming involved with Wissahickon Trails?
On the trails, we often see a new bird or a plant and we use iNaturalist or Merlin to look up the names, and so we learn while we're hiking.
Kristian Smith

By day, I am a non-profit professional managing fundraising programs that grow and engage a committed constituency and government affairs efforts that mobilize the power of community support. Beyond the office, I am grateful to reside within the Wissahickon Watershed and appreciate finding new ways to inspire others to get outdoors and get involved in the community.

What's one environmentally friendly practice that you have adopted and why?
As someone who lives along a tributary of the Wissahickon Watershed, I am continually learning better yard care strategies and gradually converting my landscaping to native plants. Not only is better for the birds and insects who live along the creek, it’s fun and great outdoor exercise!
John Tierney

I am a retired partner from Ernst & Young, passionate about education and development of our children, mentoring, coaching and teaching.

What's one environmentally friendly practice that you have adopted and why?
Switched to environmentally appropriate care of home landscape as I learn more about how we impact our environment.

What is one thing you want people to know about you?
I am an engaged Penn State alum involved in student mentoring and advisory board.

What is your favorite preserve to visit?
Hiking the Green Ribbon Trail