Thasya recently joined the Chesapeake Bay Trust in January 2023 as a Restoration Program Officer.  In her current role, she will support restoration programs that include stormwater practices such as green infrastructure, agricultural best management practices, submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) restoration, living shorelines, and marine debris removal. Thasya has a background in environmental science and policy with a B.S. in Earth and Environmental Science and a M.S. in Agriscience Education both from North Carolina A&T State University.  She holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Policy and Risk Management from Florida A&M University.

Prior to joining the Trust, Thasya was an Adjunct Professor and Recruitment Advisor at Forsyth Technical Community College in Winston-Salem, NC where she developed the online curricula for all the environmental science and policy courses, advised and mentored students in the college’s STEM program, was involved with community engagement and outreach activities and initiatives, and assisted with student recruitment and retention.

Before working at the college, Thasya was a Water Resources Manager at the Wake County Department of Environmental Services – Water Quality Division in Raleigh, NC.  She obtained a Postdoctoral Fellow assignment with the American Meteorological Society (AMS) – Policy Program in Washington D.C. after the completion of her doctoral degree. In September 2018, Thasya was selected as a scholar to participate in the prestigious Future Faculty Career Exploration Program (FFCEP) at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), in Rochester, NY.  Her previous scientific work includes research in stormwater management, water quality protection and restoration, and policy analysis and implementation.

Danielle joined the Chesapeake Bay Trust in November 2022 as a Program Officer on the Outreach and Education team.

Prior to joining the Trust, she worked as a Program Director at the nonprofit Fresh Approach, overseeing outreach and education programs related to sustainable food systems and nutrition. She has experience developing and managing community engagement initiatives, outreach campaigns and education programs that connect the intersecting areas of environmental sustainability, food justice, social justice, and community health.

Danielle holds a Master of Public Health degree from the University of Washington, and is a Registered Dietician.

Kathy joined the Trust in January 2020. She supports the programmatic team through management of the Clean Water Montgomery Grant Program, Prince George’s County Rain Check Rebate Program, and the Community Engagement and Restoration Mini Grant Program.

Prior to joining the Trust as a full-time staff member, Kathy served as the intern for the Prince George’s County Rain Check Rebate Program at the Trust. She received her B.S. in Biology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and is currently working towards a Master’s in Public Health at Johns Hopkins. Kathy looks forward to continuing to support the work and relationships maintained by the Trust in her role.

Marylin Veiman Echeverría is a Program Officer on the Outreach and Education team at the Chesapeake Bay Trust. Marylin is Costa Rican and received her bachelor’s degree in Ecological Tourism from the Universidad de Costa Rica, an International Diploma in Environmental Education for Conservation of Natural Resources from the Universidad de Guadalajara in Mexico, and a master’s degree in Sustainable Community Development from the Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica. Marylin has helped to develop and implement environmental education programming both internationally and locally in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. She previously led a highly impactful environmental education and civic engagement campaign to protect two watersheds in the coastal city of Limón, Costa Rica. Marylin also directed the environmental education program at the La Selva Biological Station of the Organization for Tropical Studies. Through these roles, Marylin has worked closely with communities, educators, youth, and scientists to communicate science, enhance pride in natural resources, and engage communities in conservation actions that benefit both community health and environmental well-being.

Megan joined the trust in January 2023 as the Program Coordinator supporting the Prince George’s County Stormwater Stewardship Grant Program and the Prince George’s County Rain Check Rebate Program. In the past, Megan has worked with a variety of coastal ecosystems, from New Jersey to Hawaii, and is excited to begin work on the Chesapeake Bay!

Prior to joining the trust, Megan recently completed her Master of Science in Marine Science from Hawaii Pacific University where she studied bioindicators reflecting restoration status in a coral reef ecosystem. During her time in Hawaii, Megan also served as a STEM Mentor for the Girls in Tech STEM Camp, where she expanded her passions for environmental education and youth engagement. Megan has past experiences monitoring water quality and marine debris in New Jersey with the Delaware River Basin Commission and Clean Ocean Action. Megan received her Bachelor of Science in Environment and Natural Resources from the Ohio State University, where she also served as the Director of Events for BuckeyeThon, Ohio’s largest student philanthropy focused on engaging the community and supporting the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. In her free time, Megan enjoys kayaking, hiking, SCUBA diving, reading, and traveling to new places.

Carlton Burns joined the Chesapeake Bay Trust in December 2021. He serves as the Program Coordinator for the Education and Outreach team. Carlton has been involved in Environmental Education and Youth Program Development for over a decade.

Prior to joining the Trust, he served San Juan County, WA as a Field Specialist and Steward where he helped to manage and maintain multiple environmental preservation initiatives. Carlton has also worked with the National Park Service, Northwest Youth Corps, AmeriCorps, and Student Conservation Association.

Carlton was born and raised in Prince George’s County, Maryland, and an alumnus of Salisbury University, earning his BA in Human Communications in 2016. He enjoys reading, spending time outdoors, hiking, backpacking, creative writing, and exploring music.

Amber Cameron joined the Chesapeake Bay Trust in October 2022.  She serves as a Program Coordinator for the Education and Outreach and Restoration teams.

Prior to joining the Trust, Amber was a career and educational counselor and committed food rescue volunteer.  From 2021-2022, she served as a member of the Sustainable Banking and Investments Task Force for the City of Takoma Park, Maryland, her hometown.

Amber was born in Washington, DC and raised in Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties, Maryland.  Amber holds BAs in Mathematics and Psychology, and a MSc in Social and Organizational Psychology.  She enjoys spending time in nature, reading, traveling, and interior designing utilizing reused items.

Whitney joined the Trust in April 2021. She supports the programmatic team through management of the Anne Arundel County Forestry and Forested Land Protection Grant Program and Anne Arundel Community Tree Planting Mini Grant Program. Additionally, Whitney assists with the Trust’s mapping efforts, including the Trust Awarded Projects Map.

Prior to joining the Trust, Whitney received her B.S. in Environmental Science and Policy concentrating in Biodiversity and Conservation Biology and a minor in Geographic Information Sciences (GIS) from the University of Maryland, College Park. Her internship experiences have included collecting bat echolocation calls around central Maryland and serving as a Doris Duke Conservation Scholar at the University of Michigan.

Whitney is passionate about the conservation of our vulnerable biodiversity and habitats amid global environmental change and promoting a sustainable future between our natural resources and local communities.

Craig (they/he) joined the Trust in August of 2022 as a program assistant in the education division. They graduated from Denison University in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies & educational studies with a minor in art history. During their time at Denison, Craig learned to communicate about environmental issues with people across generational and cultural contexts.

Craig has always been passionate about Maryland’s local ecology and making other people feel connected to it. Having worked previously with many other organizations in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, Craig brings in a first-person understanding of many aspects of the work we support.

Bridget (she/her/hers) joined the Chesapeake Bay Trust in December 2022, working as a Program Assistant to the Urban Trees team. Prior to joining the Trust, Bridget worked as the Maryland Oyster Gardening Assistant for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

Bridget graduated from St. Mary’s College of Maryland in May of 2022 with her B.S. in Biochemistry and Neuroscience. She loved going to school on the St. Mary’s River and getting to be out on the water everyday as a member of the varsity women’s rowing team.

Bridget is excited to support the Trust and the Urban Trees team in their mission to create greener communities in underserved areas.

Hayley joined the Chesapeake Bay Trust in August 2022 where she supports the Restoration and Education/Outreach programs. Prior to working at the Trust, she served as a Graduate Public Administration Fellow and Research Assistant with the University of Delaware Water Resources Center. She holds a M.P.A. concentrating in Environmental and Water Policy and a B.S. in Marine Studies from the University of Delaware.

Originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Hayley is looking forward to making the transition from the Delaware River to the Chesapeake Bay. She is excited to work with the Trust and to help support their mission to promote the health of the Chesapeake Bay and to engage and empower local communities.