Meet the Trust
Jana Davis, Ph.D., President | 410-974-2941 x100 | jdavis@cbtrust.org
Dr. Jana Davis is the President of the Chesapeake Bay Trust, overseeing its work on watershed restoration, education, outreach, and innovation. Jana has been at the Trust since 2005, first as Assistant Director for Programs then as Associate Executive Director prior to assuming the role of President. Jana is trained as a marine ecologist, with a B.S. in biology from Yale University and a Ph.D. in oceanography from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and has spent her career working at the intersection of science and policy. Her previous scientific work includes research in the applied realms of fisheries, aquaculture, and shoreline habitat restoration at Scripps; at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, where she was a postdoctoral fellow; and at the Williams College – Mystic Seaport Maritime Studies Program, where she was an oceanography faculty member.
Prior to coming to the Trust, Jana served as an American Association for the Advancement of Science Congressional Science Fellow in the United States Senate, sponsored by the American Geophysical Union. Jana continues an active research program on shoreline restoration and ecology issues.
Finance and Administration
Jeanne Nelson
Vice President of Finance and Administration
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jnelson@cbtrust.org
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Jeanne leads the accounting, budgeting, investing and financial reporting activities for the Trust. She is also responsible for human resources, information technology, and facilities as Vice President of Finance and Administration. She has extensive experience in accounting, treasury, and operations within financial services, energy, and telecommunications industries and Fortune 500 companies. She has held several accounting positions in various industries throughout her career. She has held leadership positions at Constellation Energy, where she was responsible for the firm’s treasury operations, and Morgan Stanley, where she managed the check deposit operations for the retail banking division. Most recently, Jeanne was Vice President, Operations at a privately held energy services organization, Resource Energy, where she was responsible for all day to day operations of the firm.
Jeanne received her BS degree in Accounting from the University of Maryland. She also holds a Certified Treasury Professional credential from the Association of Financial Professionals.
In addition to her work at the Trust, Jeanne also is an active midshipman sponsor at the United States Naval Academy.
Becky Loomis
Accountant
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bloomis@cbtrust.org
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Becky Loomis joined the Chesapeake Bay Trust in December 2021 as an Accountant (part-time), supporting the accounting and finance team. Prior to joining the Trust, Becky spent 6 years as Director of Administration for a local not-for-profit, overseeing the financial management, accounting, and operations of the organization. She also spent a decade in the personal financial services industry with Northwestern Mutual. Since 2015, she has volunteered with Safe Families for Children, serving children and families in crisis. A native of Michigan, Becky holds a B.A. in Communication from Hope College in Holland, MI.
Greg Trenchard
Grant Accountant
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gtrenchard@cbtrust.org
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Greg joined the Trust in 2023 in the newly created Grant Accountant position where he will serve as a liaison between program administration and finance staff with the goal of increasing efficiencies in compliance and reporting. Greg brings with him several years of auditing and compliance experience in both the public and governmental arenas. He holds a master’s degree in Forensic Studies, Accounting and a BS in Business Administration, minor in Accounting. Outside of work, he enjoys photographing the nature, wildlife, and scenery within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.
Grant Managers and Technical Assistance
Kacey Wetzel
Vice President of Programs for Outreach & Education
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kwetzel@cbtrust.org
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Kacey Wetzel joined the Chesapeake Bay Trust in 2007 and now leads the Trust’s Capacity Building, Community Engagement, and Environmental Education programs. Kacey works with funding partners, non-profit organizations, and community leaders to identify and develop projects that improve both community and environmental well-being.
A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Kacey graduated from Rollins College with a B.A. in Environmental Studies and holds an M.S. in Environmental Science and Policy from Johns Hopkins University, and a CPH in Social Marketing from the University of South Florida. Kacey has studied water and waste management in the Dominican Republic and environmental sustainability in Costa Rica. Prior to her work with the Chesapeake Bay Trust, she worked as an environmental scientist with SAV Engineers.
Sadie Drescher
Vice President of Programs for Restoration
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sdrescher@cbtrust.org
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Sadie joined the Chesapeake Bay Trust in 2014. At the Trust she leads the restoration programs that include implementation projects, research efforts, and innovative watershed and community engagement award programs. She has background in environmental science with a M.S. in Environmental Studies from the College of Charleston and a B.S. in Environmental Biology from Tennessee Technological University. Sadie’s work focuses on watershed restoration and stormwater management to support policy, training, and outreach initiatives. At the Trust, Sadie enjoys working with partners to form strong grant programs that benefit the water and people in the Chesapeake Bay.
Prior to joining the Trust, Sadie was a Watershed Researcher and Planner for the Center for Watershed Protection where she developed watershed management strategies for local communities and was an US EPA Chesapeake Bay Program Office coordinator. Before working at the Center, Sadie was a Research Specialist in the Science and Policy Division of SC’s coastal management program, worked at the USDA Center for Forested Wetlands in SC, and was an Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education fellow for the US Department of Energy in Tennessee.
Greg Burks
Urban Trees Program Manager
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gburks@cbtrust.org
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Greg joined the Chesapeake Bay Trust in November 2021 where he manages the Urban Trees Program. He has worked for over a decade in the non-profit, community engagement, and social change space. Prior to joining the Trust, he worked for John Hopkins University and Medicine as a Senior Community Programs Manager where he led initiatives to build stronger communities by addressing social justice issues, food insecurity, and environmental restoration in underserved neighborhoods. Greg holds a BA in Clinical Psychology from Point Park University in Pittsburgh.
Sarah Koser
Program Manager
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skoser@cbtrust.org
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Sarah joined the Chesapeake Bay Trust in 2019. At the Trust she supports the restoration programs that include implementation projects, research efforts, and innovative county watershed and citizen engagement grant programs. She has a background in wetlands and environmental restoration with a M.S. in Environmental Engineering from Johns Hopkins University and a B.S. in Biology/Botany from the Pennsylvania State University. Sarah’s work focuses on watershed restoration and stormwater management to support policy, training, and outreach initiatives. At the Trust, Sarah enjoys working with partners to form strong grant programs that benefit the water and people in the Chesapeake Bay.
Sarah has almost 20 years of expertise in science-related work as a consultant. Prior to joining the Trust, Sarah was a senior scientist for EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc., PBC where she managed projects focused on habitat restoration, wetland delineation and function assessment, technical writing, conducting baseline fish, benthic, and plant surveys and stream assessments. Other experience includes conducting rare, threatened, and endangered (RTE) plant species surveys; habitat and vegetation identification and mapping; and plant identification to species level. Before working at EA, Sarah was a lab assistant at Penn State where she conducted research on the mineral uptake of Arabidopsis thaliana (mouse ear cress) and soybeans, focusing on phosphorus and the efficiency of root hair growth.
Emily Stransky
Program Manager
410-974-2941 x101
estransky@cbtrust.org
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Emily (she/her) joined the Trust in January 2015 and now leads the Trust’s Chesapeake Conservation and Climate Corps, Regional and local Outdoor Learning Network Initiatives, Community-Based Organization Capacity Building Initiative, and Watershed Assistance and Charles County Forestry grant programs.
Emily graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in Environmental Science and Policy, concentrating in Wildlife Ecology and Management. After graduating, she entered the environmental education field, participating in the Chesapeake Bay Trust’s Chesapeake Conservation Corps Program where she was stationed at Eden Mill Nature Center in Harford County, MD. Prior to starting at the Trust, she worked at Irvine Nature Center, coordinating corporate and school service projects and leading school field trips and camp-outs.
Emily is a Senior Fellow in the Environmental Leadership Program – Chesapeake Regional Network and a certified Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional.
Nguyen Le
Senior Program Officer
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nle@cbtrust.org
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Nguyen joined the Trust in February 2018. In her current role, she manages the following programs: Green Streets, Green Jobs, Green Towns; Prince George’s County Stormwater Stewardship; and Chesapeake Bay Program Goal Implementation Team Support. Nguyen also leads the Trust’s mapping efforts including the Trust’s interactive Awarded Projects Map.
Nguyen holds a Master of Natural Resources and Graduate Certificate in Global Sustainability from Virginia Tech and a B.S. in Environmental Science and Policy with a Minor in Sustainability Studies from the University of Maryland, College Park.
Prior to joining the Trust, she worked for the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB), where she served as a 2014-2015 Chesapeake Conservation Corps member (a Trust program), and then was hired by her host organization as the Education Projects Coordinator. There, she managed ICPRB’s Score Four stormwater education program, led lessons for Prince George’s County Public High Schools, and supported other ICPRB programs and goals.
Thasya Campbell, Ph.D.
Program Officer
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tcampbell@cbtrust.org
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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 Hamilton
Program Officer
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dhamilton@cbtrust.org
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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.
Katherine Somoza
Program Officer
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ksomoza@cbtrust.org
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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
Program Officer
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Mveiman@cbtrust.org
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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 Andreasen
Program Coordinator
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mandreasen@cbtrust.org
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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
Program Coordinator
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cburns@cbtrust.org
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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
Program Coordinator
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ACameron@cbtrust.org
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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 Vong
Program Coordinator
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wvong@cbtrust.org
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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 Freeland
Program Assistant
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cfreeland@cbtrust.org
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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 Robey
Program Assistant for Urban Trees
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brobey@cbtrust.org
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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 Rost
Program Assistant
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hrost@cbtrust.org
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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.
Development
Suzanne Armstrong
Vice President of Development
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sarmstrong@cbtrust.org
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Suzanne joined the Chesapeake Bay Trust in 2021 as the Vice President of Development. She works with and alongside individuals, families, and employers throughout the watershed who are committed to protecting, restoring and treasuring the Chesapeake through philanthropy. Suzanne has nearly 15 years in fundraising, communications, and project management for nonprofits, most recently as the Director of Development and Communications at New Futures and in a variety of development roles at the Washington Jesuit Academy, both in Washington, DC.
A graduate of American University’s School of International Service, Suzanne values a local approach to changing our world. She grew up in the watershed along the banks of the Susquehanna River and loves exploring the Bay as her family puts down roots in their adoptive hometown of Bowie.
Megan Sennett
Communications and Development Officer
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msennett@cbtrust.org
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Megan joined The Chesapeake Bay Trust in 2023, as the Communications and Development Officer. Her role operates as the communications lead in the service of development, marketing, programs/partnerships, media, and the overall branding of The Chesapeake Bay Trust.
As the organization’s resource for press events and media campaigns, digital marketing, and various other events, she serves the communications team as a liaison between development and marketing.
Upon graduating from Temple University (Philadelphia, PA) she began her career in broadcast news as a producer at a local NBC affiliate in her hometown in Northeastern PA. After a professional hiatus to raise a family, Megan transitioned into online marketing, developing content for websites and writing blogs, creating digital marketing campaigns, and business development. She also worked in the Hospitality Industry as a catering coordinator and banquet and sales manager for a semi-private golf club in Maryland. Most recently she served as the Communications Specialist for the Hearing and Speech Agency of Baltimore.
Megan enjoys hiking, painting, embroidery, writing, and reading. She is obsessed with movies and hopes to one day win the Academy Award for Best Screenplay.
Michelle Reid
Development Assistant
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mreid@cbtrust.org
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Michelle joined the Chesapeake Bay Trust in October 2022. Prior to joining the Trust, she held various positions supporting administrative and communication efforts in academia and the non-profit sector. She has worked for Children of Uganda, George Washington University, and the environmental nonprofit, Jefferson County Vision.
Michelle graduated from Shepherd University with a degree in Global Studies and a focus on global environmental issues. She is passionate about the intersection of environmental and social justice as well as the use of a local approach to environmental restoration. She looks forward to supporting the Trust in its mission to help communities connect with nature and contribute to its restoration.
Michelle is a native of Harpers Ferry, WV and enjoys spending time in nature, practicing yoga, and traveling.
Marketing and Communications
Rebecca Roemer
Marketing Officer
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broemer@cbtrust.org
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Rebecca joined the Chesapeake Bay Trust in 2022. She leads in building relationships and consumer engagement for the Trust’s marketing strategies. With more than twelve years of experience including advertising, business-to-business product marketing, and non-profit marketing, her communication style is guided by empathy and fueled by purpose. Growing up on the Chesapeake Bay, she feels invested in the unique beauty and conservation of our state’s environmental resources. She earned both her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and her MBA from the University of Maryland. Rebecca enjoys teaching yoga, reading, and boating with her family. She loves to travel but has found there’s truly no place like home.
Lindsay Greenwood
Communications Specialist
lgreenwood@cbtrust.org
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Lindsay joined the Chesapeake Bay Trust in 2021. As the Communications Specialist, she has the joy of sharing the Trust’s mission, vision, and programs with the public.
A native of Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Lindsay graduated from Salisbury University with a B.A. in Communications, concentrating in Public Relations and Journalism, with a minor in Marketing. Prior to joining the Trust, she was the Director of Operations with a Maryland winery for 14 years. Her love of nature and a newfound fondness for hiking has her spending most weekends outdoors with her family.
Interns
Kayleigh Katzenberger
Development, Marketing, and Communications Intern
410-974-2941 x127
kkatzenberger@cbtrust.org
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Kayleigh is a senior at the University of Maryland working toward her B.S. in Environmental Science and Technology, with a concentration in environmental health.
A native to the Chesapeake Bay area, she has a passion for working with the Chesapeake and working toward preservation and restoration through education. She is excited to work with the Trust and help support them in any way they need to achieve their goals. When not working she enjoys spending time outside whether on the water or hiking in one of the many national areas Maryland offers.