Who We Are
Staff
At Genesee Land Trust, we know it is our passionate staff, volunteers, and board that move our mission, and we value each person’s experience, perspectives, and unique identity. We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff that reflects the region we serve. We strive to create and maintain a work environment that is inclusive, equitable, and welcoming.
Lorna Wright (she/her)
Executive Director
Lorna oversees operations, strategic planning, and Genesee Land Trust’s conservation programs including new acquisition projects, farmland protection, and programs in the city. Contact Lorna if you are interested in learning about getting involved with Genesee Land Trust and/or protecting your land.
Favorite outdoor activity: Hiking
Fun fact: Plays ultimate Frisbee year round, even in the snow!
Want to know more? Read her Q and A here.
Kevin Farrell (he/him)
Director of Conservation Programs
Kevin is responsible for Genesee Land Trust’s habitat acquisition projects, supporting our conservation partners, and overseeing the Land Trust’s portfolio of nature preserves and conservation easements.
Favorite outdoor activity: Disc golf!
Fun fact: Kevin is working tirelessly to try every cup of coffee in Rochester.
Want to know more? Read his Q&A here.
Elliotte Bowerman (they/them)
Director of Communications
Elliotte manages Genesee Land Trust’s strategic communications, including events, email, print and social media channels. Please contact Elliotte if you have story ideas or want to share great pictures taken at our properties.
Favorite outdoor activity: Swimming and painting local landscapes.
Fun fact: Elliotte grew up on a local dairy farm in Farmington.
Helen Dumas (she/her)
Director of Genesee River Alliance and Urban Programming
Helen focuses on engaging and developing relationships with neighborhoods, organizations, and City staff on behalf of the Genesee River Alliance. She is responsible for establishing regular communications with the Alliance and stakeholders and coordinates and facilitates Alliance meetings. Contact Helen with any questions about the Genesee River Alliance.
Favorite outdoor activity: Sledding in the winter, swimming in the summer, and attending outdoor festivals all year long with her children and grandchildren.
Fun fact: She loves cooking gourmet meals for family and friends and can usually duplicate a dish closely after eating it once.
Amanda Grisa (she/her)
Farmland Protection Manager
Amanda leads our farmland protection team and works with individuals interested in protecting their farmland or looking for land to farm. Contact Amanda if you are interested in protecting your farm or looking for farmland.
Favorite outdoor activity: Exploring the Finger Lakes on cross-country skis.
Fun fact: Her favorite snack is French breakfast radishes straight from the field.
Will Macaluso (he/him)
Preserve Manager
Will maintains Genesee Land Trust's nature preserves and assists with stewardship volunteer programs. He is responsible for helping maintain and enhance public access and experiences along with plant and wildlife habitats at our preserves.
Favorite outdoor activity: Mountain biking
Fun fact: He enjoys gardening and his wish list of native plants for his garden is constantly growing.
Kaylee Taylor (she/her)
Conservation Easement Steward
Kaylee supports the annual monitoring of 60+ conservation easements held by Genesee Land Trust. These land protection tools, which last forever, must be walked, photographed, and reported on every year.
Favorite outdoor activity: Swimming and hanging out in a hammock.
Fun fact: Kaylee’s most prized possession is a stuffed frog she’s had for 15 years.
Whitney Brice (she/her)
Director of Development
Whitney leads fundraising and donor relations. Contact Whitney if you are interested in becoming a member, giving a financial donation or have questions related to fundraising or your donor status.
Favorite outdoor activity: Open water swimming
Fun fact: My family ancestors on both sides have farming backgrounds, Oswego on my mother’s side and Chautauqua on my father’s side.
Mckenna Erwell (she/her)
2023-24 Youth Year
Mckenna is a recent college graduate serving as an AmeriCorps VISTA. She focuses on coordinating community outreach in the Edgerton and El Camino neighborhoods to promote community engagement and equitable access during the preparation of the New York State Park at Genesee Falls.
Favorite Outdoor Activity:
Hiking and canoeing
Fun Fact: She loves to take care of her plants and enjoys shopping at farmers markets and plant nurseries to add new plants to her collection.
…
Larissa Lalka (she/her)
Database and Administrative Assistant
Larissa manages Genesee Land Trust’s database, keeping track of donations and updating membership information. Please get in touch with Larissa if you need to update your contact information or have a question about your giving.
Favorite outdoor activity: Gardening and exploring parks and trails with her family
Fun fact: She always keeps spare change in her car for farm stands
Liz Sheehan (she/her)
Farmland Protection Assistant
Liz manages the administrative aspects of several grant-funded farmland protection projects. She coordinates with landowners, title companies, attorneys, and consultants throughout the process. Liz focuses on building and maintaining positive relationships with landowners and all project participants with an overall goal of keeping land available for farming.
Favorite outdoor activity: Flower and vegetable gardening with plants grown in her greenhouse
Fun fact: She is fascinated with weather and climate phenomenon and is beginning coursework toward a degree in meteorology.
2023-2024 Board of Directors
Mary Hadley, President
Retired, Senior Program Manager, Causewave Community Partners
Jean McCreary, Secretary
Retired, Nixon Peabody LLP
Miguel A. Melendez Jr.
Chief Community Engagement Officer, Ibero-American Development Corporation
Linda Hellebush Riordan
Retired, Director of Development, Young Audiences of Rochester
Joshua Sankowski
Director of Corporate Partnerships, PathStone Corporation
Peter Woods
Retired Senior Associate General Counsel, ESL Federal Credit Union
Keith Weber
Senior Lecturer in Management Information Systems, Rochester Institute of Technology
Sarah Studwell
Communications Officer, Rochester Area Community Foundation
Kayleigh Rae Stampfler, Vice President
Senior Philanthropic Advisor, Rochester Area Community Foundation
Mark Greene
Farmer, Hopkins Farm
Mindy MacLaren
Citizen activist, mother, certified aromatherapist
Chris Martin
Principal, Martin Farms
Jacalyn Meyvis
Owner, Jacalyn Meyvis Photography
David Ryder
Owner, Redmont Nursery LLC
Carl Simon
Senior Director of Infrastructure and Sustainability, Foodlink
John Richardson, Treasurer
Retired, Director of Public Affairs, Eastman Kodak Company
Mark Cronin
Chief Operating Officer, Accountable Health Partners
Greg Lawrence
Research Scientist, SUNY Brockport
Carol May
Retired Physical Education Teacher, Retired Youth Minister, Adirondack 46er, and self-proclaimed adventure seeker
Kimm Proctor
Regulatory Compliance Manager, ESL Federal Credit Union
Victor H. Sanchez
Associate Project Manager, University of Rochester
Neha Sood
Assistant Director for Campus Sustainability, Rochester Institute of Technology
David G. Urban
Wealth Management Advisor, Northwestern Mutual
Advisory Board
Robert Avery
Judy Bigelow
Betsy Brooks
Lee Caine
Diane Cass
Roger Cass
Kathy Cleary
Richard Dollinger
Rachel Edwards
Connie Ehindero
Tim Fitzgerald
Sandra Frankel
Jeffrey E. Hough
Jim Howe
Rick Marx
Jeff McCann
Merri-Lou McKeever
Jan Miller
Randi Minetor
Tom Riley
Lynn Slowik
James Smith
Kathy Spencer
Bill Steimer
Tom Tette
Andy Wheatcraft
Suzanne Wheatcraft