Meet Our Team

Karen Mauney-Brodek, President
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Karen Mauney-Brodek is President of the Emerald Necklace Conservancy, working to restore and improve the Emerald Necklace’s 1,100 acres for all. She led the successful celebration of the Conservancy’s 20th Anniversary in 2018 with the presentation of Fog x FLO: Fujiko Nakaya on the Emerald Necklace, a world-class exhibition of site-responsive art throughout the Necklace, and is currently leading a major revitalization of Charlesgate Park with neighborhood group Charlesgate Alliance. Karen is a board member of the City Parks Alliance and Preservation Massachusetts, and is a member of the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation Special Commission, where she aids DCR in improving the management and operations of the resources it stewards.

Prior to joining the Conservancy, Karen served as Deputy Director for Park Planning in the San Francisco Parks Department, where she led outreach, communications, planning, design and construction of numerous projects and initiatives. She developed two public bond measures overwhelmingly approved by San Francisco voters that provided $400 million for parks. Prior to that, she was Chief of the Design Build Program in the Design & Construction Division of the New York Department of Parks & Recreation, managing a $15 million annual program to select, design, and build or rebuild all or portions of 100 parks and playgrounds annually. Karen holds a BA in Architecture from Columbia University, as well as master’s degrees in City Planning and Architecture from the University of California Berkeley.

Oladipupo Awogboro, Finance Manager

Oladipupo, or ’Dipo, is an accounting and finance professional with varied experience in financial management matters in the nonprofit sector. D’ipo has experience in nonprofit accounting and financial management, as well as HR benefit management, and most recently has worked at organizations such as Facing History & Ourselves in Brookline and the Boston Children’s Chorus.  In his spare time, he likes to do volunteer work, watch sports, travel, explore nature and spend time with friends and family.

Erin Baker, Administrative Assistant to the President
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Erin Baker assists President Karen Mauney-Brodek and the rest of the Conservancy team with several administrative and operational tasks. She holds a BA in Sociology: Law and Society with a minor in Environmental Studies from the University of California, San Diego, and has extensive background in volunteering and environmental causes, including work in student government and the San Diego Planning Commission. Erin also holds a Paralegal Certificate from the University of San Diego, and is excited to bring her experience and enthusiasm for accessible green spaces to the Emerald Necklace.

Declan Battles, Marketing and Communications Manager
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Declan works to increase the public’s awareness, appreciation, use of and support for the Emerald Necklace and the work of the Conservancy through social media, special events, communications and media relations. He is a summa cum laude graduate of Suffolk University with a degree in Public Relations with a Minor in Media & Film. Bringing experience from prior work with the South Boston St. Patrick’s Day Parade, McNeil, Gray & Rice, and Suffolk University’s Dept. of Communications, Journalism & Media, he has been passionate about open space and its need in urban communities since childhood. He is a lifelong fan of music, movies, hiking and the outdoors.

Alyx Britton, Volunteer and Field Maintenance Coordinator
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As the Volunteer and Field Maintenance Coordinator, Alyx builds and grows the Conservancy’s volunteer programs and works to improve maintenance and restoration plans for the Emerald Necklace.

Alyx is a graduate of Harvard College with a BA in Environmental Science & Public Policy and Studies of Women, Gender, & Sexuality with a focus in food systems. Over the past five years, they have helped found and maintain numerous initiatives to support and advocate for low-income individuals, first-generation students and LGBTQIA+ folks. Now, they’re eager to merge their passion for social justice with their love of the outdoors at the Conservancy. Outside of work, you can find Alyx tending their herb garden, fixing furniture they find on the sidewalk and trying out new recipes in the kitchen.

Pete Conlin, Development Coordinator

Pete brings decades of experience of working with development information. Having spent over 30 years working within Harvard University’s fundraising office, he was involved in both the reporting and data maintenance aspects of development. While working at Harvard, Pete took advantage of the Harvard Extension School and received his undergraduate degree in history and graduate degree in Non-Profit Management. Pete is an avid Boston sports fan and enjoys traveling, but also loves a nice day on the beach or poolside.

Elena Duncan, Public Events and Partnerships Coordinator
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Elena Duncan works as the Conservancy’s Public Events and Partnerships Coordinator. She is a graduate of Elon University, where she obtained her BA in Strategic Communications with minors in Human Services and Psychology. As a student, Elena completed internships in marketing and public relations, and she is excited to start her professional career making a difference at the Conservancy. Elena is passionate about connecting with others and engaging the community through exceptional events. In her free time, she can be found reading, cooking and spending time with friends and family.

Natalie Harkins, Visitor Engagement Associate
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Natalie Harkins works as the Visitor Engagement Associate at the Shattuck Visitor Center. She is a second year Northeastern University student where she is studying for her combined BA of Sociology and Environmental Studies. Previously she worked as a recreational assistant to the Frye Island recreation department in Maine. Natalie is an advocate for environmental justice and sustainability for Boston, and believes the parks are the heart of the city. She wants to help connect people together through nature, and bring more appreciation to the planet we live on. Outside of her work, Natalie loves art, and is often performing on stage for music or theater.

Kent Jackson, Director of Education

Kent is an experienced program director and administrator, as well a seasoned educator and mentor. Kent has successfully created, developed, directed, facilitated and evaluated environmental education, nature connect, leadership and wilderness living skills programs for nearly three decades. Kent has previously worked at Project Adventure, The Appalachian Mountain Club, Eagle Eye Institute, The Trustees of Reservations, the Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy and various recreation departments. Kent is skilled in nature connection mentoring, environmental education and wilderness living skills. Kent has worked as a whitewater rafting guide, canoeing instructor and trip leader, rock climbing instructor, backpacking trip leader, ropes course facilitator and nature connection consultant.

Jun Seung Lee, Engagement and Policy Manager
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Jun oversees the work of the Engagement and Policy of several different projects around the Conservancy. He has a range of experience from ecology to community engagement and advocacy. Jun studied Environmental Science, with a concentration on ecology, and started his career path with Mother’s for Justice and Equality; his experience working with this group aids him to better support neighborhoods in Boston such as Roxbury, Dorchester and Mattapan. He also holds a passion to advocate for and empower the community to tackle different forms of environmental injustices and policies. Outside of work, Jun is engaged with communities from Four Corners/Geneva to Somerville Growing Center to continue his engagement and empowerment.

Anita Morson-Matra, Senior Advisor, Cultural Partnerships & Parks Equity

Anita Morson-Matra is an urban planner, creative producer, place leader and organizational strategist. A former non-profit leader, Anita has spent the last 6 years working at the intersection of arts & culture and urban planning. She has extensive experience serving non-profit organizations and local municipalities as a leadership development and management consultant, supporting a variety of client needs in the areas of racial equity/social justice, public health/public health programming, stakeholder engagement and retention and strategic planning and growth. Along with recognition through her appointment to the Boston Foundation’s Place Leadership Network, Anita is admired near and wide as a cultural luminary. As the creator, founder and curator of Nubian Nights: the Sights & Sounds of Jazz in Roxbury and Baldwin in the Park, she was recently recognized by WBUR as one of The Makers, 15 artists and creatives changing the cultural landscape in the Greater Boston area and was a finalist for the National Public Housing Museums Artist as Instigator Residency. As Senior Advisor, Cultural Partnerships & Parks Equity, Anita will lead next level and lasting impacts for the Conservancy to improve the Emerald Necklace for all.

Sharon Rice, Major Gifts Officer

Sharon serves as the Conservancy’s Major Gifts Officer. She holds a MA from Emerson College and a BA from American University, and brings experience from nonprofit postings at Boston Ballet, Japan Society of Boston and Historic New England. Sharon’s expertise includes marketing, branding, PR and fundraising with a penchant for bringing storytelling and creativity to event planning, from major galas to more intimate affairs engaging with a wide range of individuals and corporate supporters. With a passion for city living in New York and in Boston, Sharon cherishes outdoor greenspace and parks—walking, running and simply escaping. She is an avid tennis player and sailor, and enjoys museums, concerts and the theatre.

Jamie Santuccio, Director of Conservancy Operations
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Jamie oversees the work of the Conservancy’s Finance and Human Resources consultants, the operations of our two facilities, and seeks to operationalize processes across the organization and 1100 acres of park. Jamie joined the Conservancy as Events Manager in 2017 after previous roles in nonprofit event management and experiential marketing. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking and camping in the White Mountains and walks through the Emerald Necklace with her dog, Willow.

Jack Schleifer, Field Operations Manager
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Jack helps manage tree care initiatives and landscape restoration projects throughout the Emerald Necklace. He grew up in Massachusetts with an appreciation for outdoor spaces and forests, and is a graduate of Yale College, where he studied Environmental Studies and concentrated in biodiversity and conservation. Jack also holds a Master of Environmental Management from the Yale School of the Environment. He has a background in urban forestry and wildlife research, and is excited to bring a focus on social and racial equity to his work. In his free time, he can be found camping, backpacking, listening to music or spending time with friends and family.

Carlen Singmaster, Director of Marketing and Communications

Carlen Singmaster joins the Conservancy after a decade at The Greater Boston Food Bank, where she served as Senior Events Manager and was responsible for all aspects of GBFB events including fundraising goals, marketing strategies, and communication campaigns. Prior to GBFB, she executed events and programs for Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Carlen’s nonprofit work reflects her passion for wonderful causes, people and her community. Carlen was born and raised in Massachusetts and currently resides in Charlestown with her husband and two young children.

Veronika Trufanova, Director of Development
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Veronika (Nika) directs the Conservancy’s fundraising program, including individual, corporate, foundation and government grants, the annual giving program, and other special fundraising initiatives. Nika previously worked at the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, where she led the Institutional Giving program for over six years, raising unrestricted, project-based and campaign support from corporations, foundations and government granting agencies. She also held several roles on the development team at the Harvard Art Museums, encompassing database management, development operations and donor and member events. Nika holds a bachelor’s degree in Art History from Haverford College. She is an avid tea drinker and an unabashed Italophile.

Caroline Waples, Education Manager
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Caroline works as the Conservancy’s Education Manager, facilitating learning and connection with nature throughout the parks. She holds a BA in Environmental Studies with minors in Resource Economics and Event Management from the University of Delaware. Previous experience with The Trustees of Reservations kindled her passion for youth environmental education and working outdoors, which she continued through volunteer work and her role in the Emerald Necklace. She enjoys spending her free time among the trees, climbing or reading in her hammock, along with baking and sewing.

Mailing Address

350 Jamaicaway, Boston, MA 02130

Shattuck Visitor Center

125 The Fenway, Boston, MA 02115

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