Our Team
Karen Mauney-Brodek, President
she/her
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 sits on the Executive Committee of the City Parks Alliance and the board of 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. ‘Dipo 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.
Sonya Bhabhalia, Chief Impact Officer
she/her
Sonya joins the Conservancy as Chief Impact Officer, responsible for strengthening organizational effectiveness, cross-departmental efficiency and supporting the Conservancy in meeting strategic objectives. Her career journey spans a variety of sectors including nonprofit, higher education, private philanthropy and professional sports and entertainment, with a range of job functions including development operations and events, executive administration, communications, government affairs and community engagement. She completed her bachelor’s degree in English literature at Boston College and master’s in law and public policy at Northeastern University. Outside of work, Sonya is most likely to be testing a new recipe, tinkering with an art project or catering to the whims of a very spoiled cat.
Evan Bradley, Marketing and Communications Manager
he/him
Evan is thrilled to rejoin the Emerald Necklace Conservancy as Marketing and Communications Manager. He maintains the Conservancy’s website and social media, creates graphics and assets for Conservancy initiatives, and engages the diverse communities surrounding the Emerald Necklace.
Evan holds a BS in Environmental Science and a Masters in Sustainable Urban Environments from Northeastern University. Evan previously worked as a landscape architect in Ann Arbor, Michigan. With his return to the Conservancy, he is excited to utilize his public engagement experience and expanded design sensibility, directly inspired by Frederick Law Olmsted. Outside of work, he can be found in his native plant garden, singing karaoke, or with his two cats.
Alyx Britton, Volunteer and Field Maintenance Coordinator
they/them
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.
Emily DiSette, Visitor Center Associate
she/her
Emily DiSette is the Conservancy’s Spring 2026 Visitor Center Associate. Emily is a third-year Environmental Studies major at Northeastern University with a concentration in Law, Governance, and Management and a minor in Sociology. She has experience working with nonprofit organizations focused on stakeholder engagement and clean technology, and has also led outdoor and environmental education programs through summer camps and after-school initiatives, supporting youth learning while building leadership, collaboration, and problem-solving skills. She is passionate about creating accessible, engaging opportunities that connect communities with nature and foster meaningful relationships with the environment. In her free time, Emily enjoys spending time outdoors, exploring local parks, and finding new ways to bring people together through shared experiences in nature.
Lois Downing, Land Planning and Design Project Associate
she/her
Lois joins the Conservancy to provide GIS and mapping expertise, design support, and project coordination across departments. Her work strengthens the Conservancy’s planning, operations, and visual communications across the park system, with a central focus on the Charlesgate Revitalization effort.
Lois holds a five-year NAAB-accredited, Bachelor of Architecture from Marywood University (2023). Lois remains deeply engaged in local environmental and community initiatives serving on the Board of the Friends of Chester Park and volunteering with the West Springfield Community Garden and the Mass Avenue Coalition, contributing her skills in design and stewardship to support welcoming, vibrant neighborhood spaces.
Outside her design work, Lois can often be found with a book in hand, a crochet project underway, or tending vegetables in the community garden—most of which are happily claimed by her rabbit, Bria.
Tanya Grinblat, Major Gift Officer
she/her
Tanya works as the Conservancy’s Major Gift Officer, cultivating and stewarding individual donors who support our mission. She brings over 15 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising with organizations like Code for America and Philadelphia Orchard Project. She graduated from American University with a degree in International Relations. Outside of work, Tanya enjoys spending time with her two young kids, exploring parks and baking sourdough bread.
Arie Hogan, Tree Care Associate
she/they
Arie works to water, monitor and map newly-planted trees throughout the Emerald Necklace parks. She has been working in horticulture within public greenspace for the past decade, and is currently pursuing a BS in Environmental Science at UMass Boston. In their free time, Arie enjoys long-distance cycling, riding their motorcycle and spending time with their cat.
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
he/him
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.
Dananai Morgan, Chief Development Officer
she/her
Dananai Morgan brings more than 15 years of experience in fundraising and organizational development, with a strong track record in building mission-aligned philanthropy, leading high-performing teams, and cultivating transformational relationships with individual and institutional donors. She is a dedicated nonprofit leader, communicator, and fundraiser whose expertise will support the Conservancy’s ambitious strategic goals, and joins the Conservancy from the Museum of Science, Boston, where she served as a senior member of the development team.
Her previous roles include fundraising and strategy positions at MIT, Harvard, Enroot, and CARE International UK, as well as work as an independent fundraising consultant. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Neighborhood Birth Center and previously served with the United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley.
A Boston resident, Dananai enjoys visiting Franklin Park and other parts of the Emerald Necklace with her three sons.
Anita Morson-Matra, Director of Community Partnerships
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 Director of Community Partnerships, Anita will lead next level and lasting impacts for the Conservancy to improve the Emerald Necklace for all.
Jamie Santuccio, Director of Conservancy Operations
she/her
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.
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.
Caroline Waples, Education Manager
she/her
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.
Nina Wolff Landau, Public Events Coordinator
she/they
Nina Wolff Landau is the Public Events Coordinator at the Emerald Necklace Conservancy, where they plan and execute inclusive public programming that connects communities to parks and advances access, equity, and cultural vibrancy across the Emerald Necklace. Nina collaborates closely with Development, Community Partnerships, and Education teams to support a wide range of events and program goals. Outside of work, Nina enjoys baking, strength training, crafting, caring for houseplants, and walking their dog through the Emerald Necklace. Living near Jamaica Pond, they visit the park daily and delight in observing the subtle changes of the seasons.
Renée Stacey Welch, Administrative Assistant to the President
she/her
Renée Stacey Welch supports President Karen Mauney-Brodek and the Conservancy team by managing various administrative and operational tasks. She holds a BA in Business Administration from Southern New Hampshire University and is currently pursuing her MBA with a concentration in Public Policy and Public Administration at the same institution. With more than 20 years of experience in the financial sector, Renée is passionate about contributing to the Conservancy’s mission of protecting greenspaces and promoting community engagement in tree and greenspace initiatives.
Mailing Address
350 Jamaicaway, Boston, MA 02130
Shattuck Visitor Center
125 The Fenway, Boston, MA 02115
