Board of Directors
ANCA's Board of Directors includes some of the most esteemed nature center leaders in North America. ANCA members represent the diversity of the nature and environmental learning center profession and the Board is structured by design to include representation based on budget size, day use/residential facilities, geographic location, years of experience, and governance type.
Board Responsibilities
The Board supports ANCA's work and provides mission-based leadership and strategic governance. While day-to-day operations are led by ANCA’s Executive Director and staff, the Board’s leadership is critical for those operations to succeed. Learn about board member responsibilities.
Committees of the Board
ANCA Committees of the Board serve to provide strategic guidance on specific facets of ANCA operations. They are made up of ANCA board members, staff, and members at-large. Learn more about Committees.
Do you want to become more involved with ANCA? We welcome ANCA members to express interest in joining a Committee of the Board and/or the Board of Directors. Learn more here.
Board Members
Kristin Smith
President / Supervisor of the Water Resources Education Center in Vancouver, Washington
John Myers
President-Elect / Executive Director of Indian Creek Nature Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Dennis Pilaske
Vice President of Strategic Direction / Executive Director of Chippewa Nature Center in Midland, Michigan
Chad Truxall
Vice President of Development / Executive Director of the Marine Discovery Center in New Smyrna Beach, Florida
Kitty Pochman
Secretary / Executive Director at Linda Loring Nature Foundation in Nantucket, Massachusetts
Kay Carlson
Retired President & CEO of the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes in Cleveland, Ohio
Veronica Frehm
CEO of Friends of MacArthur Beach State Park in North Palm Beach, Florida
Jeff Giesen
Associate Director at the North Cascades Institute in Sedro-Woolley, Washington
John Harrod
Engagement Director at the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary in Wilmington, Delaware
Javier de León
Park Superintendent at Estero Llano Grande State Park and World Birding Center in Weslaco, Texas
Allison Mackley
Vice President for Education at Berks Nature in Reading, Pennsylvania
Jason Sanders
Treasurer / Executive Director at Dodge Nature Center in West St. Paul, Minnesota
Ann Wasser
Director of Severson Dells Nature Center in Rockford, Illinois
Andy Williams
Retired Director of Satellite Properties for the Museum of Science and History in Memphis, Tennessee
