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.

Board Members


  • Kristin Smith

    Kristin Smith

    President / Supervisor of the Water Resources Education Center in Vancouver, Washington

  • John Myers

    John Myers

    President-Elect / Executive Director of Indian Creek Nature Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

  • Dennis Pilaske

    Dennis Pilaske

    Vice President of Strategic Direction / Executive Director of Chippewa Nature Center in Midland, Michigan

  • Chad Truxall

    Chad Truxall

    Vice President of Development / Executive Director of the Marine Discovery Center in New Smyrna Beach, Florida

  • Jason Sanders

    Jason Sanders

    Treasurer / Executive Director at Dodge Nature Center in West St. Paul, Minnesota

  • Kitty Pochman

    Kitty Pochman

    Secretary / Executive Director at Linda Loring Nature Foundation in Nantucket, Massachusetts

  • Veronica Frehm

    Veronica Frehm

    CEO of Friends of MacArthur Beach State Park in North Palm Beach, Florida

  • Kay Carlson

    Kay Carlson

    Retired President & CEO of the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes in Cleveland, Ohio

  • Jeff Giesen

    Jeff Giesen

    Associate Director at the North Cascades Institute in Sedro-Woolley, Washington

  • John Harrod

    John Harrod

    Engagement Director at the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary in Wilmington, Delaware

  • Javier de León

    Javier de León

    Park Superintendent at Estero Llano Grande State Park and World Birding Center in Weslaco, Texas

  • Allison Mackley

    Allison Mackley

    Vice President for Education at Berks Nature in Reading, Pennsylvania

  • Ann Wasser

    Ann Wasser

    Director of Severson Dells Nature Center in Rockford, Illinois

  • Andy Williams

    Andy Williams

    Retired Director of Satellite Properties for the Museum of Science and History in Memphis, Tennessee

  • Bryan Wood

    Bryan Wood

    Executive Director at Osprey Wilds Environmental Learning Center in Sandstone, Minnesota