Lisa Norby recently retired from a 25-year career with the National Park Service (NPS) where she created and successfully ran several national youth programs and oversaw energy and mineral permitting and development in national parks. At the NPS, Lisa redesigned and grew the Scientists-in-Parks Program which provides natural resource internship opportunities in national parks for hundreds of college students each year. She also developed and managed the Mosaics in Science Diversity Internship Program and George Melendez Wright Climate Change Internship and Fellowship Programs. Lisa is passionate about creating opportunities for young people that teach valuable career and life skills while also instilling a sense of stewardship of our public lands. In 2019, Lisa received the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps National Distinction Award for her efforts furthering youth programming. Lisa has served on Conservation Legacy’s Board of Directors since 2020.

Lisa earned geology degrees from Ohio University (BS: 1978), Idaho State University (MS: 1980), and a Master’s Degree in Environmental Policy and Management from the University of Denver (1996). Before joining the NPS, Lisa worked as a Petroleum Geologist with Mobil Oil and prior to that, as a Program Assistant for the Center for Resource Management. Since retiring, Lisa has continued to work with the National Park Service on their youth programming needs, has enjoyed traveling the world, skiing, hiking in the foothills outside Denver, and planning how she can continue to engage the next generation in the outdoors.

For eight years prior to retiring in 2015, David Muraki served as Director of the California Conservation Corps where he was the first to have “risen from the ranks” to be appointed to that post by the Governor. David began his CCC living in a tent for 60 weeks supervising the first of 216 Backcountry Trail Crews; over the past four decades, these crews have maintained and constructed 12,936 miles of trails leading to the most iconic destinations in California’s most treasured national parks and wilderness areas.

At the national level, David served as Chair of the Board of the corps’ national association, the Corps Network. In 1998 after nearly 20 years serving in many CCC field and headquarters positions, David was appointed by the Governor to California’s service and volunteer commission where he served as Deputy Director growing California’s AmeriCorps and volunteer disaster response programs. David chaired the Public Policy Committee of the state service commissions’ national association, America’s Service Commissions. David currently serves as Vice President of the Stewardship Council, an organization charged with conserving in perpetuity 144,000 acres of watershed lands and connecting young people to the outdoors.

Jonathan Hall comes from a family of dedicated and passionate public servants. Over the past several decades, he has founded and scaled a wide range of public and private organizations. He has taken leadership roles in nonprofit organizations that support vulnerable or underserved groups, such as refugees, immigrants, disabled, and youth development programs. These programs have received dozens of federal, state, city and foundation awards. For example, he co-founded and built Care Partnership nonprofit to be one of the nation’s most efficient and cost-effective nonprofits serving well over 20,000 low-income and mostly immigrant persons. He negotiated the sale of this nonprofit to Catholic Services Charities to facilitate its further program growth. He currently serves as Chairman of Quincea Social Enterprise and President of the Phoenix Ivy Council. Both organizations are helping develop social ventures designed to create jobs for underserved population groups. He also helped develop Arizona Conservation Corps youth development programs. On the private sector side, he co-founded DreamBrands, which became one of the nation’s fastest growing companies on the Inc 500. Prior to DreamBrands, he co-founded Security Pacific Venture Capital Group, which became one of the nation’s most successful venture capital firms. He earned a BA from Harvard University and a MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Ashley Hansen is a former nonprofit employee, turned nonprofit advocate, donor, board member and volunteer. She has spent her entire career working for and with nonprofit organizations. As Director of Business Development, Ashley introduces nonprofits the value of using Engaging Networks' digital fundraising and messaging platform. Early in her career she spent 10 years at the Student Conservation Association (also a member of the Corps Network) where she helped hundreds of young people volunteer on public lands and start careers in conservation. Then, Ashley spent 5+ years at Care2.com where she worked with nonprofits to win advocacy campaigns and build lists of supporters for fundraising. Ashley then moved to Frakture, a technology company that enables nonprofits and fundraising agencies to transform their data operations utilizing data warehousing. Over the years, Ashley’s nonprofit clients have included: PBS, Amnesty International, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Sierra Club, World Wildlife Fund, and more! When Ashley isn’t working with nonprofits, you’ll find her hiking, biking, at her local coffee shop or doing a jigsaw puzzle.

CJ Goulding (he/him) is a weaver, facilitator, community builder, and storyteller who invests in the growth of people, of connection between people, and the growth of communities. He is committed to redistributing power and resources to achieve equity and justice. His work involves supporting leaders creating change in their communities, and shaping new narratives about our connection to community and the outdoors, like "Why I Wear Jordans in the Great Outdoors." CJ is the founder and Executive Director of Boyz N The Wood, an organization that uses the outdoors to help Black men restore & reignite the best versions of themselves. He currently operates as a consultant creating pathways, providing resources, and developing innovative strategies that support the outdoor and environmental sectors in their evolution toward justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI).

Erin Healy retired from the Stewardship Council at the end of 2023. She worked for the nonprofit for over six years and served as the Executive Director prior to her retirement. Erin retired from the California Conservation Corps in 2016, after 32 years of serving youth in many different capacities. In her many roles with the CCC, she oversaw programmatic and administrative programs. Erin worked for the Sierra Nevada Conservancy prior to joining the Stewardship Council. She has over 40 years of experience in conservation, youth programs, land conservation and project management.

Erin holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Management from Saint Mary’s College. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, camping, biking, and paddle boarding.

Wayne Hubbard, known for his many talents and abilities, in 1999 co-created the first outdoors TV program that represented not only traditional sportsmen and woman, but also the emerging cross-cultural markets that had never been included before.

The 4x Emmy-nominated award-winning outdoor lifestyle TV show, Urban American Outdoors, has aired weekly on local, national and international television since 2003 and has won over 75 Broadcast and Cable TV Awards.

Wayne has dedicated himself to creating and building partnerships and training that educate and inspire people to become aware of the world around them, with conservation, historical preservation and outdoor recreation as the philosophical cornerstones.

In August 2015, Wayne was appointed by Secretary Jewell and Secretary Vilsack of the Obama Administration to the Wildlife Hunting Heritage Conservation Council (WHHCC) becoming the first African American to ever be on this Council.

In May 2016, Wayne was appointed by Secretary Vilsack to be a Federal Advisory Committee (FACA) representative on the USDA Forest Service Northeast Recreational Council to advise the government and provide recommendations on recreation issues and matters on public lands.

In 2017, Wayne became a Founding Board Member of The Diversity Joint Venture for Conservation Careers (DJV) which is a partnership of federal and state agencies, universities, non-governmental organizations, foundations, and professional societies that work together to increase the number of women and people of color in the conservation workforce.

On May 11, 2018 Wayne was appointed by Secretary Zinke and Secretary Perdue of the Trump Administration to the Hunting Shooting Sports Conservation Council (HSSCC).

As a Division Vice President for the Northeast Division of the American Red Cross, Koby Langley provides oversight and leadership for nine regions that deliver Red Cross services with over 23,000 staff and volunteers with an annual budget of ~$100M USD. The Northeast Division supports responding to more than fifteen disasters per day. This work includes services in the densely populated Northeastern United States geography identified as one of FEMA’s most risk prone regions with a population of 43 million people. The Northeast Division also supports the nation’s blood supply while facilitating expanded use of Red Cross lifesaving training courses, including CPR, AED, and First Aid as well as providing critical services to our veteran and military families.

Koby previously served as the Senior Vice President of the International Services and Service to Armed forces departments at the American Red Cross for seven years where he led global programs. These programs focused on the global elimination of measles and rubella, international disaster preparedness, response, and recovery operations for communities in need in addition to worldwide support provided U.S. service members, veterans, caregivers, and their families.

Before joining the American Red Cross, Koby served as the Director of Wounded Warrior, Veteran and Military Family Engagement at the White House and the Senior Advisor for Wounded Warrior, Veteran and Military Family Initiatives for AmeriCorps, leading the largest expansion of grants for veterans and military families in agency history.

In 2010, Koby was appointed to the Senior Executive Service at Department of Defense, where he worked as Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary and Senior Advisor for the Office of Wounded Warrior Care and Transition Policy. Koby assumed other roles such as Special Assistant to the Secretary of the Department of Veteran Affairs, and Presidential Review Team member for the Department of Veteran Affairs. Koby has served as the managing member of a litigation firm and worked as a Veteran organizer for the successful congressional race of the first Iraq War Veteran elected to congress from 2006 to 2008.

During his military service, Koby was appointed as the first in-theater foreign claims commissioner for Iraq. He developed and published the first foreign claims act standard operating procedure in Iraq and paid the first civil reconstruction claims during combat operations.

Koby conducted over one hundred Foreign Claims Act and Laws of Armed Conflict missions/convoys in Iraq and served as an operational law attorney and prosecutor for the 82^nd airborne division. Koby also served as a litigation counsel for the Army where he practiced with dozens of attorneys in the Department of Justice, assisting in successful litigation of over 150 cases. He is published in numerous national news outlets and has conducted visiting correspondent interviews for Fox News and MSNBC.

Langley is a Harvard Law School certified federal mediator, a two-tour combat Veteran, and Bronze Star recipient for meritorious service.

Dale Threatt-Taylor is the Executive Director of The Nature Conservancy South Carolina Chapter. She received a Bachelor of Science in Conservation from North Carolina State University and a Master of Environmental Management from Duke University. Her work has led to successful projects in land protection, implementation of coastal nature-based solutions, healthy forest management with prescribed fire, freshwater and restoration policy, climate mitigation and sustainability partnerships.

Dale currently serves as Vice Chair on the Sustain SC Board of Directors, on the Board of Visitors of the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University, and on NC State University’s College of Natural Resources Foundation Board of Directors. Previously, Dale served as Chair of the Soil and Water Conservation Society’s (SWCS) national Board of Directors.

Dale’s leadership education continues, recently completing the Executive Leadership Development Program at Cambridge University, the Sustainability Leadership Initiative (SLI) at Furman University, and The Riley Institute’s Diversity Leaders Initiative (DLI) at Furman University. North Carolina’s Governor Roy Cooper awarded The Order of the Long Leaf Pine to Dale for her dedicated work in conservation. Dale has been a keynote speaker on numerous occasions, with a pinnacle as the 2022 Spring Commencement Guest Speaker for Duke University Nicholas School of the Environment graduation ceremony. In August 2023, Dale was awarded The Hugh Hammond Bennett Award, the Soil and Water Conservation Society’s most prestigious award, which recognizes extraordinary accomplishments in the conservation of soil, water, and related natural resources.

Dale wants everyone to understand that locally led conservation begins with an individual, and together, our conservation work is so important in protecting the lands and waters on which all life depends.

Chris Bicknell grew up surrounded by woods on the grounds of the Sant Bani School in central NH and spent countless hours in those woods, sealing a connection to nature that endures. After college he spent several years as a teacher, coach, bus driver, and fundraiser at Sant Bani School before heading to NYC for law school. Not long after law school he found his way back to nonprofit fundraising work. He was a consultant at CCS Fundraising before moving in-house to the Northern Forest Center and then on to The Student Conservation Association (SCA) where he managed a national team of major gift, planned gift, and foundation relations officers. Chris and his brother co-founded Little Green Light, a company focused on providing a donor management system to nonprofits, and this company has grown to serve nearly 10,000 nonprofits around the US. Chris provided 15 years of service on the Board of Directors of Sant Bani School as Vice President and President. He earned an AB in Literary Studies from Middlebury College and a JD from Fordham University School of Law. Chris lives in Durango, CO with his family.

Amy Sovocool has over 20 years of experience working in the conservation corps industry. Her career began as a field leader, managing and facilitating meaningful impact on people and places through hands-on service and work. She last held the Chief External Affairs Officer and Chief Operating Officer (COO) roles with Conservation Legacy, before working in the COO role with the Grand Canyon Conservancy. Utilizing her experience, strength, and passion for this work, she has helped lead and transform corps programs and the industry locally and nationally.

Under her leadership, Conservation Legacy experienced significant growth as she engaged with all aspects of organizational and strategic development. As programs grew, she led structural and strategic efforts in key areas including business and finance operations, marketing and communications, grant development, engagement with elected officials, fund development, partnership development, and community engagement. She is committed to providing experiences for young people from all backgrounds to thrive and drives opportunities for engagement that support individual development and success.

Amy helped create signature programs for Conservation Legacy including Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps, Appalachian Conservation Corps, the Veterans Fire Corps, Stewards Individual Placements, Southeast Conservation Corps, and Conservation Corps North Carolina. She has also held positions as Commissioner for Serve Colorado and as Vice Chair for the Southwest Institute on Education and Conservation.

Joey Ruehrwein has been a part of the conservation service movement since 2002 and has over 20 years of professional experience working with youth and natural resources. Joey holds a MS in Recreation Resources Management from Utah State University and has a background in non-profit leadership, state and federal partnerships, diversity focused programming, and social and aquatic ecological research.

Joey came to Conservation Legacy by way of Stewards Individual Placement Program from the Student Conservation Association where he worked in various roles over 12 years. Joey began his career at SCA as the director of the organizations largest national corps (Fire), he transitioned into the Partnership Development Department 4 years later, and he spent his last 4 years at SCA as the inaugural Director of Partnership Service and Development where he lead the organizational transition from a centralized to a regional service department. While at SCA Joey worked in partnership with federal land managers to create thousands of meaningful experiences for youth including the National Park Service SCA Academy and the Salmon and Challis National Forest AmeriCorps Training Center.

Kevin Heiner (he/him) started in 2001 as an AmeriCorps Education Mentor and has since committed his career to conservation stewardship and youth development. For the past 15 years, Kevin has led the Southwest Conservation Corps where he worked with an incredible team to sustainably expand the number of service opportunities for teens and young adults across SCC’s service area. In his most recent SCC role, Kevin harnessed his passion, community connections, partner and elected official network, strategic vision, business savvy, and entrepreneurial experience to lead the SCC team to increase fee for service partner revenue by 152%, grant revenue by 131%, SCC staff team by 130%, all while sustainably growing and diversifying program offerings and participant opportunities. Kevin is deeply committed to the inclusion of young people from across the socioeconomic spectrum and from all backgrounds. Before SCC, Kevin managed several for-profit businesses in the ski and forestry industries. Kevin graduated Magna Cum Laude from Western State Colorado University with a double BA in Business Administration and Outdoor Leadership and Resort Management. Kevin has led field crews for Rocky Mountain Youth Corps and served in the US Air Force as an Aircraft Rescue Firefighter. In terms of community engagement, Kevin has continuously served in various roles on local boards for over 15 years. Kevin loves exploring the outdoors with his wife and two daughters, traveling, adventuring, and discovering by foot, bike, ski, kayak, raft, and along family road and camping trips.

Krista (she/her) has spent her career working in youth development and conservation. She’s been working with Conservation Legacy since 2016, after over 10 years working with the Maine Conservation Corps and in Maine State Parks. With a passion for education, increasing access, and building stewards for the future health of the land, Krista has enjoyed being part of an organization where she can foster these passions in herself and others. Krista studied Geology, so will always be distracted by rocks of all shapes and sizes, and enjoys kayaking, reading, and music.

Daniel Gutierrez is an experienced and accomplished HR professional with over 30 years of HR experience, primarily in higher education serving in progressive roles, and 12 years of leadership expertise in managing and optimizing human resources functions. Daniel received his Bachelor's of Business Administration in Human Resources from New Mexico State University. He is certified as a SPHR and SHRM-SCP. In addition, Daniel has worked in the corporate, manufacturing, consulting, and the construction industries. He considers himself fortunate to have worked in all the functional areas of HR in his early career that provided him with a strong background as he moved into leadership roles. Daniel speaks Spanish and has worked internationally in the Dominican Republic and Mexico. He has implemented a HR business partner model for a large University, developed leadership and DEI Programs, as well as served as the functional lead on many HRIS and ATS implementations to name a few projects.

Daniel is a strong mentor and believes in developing his team. He is a strategic and innovative leader who excels in building and cultivating strong employee relations and driving organizational success through effective people management.

Jorie Emory has focused her career on supporting the vital connections between community and conservation. Prior to joining the team at Conservation Legacy, Jorie was Development Director at Bear Yuba Land Trust in northern California and has served in fundraising and engagement roles in nonprofit organizations across the country, including River Network, Children & Nature Network, Wild & Scenic Film Festival, Center for Contemporary Arts Santa Fe, and Wexner Center for the Arts. Her previous corps experience includes supporting fundraising and training for the Western Hardrock Watershed Team and Appalachian Coal Country Team through Southwest Conservation Corps.

Jorie studied Art at Humboldt State University and later earned a Ph.D. in Arts Administration, Education, and Policy from the Ohio State University, where she researched emerging practices in philanthropy. In her free time, she enjoys hiking with her husband and daughter and exploring the wild landscapes near her Sierra Nevada foothills home. She also makes time for creating art, reading, and serving on the board of directors of the Friends of the Nevada County Libraries.