Our STAFF
Wendy matusovich, executive Director
Wendy grew up in Connecticut surrounded by farms and forests. Much to her mother’s dismay she spent as much time as she could playing in the mud. She learned first hand the value of spending time in nature and now is grateful for the privilege to work on bringing urban children out to the land. Wendy worked at the national nonprofit Farm Aid for over 18 years before joining Farrington Nature Linc. She has a B.A. from Brown University and a Masters in Counseling Psychology from Lesley University.
Avery Adam, Operations Director
With a background that combines nonprofit leadership and a passion for equitable educational opportunities, Avery is dedicated to creating meaningful connections between people and nature. She also has a personal commitment to fostering inclusivity and understanding, as a parent of neurodiverse children. Avery has served as Executive Director of the 4-H Foundation of New Hampshire. When not at work, she volunteers her time with Dandelions Wildlife Rescue, rescuing and rehabilitating animals in her basement.
Kathryn Fenneman, Development Director
Kathryn is a nonprofit professional with a deep commitment to equity, sustainability and social justice. She brings nearly 20 years of experience working with domestic and international nonprofits in youth development, education, human services and community development. Raised in rural Iowa, she is a graduate of Simpson College (Iowa) and The Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University. Outside of work, you will most likely find her playing or watching soccer.
Meg ito, Director of Education and Community Engagement
Meg comes to Nature Linc with more than 15 years of teaching experience. As a former special education teacher and former Board Certified Behavior Analyst, she is dedicated to supporting children of all ability levels to enjoy the natural world. Meg has guided students on climbing trips all over the country. Her love of the outdoors started early on as a child, playing in streams, catching tadpoles behind her house in New York. Her favorite color is green, she's not afraid to hold a snake and loves finding bones and owl pellets in the forest.
Brandon Tolentino-Serrano, ProGRAM Manager
Born and raised in Houston, TX, Brandon became interested in environmental justice because he noticed that heavily urbanized areas face a lot of challenges in sustainably managing land and resources. He received a B.A. in Environmental Analysis from Pomona College in Claremont, CA. Brandon worked as a plant manager and workshop guide in a small houseplant business in Los Angeles. There, he discovered his love of plants and became interested in the healing properties of nature.
Mackenzie LADAO phillips, communications Manager
Mackenzie was born and raised in Hawai'i with a childhood rich in nature, from the mountains to the forests to the seas. She was taught from a young age that connection to the land (the ‘aina) is important. If you do not mālama, which means to give back or take care of the land, the land cannot take care of you. Mackenzie has a BA in English from the University of Hawaii with a minor in Art. She also coaches Junior Roller Derby where she shares her love for the sport, and teaches leadership skills, communication and encourages inclusivity.
Our BoarD
madeline lee-President
Madeline Lee is dedicated to inclusive community development and place-based work. She develops affordable housing in Cambridge, MA as a Project Manager at Just A Start, a local nonprofit. Prior to Just A Start, Madeline has experience at multiple community nonprofit and public programs focused on housing, food access, and youth work in Greater Boston. Madeline is also a visual artist, volunteer educator, and Board member of Unbound Visual Arts in Brighton, MA. She has a B.A. in Architectural Studies and Environmental Studies from Tufts University, and loves to swim, bike, and play outdoors.
Hannah merves
Hannah Merves is a Senior Director at Capital One where she works on strategy and improving customer experiences. Previously she spent many years as a strategy consultant at Bain & Company, and she has also worked at the Obama White House in the National Economic Council. She has an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA from Amherst College in Philosophy and Economics. Hannah currently lives in Washington DC and enjoys running and walking through the gardens of Georgetown. She loves the New England landscape, especially the New England coast, and visits as often as she can.
KAYLA POWERS
Kayla Powers is a diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practitioner and environmental justice advocate. A graduate of Tufts University with a BA in Environmental Studies, a concentration in Sustainability, Policy, and Equity and a BA in Anthropology. This, alongside her lived experience, has equipped her with a strong understanding of structures and practices of race and racism. Kayla is the Environmental Justice Manager at Clean Production Action and has played an essential role in leading diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and pushing for strategic and meaningful implementation of these values within the organization. Kayla is committed to working toward a cleaner, greener, and safer environment for people of all walks of life. Kayla is always thinking about how environmentalism and the environmental movement are experienced and shaped by the endless individual and collective human experiences of this planet. She works to bring people together in meaningful ways to help build a future that is genuinely sustainable and equitable on all fronts and for all people.
Halle Auerbach Thomas
Works in Real Estate Development at Tierney Development Services. Prior to joining TDS, she spent over 12 years at Millennium Partners, a national real-estate development firm focused on large mixed-use projects with a commitment to innovation and sustainability.
Ian Smith-treasurer
Ian is an actuary by trade but a nature lover at heart. His professional career has spanned the globe: managing billion dollar transactions in Asia, risk management in Europe, and financial valuation in North America. But he has always been happiest when he is outside playing, ideally with his family. He is a passionate rock climber, biker, backpacker, trekker, camper, and just about anything human-powered in the great outdoors. He is thrilled to be able to combine these aspects in supporting the incredible work Nature Linc does to provide nature-based experiences for all children.
Zachary Snelling
Zach is a dedicated social worker and nonprofit leader with a passion for supporting diverse communities through trauma-informed care and mental health counseling. As a medical social worker at Lahey Hospital & Medical Center, he conducts biopsychosocial assessments and provides supportive counseling to patients in a Level 1 trauma center. Zach also brings strategic leadership experience from Kesem National, where he led large-scale youth programs and fundraising initiatives. He is excited to bring his clinical expertise, leadership skills, and love of the outdoors to Farrington Nature Linc.
Jake Therien-Vice president and clerk
Jake is a financial strategy analyst at Harvard University, where he focuses on financial planning for key strategic initiatives. With over 10 years of experience in financial services, Jake reviews budgets, contributes to complex cross-functional projects, and helps connect people and ideas across the university. Jake looks forward to bringing his financial and analytical toolkit to Nature Linc and is excited to help further the mission. Whether it's cycling, paddle boarding, hiking, or birding with his partner, Jake loves being connected with nature. Jake holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Bryant University.
Committees
Asset Management
Josh Croom, Cambridge Redevelopment Authority
Hannah Merves, Capital One
Brooks Mostue, Tierney Development Services
Craig Nicholson, Affirmative Investments
Dan Peirce, State Street (retired)
Mike Russell, Harvard University
Ian Smith, Sun Life (chair)
Jake Therien, Harvard University
Halle Thomas, Tierney Development Services
Governance
Madeline Lee, Just A Start (chair)
Jen Stevenson, Aetna
Jake Therien, Harvard University
Program
Josh Croom, Cambridge Redevelopment Authority
Lucia del Rincon, La Rabida Children’s Hospital
Tyesha Kincade, Boston Public Health Commission
Madeline Lee, Just A Start (chair)
Daniel Michaud Weinstock, dmw360 consulting
Kayla Powers, Clean Production Action
Development
Bryn Gingrich, Gore Place
Danica Kwan, Boston Dynamics
Zach Snelling, Lahey Hospital & Medical Center
Susan Taylor, Lincoln School Committee
