Resource Sep 28, 2026

Mid-Atlantic Young Leaders Council

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NPCA’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Office established the Young Leaders Council in support of NPCA’s strategic effort to engage young people to make a difference and bring unique perspectives to efforts to protect national parks and public lands.

The Mid-Atlantic Young Leaders Council builds connections with fellow park lovers as well as receive trainings and mentorship from the Mid-Atlantic team to build their advocacy skillset. Throughout the year, our council members will work with NPCA to engage in key campaigns across our region, volunteer and attend events with NPCA staff. These young leaders all have unique experiences and backgrounds, providing new perspectives to our campaigns and advocacy.

2026-2027 Mid-Atlantic Young Leaders Council:

Baylee Anderson Mid-Atlantic Young Leaders Council Baylee is a government affairs professional specializing in advocacy campaigns and strategic support. Outside of work, she’s an avid gardener and cyclist with a passion for conserving native plants and habitats.
Alexis Burns Mid-Atlantic Young Leaders Council Alexis is currently studying law at Delaware Law School part time while working as a Legal Assistant for a land use law firm. She hopes to use her JD to broaden the field of environmental justice and conservation. In her free time, you can find her studying, re-reading the original Hunger Games trilogy, or volunteering in a local park with her best friends.
Noah Cameron Mid-Atlantic Young Leaders Council Noah Cameron is a senior at West Virginia University studying Public Relations and Law & Legal Studies. Following his graduation in December, Noah plans to pursue a master’s degree in Urban & Regional Planning. He specializes in evaluation, research, planning, public relations, and community engagement. He is passionate about environmental advocacy and protecting public lands.
Diana Do Mid-Atlantic Young Leaders Council Diana is a communications professional who is also pursuing a Master’s in Environmental Sciences and Policy at Johns Hopkins University. A passionate advocate for conservation, she combines a love of storytelling with a deep appreciation for the natural world, particularly nearshore and coastal ecosystems. Often accompanied by her pup, Callie, her happy place is anywhere on or near the water, and she believes stories can help people build meaningful connections with nature and inspire action to protect our national parks.
Lauren Doepke Mid-Atlantic Young Leaders Council Lauren Doepke is a Washington, DC-based policy professional working across energy, environmental, and natural resource issues, including coalition-driven advocacy on PFAS liability, clean energy tax incentives, and federal permitting reform. She is also the founder of Urban Detour Adventures, an outdoor recreation and environmental education company, and is training to become a certified master naturalist. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Earth Science and Sustainability and a Master of Environmental Science in Water Resources Management, both from Miami University, and completed the Climate Solutions and Strategies certificate through Oxford University.
Ellerie Ezekiel Mid-Atlantic Young Leaders Council Ellerie Ezekiel graduated from Franklin & Marshall College in 2017, and has worked in the conservation field for almost 10 years. She is a volunteer program manager at Natural Lands in Pennsylvania, where she trains community members on how to be effective land stewards and conservation ambassadors. She is passionate about connecting people to their local nature access points and believes that providing the opportunity for communities to build personal relationships with nature is one of the most effective conservation advocacy tools.
Madelyn Garcia Mid-Atlantic Young Leaders Council Madelyn Garcia is a Bronx-raised Boricua, Watershed Specialist, and public lands advocate whose love for conservation deepened while working with the National Park Service at the Delaware Water Gap National Recreational Area. Her work blends watershed science, environmental storytelling, policy advocacy, and community outreach, including assessing aquatic macroinvertebrates and native fish to better understand stream health. Outside of work, she can usually be found kayaking the Delaware River, drawing and watercolor painting, sending postcards across the globe, and finding ways to connect with nature!
Bridget Hettler Mid-Atlantic Young Leaders Council Bridget graduated from Penn State in 2017 with a degree in mechanical engineering and works full time as an engineer in Philadelphia. In my free time she enjoys thrifting in the city, camping, travelling, baking, and reading outdoors. The National Parks hold a special place in her heart, and she loves bringing her friends and family out to explore with her.
Virginia Houck Mid-Atlantic Young Leaders Council Virginia Houck is a licensed architect in the state of West Virginia whose work spans historic preservation, educational, and civic projects. She believes that protecting cultural and natural heritage requires both thoughtful design and strong advocacy, and is committed to preserving places that enrich communities and inspire future generations.
Anna Jett Mid-Atlantic Young Leaders Council Anna is excited to combine her love for national parks with a dedication to preserving natural and cultural resources. Growing up in a military family and moving around the United States, she developed a passion to protect our public lands and its history. She earned a BA in History from The George Washington University in 2022 and currently works as a Legal Assistant at Berenzweig Leonard, LLP.
Sanaa Payge Mid-Atlantic Young Leaders Council Sanaa (suh-na) is an Impact Analyst and conservation professional dedicated to building inclusive, community-led environmental frameworks. Hailing from Arlington, VA, she holds a deep commitment to environmental justice. Sanaa currently serves as an RAY Conservation Fellow at the Wildlife Conservation Network, where she champions impact reporting and trust-based monitoring to reduce administrative burdens for global grassroots partners.
Garret Pritt Mid-Atlantic Young Leaders Council Garret Pritt holds a B.S. in Political Science and a B.A. in History from Concord University, with a background in environmental advocacy, public policy, and community engagement. He currently works with the West Virginia Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative (WV OEDC), where he is passionate about connecting outdoor recreation, conservation, and economic development. Garret hopes to attend law school and build a career serving the public through nonprofit organizations and government, with a particular interest in protecting public lands and preserving the history and natural beauty of West Virginia.
Riley Reed Mid-Atlantic Young Leaders Council Riley Reed is a public service and advocacy professional based in DC. Her work has focused on LGBTQ+ rights, climate advocacy, and disaster relief. Throughout her career, she has worked across political spaces, including as the youngest organizer involved in planning WorldPride 2025.
Pixie Rolleston Mid-Atlantic Young Leaders Council An entomologist by training, Pixie Rolleston works at Newlin Grist Mill, a historic and nature preserve in southeastern Pennsylvania. There, she takes on varied responsibilities such as educating students about wildlife, promoting events, and giving mill tours. She enjoys organizing events such as Moth Nights and Bioblitzes to encourage people to observe and document the natural world.
Jonathan Smajda Mid-Atlantic Young Leaders Council Jonathan Smajda graduated from Duquesne University with a degree in environmental science and works in fisheries management in southwest Pennsylvania. He is passionate about environmental stewardship, conservation, and working towards a kinder and more hopeful future. His home is Johnstown, PA, and his hobbies include reading, watching scary movies, biking, thrifting, and collecting music CDs and movie DVDs.
Nikhil Weiss Mid-Atlantic Young Leaders Council Nikhil Weiss is a student at American University studying political science, justice, and law. He works to help others learn about the environment through volunteer work at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science and as a survival skills specialist for Avid 4 Adventure summer camp. Growing up in Colorado and hiking all the time, he hopes to protect public lands, like Rocky Mountain National Park and the National Mall.
Sara Wright Mid-Atlantic Young Leaders Council Originally from Niagara Falls, New York; Sara moved to Maryland a few years ago to start their career in the biopharmaceutical industry. They work that job at night to fund their daytime passions that range from cosplay to hiking in as many of the national and state parks they can visit! They currently volunteer at the C&O Canal Great Falls Tavern visitor center, and then spend any leftover free time either playing games with their friends, cuddling their void cat Marth, or deep in their genealogical research.
Sam Zeno Mid-Atlantic Young Leaders Council Sam Zeno is an Energy Campaign Specialist on the Agency Policy team at The Wilderness Society. She leads energy and mining campaigns across the country to advance efforts to rein in oil and gas and mining on public lands through coalition building and the implementation of strategic advocacy campaigns. Prior to TWS, Sam served as a Senior Policy Analyst for conservation at the Center for American Progress. In her career, she has specialized in research and communications on equitable access to nature, national monuments, America’s Arctic, fossil fuel accountability, and outdoor recreation.

For More Information:

Jayda Hayman
Delaware River Field Representative
jhayman@npca.org

Samantha Nygaard
Senior Appalachian Program Manager
snygaard@npca.org

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