Who We Are
Meet the team making it happen
As the statewide alliance for land trusts, Gathering Waters supports the 40+ land trusts in Wisconsin by providing technical assistance, training, and continuing education. In addition to serving as a unified voice for Wisconsin’s land trust community and building capacity for permanent land protection, Gathering Waters promotes public understanding and support for land trusts and encourages public policies that strengthen Wisconsin’s land and water conservation efforts.
Gathering Waters was founded in 1994 by a group of visionary leaders who recognized the need for a statewide organization to help land trusts, landowners, and communities protect the places that make Wisconsin special. Read about our history here.
Meet our staff, board members, and others working to serve the land trust community below.
Mike Carlson (he/him)
Executive Director
Mike Carlson (he/him)
Executive Director
Primary Responsibilities
- General organizational management
- Budgeting and major fundraising
- Helps to bolster support for state, federal, and local policies that are beneficial to land trusts
- Board relations
- Public and media relations
- Strategic and long-term planning
Past Jobs & Experience
Mike has been with Gathering Waters: Wisconsin's Alliance for Land Trusts since 2008, previously serving as the organization's Government Relations Director and External Relations Director. In his current role as Executive Director, Mike has overall responsibility for leading and managing the organization and continues to act as an advocate and a liaison for Wisconsin’s land trusts on state and federal policy issues. He moved to Madison in 2002 to pursue a dual degree in Law and Land Resources at the University of Wisconsin—Madison, completing the program in 2007 with an M.S. and a J.D. Mike grew up in Washington, D.C., and is a graduate of Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine.
Education
J.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School, 2007
M.S., Land Resources with certificate in Energy Policy and Analysis, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2007
B.A., Philosophy and Environmental Studies, Bowdoin College, 2002
Favorite protected place in Wisconsin
Ferry Bluff in Sauk County
Hobbies
Mike and his wife, Allison, enjoy spending time exploring the outdoors with their son, Jonas, daughter, Johanna. Mike is also an avid sportsman and enjoys hunting and fishing throughout the year.
- Phone:608-251-9131 ext. 12
- Email:carlson@gatheringwaters.org
Charles Carlin (he/him)
Director of Strategic Initiatives
Charles Carlin (he/him)
Director of Strategic Initiatives
Primary Responsibilities
- Research and public communication on the impact of land conservation funding
- Foster collaborative conservation communications efforts around the state
- Development and facilitation of grassroots communication efforts about conservation
Past Jobs & Experience
Charlie is a geographer and wilderness guide. His research explores what striking experiences in wild places can teach us about how we understand the interrelationship of nature and the human self. He leads courses for NOLS, a wilderness education school based in Wyoming. Charlie is also an editor for Edge Effects, a digital magazine that brings cutting edge environmental scholarship to public audiences. He also worked as a wilderness-based psychotherapist in Utah.
Education
PhD, 2019, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Geography, Minor: Environmental Studies
MA, 2006, Prescott College, Prescott, AZ, Counseling Psychology
BA, 2003, DePauw University, Greencastle, IN, Environmental Politics
Favorite protected place in Wisconsin
Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest
Hobbies
Depending on the season, you’ll find Charlie somewhere outdoors backpacking, mountain biking, trail running, or cross-country skiing.
- Phone:608-251-9131 ext. 15
- Email:charles@gatheringwaters.org
Creal Zearing (she/her)
Director of Philanthropy, CFRE
Creal Zearing (she/her)
Director of Philanthropy, CFRE
Primary Responsibilities
- Major and planned giving
- Foundation and corporate grants
- Annual giving and database oversight
- Fundraising strategy
Past Jobs & Experience
Creal worked at the Wisconsin Foundation & Alumni Association beginning in 2017 as a member of the Gift Planning and Gift Processing teams. Before joining WFAA, Creal worked at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center as Program Coordinator from 2014 to 2017 where she worked with Mike Strigel, Gathering Water's prior executive director, for a year. You may have also seen her around Madison in previous positions at the Willy Street Co-op, Community GroundWorks, the westside YMCA, and Sustain Dane. Before moving to Madison, she taught outdoor environmental education at Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center in Lanesboro, Minnesota.
Education
Creal has a 2010 Bachelor's in Environmental Studies and Spanish from Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois. She earned a Certificate of Environmental Education from Hamline University in 2012.
Favorite protected place in Wisconsin
The UW Arboretum is located near Creal's home and, as such, is a most valued asset within the context of her daily quality of life.
Hobbies
Creal loves to bake and cook when on her own and to go camping and hiking when in the company of her husband and daughter. She also enjoys coordinating community events for members of her cohousing community, Arboretum Cohousing.
- Phone:608-251-9131 ext. 18
- Email:creal@gatheringwaters.org
Chris Gutschenritter (he/him)
Director of Land Conservation Law Program
Chris Gutschenritter (he/him)
Director of Land Conservation Law Program
Primary Responsibilities
- Offer legal services to Wisconsin land trusts
- Deliver continuing legal education opportunities across the state to land trust staff and board members
- Convene a Land Conservation Law Council of experienced attorneys to help shape and guide the Land
- Conservation Law Program
- Broaden the community of practice of legal professionals in the land trust community with a focus on the long-term obligations facing land trusts
Past Jobs & Experience
Prior to joining Gathering Waters, Chris served as Director of Land Conservation and Stewardship at a Wisconsin land trust. While serving as a contractor to Gathering Waters, Chris led a collaborative effort to draft a Model Conservation Easement for Wisconsin.
Other professional experiences include work as an independent legal consultant specializing in Clean Water Act permitting and agricultural law and policy. His past clients include the Commission for Environmental Cooperation, various state policy makers, non-profit organizations and several small farms from Vermont to Oregon.
Chris has served as a Legal Research Fellow for the Centre for International Sustainable Development Law, a Director for Town & Country Resource Conservation and Development, and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Great Rivers and Lakes Permaculture Institute.
Education
J.D., Vermont Law School, 2011
M.E.L.P., Vermont Law School, 2011
B.A., Art History, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 2006
Favorite protected place in Wisconsin
Ledge Park in Dodge County
Hobbies
Chris, his wife, Ashley, and their three kids, George, Frieda, and Oliver, are often found paddling and fishing the rivers, creeks, and lakes near their home.
- Phone:608-251-9131 ext. 17
- Email:chris@gatheringwaters.org
Patricia McMurtrie (she/her)
Annual Giving and Outreach Manager
Patricia McMurtrie (she/her)
Annual Giving and Outreach Manager
Primary Responsibilities
- Works with the Associate Director of Development to engage and sustain membership through outreach activities, programs, and messaging
- Assists with member database management
- Develops print and digital marketing, informational, fundraising, and promotional materials
- Acts as project and outreach manager for events e.g., Wisconsin Land Trust Days
Past Jobs & Experience
Pat joined Gathering Waters in 2018 after working as a freelance marketing consultant and content writer for the health care industry. Before embarking on her freelance career, Pat co-owned a full-service advertising and marketing agency in Wausau, Wisconsin. During the company’s 15-year history, Pat acted as the customer relations director, writer, and editor. She developed marketing strategies, managed customer projects, and acquired a unique understanding of business as she developed long-term professional relationships with her clients.
Education
Studied Business Administration, University of Wisconsin-Platteville
Favorite protected place in Wisconsin
Door County's shoreline; it reminds her of her hometown 35 miles northwest of Bar Harbor, Maine.
Hobbies
Pat enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, exploring new places, hiking, snowshoeing, and capturing pictures of sunsets over the water.
- Phone:608-251-9131 ext. 14
- Email:pat@gatheringwaters.org
Morgan Rusnak (she/her)
Advocacy Manager
Morgan Rusnak (she/her)
Advocacy Manager
Primary Responsibilities
- Manage outreach efforts to connect conservation advocates and decision makers
- Implement advocacy communications campaigns, telling stories that showcase land conservation
- Organize a broad coalition of conservation partners in support of the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program
Past Jobs & Experience
Morgan joined Gathering Waters in 2024 after working at Destination Door County where she led community outreach & sustainability efforts. She is a Leave No Trace Level 2 Educator and aims to help people better understand their relationship to the natural world. Morgan currently serves on the Door County Board of Supervisors, and is heavily involved as a volunteer or board member with a number of Door County organization, including Crossroads at Big Creek, Friends of Peninsula State Park, and Peninsula Symphonic Band.
Education
BA, Marquette University, Social Welfare & Justice
Favorite protected place in Wisconsin
Horseshoe Bay Cave
Hobbies
Morgan is an avid runner, backpacker, and hiker. Depending on the time of year, you’ll find her enjoying a sunset paddle on Lake Michigan, hiking with her dog, Leif, or exploring the backroads on her motorcycle
- Phone:608-251-9131 ext. 10
- Email:morgan@gatheringwaters.org
Julie Allen (she/her)
Accounting Manager
Julie Allen (she/her)
Accounting Manager
Primary Responsibilities
- Provides accounting and financial support for Gathering Waters
Past Jobs & Experience
Julie works part-time for Gathering Waters since joining the organization in 2023. Prior employment includes serving as the CFO for Habitat for Humanity Dane County and the World Council of Credit Unions. She also worked in public accounting for several years and is a Certified Public Accountant.
Education
Bachelor's Degree in Real Estate Finance, UW-Madison
Master's Degree in Accounting, UW-Madison
Favorite protected place in Wisconsin
UW Arboretum and trails nearby
Hobbies
Walking and puzzles
- Phone:608-251-9131 ext. 19
- Email:julie@gatheringwaters.org
Amanda Jutrzonka (she/her)
Communications Manager
Amanda Jutrzonka (she/her)
Communications Manager
Primary Responsibilities
- Oversees the Gathering Waters website and social media
- Coordinates Wisconsin Land Trust Days and the Wisconsin Land Conservation Leadership Awards
- Sends the biweekly e-newsletter Currents to the land trust community
- Organizes the monthly communications and fundraising peer group for land trust staff
Past Jobs & Experience
Amanda joined Gathering Waters in 2021 after working in communications and outreach positions at UW-Madison, Slipstream (formerly Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation), and the Wisconsin DNR. In addition to her work at Gathering Waters, Amanda teaches piano lessons.
Education
B.S. in Life Sciences Communication and Piano Performance, UW-Madison
M.S. in Sustainable Management, Universities of Wisconsin
Favorite protected place in Wisconsin
UW Arboretum, which Amanda first fell in love with during weekly observations of Teal Pond for a Wetlands Ecology class in college.
Hobbies
Amanda likes to spend time out at the barn with her horse Iris, playing piano, and reading. She also likes outdoor walks and dabbles in yarn crafts.
- Phone:608-251-9131 ext. 11
- Email:amanda@gatheringwaters.org
Rhianon Morgan (she/they)
Operations Coordinator
Rhianon Morgan (she/they)
Operations Coordinator
Primary Responsibilities
- Oversees office operations
- Maintains administrative records
- Coordinates logistics for meetings and conferences
- Supports Gathering Waters staff with day-to-day needs
Past Jobs & Experience
Rhianon joined Gathering Waters as Operations Coordinator in July of 2022. Prior to joining the Gathering Waters team, she worked for a small private company. There they performed various roles including accounts payable, marketing, shipping and receiving, as well as seminar coordination support. Prior to her administrative experience, Rhianon worked various retail management positions, with a primary focus on business operations and execution.
Education
University of Wisconsin-Richland (Associate’s), 2014
Favorite protected place in Wisconsin
Pier Natural Bridge in Rockbridge
Hobbies
In their spare time, Rhianon enjoys growing and caring for houseplants, spending time with her cat, Jackie, making arts and crafts, playing video games, and wandering around the UW Arboretum or Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison, WI.
- Phone:608-251-9131 ext. 16
- Email:rhianon@gatheringwaters.org
Lily Butler (she/her)
Events and Outreach Coordinator
Lily Butler (she/her)
Events and Outreach Coordinator
Primary Responsibilities
- Manages logistics for the annual Wisconsin Land Trust Conference
- Plans virtual trainings and webinars for land trust staff and board members
- Coordinates donor engagement and continuing education events
- Supports Wisconsin Land Trust Days and the Wisconsin Land Conservation Leadership Awards
Past Jobs & Experience
Lily joined Gathering Waters in 2024 after completing her master's degree in Environmental Conservation at UW-Madison. During her program, she worked as a student program assistant at the UW-Madison Division of Extension’s Natural Resources Institute, and for the Friends of the UW-Madison Arboretum as their Native Plant Sale Coordinator. Before arriving in Madison, she led sustainability programming, outreach, and community engagement at Oregon State University.
Education
B.S. in Natural Resources and Sustainability, Oregon State University
M.S. in Environmental Conservation, UW-Madison
Favorite protected place in Wisconsin
So far it’s Greene Prairie in the UW Arboretum, but Lily still has so much of the state to explore!
Hobbies
In her free time, Lily likes to read fantasy and sci-fi, play video games with friends, and crochet. She also loves hiking and visiting local coffee shops.
- Phone:608-251-9131 ext. 20
- Email:lily@gatheringwaters.org
Cindy Benzschawel (she/her)
Database and Annual Giving Coordinator
Cindy Benzschawel (she/her)
Database and Annual Giving Coordinator
Primary Responsibilities
- Leads data management for in-house databases
- Processes donations
- Produce monthly donation reconciliation reports
- Provides support for donor mailings
Past Jobs & Experience
Cindy joined Gathering Waters in 2024 after working with Junior Achievement of Wisconsin-South Central Region as the Operations Coordinator, and at Edgewood College as the Associate Registrar.
Education
B.S. in Psychology, Illinois State University
M.S. in Higher Education Administration, Illinois State University
Favorite protected place in Wisconsin
Madeline Island
Hobbies
Cindy enjoys spending time with her husband and son, reading books, watching films, and cuddles from her ginger cat. She also teaches water fitness classes once a week.
- Phone:608-251-9131 ext. 21
- Email:cindy@gatheringwaters.org
Mike Carlson (he/him)
Executive Director
Mike Carlson (he/him)
Executive Director
Primary Responsibilities
- General organizational management
- Budgeting and major fundraising
- Helps to bolster support for state, federal, and local policies that are beneficial to land trusts
- Board relations
- Public and media relations
- Strategic and long-term planning
Past Jobs & Experience
Mike has been with Gathering Waters: Wisconsin's Alliance for Land Trusts since 2008, previously serving as the organization's Government Relations Director and External Relations Director. In his current role as Executive Director, Mike has overall responsibility for leading and managing the organization and continues to act as an advocate and a liaison for Wisconsin’s land trusts on state and federal policy issues. He moved to Madison in 2002 to pursue a dual degree in Law and Land Resources at the University of Wisconsin—Madison, completing the program in 2007 with an M.S. and a J.D. Mike grew up in Washington, D.C., and is a graduate of Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine.
Education
J.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School, 2007
M.S., Land Resources with certificate in Energy Policy and Analysis, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2007
B.A., Philosophy and Environmental Studies, Bowdoin College, 2002
Favorite protected place in Wisconsin
Ferry Bluff in Sauk County
Hobbies
Mike and his wife, Allison, enjoy spending time exploring the outdoors with their son, Jonas, daughter, Johanna. Mike is also an avid sportsman and enjoys hunting and fishing throughout the year.
- Phone:608-251-9131 ext. 12
- Email:carlson@gatheringwaters.org
Charles Carlin (he/him)
Director of Strategic Initiatives
Charles Carlin (he/him)
Director of Strategic Initiatives
Primary Responsibilities
- Research and public communication on the impact of land conservation funding
- Foster collaborative conservation communications efforts around the state
- Development and facilitation of grassroots communication efforts about conservation
Past Jobs & Experience
Charlie is a geographer and wilderness guide. His research explores what striking experiences in wild places can teach us about how we understand the interrelationship of nature and the human self. He leads courses for NOLS, a wilderness education school based in Wyoming. Charlie is also an editor for Edge Effects, a digital magazine that brings cutting edge environmental scholarship to public audiences. He also worked as a wilderness-based psychotherapist in Utah.
Education
PhD, 2019, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Geography, Minor: Environmental Studies
MA, 2006, Prescott College, Prescott, AZ, Counseling Psychology
BA, 2003, DePauw University, Greencastle, IN, Environmental Politics
Favorite protected place in Wisconsin
Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest
Hobbies
Depending on the season, you’ll find Charlie somewhere outdoors backpacking, mountain biking, trail running, or cross-country skiing.
- Phone:608-251-9131 ext. 15
- Email:charles@gatheringwaters.org
Creal Zearing (she/her)
Director of Philanthropy, CFRE
Creal Zearing (she/her)
Director of Philanthropy, CFRE
Primary Responsibilities
- Major and planned giving
- Foundation and corporate grants
- Annual giving and database oversight
- Fundraising strategy
Past Jobs & Experience
Creal worked at the Wisconsin Foundation & Alumni Association beginning in 2017 as a member of the Gift Planning and Gift Processing teams. Before joining WFAA, Creal worked at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center as Program Coordinator from 2014 to 2017 where she worked with Mike Strigel, Gathering Water's prior executive director, for a year. You may have also seen her around Madison in previous positions at the Willy Street Co-op, Community GroundWorks, the westside YMCA, and Sustain Dane. Before moving to Madison, she taught outdoor environmental education at Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center in Lanesboro, Minnesota.
Education
Creal has a 2010 Bachelor's in Environmental Studies and Spanish from Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois. She earned a Certificate of Environmental Education from Hamline University in 2012.
Favorite protected place in Wisconsin
The UW Arboretum is located near Creal's home and, as such, is a most valued asset within the context of her daily quality of life.
Hobbies
Creal loves to bake and cook when on her own and to go camping and hiking when in the company of her husband and daughter. She also enjoys coordinating community events for members of her cohousing community, Arboretum Cohousing.
- Phone:608-251-9131 ext. 18
- Email:creal@gatheringwaters.org
Chris Gutschenritter (he/him)
Director of Land Conservation Law Program
Chris Gutschenritter (he/him)
Director of Land Conservation Law Program
Primary Responsibilities
- Offer legal services to Wisconsin land trusts
- Deliver continuing legal education opportunities across the state to land trust staff and board members
- Convene a Land Conservation Law Council of experienced attorneys to help shape and guide the Land
- Conservation Law Program
- Broaden the community of practice of legal professionals in the land trust community with a focus on the long-term obligations facing land trusts
Past Jobs & Experience
Prior to joining Gathering Waters, Chris served as Director of Land Conservation and Stewardship at a Wisconsin land trust. While serving as a contractor to Gathering Waters, Chris led a collaborative effort to draft a Model Conservation Easement for Wisconsin.
Other professional experiences include work as an independent legal consultant specializing in Clean Water Act permitting and agricultural law and policy. His past clients include the Commission for Environmental Cooperation, various state policy makers, non-profit organizations and several small farms from Vermont to Oregon.
Chris has served as a Legal Research Fellow for the Centre for International Sustainable Development Law, a Director for Town & Country Resource Conservation and Development, and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Great Rivers and Lakes Permaculture Institute.
Education
J.D., Vermont Law School, 2011
M.E.L.P., Vermont Law School, 2011
B.A., Art History, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 2006
Favorite protected place in Wisconsin
Ledge Park in Dodge County
Hobbies
Chris, his wife, Ashley, and their three kids, George, Frieda, and Oliver, are often found paddling and fishing the rivers, creeks, and lakes near their home.
- Phone:608-251-9131 ext. 17
- Email:chris@gatheringwaters.org
Patricia McMurtrie (she/her)
Annual Giving and Outreach Manager
Patricia McMurtrie (she/her)
Annual Giving and Outreach Manager
Primary Responsibilities
- Works with the Associate Director of Development to engage and sustain membership through outreach activities, programs, and messaging
- Assists with member database management
- Develops print and digital marketing, informational, fundraising, and promotional materials
- Acts as project and outreach manager for events e.g., Wisconsin Land Trust Days
Past Jobs & Experience
Pat joined Gathering Waters in 2018 after working as a freelance marketing consultant and content writer for the health care industry. Before embarking on her freelance career, Pat co-owned a full-service advertising and marketing agency in Wausau, Wisconsin. During the company’s 15-year history, Pat acted as the customer relations director, writer, and editor. She developed marketing strategies, managed customer projects, and acquired a unique understanding of business as she developed long-term professional relationships with her clients.
Education
Studied Business Administration, University of Wisconsin-Platteville
Favorite protected place in Wisconsin
Door County's shoreline; it reminds her of her hometown 35 miles northwest of Bar Harbor, Maine.
Hobbies
Pat enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, exploring new places, hiking, snowshoeing, and capturing pictures of sunsets over the water.
- Phone:608-251-9131 ext. 14
- Email:pat@gatheringwaters.org
Morgan Rusnak (she/her)
Advocacy Manager
Morgan Rusnak (she/her)
Advocacy Manager
Primary Responsibilities
- Manage outreach efforts to connect conservation advocates and decision makers
- Implement advocacy communications campaigns, telling stories that showcase land conservation
- Organize a broad coalition of conservation partners in support of the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program
Past Jobs & Experience
Morgan joined Gathering Waters in 2024 after working at Destination Door County where she led community outreach & sustainability efforts. She is a Leave No Trace Level 2 Educator and aims to help people better understand their relationship to the natural world. Morgan currently serves on the Door County Board of Supervisors, and is heavily involved as a volunteer or board member with a number of Door County organization, including Crossroads at Big Creek, Friends of Peninsula State Park, and Peninsula Symphonic Band.
Education
BA, Marquette University, Social Welfare & Justice
Favorite protected place in Wisconsin
Horseshoe Bay Cave
Hobbies
Morgan is an avid runner, backpacker, and hiker. Depending on the time of year, you’ll find her enjoying a sunset paddle on Lake Michigan, hiking with her dog, Leif, or exploring the backroads on her motorcycle
- Phone:608-251-9131 ext. 10
- Email:morgan@gatheringwaters.org
Julie Allen (she/her)
Accounting Manager
Julie Allen (she/her)
Accounting Manager
Primary Responsibilities
- Provides accounting and financial support for Gathering Waters
Past Jobs & Experience
Julie works part-time for Gathering Waters since joining the organization in 2023. Prior employment includes serving as the CFO for Habitat for Humanity Dane County and the World Council of Credit Unions. She also worked in public accounting for several years and is a Certified Public Accountant.
Education
Bachelor's Degree in Real Estate Finance, UW-Madison
Master's Degree in Accounting, UW-Madison
Favorite protected place in Wisconsin
UW Arboretum and trails nearby
Hobbies
Walking and puzzles
- Phone:608-251-9131 ext. 19
- Email:julie@gatheringwaters.org
Amanda Jutrzonka (she/her)
Communications Manager
Amanda Jutrzonka (she/her)
Communications Manager
Primary Responsibilities
- Oversees the Gathering Waters website and social media
- Coordinates Wisconsin Land Trust Days and the Wisconsin Land Conservation Leadership Awards
- Sends the biweekly e-newsletter Currents to the land trust community
- Organizes the monthly communications and fundraising peer group for land trust staff
Past Jobs & Experience
Amanda joined Gathering Waters in 2021 after working in communications and outreach positions at UW-Madison, Slipstream (formerly Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation), and the Wisconsin DNR. In addition to her work at Gathering Waters, Amanda teaches piano lessons.
Education
B.S. in Life Sciences Communication and Piano Performance, UW-Madison
M.S. in Sustainable Management, Universities of Wisconsin
Favorite protected place in Wisconsin
UW Arboretum, which Amanda first fell in love with during weekly observations of Teal Pond for a Wetlands Ecology class in college.
Hobbies
Amanda likes to spend time out at the barn with her horse Iris, playing piano, and reading. She also likes outdoor walks and dabbles in yarn crafts.
- Phone:608-251-9131 ext. 11
- Email:amanda@gatheringwaters.org
Rhianon Morgan (she/they)
Operations Coordinator
Rhianon Morgan (she/they)
Operations Coordinator
Primary Responsibilities
- Oversees office operations
- Maintains administrative records
- Coordinates logistics for meetings and conferences
- Supports Gathering Waters staff with day-to-day needs
Past Jobs & Experience
Rhianon joined Gathering Waters in July of 2022. Previously, she worked in accounts payable, marketing, shipping and receiving, and provided seminar support for the Food Enzyme Institute for four years. Prior to that, she worked various retail management positions.
Education
University of Wisconsin-Richland (Associate’s), 2014
Favorite protected place in Wisconsin
Pier Natural Bridge in Rockbridge
Hobbies
In their spare time, Rhianon enjoys growing and caring for houseplants, spending time with her cat, Jackie, making arts and crafts, playing video games, and wandering around the UW Arboretum or Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison, WI.
- Phone:608-251-9131 ext. 16
- Email:rhianon@gatheringwaters.org
Lily Butler (she/her)
Events and Outreach Coordinator
Lily Butler (she/her)
Events and Outreach Coordinator
Primary Responsibilities
- Manages logistics for the annual Wisconsin Land Trust Conference
- Plans virtual trainings and webinars for land trust staff and board members
- Coordinates donor engagement and continuing education events
- Supports Wisconsin Land Trust Days and the Wisconsin Land Conservation Leadership Awards
Past Jobs & Experience
Lily joined Gathering Waters in 2024 after completing her master's degree in Environmental Conservation at UW-Madison. During her program, she worked as a student program assistant at the UW-Madison Division of Extension’s Natural Resources Institute, and for the Friends of the UW-Madison Arboretum as their Native Plant Sale Coordinator. Before arriving in Madison, she led sustainability programming, outreach, and community engagement at Oregon State University.
Education
B.S. in Natural Resources and Sustainability, Oregon State University
M.S. in Environmental Conservation, UW-Madison
Favorite protected place in Wisconsin
So far it’s Greene Prairie in the UW Arboretum, but Lily still has so much of the state to explore!
Hobbies
In her free time, Lily likes to read fantasy and sci-fi, play video games with friends, and crochet. She also loves hiking and visiting local coffee shops.
- Phone:608-251-9131 ext. 20
- Email:lily@gatheringwaters.org
Cindy Benzschawel (she/her)
Database and Annual Giving Coordinator
Cindy Benzschawel (she/her)
Database and Annual Giving Coordinator
Primary Responsibilities
- Leads data management for in-house databases
- Processes donations
- Produce monthly donation reconciliation reports
- Provides support for donor mailings
Past Jobs & Experience
Cindy joined Gathering Waters in 2024 after working with Junior Achievement of Wisconsin-South Central Region as the Operations Coordinator, and at Edgewood College as the Associate Registrar.
Education
B.S. in Psychology, Illinois State University
M.S. in Higher Education Administration, Illinois State University
Favorite protected place in Wisconsin
Madeline Island
Hobbies
Cindy enjoys spending time with her husband and son, reading books, watching films, and cuddles from her ginger cat. She also teaches water fitness classes once a week.
- Phone:608-251-9131 ext. 21
- Email:cindy@gatheringwaters.org
Board of Directors
Carol Abrahamzon
Chair - Caledonia, MN
Carol Abrahamzon
Chair - Caledonia, MN
Carol is the Executive Director of the Mississippi Valley Conservancy and the vice chair of the Land Trust Council. Carol has more than a decade of experience with non-profit management and donor relationship cultivation. She and her husband Bill own a sustainable farm in southeast Minnesota where they grow beef, pork, chicken and most of their own fruits and vegetables. They employ conservation practices on their farm including, wildlife enhancement projects, invasive species removal and a forest stand improvement program.
Her work experience also includes vice president and office manager for a family business serving the farming community, program manager for the beef industry and most recently director of development for the American Red Cross. Other experience and community involvement includes, the Minnesota Beef Council, Board of Directors, past 4-H club and project leader, Future Farmers of America (FFA) parent advisor, Future Leaders of America coach, and a church council member and deacon. She was named Minnesota CattleWoman of the Year in 2009 and Outstanding Agricultural Mentor (MN Agri-Women).
Becky Steinhoff
Vice Chair - Madison
Becky Steinhoff
Vice Chair - Madison
Becky Steinhoff was born and raised on the south side of Chicago. She is a graduate of UW-Madison with degrees in Social Work and Psychology. Becky has spent the majority of her professional career working in jobs that support better outcomes for children, youth and families, including the Juvenile Detention Center, Briarpatch, and the Goodman (Atwood) Community Center.
Becky spent 31 years as the Executive Director of the Goodman Community Center and during her tenure the organization grew from 2.5 staff and a $200,000 budget to one of Madison’s largest nonprofits with 100 staff and more than a $6M operating budget. Becky left her role at Goodman in 2021 to become the Executive Director of the PRL Keystone Foundation where she oversees grant making, community investments and a college scholarship program. In June of 2021, Becky was hired by the BT Farms Foundation to work on developing an urban Agrihood predominantly for under-resourced people and/or people of color.
Becky is married and has two adult children. Outside of work, Becky enjoys reading, being with family and friends and being outdoors, camping, being in and on the water, and hiking.
Carol Fisher
Treasurer - Madison
Carol Fisher
Treasurer - Madison
Carol Fisher is committed to curbing the impact that humans have on our environment and preserving our valuable natural resources in Wisconsin. She brings more than 20 years of financial and business experience including work with non-profit organizations. In her current role as technical accountant at The Nature Conservancy, she supports financial compliance across the world-wide entity.
Previously, Carol worked in non-profit accounting at Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation (now Slipstream) as controller and chief financial officer and at the Elvehjem (now Chazen) Museum of Art as assistant director for administration. While working for the accounting firm, Grant Thornton, Carol was a Loaned Executive for the United Way of Dane County. Beyond accounting and auditing, Carol has experience with strategic planning exercises, capital financing and banking relationships, human resource management, facilities planning, IRS reporting, and general business management.
In 2019, Carol joined Gathering Waters' finance committee. She also volunteers as treasurer on the board of the Midwest Renewable Energy Association and serves on the Madison Community Foundation audit committee. In the past, she served on other non-profit boards including the Wisconsin Environmental Education Foundation (now part of Wisconsin Natural Resources Foundation), Institute of Management Accountants, and the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps.
For fun, Carol joins her music making friends as a trumpet playing member of the Forward! Marching Band which is Madison’s community activist street band, bringing spectacle and music to the streets to help fuel social change, have fun, and build community.
Jeff Ottum
Secretary - Door County
Jeff Ottum
Secretary - Door County
Jeff Ottum received his BA in Psychology from Vanderbilt University and his MBA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Jeff spent his career with Schreiber Foods headquartered in Green Bay. Schreiber Foods is privately-owned and one of the largest dairy-related firms in the world with an emphasis on cheese and yogurt manufacturing. Jeff’s career included leadership roles in marketing and plant and general management before spending the last eight years of his career as Senior Vice President - Human Resources.
Jeff’s love of the outdoors was nurtured through the Boy Scouts and many decades of family camping. After retiring, he moved to Door County and quickly became engaged in a variety of activities related to human service, nonprofits, and Door County’s unique habitat. He has served on the board of directors of the Door County Land Trust for 10 years, including roles as Treasurer (currently) and President. Jeff also currently serves as chair of the Board of Directors of the Door County Community Foundation.
Jeff and his wife, Barb, have two adult children and one grandchild.
Kieran Coe
Madison
Kieran Coe
Madison
Kieran Coe is an attorney in the Madison office of Godfrey & Kahn, S.C. He has a varied practice, which includes a focus on tax-exempt organizations, including charitable, lobbying, and political organizations, as well as the tax aspects of complex business transactions (such as taxable and tax-free acquisitions, dispositions, reorganizations, and spin-offs). Kieran attended Columbia Law School for his law degree and Middlebury College for his bachelor’s degree.
Kieran grew up in Madison, WI and has been passionate about environmental conservation for as long as he can remember. Some of his best memories from early childhood are school field trips to places like the Aldo Leopold Nature Center to learn about ecology and orienteering and testing his mettle by scrambling up the boulders of the terminal moraine at Devil’s Lake State Park. Kieran and his wife have a son and daughter. He would like to ensure that the special places in Wisconsin are protected for everyone and all generations to come.
Kim Pemble
Port Washington
Kim Pemble
Port Washington
Kim grew up in the Brookfield and Lake Buelah areas of Wisconsin where his curiosity and enjoyment of various habitats and inhabitants began. Countless hikes in the 173-acre family woods outside of Wautoma, and camping “up north” grew the wonder.
He earned a BS in Computer Science from UW-LaCrosse and MS in Biometry and Health Information Systems from the University of Minnesota. Kim’s career in Health Information Technology included senior leadership positions in organizations in southeast and central Wisconsin and statewide health networks. He held academic appointments at UW-Milwaukee and the Milwaukee School of Engineering, serving as interim director of its Medical Informatics Master’s Program. Currently Kim is Principal and Sr. Consultant at Focus Outcomes Consulting, LLC.
Kim has served on several non-profit boards, most recently at Riveredge Nature Center (RNC). In 2022, Kim temporarily stepped down from the Board to serve as RNC’s interim executive director. As an Apostle Island National Lakeshore volunteer, Kim supported bald eagle and acid rain research, and served his local community as a volunteer EMT.
Over the years, camping and traveling around the U.S. and to other countries nurtured his passion to protect places and creatures wild. Kim is an active birder, photographer, and enjoys a good saunter, or being on (and in) Lakes Superior and Michigan, and inland lakes. At home, his wife Ann and he care for and play with their two shelties, a green winged macaw, and rescue cats.
Matt Reetz
Madison
Matt Reetz
Madison
Kevin Thusius
Cross Plains
Kevin Thusius
Cross Plains
Kevin Thusius has worked for the Ice Age Trail Alliance (IATA) since 2000. As Senior Director of Land Conservation Strategy, he manages the Ice Age Trail Alliance's Lands Program. Kevin focuses on completing land transactions, easement acquisitions, and assisting partners with land protection efforts for the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. He also manages the Alliance’s roughly 4,200 acres of land interests, including more than 85 easements and dozens of Alliance-owned preserves. Kevin leads the Alliance's habitat management efforts and advocacy activities on issues like Wisconsin’s Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program and the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). Kevin also assists with large-scale planning efforts led by IATA’s partner organizations. He also previously served as Vice-Chair of Gathering Waters’ Land Trust Council. Kevin lives in Wisconsin with his wife, Krista, and their two children.
Marjie Tomter
Grafton
Marjie Tomter
Grafton
Marjie is a graduate of Marquette University and holds a Masters of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee.
She is finishing her second and last term as president of the Board of Directors at the Ozaukee Washington Land Trust. She will remain on the board for another year as past-president and continue to serve in other capacities. She is the past chair and a current board member of the Town of Grafton Open Space Commission. She is active with various Ozaukee County endeavors and currently a member of the Ozaukee Tourism Council, the Ozaukee County Board of Appeals, and the Cedarburg Artists’ Guild. She is president of the Ulao Creek Partnership, chairs the Ozaukee Treasures Network and Treasures of Oz, which introduces people to Ozaukee preserves and parks through a huge website and annual events. She has been an active advocate of the environment receiving the OWLT Outreach Award in 2010 and the Environmental Hero Award in 2015 from the Sierra Club Great Waters Group.
In her other life, she has multiple years of experience teaching challenged teens, establishing educational and transition programs, educational planning and administration. She lives in Ozaukee County close to the Lake Michigan bluffs where she owns and operates Walkabout Farm that has horses, an organic garden, orchard, wetland, woods, lots of friendly critters and pastures/hayfields. The farm is mostly powered by solar with geothermal heating and cooling. Property management is based on organic and sustainable practices.
Nicole Van Helden
Sturgeon Bay
Nicole Van Helden
Sturgeon Bay
Nicole Van Helden is The Nature Conservancy’s Director of Land Conservation. She leads conservation staff, projects, and partnerships focused on conserving and improving Wisconsin’s resilient landscapes. This includes overseeing TNC’s land protection and management work in Wisconsin. She forges cooperative relationships with diverse partners including government agencies, academic institutions, non-profit groups, businesses, landowners, and donors. Recent projects include the evaluation of natural lands for inclusion as a National Estuarine Research Reserve, constructed treatment wetlands to capture agricultural runoff, stream and wetland restorations, improved fish passage for migratory Great Lakes fish, and priority-setting tools for conservation actions in the Green Bay watershed.
Nicole joined The Nature Conservancy in September 1998, working on land management, land acquisition, and grant opportunities. She is a co-chair of the Green Bay Conservation Partners. Nicole earned a B.S. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In her free time, she volunteers on the Town of Ledgeview’s Park and Recreation Committee.
Stephanie Vrabec
Appleton
Stephanie Vrabec
Appleton
Stephanie Vrabec has been passionate about land conservation and environmental education for decades. Stephanie is very familiar with the work of land trusts in Wisconsin having served 10 years on the board of the Northeast Wisconsin Land Trust (president 2015-2016). She currently serves as a land trust education outreach and program volunteer.
Stephanie received her undergraduate degree from Lawrence University in Appleton and completed a Master of Science at the University of Wisconsin - Madison, where she focused her research on the restoration of natural landscapes. From 1983 to 1994, she worked as an environmental consultant in Colorado, Wisconsin, and Vermont. She specialized in writing environmental impact statements and conducted assessment and restoration of natural plant communities such as grasslands and wetlands. Stephanie served as the government liaison for a variety of development projects where wetland protection and mitigation were high priority. In 2002, Stephanie went into teaching. From 2004 - 2015, she taught high school ecology, geology, environmental science, and marine ecology, and she also taught for University of Wisconsin Fox Valley and the University of Wisconsin Colleges Study Abroad Program.
Stephanie currently serves on the Board of the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley (Vice Chair) and is an emerita trustee of Lawrence University. Her hobbies include gardening, watercolor painting, biking, kayaking, and racket sports. Most of all, she enjoys any outdoor activity that gets her into the woodlands or wetlands of Wisconsin.
Vanessa Wishart
Madison
Vanessa Wishart
Madison
Vanessa is a partner at Stafford Rosenbaum, LLP in Madison where she practices in the field of environmental law. Vanessa’s practice includes water and wastewater utility regulatory compliance and remediation as well as redevelopment of contaminated lands. Prior to joining Stafford, Vanessa was a law clerk at the Wisconsin Court of Appeals, District IV. Vanessa is from Lincoln, Nebraska, and got her undergraduate degree at Bowdoin College in Maine. She received her J.D. and Masters in Environment and Resource Management from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. While in law school, Vanessa interned at Clean Wisconsin and was a summer associate at Earthjustice in Denver, Colorado and the Environmental Law and Policy Center in Chicago, Illinois.
In her free time, Vanessa enjoys traveling, camping, and hiking with her partner, Jack, and their two dogs.
Land Trust Council
An advisory body to support the Wisconsin land trust community
The Land Trust Council informs Gathering Waters’ programs and initiatives. The leaders on the Council provide critical advice that keeps our services relevant, timely, and useful as we pursue our collective mission of protecting the places that make Wisconsin special.
Council participation is voluntary. Council members share ideas, serve as liaisons with land trust community members, and advise on Gathering Waters’ programs. The Council meets annually in person and periodically by teleconference.
Carol
Abrahamzon,
Chair
Mississippi Valley Conservancy
Tom
Stolp,
Vice Chair
Ozaukee Washington Land Trust/River Revitalization Foundation
Ted
Anchor
Northwoods
Land Trust
Jennifer
Filipiak
Driftless Area Land Conservancy
Clint
Miller
The
Conservation Fund
Linda
Mutschler
Cedar Lakes Conservation Foundation
Rick
Remington
Landmark Conservancy
Alison
Volk
American Farmland Trust
Emily
Wood
Door County Land Trust
Carol
Abrahamzon,
Chair
Mississippi Valley Conservancy
Tom
Stolp,
Vice Chair
Ozaukee Washington Land Trust/River Revitalization Foundation
Ted
Anchor
Northwoods
Land Trust
Jennifer
Filipiak
Driftless Area Land Conservancy
Clint
Miller
The
Conservation Fund
Linda
Mutschler
Cedar Lakes Conservation Foundation
Rick
Remington
Landmark Conservancy
Alison
Volk
American Farmland Trust
Emily
Wood
Door County Land Trust
Land Conservation Law Program Advisory Council
The Land Conservation Law Program Advisory Council is a body of legal experts each with varying experience in conservation law. They assist and advise the director of the Law Program.
Committee Members
Christopher Hughes
Partner, Stafford Rosenbaum LLP
Maureen Kinney
Attorney at Law, Johns, Flaherty & Collins, S.C.
Peter McKeever
Retired Attorney, Law Office of Peter E. McKeever, LLC
Bill O’Connor
Attorney at Law, Boardman Clark LLP
Nancy Peterson
Retired Partner, Quarles & Brady LLP
Alison Volk
Land Protection Projects Deputy Director, American Farmland Trust
Eli Woyke
Attorney at Law, Small Batch Law LLC
Community Support
As an alliance, collaboration is inherent to who we are. Beyond our land trust members and the individuals listed above, we work regularly with a variety of partners to advance conservation in Wisconsin.