Mark King
Executive Director
Mark joined the Conservancy as Executive Director in 2013, but his history of involvement with the organization goes back much further. As one of the organization’s founding board members in 1992, he has had a hand in many of the organization’s conservation successes. Mark’s early work with the Land Conservancy led to a 17-year career with The Nature Conservancy as Director of Land Protection for the Eastern New York Chapter. Before working for The Nature Conservancy he was a Senior Natural Resource Planner with Albany County. Mark began his career working for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation helping with the State’s Bald Eagle reintroduction program. A life-long resident of the Capital District, Mark is passionate about sharing an appreciation for the natural beauty of the area by helping to conserve our open spaces.
Sarah Walsh
Associate Director
Sarah joined MHLC in 2017. She is responsible for land protection, oversight of land stewardship, and provides support for strategic planning and organizational development. Prior to her work with MHLC, Sarah led DEC’s Trees for Tributaries Statewide Program and served as Conservation Director for the Thousand Islands Land Trust. Sarah brings experience in habitat restoration initiatives for bird species, riparian, and wetland areas as well as non-profit program development and trail planning. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Science from SUNY ESF and her Master’s degree in Science Education from the University of Albany in 2012. Sarah is an avid outdoor enthusiast who enjoys back-country skiing, mountain biking, hiking, paddling, sailing, and bird watching with her husband and dog.
Tara Tornello
Development and Community Engagement Director
Tara joined MHLC in 2021 as Development & Community Engagement Director. She holds a degree in English from Mount Saint Mary College and brings 20 years of experience in marketing, fundraising, event planning, and project management. Her passion for conservation and outdoor recreation brought her to MHLC, where she is committed to advancing the Conservancy's mission and fostering relationships within its community. In her free time, Tara enjoys hiking, fly fishing, baking, and photography.
Carrie Stickan
Communications and Outreach Coordinator
Carrie joined the Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy in 2019 as Communications and Outreach Coordinator. After moving to Delmar with her family in 2014, Carrie worked as a marketing, communications, and design consultant for the System Dynamics Society in Albany. Before that, she worked for several Chicago-area non-profit organizations, including the John G. Shedd Aquarium, the International Museum of Surgical Science, and the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust. Carrie holds a BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and began her career as an illustrator, freelance artist, and art instructor. In her free time, Carrie loves to draw, garden, and spend time outdoors.
Marshall Lefebvre
Stewardship Director
Originally from southwestern Pennsylvania, Marshall holds a BS in Conservation Ecology from California University of Pennsylvania and relocated to New York’s Finger Lakes Region in 2015. Marshall has worked as a research technician with the NYS Hemlock Initiative at Cornell University, a Landscape Restoration Specialist with NYS Parks, and with several small farms and businesses. He has a passion for community building and cultivating human/land connections. Marshall likes to spend his time gardening, wood carving, tree climbing, canoe camping, and playing music.
Bob Frederick
Seasonal Stewardship Assistant
Bob joined MHLC in June of 2019 as our new part-time Stewardship Assistant. Bob will be coordinating our Preserve Stewards and the MHLC stewardship workdays. As a past Steward of the Keleher Preserve, Bob’s experience is an asset to this position. With a former career in higher education, Bob has coordinated hundreds of community events, trained staff, and volunteers, and led strategic planning processes for college departments and professional organizations. Besides hanging out with friends in nature, Bob spends much of his days songwriting and collaborating with musicians to publish inspiring and meaningful music.
Dana Burns
Office Manager and Bookkeeper
Dana joined the Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy as Office Manager / Bookkeeper in February 2021. She brings over 25 years of experience in finance and bookkeeping in non-profits, education, retail, and agriculture. After graduating from the University at Buffalo, Dana spent 12 years living in and around New York City. A Capital District resident since 2001, she enjoys hiking locally and in the Adirondacks, skiing, kayaking, organic gardening, and vegetarian cooking.
