Policy Program Manager
Alana is a graduate of the University of Minnesota with a degree in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management. Alana began with Freshwater Future in 2019, interning at the PFAS lab testing water samples, then transitioning to Grants Coordinator, and is now Policy Program Manager. She is originally from Petoskey, Michigan, and is now residing in Chicago, Illinois. In her free time, she enjoys downhill skiing, kayaking, camping, and spending time with her friends and family.
alana@freshwaterfuture.org
Grants and Engagement Manager
Andrew is a values-driven champion for environmental and social justice. His authentic, intentional, and open-minded approach to partnership defines his work, and he brings a unique blend of grassroots organizing, coalition leadership, and nonprofit administration experience to his role as Grants and Engagement Manager at Freshwater Future. Andrew first connected with Freshwater Future as co-founder of the Great Lakes Water Protector Network, where he developed programs that connected communities most impacted by environmental injustice with educational, technical, and communications resources. Other experience includes leading equity-centered grantmaking and workforce development programs, building statewide advocacy coalitions, and advancing arts and culture based community organizing initiatives. Andrew is an experienced facilitator, holds a B.A. in American Studies and Black Studies from Northwestern University, and currently resides in Waawiyatanong (Detroit, Michigan).
andrew@freshwaterfuture.org
Associate Director
Ann began work for Freshwater Future in the fall of 2006. Ann manages our climate program–helping communities build resilience to the impacts of climate change. In addition, Ann works on diversifying funding sources for the organization. Prior to working at Freshwater Future, she served as a Watershed Protection Director and National Park Service Ranger. Ann has a bachelors of science in natural resources from the University of Michigan. Ann works out of the Petoskey office.
ann@freshwaterfuture.org
Associate Director for Urban Partnerships
All his life, Hilliard Hampton has been a hands on problem solver and hands on leader. A four-time elected Mayor, police officer, small business owner, education leader – all of these experiences are what Hilliard brings to his role at Freshwater Future as our Associated Director of Urban Partnerships. Hilliard values the role of community and diverse perspectives in developing solutions, and excels at listening to and integrating others’ perspectives while also maintaining the broader picture to reach a successful conclusion.
hillard@freshwaterfuture.org
Executive Director
Jill Ryan received her bachelor’s degree in biology from Grand Valley State University in Michigan, her master’s degree in zoology from the University of Maine, and her law degree from Case Western Reserve University in Ohio. She has a background in nonprofit management and capacity building, environmental toxicology, and human services, and has taught environmental law and legal research. Jill has held positions with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and is now the Executive Director of Freshwater Future, a position she has held since 2000. In addition to building Freshwater Future, Jill’s passion focuses on increasing grassroots capacity to protect waters in the Great Lakes region, including assisting with a variety of planning processes, board development, facilitation, and bi-national collaborative efforts. She served on the Healing Our Waters Governance Board, helped spur the creation of the growing Great Lakes Network, and monitors emerging issues in the region. Jill resides in Muskegon, Michigan, and enjoys paddling, cycling, and camping with her family and dogs.
jill@freshwaterfuture.org
Policy Director
Kristen Haitaian joined Freshwater Future in November 2021 after receiving an M.A. in Sustainable Urban Development at DePaul University. She previously worked as a speech-language pathologist in adult rehabilitation settings for nearly decade. Between growing up in Chicagoland and family visits to the west side of Michigan, Lake Michigan is easily her favorite Great Lake. She currently lives in Michigan, strives to perfect homemade Italian cuisine, and is transitioning her yard to native landscaping.
kristen@freshwaterfuture.org
Community Program coordinator
Kwamé Hampton has spent years volunteering with local community organizations in Detroit, including Detroit Abloom, Motor City Blight Busters and Rouge Rescue River Cleanup assisting with environmental initiatives, community beautification projects, and community and youth outreach and engagement. At the same time, Kwamé was developing business skills through his work at security firms, and business alliances playing roles from administration to management. Since childhood, the outdoors, nature and the environment have been important parts of Kwamé’s life. In his role as Community Program Coordinator, Kwamé pulls all of these skills and experiences together to work with community organizations to identify and solve neighborhood concerns.
kwame@freshwaterfuture.org
Grants Specialist and Administrative Assistant
Laurie is involved in grant management, membership management, and helping organizations with planning. Prior to joining the Freshwater Future team, she had a thirty plus year career in retail, specializing in customer service. She has a Bachelor’s Degree from Western Michigan University.
laurie@freshwaterfuture.org
Communications and Development Director
Leslie Burk is the Communications and Development Director at Freshwater Future, with over twenty years of experience helping groups build relationships with members, donors, volunteers, and stakeholders. She focuses on fundraising and membership initiatives, linking people to Freshwater Future’s mission and securing funds to protect Great Lakes water resources and communities. Leslie also develops communication strategies across print, web, social media, and live events to reach key audiences and support partner efforts. She earned a B.A. with honors from Purdue, and now lives in Harbor Springs, Michigan, with her family, enjoying nature, gardening, and outdoor activities.
leslie@freshwaterfuture.org
Database Manager
Lisa’s extensive career spans diverse database management in construction, manufacturing, research, nonprofit, and community outreach sectors. She spent ten years as the Database Manager at United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County in North Carolina. Her commitment extends beyond her professional role volunteering with homeless initiatives and mentoring programs. She currently lives in Greenville, SC where she enjoys hiking, reading, live music and dancing.
lisa@freshwaterfuture.org
Chair
Pam Nyberg currently lives in Chicago and has spent the vast majority of her life near the Great Lakes. Currently, she’s the Senior Director of Service Design and Strategy at Launch by NTT Data, a global consultancy that grounds their practices in the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. In this role, she leads teams in understanding the needs and experiences of people and developing solutions that address their challenges. Given Pam’s passion for sustainability, she acquired an MS in Sustainable Management from the University of Wisconsin. Previously, she earned a Masters in Design Strategy from IIT’s Institute of Design, an MS in Industrial and Operations Engineering from the University of Michigan, and a BA in Mathematics from DePauw University.
Treasurer
Jaclyn Wegner is the senior director of conservation action at Shedd Aquarium in Chicago where she mobilizes individuals, communities, and businesses to take action for animals and communities through restoring local wetlands and rivers, sourcing sustainably-sourced seafood, and tackling the plastic pollution crisis. Jaclyn has led conservation outreach efforts at the aquarium since 2014 and has worked on environmental programming since 2006. She has a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in education. In 2018, Jaclyn spent nearly three weeks biking 1,000+ miles around Lake Michigan—one of her most transformative Great Lakes adventures.
Secretary
Maggie Fritz lives in Baltimore, where she serves as the Maryland Director of Major Giving at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation—managing a portfolio of individuals, corporate partners, and foundations making significant philanthropic gifts that transform the health of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Her environmentalism was shaped by annual visits to her family’s home-away-from-home on the Straights of Mackinac, and by growing up in California’s devestating drought of the mid-2010s. Maggie’s lifelong connection to water (and firsthand experience with inadequate access to water) is a driving force in her passion for this work.
Based in Chicago, Bettina Marshall has made significant contributions to several non-profit organizations, including Alliance for the Great Lakes, playing a crucial role in their growth and development. Since November 2018, she has been an instrumental part of People’s Action Institute, establishing their human resources team. With extensive expertise in people and culture management, Bettina has been a driving force in implementing best practices and ensuring compliance in HR. She excels in employee relations, talent management, training, and performance management. She values diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, ensuring that all decisions are made with these principles in mind. Bettina holds a Master’s in Public Administration from Keller Graduate School of Management, along with a Human Resources Certificate from DePaul University. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Marketing Communications from Columbia College Chicago.
Vel Scott is committed to improving public health in her community. After learning how to prepare heart-healthy soul food to help reverse her husband’s heart disease, Vel became passionate about teaching her community in Cleveland’s Fairfax neighborhood healthy cooking and nutrition. But she didn’t stop there, and in 2008, recognizing the need for access to high-quality, local produce, she created a community-based urban farm, Vel’s Purple Oasis. Over the years, the farm has blossomed into a hub for education, collaboration, and empowerment. An impactful educator, Vel teaches how to prepare healthy meals from foods not only from the garden, but from local food banks. Vel’s passion is magnetic, attracting community members who volunteer at the Oasis to help grow healthful food and be a part of an effort to create a healthier community in the heart of the city. Additionally, Vel’s previous experience includes court reporting and managing businesses. Through her work to improve community health, Vel values safe and accessible water for everyone.
Randy Smith attended MSU with goals to contribute to a clean freshwater future and be the best water manager possible. This commitment led to a 20-year career in residuals management where he closed open dumps, started recycling programs, organized household hazardous waste collection events, and led groups and committees focused on environmental protection and sustainability. In 2003, he built a hybrid renewable energy home—an idea he first designed in a solar architecture class in 1980—and continues to live there today. Since 2005, Randy has combined his experience in regional planning, community development, residuals management, and renewable energy into a private practice serving clients from county governments, individuals and utility companies. Randy feels fortunate to be able to contribute to the success of Freshwater Future’s mission as a board member.
