Administration & Operations
Steve Wilson
Interim President & CEO
steve@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 120
Started at Blandford: February 2023
Education: MBA, University of Michigan
BA in Journalism, Michigan State University
Hobbies/Interests: Fishing, golf, cooking and drumming with a garage band
Favorite part about Blandford: The incredible legacy of founder Mary Jane Dockeray, and how her vision advances our work into the future.
Jennifer Brown
Chief Operating Officer
jennifer@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 108
Started at Blandford: June 2014
Education: MA, Outdoor Recreation (Aurora University)
BA, Natural Resources & Environment (University of Michigan)
Certificate in Nonprofit Management (University of Alaska-Fairbanks)
Hobbies/Interests: baking, running, traveling
Favorite part about Blandford: witnessing people enjoying nature on their own terms every day
Jaime Dobson
Director of Finance & HR
jaime@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 122
Started at Blandford: March 2017
Education: BA, Interpersonal Communications (Michigan State University)
Certificate in Wildlife Rehabilitation (International Wildlife Rehab Council)
Hobbies/Interests: camping/hiking with pets, live music, art glass creations
Favorite part about Blandford: working with an amazing group of talented, mission-driven staff
Julie Batty
Land Stewardship Manager
julie@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 124
Started at Blandford: January 2017
Education: MS, Biology (Grand Valley State University)
BS, Wildlife Biology (University of Missouri)
Hobbies/Interests: visiting Lake Michigan, dancing, and telling people all about plants
Favorite part about Blandford: working with the amazing eco-steward volunteers
Cameron Popa
Office Coordinator & Bookkeeper
cameron@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 127
Started at Blandford: January 2019
Education: BA, English Language & Literature (Western Michigan University)
Hobbies/Interests: gardening, videogames, walking/hiking
Favorite part about Blandford: learning new things every day and building relationships with incredible people
Dyon Dubero
Maintenance & Land Stewardship Technician
dyon@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240
Started at Blandford: October 2018
Education: BS, Natural Resource Management (Grand Valley State University)
Hobbies/Interests: fishing, video games, soccer
Favorite part about Blandford: working with a great group of staff and working outdoors
Development & Marketing
Jess Bitting
Director of Development
jess@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 109
development@blandfordnaturecenter.org
Started at Blandford: March 2018
Education: BA, International Studies (Seattle University)
Hobbies/Interests: fermentation, hiking/observing nature, sewing
Favorite part about Blandford: the dynamic and inspiring work environment
Sidney Baxter
Marketing & Communications Manager
sidney@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 110
social@blandfordnaturecenter.org
Started at Blandford: September 2020
Education: BS, Zoology – Neurobiology/Animal Behavior (Michigan State University)
Hobbies/Interests: Running, thrifting, crafts, live music with friends
Favorite part about Blandford: working with people who share the same enthusiasm for wildlife and the environment
Sue Van Dame
Visitor Services Manager
sue@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 118
Started at Blandford: May 2016
Education: BS, Advertising/Marketing
Hobbies/Interests: Creating jewelry and metalsmithing, nature enthusiast and animal lover, healthy cooking/eating
Favorite part about Blandford: that Blandford brings the beauty and healing power of nature to all of us
Nicole Brandes
Visitor Services Associate
nicole@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240
Started at Blandford: March 2021
Education: Pursuing BS, Nursing (Grand Valley State University)
Hobbies/Interests: fishing, swimming, kayaking, hiking
Favorite part about Blandford: the animals
Programs & Services
Katie Clouse
Volunteer & Community Outreach Manager
clousek@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 104
volunteer@blandfordnaturecenter.org
Started at Blandford: February 2019
Education: BFA, Advertising Communications (International Academy of Design/Technology-Chicago)
Hobbies/Interests: hiking, camping, reading, spending time with my dogs & family, birding, music
Favorite part about Blandford: working in a beautiful environment with amazing, passionate people
Liz Visser
Farm Manager
liz@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 125
Started at Blandford: April 2016
Education: BA, Art & Design (Grand Valley State University)
Hobbies/Interests: cooking, quilting, painting portraits
Favorite part about Blandford: contributing to the sustainability and local food movement in a hands-on way
Mary Rose Jones
Camp Manager
maryrose@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 105
camp@blandfordnaturecenter.org
Started at Blandford: August 2017
Education: BAA, Outdoor Recreation/Environmental Education (Central Michigan University)
Hobbies/Interests: camping/birding, movies/shows, cuddling with pets
Favorite part about Blandford: having new experiences, or learning something new each day at Blandford
Heather Lewis
Director of Programs
heather@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 115
Started at Blandford: September 2017
Education: MS, Infectious Disease Epidemiology (University of Oxford)
MPH, Health Behavior and Health Education (University of Michigan)
BA, Anthropology (Harvard University)
Certificate in Montessori Early Childhood (New England Montessori Teacher Education Center)
Hobbies/Interests: reading, traveling, spending time with family and pets
Favorite part about Blandford: exploring outdoors with students from all over West Michigan
Lori Lomoro
Wildlife Manager
lori@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 101
Started at Blandford: May 2002
Education: BS, Wildlife Biology (Grand Valley State University)
Certificate in Wildlife Rehabilitation, Zoonoses, Reuniting Raptors, Wound Management (International Wildlife Rehab Council)
Hobbies/Interests: gardening, crafting, thrift shopping
Favorite part about Blandford: caring for wildlife in a beautiful setting
Camilla Voelker
Community Programs Manager
camilla@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 102
Started at Blandford: May 2022
Education:
Hobbies/Interests:
Favorite part about Blandford:
Katie Cevaal
Camp Administrator & Education Specialist
cevaal@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 113
Started at Blandford: February 2022
Education: BA, Environmental Studies (Illinois Wesleyan University)
Hobbies/Interests: hiking, cooking, gardening, spending time with family
Favorite part about Blandford: learning something new everyday!
Jenny Miller
Wildlife Education Specialist
miller@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 137
Started at Blandford: May 2022
Education: BS, Zoology (Colorado State University)
Hobbies/Interests: Hiking, paddle boarding, thrifting
Favorite part about Blandford: Being able to share nature with the Grand Rapids Community
Sarah Chertos
Wildlife Education Specialist
sarah@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 114
Started at Blandford: June 2014
Education: BS, Biology Natural Resources and Outdoor & Environmental Recreation (Central Michigan University)
Hobbies/Interests: swimming, birding, herping (searching for herptiles)
Favorite part about Blandford: daily opportunities to help the community fall in love with wildlife and nature
Sarah Bass
Farm Programs Specialist
bass@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 107
Started at Blandford: January 2022
Education: BA, English Literature and Gender Studies (Calvin College)
Hobbies/Interests: collecting rocks, reading poetry, swimming in the Great Lakes
Favorite part about Blandford: the constant learning of new things and the chance to share the magic of plants and seeds and soil with others
Katie Goplerud-Smith
Environmental Educator
goplerud-smith@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 112
Started at Blandford: June 2021
Education: BS, Wildlife Ecology: Research & Management (University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point)
Hobbies/Interests: hiking, running, traveling, fly fishing, and learning about nature
Favorite part about Blandford: Always finding something new on the trails and working with an awesome team
Angela Haan
Farm Production Specialist
angela@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240
Started at Blandford: January 2022
Education: BA, Anthropology (Grand Valley State University)
BA, Environmental & Sustainability Studies (Grand Valley State University)
Hobbies/Interests: learning more about plants, thrifting, camping, scrapbooking, cooking
Favorite part about Blandford: how welcoming and accessible it is to explore, learn, rest, and engage with nature
Samantha Walker
Environmental Educator
samantha@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 107
Started at Blandford: June 2022
Education: BS, Wildlife Biology (University of Michigan-Flint)
Hobbies/Interests: gardening, crafting, wakeboarding, movies
Favorite part about Blandford: learning new things every day from other staff members!
Board of Directors
Officers |
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Ryan Podvin • Chair Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital |
Bob Tsironis • Treasurer Burnham & Company |
Andy Beachnau • Vice-Chair Grand Valley State University |
Members |
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Mark Augustyn Mercantile Bank |
Lisa Oliver-King Our Kitchen Table |
Matt Cook Lake Michigan Credit Union |
Gustavo Perez Kent County Community Action |
Shavon Doyle-Holton Inclusive Performance Strategies |
Susan Meyers Warner Norcross + Judd, LLP |
Beth Cranson Corewell Health |
Linda LaFontsee LaFontsee Galleries |
Jeff Towner Merrill Lynch Yumiko Jakobcic |
Keith Winn Catalyst Partners James TenBrink |
Emeritus Board Members |
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Laurie Gardner Community Volunteer |
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