The SCA is advised by a Board of Directors comprised of accomplished leaders in both the public and private sectors who care deeply about the responsible use and protection of the natural environment and building the next generation of conservation leaders.
Lena Hickman-Miott (Potomac Falls, Va.) – Board Chair 2nd Term I April 1, 2025 – March 31, 2028
Lena Hickman-Miott is the CIO/COO of Miottech, LLC, a retired Cisco executive, and serves as Chair of the SCA Board of Directors. She has extensive experience in technology, business strategy, and governance. Her leadership helps drive innovation and operational excellence.
Bryan Arroyo (Centreville, Va.) – Vice Chair 1st Term | April 1, 2023 – March 31, 2026
Bryan Arroyo is the former Assistant Director of International Affairs for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and serves as Vice Chair of the SCA. He has worked extensively on international conservation and wildlife protection. His leadership focuses on biodiversity preservation and sustainable policies.
Steve Howell (Arlington, Va.) – Treasurer
2nd Term | April 1, 2024 – March 31, 2027
Steve Howell is the COO and CFO of Best Friends Animal Society and serves as the SCA’s Treasurer. Previously, he served as the CFAO for The Nature Conservancy. He has a strong background in financial management and nonprofit operations. His work ensures fiscal responsibility and long-term sustainability.
Karen Wawrzaszek(Vienna, Va.) – Secretary 1st Term | April 1, 2024 – March 31, 2027
Karen Wawrzaszek is the Regional Director for Foundation & Institutional Advisory at Northern Trust Wealth Management and serves as the SCA’s Secretary. She has extensive experience in financial and investment strategy and nonprofit governance. Her work ensures long-term financial sustainability for mission-driven organizations.
Stan Austin (Atlanta, Ga.)
1st Term | April 1, 2025 – March 31, 2028
Stan Austin is a retired National Park Service Regional Director who oversaw the Pacific West Region and the Southeast Region during his tenure of over 35 years, where he played a key role in managing national parks, natural and historic sites and overall operations. His leadership has ensured the preservation and accessibility of public lands.
Elisabeth Bradley(Alexandria, Va.)
1st Term | April 1, 2024 – March 31, 2026
Elisabeth Bradley is the CEO of Forum One, a digital strategy firm. She helps mission-driven organizations leverage technology for greater impact. Her expertise spans digital engagement, strategy, and nonprofit growth. Prior to joining Forum One, Bradley worked directly within the mission-driven sector in key roles at both the Nature Conservancy and the League of Conservation Voters.
Gail Carmody(Panama City Beach, Fla.) 2nd Term | April 1, 2024 – March 31, 2027 Gail Carmody is a retired field supervisor for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. She dedicated her career to protecting natural habitats and wildlife conservation. Her leadership has contributed to safeguarding critical ecosystems. Carmody served as the SCA’s Board Chair from 2023 to 2025.
Nick Costides(Alpharetta, Ga.)
1st Term | April 1, 2024 – March 31, 2026
Nick Costides is the retired Global President of IT at UPS. He serves as a Board Director and Strategic Advisor to public and private companies, as well as an advisor to private equity and venture capital firms. Costides is also the founder of C-Level Advisory, a global management consultancy, and co-founder of The Curated Network™️.
John Glaser (Acton, Mass.)
1st Term | April 1, 2025 – March 31, 2028
John Glaser is an Executive in Residence at Harvard Medical School. He is an expert in healthcare innovation and digital transformation. His work focuses on improving medical technology and organizational efficiency. Glaser is a proud SCA Alum.
Deidra Goodwin (State College, Pa.) 1st Term | April 1, 2025 – March 31, 2028 Deidra Goodwin will be transitioning from Western North Carolina and a remote role with Sierra Club Military Outdoors as a Campaign Strategist to begin a PhD in Recreation, Parks and Tourism Management at the Pennsylvania State University in the fall. Deidra’s work focuses on developing reflective and emotionally fluent leaders and advocates in, for, and through the outdoors. Deidra’s research will focus on the role of informal outdoor experiences in navigating climate grief. Goodwin will serve on the board in their capacity of SCA Alum Council Chair.
Micah Hoffman(Jackson, Wyo.) 1st Term | April 1, 2025 – March 31, 2028 Micah Hoffman serves as a medical director at an insurance plan. He is an adult psychiatrist who continues to engage in patient care with a focus on quality improvement. He also serves as an expert in litigation defense matters. His work focuses on advancing mental health services through innovative treatment strategies.
Cindy Lewin (Arlington, Va.) 1st Term | April 1, 2023 – March 31, 2026 Cindy Lewin chairs the Climate Change, Energy and Environment Commission of Arlington and is the former senior vice president of the National Wildlife Federation. She is a seasoned nonprofit executive and attorney who most recently served as interim CEO of Whitman-Walker Health System. Her expertise includes legal, governance, risk management, and organizational strategy. Lewin’s daughter is a proud SCA alum.
Natalie Mebane (Washington, D.C.) 2nd Term | April 1, 2024 – March 31, 2027 Natalie Mebane is the Chief Program Officer of Zero Hour and Director of Campaigns and Advocacy for Generation Green. She is a climate policy advocate and works on youth engagement in environmental activism. Her efforts focus on sustainability, climate issues and policy change. Mebane is a proud SCA Alum.
Bettina Ring(Charlottesville, Va.)
1st Term | April 1, 2023 – March 31, 2026
Bettina Ring is the State Director for The Nature Conservancy of Virginia. With a background in forestry and sustainable land management, her leadership focuses on environmental conservation and protecting natural resources.
Shanelle Smith Whigham(Cleveland, Ohio) 2nd Term | April 1, 2025 – March 31, 2028
Shanelle Smith Whigham is the Senior Vice President and National Community Engagement Director at Key Bank. She leads a team advancing the bank’s $40 billion Community Investment Commitment. Her work spans from Alaska to Maine, supporting under-resourced communities through strategic partnerships.
Andrew Sutherland(San Francisco, Calif.) 2nd Term | April 1, 2024 – March 31, 2027 Andrew Sutherland is the Chief Product Officer at Art of Problem Solving and the founder and creator of Quizlet. He is a technology innovator who has helped shape modern educational tools. His work focuses on enhancing learning experiences through digital platforms. Sutherland is a proud SCA Alum.
Terri Thomas(Houston, Texas)
2nd Term | April 1, 2020 – March 31, 2026
Terri Thomas is the co-founder of the Deidre Bainbridge Wildlife Fund. She is a conservationist dedicated to protecting endangered species. Her work focuses on wildlife advocacy and habitat preservation.
Tom Tidwell (McCall, ID)
1st Term | April 1, 2023 – March 31, 2026
Tom Tidwell was the 17th Chief of the U.S. Forest Service. He led efforts in sustainable land management, wildfire prevention, and forest conservation. His career is dedicated to protecting and maintaining U.S. forests for future generations.
Bob Vogel (Fernandina Beach, Fla.)
2nd Term | April 1, 2024 – March 31, 2027
Bob Vogel is a former Regional Director for the National Capital Region and Southeast Region of the National Park Service. He has overseen major park management initiatives, ensuring the preservation of national landmarks. His career has been dedicated to conservation and public land stewardship.
Anna Wadhams (Ann Arbor, MI)
2nd Term | April 1, 2024 – March 31, 2027
Anna Wadhams brings deep experience in environmental education, land protection and community engagement to her role as a board member. She began her journey as an SCA intern with the National Park Service in Washington, D.C., where she led interpretive and volunteer programs that sparked her lifelong commitment to stewardship. Her career spans work as an outdoor educator in national parks, national volunteer coordination with the National Environmental Education Foundation, and leadership in nonprofit management, grantmaking and consulting. Wadhams is a proud SCA alum.
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