Student Conservation Association Welcomes
New Board Members & Board Leadership

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Student Conservation Association (SCA) today announced its Fiscal Year 2027 Board officers and the appointment of three new board members. These appointments will help support the nonprofit’s mission to build the next generation of conservation leaders.

“We are excited to announce our FY27 board leadership and welcome our new board members,” said Lidia Soto-Harmon, SCA president and CEO. “Their wealth of experience and unwavering commitment to conservation will be invaluable as we continue to expand opportunity for young people and strengthen the communities and landscapes we serve.”

The SCA Board of Directors re-elected D. Lena Hickman-Miott as Board Chair. Hickman-Miott is CIO/COO of Miottech, LLC and a retired Cisco executive. She has extensive experience in technology leadership, enterprise strategy and business governance. Her leadership continues to drive innovation and operational excellence across the organization.

The Board elected Karen Wawrzaszek as Vice Chair. Wawrzaszek previously served as Board Secretary and is Regional Director for Foundation & Institutional Advisory at Northern Trust Wealth Management. She brings deep expertise in financial and investment strategy and nonprofit governance.

The Board re-elected Steve Howell as Treasurer. Howell is the COO and CFO of Best Friends Animal Society and previously served as the CFAO for The Nature Conservancy. He has a strong background in financial management and nonprofit operations, ensuring fiscal responsibility and long-term sustainability.

The Board elected Natalie Mebane as Secretary. Mebane is the Chief Executive Officer of Pelea Movement and the Director of Campaigns and Advocacy for Generation Green. A proud SCA alum, she is an environmental policy advocate focused on youth engagement, sustainability and policy.

The SCA is advised by a Board of Directors comprised of accomplished professionals from both public and private sectors. These individuals are dedicated to the responsible stewardship of our natural environment and committed to mentoring future conservation leaders.

Beginning their terms on April 1, 2026, each board member may serve up to two three-year terms. The three new board members are:

Rachel Garber (Belmont, Mass.)
SCA Alum Council Chair
Rachel Garber is Co-founder and Director of The Creative Learning Company, where she designs curriculum, graduate courses, and professional development. An SCA alum who served in Rocky Mountain National Park, North Cascades National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, and Glacier National Park, she joins the Board in conjunction with her role as SCA Alum Council Chair. She holds a B.A. in Anthropology from Hampshire College and an M.Ed. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

John Spinale (San Francisco, Calif.)
Co-Founder, JAZZ Venture Partners
John Spinale is an investor, advisor and entrepreneur, with a career spanning over 30 years in the consumer media and entertainment technology space. He’s built and led companies whose products have touched hundreds of millions of people around the world. Most recently, Spinale co-founded JAZZ Venture Partners, investing at the intersection of science and technology to improve Human Performance. In his personal time he’s an avid traveller, outdoorsman and amateur chef who enjoys a passion for all forms of creative construction.

Stephanie Tsacoumis (Silver Spring, Md.)
Managing Partner, Pebble Beach Associates
Staphanie Tsacoumis is Managing Partner of Pebble Beach Associates. She previously served as co-partner-in-charge of Gibson Dunn & Crutcher’s Washington, D.C. office, as General Counsel of Georgetown University and its Medical Center, and as General Counsel of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Her experience spans corporate governance, federal regulation, litigation, compliance, and enterprise risk management, providing the Board with significant legal and regulatory expertise.