Staff

Susan Boeri

Accounting and Development Specialist
Email Susan | 914-234-6992 ext. 20

Susan provides administrative and reporting support to the fundraising, grant writing, and event initiatives at Westchester Land Trust. Prior to joining WLT, Susan volunteered in WLT’s office. She spent most of her professional life in cash management roles. Susan holds a bachelor’s in business from SUNY Oswego and an MBA from Pace University in finance and information systems.

In her free time, Susan enjoys caring for her indoor plants, doing jigsaw puzzles, hiking, live music, and volunteering at WLT and Putnam County Land Trust preserves on weekends.

Kim Fendrich

Program Manager (she/her)
Email Kim | 914-234-6992 ext. 18

Carissa Gospodinoff

Vice President of Operations (she/her)
Email Carissa | 914-234-6992 ext. 21

Carissa leads in maintaining, developing, and implementing organizational systems, and managing Sugar Hill Farm. As the administrative hub, she supports WLT in a magnitude of ways.

For the last decade, Carissa has worked in land conservation in California in areas ranging from the mountainous Lake Tahoe to the rural Eastern Sierra. She grew up in Greenwich, CT across from Babcock Preserve on a 10-acre family-run landscape nursery and attended Hunter College in NYC. Carissa has always had a desire to protect and preserve our natural world and wide-open spaces, which is what led her to the land trust world. In her free time, you can find her exploring the local woods and riding her bike. 

Jody Hughes

Conservation Easement Manager (he/him)
Email Jody | 914-234-6992 ext. 11

Jody manages Westchester Land Trust’s portfolio of over 215 (and growing!) conservation easements, protecting almost 6,500 acres of land. His day-to-day work includes walking the land with property owners and managers, assisting landowners in understanding what their easement does and does not permit, resolving violations, and promoting responsible stewardship on protected land.

Jody previously volunteered with WLT’s stewardship team and served as a consultant for the Pollinator Pop-Up. Prior to joining WLT, Jody worked in education in NYC, most recently as a director at a learning center. He holds a bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of Manchester.

Ben Kleist

Preserve Manager
Email Ben | 914-234-6992 ext. 27

Ben works to maintain and enhance preserve health through invasive species management, habitat restorations, infrastructure maintenance, and overseeing summer conservation apprentices. Before coming to work for the Westchester Land Trust team, Ben assisted farmers in implementing sustainable farming practices in Washington state and led conservation crews throughout Minnesota. In his free time, you will likely find him snowboarding, camping, hiking, and biking. He holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental geography from the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire. If you see him working in one of the preserves feel free to stop by and say hi!

Susan Leighton

Vice President of Philanthropy (she/her)
Email Susan | 914-234-6992 ext. 23

Susan oversees all fundraising and events at Westchester Land Trust and creates a strong culture of appreciation and inclusion in our community, while also managing the grant writing process for the organization. Prior to joining WLT, Susan worked in development for the Historic House Trust of New York City and the Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens in Richmond, Virginia. She currently sits on the Advisory Board of the Cape Elizabeth Land Trust in Maine where she and her husband raised their family. Susan holds a bachelor’s in finance from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, MA.

Jes Parker

Director of Communications (she/her)
Email Jes | 914-234-6992 ext. 22

Jes leads strategic communications and marketing efforts at Westchester Land Trust, ensuring the organization’s messaging stays clear, consistent, and true to its mission. She focuses on strengthening connections with donors, engaging the community, and supporting fundraising—all while promoting values of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

In addition to her role at WLT, Jes serves on the boards of the Pollinator Pathway and the Norwalk River Watershed Association, and on the steering committee of the Regional Conservation Partnership Network. Based in Norwalk, Connecticut, she also helps run MANIFEST, a mobile coffee + community spot, and the Norwalk Silent Book Club. Before joining WLT, Jes worked as a freelance communications strategist and held roles at conservation nonprofits and marketing agencies. She holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies and a master’s degree in strategic communications.

Janelle Robbins

Vice President of Conservation (she/her)
Email Janelle | 914-234-6992 ext. 16

Janelle oversees Westchester Land Trust’s land protection and stewardship teams, ensuring land is actively protected and managed for biodiversity, water quality, and public access. Prior to joining staff, Janelle served on WLT’s Board of Directors and Advisory Board. Janelle is a longtime environmental professional, working with Hudson Riverkeeper, Waterkeeper Alliance, Bedford Audubon Society, and most recently, as a consultant with Carpenter Environmental Associates and Woodard & Curran. Her experience ranges from developing environmental education programs to site design review and construction oversight to litigation support for environmental advocacy organizations. Janelle holds a bachelor’s degree in agricultural and biological engineering from Cornell University, a master’s degree in biological systems engineering from Virginia Tech, and is a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED AP).

Jake Sacket

Land Steward and Educator
Email Jake | 914-234-6992 ext. 17

Jake works to support the Sugar Hill Farm operations, coordinate volunteers, and help with educational experiences for Westchester Land Trust. Prior to joining the Westchester Land Trust team, Jake was a preschool site director, and head teacher for a nature-based program in Yonkers. Jake holds a bachelor’s degree in sustainability, geology, and GIS from Hofstra University, and a master’s of education from Antioch University. In his free time, Jake enjoys hiking, playing board games, and reading while in a hammock.

Stella Vercesi

Conservation Technician
Email Stella | 914-234-6992 ext. 15

Stella supports the stewardship of our preserves with a focus on trail maintenance and habitat restoration. Her work also includes preserve monitoring, addressing and resolving encroachments, working with volunteers, and helping to ensure the preserves are accessible to everyone. Before joining the Westchester Land Trust team, Stella earned her bachelor’s degree in wildlife and fisheries biology from the University of Vermont. Her previous experience includes working at the Greenburgh Nature Center and the Edith Read Wildlife Sanctuary, as well as assisting with research on Lake Champlain during her time at UVM. Be sure to say hello if you see her out on the trails!

Kara Hartigan Whelan

President (she/her)
Email Kara | 914-234-6992 ext. 12

Kara became President in 2022 after more than a decade of leadership roles at WLT. She has led land acquisitions, fundraising, and conservation programs. A co-founder of the Hudson to Housatonic RCP, Kara brings leadership and research experience from the US EPA, City Parks Foundation, Chewonki Foundation, The Trustees of Reservations, and Greenwich Land Trust. A Westchester County native with environmental degrees from the University of Michigan and Boston College, Kara is happiest connecting with people to ensure that land endures as a source of wonder and well-being for generations to come.