Bedford Hills, NY—Westchester Land Trust (WLT) announced President Kara Hartigan Whelan will conclude her tenure at the end of 2026, following 15 years of dedicated service to the organization. Her leadership has been marked by significant growth in land conservation, expanded organizational capacity, and a deep commitment to protecting the natural landscapes of Westchester and eastern Putnam counties. Whelan will begin the transition of her position with interim leadership before she departs to join the Appalachian Mountain Club as Vice President of Conservation.

Whelan joined Westchester Land Trust in 2012 as Director of Conservation Programs, later serving as Vice President before becoming President. Under Whelan’s leadership, WLT expanded its portfolio of protected land by thousands of acres and improved the stewardship of its 9,662 acres of land throughout the region, grew its professional staff, and secured millions of dollars of funding to advance dozens of priority conservation projects and programs.

Beyond these milestones, she guided WLT through its third reaccreditation awarded by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, and advanced farmland protection and food justice initiatives, for which the organization received national recognition on CNN’s Champions for Change program.

“Serving Westchester Land Trust has been a great honor,” said Whelan. “I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished, and I am deeply grateful to the extraordinary staff, volunteers, Board members, and supporters who make this work possible. WLT has been such an important part of my life and my family’s life, and I leave knowing that the organization is on a strong foundation, has an incredibly talented and dedicated professional staff, and a mission that will endure.”

“Over the past 15 years, Kara’s leadership has shaped Westchester Land Trust and the communities we serve in meaningful ways,” said Clifford Aronson, on behalf of Westchester Land Trust’s Board of Directors. “Her thoughtful vision, steady dedication, and gift for bringing people together have helped WLT grow into the organization it is today. From strengthening urban conservation partnerships to supporting more accessible and welcoming open spaces, Kara has always focused on connecting people with nature and each other. We are so grateful for all she has contributed and wish her the very best at the Appalachian Mountain Club.”

WLT’s Board of Directors has appointed Carissa Gospodinoff to serve as Interim President. Gospodinoff, raised in Greenwich, CT, is a seasoned conservationist who currently serves as Vice President of Operations/Chief of Staff at Westchester Land Trust and brings her experience overseeing the organization’s operational strategy, financial management, and human resources to this role. Prior to joining WLT, Gospodinoff worked in the conservation sector in California and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

“I’m honored to help guide Westchester Land Trust through this next chapter,” said Gospodinoff. “Kara has built an extraordinary foundation for the organization, and I look forward to working alongside our talented team, committed board and dedicated supporters to ensure continuity, stability, and the advancement of our mission of land protection across the region.”

WLT’s Board of Directors will embark on a search for its next permanent president later this month.

“Westchester Land Trust’s greatest strength has always been its people and their shared commitment to this mission. Carissa is a strategic thinker with exceptional nonprofit management skills and a mission-driven vision. I’m looking forward to working with her to position WLT for continued success in the years ahead,” said Whelan.

We acknowledge that our region is within the traditional territories of the Lenape people and that their culture and traditions live on today.