NPCA’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Office established the Young Leaders Council in support of NPCA’s strategic effort to engage young people to make a difference and bring unique perspectives to efforts to protect national parks and public lands.
The Mid-Atlantic Young Leaders Council builds connections with fellow park lovers as well as receive trainings and mentorship from the Mid-Atlantic team to build their advocacy skillset. Throughout the year, our council members will work with NPCA to engage in key campaigns across our region, volunteer and attend events with NPCA staff. These young leaders all have unique experiences and backgrounds, providing new perspectives to our campaigns and advocacy.
2025-2026 Mid-Atlantic Young Leaders Council:
Pixie Rolleston
Pixie Rolleston is an entomologist by training, having graduated from the University of Delaware in 2023 with a Bachelor’s in Insect Ecology and Conservation. Currently, she works in Visitor Service roles at both Newlin Grist Mill (a local nature trail/ historic site) and Brandywine Zoo (a small, local zoo in Delaware).
Sam Zeno
Sam Zeno is a senior policy analyst for conservation in the Energy & Environment department at the Center for American Progress. She specializes in research, policy recommendations, and local and national communications regarding equitable access to nature, national monuments, America’s Arctic, fossil fuel accountability, conservation funding, and outdoor recreation.
Bridget Hettler
Bridget graduated from Penn State in 2017 with a degree in mechanical engineering and works full time as an engineer in Philadelphia. In my free time she enjoys thrifting in the city, camping, travelling, baking, and reading outdoors. The National Parks hold a special place in her heart, and she loves bringing her friends and family out to explore with her.
Jonathan Smajda
Jonathan Smajda is excited to be a part of the NPCA’s 2025 Young Leader’s Council for the Mid-Atlantic Region. Born and raised in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Jonathan graduated from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA.He is passionate about environmental stewardship and believes that our national parks are some of the most appealing treasures of our country.
Anna Jett
Anna is excited to combine her love for national parks with a dedication to preserving natural and cultural resources. Growing up in a military family and moving around the United States, she developed a passion to protect our public lands and its history. She earned a BA in History from The George Washington University in 2022 and currently works as an E-Discovery Analytics Advisor at Paul, Weiss.
Francesca Dalla Betta
An avid insect-enthusiast and adventurer, Francesca can be found in and around Washington, DC, exploring nature spots, coaching youth soccer, or reading in the sunshine (with lots of sunscreen!). Her work experience has spanned Monarch butterfly conservation, literacy and youth development, and violence prevention as a trainer and facilitator.
Jenna Breeckner
Originally from Ohio, Jenna traded life in the flatlands and moved to West Virginia to pursue a degree in soil science. She works on environmental remediation projects across West Virginia to turn blighted properties into community assets. Jenna works with local environmental nonprofits, such as the Greenbrier River Watershed Association, to educate on the importance of preserving our natural resources.
Rachel Crowell
Rachel has been in the nonprofit industry for roughly 7 years. Working for an animal shelter, homeless shelter, food bank, and now literacy nonprofit, she takes pride in working in the industry that gives back to her local community. She developed her passion for the outdoors while attending Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. Since then, she has hiked 2 National Parks (Acadia and Haleakala) and plans on traveling out west to enjoy more of what Mother Nature has to offer!
Natalie Elias
Natalie works as a MEP Solutions Engineer to fund her passion of supporting and visiting the National Parks. She loves to volunteer and make an impact. She hopes to visit all the parks one day.
Bella Hubbard
Raised among the rivers and trees of West Virginia, Bella developed a deep appreciation for the natural world. Today, she channels that passion into a career centered on clean water initiatives and community outreach.
Saja Montague
Saja is an artist and photographer based in Beckley, WV—Appalachian born and raised. Her work in alternative and darkroom photography explores fleeting moments of light through a dream-like lens. As an AmeriCorps VISTA, she is now bridging her creative practice with conservation work, learning about the ecology of Appalachia and how to protect the land that has shaped her. Her path is a marriage of art and stewardship—telling stories while working to preserve the landscapes they come from.
Gabriella Fox
Growing up on the edge of Shenandoah National Park, Gabriella has always had an appreciation for the outdoors and enjoys spending time in the park any chance she gets. She studied Environmental Studies at Roanoke College, in Virginia, where she led various outdoor recreation activities as an Outdoor Adventure Fellow. She also spent time interning for a start-up compost facility in Roanoke, Virginia which allowed her to gain experience advocating for community sustainability efforts.
Madeline Airey
Madeline Airey holds a B.S. in Communication with a focus on Public Relations from East Carolina University and currently resides in Philadelphia, where she works in PR and Communications. With a passion for advocacy and serving as a voice for others who share her values, Madeline’s work reflects her deep commitment to community engagement and environmental sustainability.
Blanca Andrade
Blanca Andrade is passionate about community engagement and cultural advocacy within Latinx communities, dedicating her career to being a resource for these communities. Blanca earned her B.A. in Spanish and Communications from Ursinus College in Pennsylvania. She has worked with various community centers and served as a fellow with NPCA, coordinating research to strengthen connections with diverse communities.
Liana Rodriguez
Liana is a DMV-area native with a passion for green spaces and their profound impact on mental health outcomes. As a Media Strategist at Hilton, she brings strategic thinking and cultural synthesis skills to her conservation advocacy work. Now in her second year as a member of NPCA’s Young Leaders Council, she is committed to protecting vital natural spaces for current and future generations.
Sushanth Gupta
Sushanth works as an Environmental Planner with the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG). Prior to his current role, Sushanth served in the Chesapeake Conservation Corps, placed with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and as an Environmental Management Staffer for the Chesapeake Bay Program’s Water Quality Goal Implementation Team (WQGIT). Sushanth has a Bachelors of Science in Agricultural and Resource Economics and minor in Spanish Literature, Linguistics, and Culture from the University of Maryland, College Park and a Masters in Natural Resources from Virginia Tech.
Jamin Friday
Jamin Friday works as a Consultant on the Emerging Businesses team at AARP Services (ASI), the for-profit subsidiary of the non-profit AARP, based in Washington, DC. At ASI, he utilizes his background in management and strategy to support initiatives focused on aging.
Alyson McAtee
Community engagement professional who supports community-led initiatives and projects that address food insecurity and environmental justice, particularly in predominately black communities.
For More Information:
Jayda Hayman
Delaware River Field Representative
jhayman@npca.org
Samantha Nygaard
Senior Appalachian Program Manager
snygaard@npca.org
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General
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- NPCA Region:
- Mid-Atlantic
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