Administration
Jennifer Brown
Chief Operating Officer
jennifer@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 108
Started at Blandford: June 2014
Education: MS, Outdoor Recreation (Aurora University)
BS, Natural Resources & Environment (University of Michigan)
Certificate in Nonprofit Management (University of Alaska-Fairbanks)
Hobbies/Interests: baking, running, traveling
Favorite thing about Blandford: witnessing people enjoying nature on their own terms every day
Heather Lewis
Director of Program Operations
heather@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 115
Started at Blandford: September 2017
Education: MS, Infectious Disease Epidemiology (University of Oxford)
MPH, Health Behavior and Health Education (University of Michigan)
BA, Anthropology (Harvard University)
Certificate in Montessori Early Childhood (New England Montessori Teacher Education Center)
Hobbies/Interests: reading, traveling, crochet, thrift shopping
Favorite thing about Blandford: working in a beautiful setting with an incredible, passionate group of people
Kate Klemp
Director of Development
klemp@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 127
Started at Blandford: March 2024
Education: BA, Public Relations (Western Michigan University)
Hobbies/Interests: outside adventures with family, crafting, finding a ray of sunlight for napping
Favorite thing about Blandford: the ability to inspire, educate and care for the natural world is essential for every community, but to have the passionate and talented team here is a gift!
Heather Buckler
Director of Finance
buckler@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 122
Started at Blandford: June 2025
Karin Potter
Human Resources Manager
hr@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 121
Started at Blandford: November 2025
Education: BA, Communications/HR (Western Michigan University)
Hobbies/Interests: gardening, silversmithing, all things beach
Favorite thing about Blandford: it’s a three-way tie beween the staff, animals and plants
Land Stewardship, Maintenance, and Volunteer Services
Julie Batty
Land Stewardship Manager
julie@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 124
Started at Blandford: January 2017
Education: MS, Biology (Grand Valley State University)
BS, Wildlife Biology (University of Missouri)
Hobbies/Interests: visiting Lake Michigan, dancing, and telling people all about plants
Favorite thing about Blandford: working with the amazing eco-steward volunteers
Dyon Dubero
Maintenance Manager
dyon@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240
Started at Blandford: October 2018
Education: BS, Natural Resource Management (Grand Valley State University)
Hobbies/Interests: fishing, video games, soccer
Favorite thing about Blandford: working with a great group of staff and working outdoors
Katie Goplerud-Smith
Land Stewardship Technician
goplerud-smith@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240
Started at Blandford: June 2021
Education: BS, Wildlife Ecology: Research & Management (University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point)
Hobbies/Interests: hiking, running, traveling, fly fishing, learning about nature
Favorite thing about Blandford: always finding something new on the trails and working with an awesome team
Chris Kemler
Maintenance Technician
chris@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240
Started at Blandford: February 2024
Education: AA, Theater & General Studies (Pima Community College)
Hobbies/Interests: camping, hiking, music, traveling, reading, laughter, playing in a band
Favorite thing about Blandford: new adventures everyday and working outside with awesome staff, volunteers, and students
Failenn Lally
Volunteer Coordinator
failenn@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240
Started at Blandford: August 2024
Hobbies/Interests: Camping + hiking with dog, reading + painting with cats, houseplants
Favorite thing about Blandford: the magic of the land and the community that is created here
Programs & Wildlife
Lori Lomoro
Wildlife Manager
lori@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 101
Started at Blandford: May 2002
Education: BS, Wildlife Biology (Grand Valley State University)
Certificate in Wildlife Rehabilitation, Zoonoses, Reuniting Raptors, Wound Management (International Wildlife Rehab Council)
Hobbies/Interests: gardening, crafting, thrift shopping
Favorite thing about Blandford: caring for wildlife in a beautiful setting
Sarah Peterson
Wildlife Programs Specialist
sarah@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 114
Started at Blandford: June 2014
Education: BS, Biology Natural Resources and Outdoor & Environmental Recreation (Central Michigan University)
Hobbies/Interests: swimming, birding, herping (searching for herptiles)
Favorite thing about Blandford: daily opportunities to help the community fall in love with wildlife and nature
Miguel Martinez
Program Manager
miguel@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 105
Started at Blandford: October 2025
Samantha Kotarski
Program Educator & Registrar
samantha@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 109
Started at Blandford: June 2022
Education: BS, Wildlife Biology (University of Michigan-Flint)
Hobbies/Interests: gardening, crafting, wakeboarding, movies
Favorite thing about Blandford: learning new things every day from other staff members
Laura Matamoros
Program Educator
matamoros@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 137
Started at Blandford: May 2024
Education: BA, Biology (Cornerstone University)
Hobbies/Interests: playing tennis, hiking, watching movies and tv shows
Favorite thing about Blandford: the amazing people and many interesting facts about animals and nature
Megan Raisch-Jenkins
Program Educator & Digital Communications Specialist
raisch@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 116
Started at Blandford: September 2024
Education: BS, Environmental Science – biology track (Hope College)
Hobbies/Interests: camping, houseplants, movies, videography
Favorite thing about Blandford: walking the trails and waving at Quillber the porcupine
MaryHelen Prince
Program Educator
prince@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 113
Started at Blandford: June 2024
Education: BA, Environmental Science w/ Concentration in Conservation (Carthage College)
Hobbies/Interests: art, crafts, hiking, traveling
Favorite thing about Blandford: contributing to the education of people and sharing things that make our world so amazing!
Victor Ma
Program Educator
victor@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240
Started at Blandford: October 2025
Visitor Services, Rentals & Development
Sue VanDame
Visitor Services Manager
sue@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 121
Started at Blandford:
Education:
Hobbies/Interests:
Favorite thing about Blandford:
Ariana Hernandez
Donor Services Specialist
ariana@
Started at Blandford: August 2023
Education: MS, Entomology – Integrated Pest Management (Michigan State University), BS, Zoology – Neurobiology/Animal Behavior (Michigan State University)
Hobbies/Interests: exploring nature, cooking, spending time with my fur babies and family/friends
Favorite thing about Blandford: having new experiences every day and seeing our community connect with nature
Gladys Baizan
Visitor Services Associate
gladys@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240
Started at Blandford: September 2025
Hobbies/Interests: nature walks, camping, being creative, DIY projects
Favorite thing about Blandford: going on walks, getting to see the animals every day, and experiencing and being a part of what Blandford does for nature and people
Farm
Lauren House
Farm Manager
laurenh@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240 ext. 125
Started at Blandford: October 2025
Nat Wilson
Farm Production Specialist
nat@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240
Started at Blandford: February 2026
Katie Wazny
Farm Production Specialist
wazny@blandfordnaturecenter.org | 616-735-6240
Started at Blandford: November 2023
Education: General Education (Delta College), ServSafe Manager and Allergen Certified (American National Standards Institute)
Hobbies/Interests: painting, cooking, baking, yoga, weight lifting
Favorite thing about Blandford: continuously feeling inspired by the incredible people, the nature that surrounds us, and all that we strive for each day
Board of Directors
Officers |
|
|---|---|
| Matt Cook • Chair Lake Michigan Credit Union |
Bob Tsironis • Treasurer Burnham & Company |
| Andy Beachnau • Vice-Chair Grand Valley State University |
Gustavo Perez • Secretary Kent County Community Action |
Members |
|
|---|---|
| Mark Augustyn Mercantile Bank |
Paul Karsten Pine Rest |
| Beth Cranson | Linda LaFontsee |
| Lucy Frey Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital |
Lisa Oliver-King Our Kitchen Table |
| Sonny Hoogendoorn Corewell Health |
Jeff Towner Merrill Lynch |
| Yumiko Jakobcic Grand Valley State University |
Keith Winn Catalyst Partners |
Emeritus Board Members |
|
|---|---|
| Laurie Gardner Community Volunteer |
|
