Heidi Anderson   (she/her/hers)

Executive Director

Heidi has five years of non-profit and programming experience serving as Executive Director of the Children’s Museum of Eastern Oregon and the Panhandle Humane Society. She's incredibly passionate about TMPF's mission and her experience in managing educational programming helped the Students Stewards Program flourish since she began working here as AmeriCorps Program Director.

Allie Baracani   (she/her/hers)

Operations Director

Allie received her B.S. in Public Health from the University of Nevada, Reno. After working various jobs in the healthcare system she followed her passion for business administration and enrolled in the University of Nevada, Reno MBA graduate program. Working with the Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation allows her to combine her love of the outdoors with her education background. When not in the office she can be found rock climbing in the Truckee/Tahoe region, camping, or rollerblading through Idlewild Park.    

Chantel Dominguez   (she/her/hers)

Programs and Events Director

Chantel is our Programs and Events Director. She received her B.A. in Anthropology from the University of Nevada, Reno and, after spending 4 years in Chicago, is thrilled to be back in Nevada promoting environmental sustainability and healthy lifestyles through her work with the Parks Foundation. In her free time, Chantel enjoys eating and cooking with friends, game nights, coffee, and exploring Nevada’s great outdoors.

Devin Sandoval de Genovese   (he/him/his)

Student Stewards Program Director

​Devin served nearly two years as a Naturalist Educator for Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation before starting his position as Student Stewards Program Director. He is originally from Grass Valley, California. He received his B.A. in English from the University of Nevada, Reno.  In his free time, Devin enjoys riding mountain bikes and enjoying Nevada's great outdoors. Devin is excited to be a part of the TMPF team and hopes to inspire youth in the community through the SSP program. 

Elena Larsen   (she/her/hers)

Wetland Restoration Program Director

Elena served as a Naturalist Educator for TMPF in the spring and summer of 2018 and is now working as the Wetland Restoration Program Director.  She's a local and is extremely excited and proud to be working to restore an abandoned open space back to a functional ecosystem in her hometown.  In her free time, Elena can be found obsessing over dogs or participating in trivia nights.

Hannah Lansverk Sonnenberg   (she/her/hers)

Student Stewards Program Manager

​Hannah is the Parks Foundation's Student Stewards Program Manager. She began her time here as an AmeriCorps Naturalist Educator in 2018. Originally from Bozeman, MT, she received her B.S. in Biology from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA and has spent the last several years working for non-profits in Montana and Connecticut. Hannah is an avid birder and is looking forward to sharing her love of science and the natural world with her new community!

Matt DeBray   (he/him/his)

Communications Manager

Matt is the Communications Manager for Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation. After serving with TMPF as an AmeriCorps VISTA in 2017 he worked to promote AmeriCorps programs throughout Nevada for four years and is excited to be back at the place that started his journey in the nonprofit world. Matt studied Radio Television Production at the University of Montana and brings over a decade of experience to the TMPF communications team. When he isn't working you can find Matt watching baseball, hiking with his family, or being pulled behind a boat.

Sarah Holcombe   (she/her/hers)

Development Director

Most recently living in Montana and originally from Oregon, Sarah is now planting her roots in Nevada. After receiving her degree in Public Relations and Business Administration from the University of Oregon, Sarah quickly found her passion leaned towards the nonprofit and development world working within animal welfare and sustainability - leading to a perfect fit here at Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation. Sarah is excited to explore her new home with her hobbies of snowboarding, backpacking, gardening, and hanging with shelter dogs.  

Jay Howard

Trails Program Manager

Jay is our new Trails Program Manager, and will be working to implement the goals of the Truckee Meadows Trails Initiative. He comes to us after a 30 year career with Nevada State Parks. His time with State Parks involved several years being a recreation specialist for the Nevada Tahoe Resource Team, and 13 years as park supervisor for Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park (Sand Harbor, Spooner Lake and Backcountry, Cave Rock, and Van Sickle). Jay loves the outdoors and is an avid hiker and mountain biker. And let's not forget, professional volunteer. Jay enjoys working with the Thunderbird Lodge Preservation Society and Tahoe Mountain Bike Patrol.

Caroline Stillitano   (she/her/hers)

Community Engagement Coordinator

Caroline received her BA in Environmental Science from the University of Michigan in 2021. Working with the Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation as the Community Engagement Coordinator allows her to follow her passion for environmental justice through expanding access to the outdoors for low income individuals. She enjoys spending time outdoors and is excited to apply her previous volunteer engagement experience to TMPF! 

Derik Knak   

Grant Coordinator

Derik is serving as a Grants Coordinator VISTA for Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation. Originally from the gateway community of Redding, California, he graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno with degrees in political science and journalism. Derik is excited to work for a nonprofit in the area and help support TMPF's programs in a development role. He enjoys reading, hiking, snowshoeing, and exploring public lands in his free time.

Stephanie Le

Youth Recreation Coordinator

Stephanie Le is the Youth Recreation Coordinator for Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation.

Jennie Johnson (she/her/hers)   

Wetland Restoration Outreach Coordinator

Jennie is a lifelong Reno resident and graduated locally from Hug High School and the University of Nevada, Reno. She holds a B.A. in Cultural Anthropology and has a passion for supporting local businesses and events.  After working in Gaming and Marketing for the last 10 years, she is excited to have the opportunity to apply her skills and experience to public service.  In her free time, Jennie enjoys hiking, traveling and restaurants.  She is an enthusiastic reader and runner that loves hot, sunny days.  She is looking forward to supporting Northern Nevada programs and parks and to promoting the Rosewoods Nature Study Area to the community.

Erin Larsen (she/her/hers)

Communications Coordinator

Erin graduated from Western Washington University with a BA in Communications in 2020. She is excited to work with the Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation as the Communications Coordinator, because it allows her to combine her love of the outdoors and volunteering as an active member in her community. Outside of work Erin loves hiking, swimming, rock climbing, and drinking lots of coffee. 

Leland Peterman

Nature Study Area Development Coordinator

Originally from New York, and most recently living in California, Leland moved to Reno with his fiancé and two dogs for exciting new opportunities and mountain access! With a huge passion for the outdoors, he is thrilled to be contributing to the development of the Rosewood Lakes restoration efforts. In his free time he loves to be camping, climbing, playing music, or working on his home.

Ann McLaughlin

Membership Development Coordinator

Born and raised in the West, Ann has a life-long love of the Sierras. Recently completing her master’s at UNR in communication studies, she is looking forward to joining the Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation team as their Membership Coordinator and making new friends in the community. Eager to share her enthusiasm for the outdoors she looks forward to inviting locals to come outside and reap the benefits of our lovely open spaces. In her spare time, she can be found in the garden with her cat or on an “explore” in one of the nearly 200 wonderful parks in our area!

Community Programs Educator

Ashley is local to Northern Nevada. She graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno with a B.A. in Speech Communications and Journalism. Ashley's career has offered opportunities in the nonprofit sector, government and education. Although she has always felt a connection with the outdoors, that connection grew even stronger during the strenuous times of the pandemic. Ashley relied on her daily walks or hikes to help keep a sense of balance. It is important to her that our local parks and trails are shared, explored responsibly and accessible to all. She is excited to serve her first AmeriCorps term with TMPF, an organization that has positively impacted her family in many ways. When she is not exploring one of our local trails, Ashley devouring ice cream, checking out local community events or cheering on her son.

Lead Naturalist Educator

Isabella comes from Western Pennsylvania to join us as the Lead Naturalist Educator for the Student Stewards Program. Isabella earned her B.S. in Environmental and Conservation Biology from Kent State University where she loved to play and coach women's lacrosse. She is thrilled to work at a non-profit for the first time, making outdoor education more accessible to students in Washoe County. Her passion for ecology and conservation drive most of her hobbies including hiking, camping, and road tripping! Isabella has been to 14 national parks, hoping to check a few more off while she's out west during her year with Americorps.

Naturalist Educator

Kristina has been a Naturalist Educator for TMPF since September of 2020 and she's on her second term of AmeriCorps service here at our organization. When she's not teaching and backing supplies for classes, Kristina likes to spend her time making arts and crafts as well as exploring all that Reno has to offer. 

Community Programs Educator

Kylie is a local Nevadan from Las Vegas and is currently working on her BA in Community Health Sciences at the University of Nevada, Reno. She is thrilled to join the TMPF team where she has the opportunity to share her appreciation of the outdoors with others. In her free time, she loves to enjoy the outdoors hiking in Lake Tahoe, taking care of her plants, yoga, and road tripping to national parks.

Visitor Center Host

Paige is a Reno local graduating in May from the University of Nevada, Reno with a B.S. in Geography and a specialization in Environmental Policy and Management. Growing up close to Galena Creek Park, Paige was always exploring the outdoors and has a strong love for our native plants and animals. She has worked for nonprofits in the past and enjoys educating and communicating the importance of our natural environments with the community. She hopes her role as Visitor Center Host and Coordinator helps her share her passion for local parks and outdoor spaces with everyone that comes to visit! In her free time Paige can be found skiing, hiking or snowshoeing with her rescue dog Sequoia, or watching the newest Netflix series!

Summer Educator

Rachel Schmidt is a Summer Educator for Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation. 

Summer Educator

Mariah Lewis is a Summer Educator for Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation. 

Summer Educator

Kendall is originally from Las Vegas, Nevada. She just graduated from The University of St. Thomas in Minnesota and majored in Data Analytics and Public Health. She is excited to be back in Nevada! In her free time she enjoys skiing and hiking.

Summer Educator

Matt is from Michigan and graduated from Grand Valley State University.  He graduated at 39 years old after going back to school as an adult. His degree is in Wildlife Education. 

Summer Educator

Bianca is from Bellingham, Washington. She went to school at the University of Redlands and earned a degree in Environmental Science. She's passionate about teaching kids to be environmental stewards and helping them to make positive connections with the outdoors so they can better protect nature later in life.