Our STAFF
Wendy matusovich, executive Director
Wendy grew up in Connecticut surrounded by farms and forests. Much to her mother’s dismay she spent as much time as she could playing in the mud. She learned first hand the value of spending time in nature and now is grateful for the privilege to work on bringing urban children out to the land. Wendy worked at Farm Aid, a national nonprofit, for over 18 years before joining Farrington Nature Linc. She has a B.A. from Brown University and a Masters in Counseling Psychology from Lesley University.
Meggie ito, Director of Education and Community Engagement
Meg comes to us with more than 15 years of teaching experience. She graduated from Simmons College with a Master's in Education and has been working with a wide variety of kids since then. As a former special education teacher and former Board Certified Behavior Analyst, she is dedicated to supporting children of all ability levels to enjoy the natural world. In addition, Meg has assisted on guided climbing trips to New Hampshire, Joshua Tree National Park, Hueco, Tanks Texas and other local climbing destinations. Her love of the outdoors started early on as a child, playing in streams, catching tadpoles behind her house in New York. Since then, she has been exploring all over the world from Acadia National Park in Maine, to the coast of Croatia, scrambling up rocks and just enjoying nature. Her favorite color is green, she's not afraid to hold a snake and loves finding bones and owl pellets in the forest.
Brandon Tolentino-Serrano, Project Manager
Born and raised in Houston, TX, Brandon became interested in Environmental Science because he noticed that heavily urbanized areas face a lot of challenges when it comes to sustainably managing land and resources. He received a B.A. in Environmental Analysis from Pomona College in Claremont, California. Brandon worked as a plant manager and workshop guide in a small houseplant business in Los Angeles. There, he discovered his love of plants and became interested in the healing properties of nature. At Farrington, he hopes to awaken that same love and respect for our environment in others.
Lily ALcalÁ Gordon, Program Coordinator
Since Lily wasn't allowed to watch any TV as a kid, she spent a lot of her time in a suburb of Chicago trying to catch toads in the bushes, making mud and berry potions, and picking tiny wildflowers in the grass. These memories, and her love of working with youth, are what motivate her to encourage kids to get outside and be curious about the natural world. She's worked with kids of all ages as a tutor, afterschool staff at a Boys and Girls Club, and older sister to three baby brothers. At Nature Linc, Lily splits her time between teaching at afterschool programs and tending the garden. Outside of work, Lily loves to partner dance, cook, and read.
Mackenzie LADAO phillips, communications Manager
Mackenzie was born and raised in Hawai'i, where the ocean was her playground and playing in the mud with her best friend was her favorite activity. Mackenzie has a BA in English from the University of Hawaii with a minor in Art. She also coaches Junior Roller Derby where she shares not only her love for the sport, but teaches leadership skills, communication and encourages inclusivity. Mackenzie had a childhood rich in nature, from the mountains to the forests to the seas. In Hawaii we are taught from a young age that our connection to the land, the 'aina is important. If you do not mālama, which means to give back or take care of the land, the land cannot take care of you. Mackenzie is excited to work with Farrington to help pass on this stewardship and inspire others to create a lasting bond with nature. Mackenzie wants to know, how do you Linc with nature?
Our BoarD
Farrington Trustees
madeline lee-President
Originally from near Cleveland, OH, Madeline Lee has lived in the Boston area for eight years. She is dedicated to inclusive community development and place-based work. Madeline worked in Somerville as a youth team leader, environmental educator, and urban farmer before entering the housing and community development field at Fenway Community Development Corporation in Boston. Madeline now develops affordable housing in Cambridge, MA as a Project Manager at Just A Start, a local nonprofit whose mission is to promote equity by creating access to stable housing and pathways to economic opportunity. Madeline is also a visual artist, volunteer educator, and Board Member of Unbound Visual Arts in Allston, MA. She has a B.A. in Architectural Studies and Environmental Studies from Tufts University.
Hannah merves-treasurer
Hannah Merves is a Senior Director at Capital One where she works on strategy and improving customer experiences. Previously she spent many years as a strategy consultant at Bain & Company, and she has also worked at the Obama White House in the National Economic Council. She has an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA from Amherst College in Philosophy and Economics. Hannah currently lives in Washington DC and enjoys running and walking through the gardens of Georgetown. She loves the New England landscape, especially the New England coast, and visits as often as she can.
Susan Hands Taylor- Clerk
Community volunteer and former newspaper journalist. Trustee of Lincoln (MA) Public Library, chair First Parish Church Lincoln Outreach/Social Concerns Committee, long-time Girl Scout leader. Former Assistant City Editor at Boston Herald. B.A. Mount Holyoke College, M.S. Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
Halle Auerbach Thomas
Works in Real Estate Development at Millennium Partners Boston, a development group committed to finding innovative solutions to a more sustainable and inclusive Boston. Prior to joining MP Boston, Halle was an Architectural Designer with Davis Square Architects, focusing on affordable housing and tenant fit-out work. M.Arch from University of Michigan and B.A Environmental Design and Architecture from University of Colorado.
Ian Smith
Ian is an actuary by trade but a nature lover at heart. His professional career has spanned the globe: managing billion dollar transactions in Asia, risk management in Europe, and financial valuation in North America. But he has always been happiest when he is outside playing, ideally with his family. He is a passionate rock climber, biker, backpacker, trekker, camper, and just about anything human-powered in the great outdoors. He is thrilled to be able to combine these aspects in supporting the incredible work Nature Linc does to provide nature-based experiences for all children.
Daniel Zainulbhai
Trustee at Farrington Nature Linc for over 6 years servingin many roles including recently as President. Chief Business Development Officer at Goodpath, a virtual care company. Previously, Daniel worked in a variety of industries including manufacturing, sports management in India and a start-up. Daniel has a passion for sports and the outdoors. B.A. Economics at University of Chicago; M.B.A. Harvard Business School.
Committee Only Members
Tyesha kincade- Program
Originally from Brooklyn, New York, I currently reside in the Fields Corner area of Dorchester. I have a B.S in Psychology Child Life Applied Development from Utica College, and a MSW from Simmons College.
Laurey Chroney
Real Estate Project Manager at Just-A-Start, a community development corporation in Cambridge, MA. B.A. in Political Science at the University of Akron, J.D. Duke University, M.A. in Historic Preservation from Savannah College of Art and Design.
Daniel peirce- asset management
After attending Lincoln schools in the 1960s and Belmont Hill in the 1970s, Dan earned a BSc at Harvard and a PhD in engineering from Brown. He has worked as an investment strategist for over 25 years, and continues to indulge his lifelong enjoyment of spending time outdoors.
Jennifer Stevenson
Craig Nicholson
Craig Nicholson is the Senior Vice President of Real Estate at Affirmative Investments in Boston where he focuses on the development of affordable housing and related economic development projects throughout greater New England. Craig holds degrees in Psychology, Sociology and Business Administration from the University of California, Los Angeles.
Mike RuSsell
Emeritus Board Members
Uche Amaechi
Uche Amaechi is a Lecturer at the Harvard Graduate School of Education where he teaches about leadership, governance and strategy. Uche also serves as the Extended Learning time coordinator at the Fletcher Maynard Academy. Besides Farrington, Uche also serves on the boards of several community-focused organizations in the greater Boston area.
mary ann ashton
Sandra bradlee
sharon gentges
sue klem
Sue Klem, Board Member from 2005 to 2011 A long-time Lincoln neighbor, Sue served on the Board from 2005 to 2011 and as Chair from 2009 to 2011. Subsequently she was on Lincoln’s Land Trust and presently on Lincoln’s Green Energy Committee. Sue loves being in the out of doors, including walking and skiing on Farrington’s beautiful land. Wellesley College, BA.
Brooks Mosture
Former Farrington Trustee and past Board President, Brooks is a construction Owner's Project Manager and Principal with Tierney Development Services, LLC. He is also a licensed architect, contractor, and developer. An Eagle Scout, Brooks grew up in northern Minnesota exploring the outdoors despite the region's notoriously cold weather. He and his wife Patty live in an historic home in Lincoln where he has been active in several town building projects.
Kate Pickle
Owner of KLPickle Consulting, Kate’s has more than 20 years of youth development experience from program implementation to management and strategic planning with both local and national nonprofits. She is passionate about ensuring all youth have experiences to discover and explore their passion, and has a B.S. degree in Marine Science from Maine Maritime Academy.
Tom shively
Tom is a Farrington emeritus trustee, having been an active trustee for roughly 15 years and served at times as Treasurer, President, and Finance Committee chair. He is a retired investment manager, who primarily served institutional clients at several major Boston investment firms. AB Economics, Kenyon College; MBA, University of Chicago
Amanda Smith
With a professional background in nonprofit management and corporate social responsibility, Amanda is dedicated to making the outdoors accessible to all. She has had the privilege to hike globally and knows the unifying power the outdoors can have across cultures. Currently Amanda is raising her twin toddler daughters and getting them outside as much as possible. M.B.A. Boston University.
Daniel Michaud Weinstock
Organizational development consultant, facilitator, and coach that works with mission-driven organizations and systems to enhance leadership and advance mission clarity and impact. He has over 20 years of experience working with staff, management, boards, funders, families, and children in nonprofit organizations, schools and school districts, and public agencies. He has been a teacher, initiated and managed programs, and serves on the Board of Trustees of various nonprofit organizations. He is the proud father of two children. B.A. New York University, Gallatin School.
