Rebecca Minnick (She/Her)
Executive Director
rebecca@louisvillenaturecenter.org
About 20 years ago, Rebecca Minnick was home visiting Louisville and hiking in the Beargrass Creek State Nature Preserve with her mom. She peered into the window of the LNC building and said, “Mom, I should work here some day!” Rebecca moved home in 2013 after spending almost 20 years in Maine, where she first fell in love with environmental education. In 2018 Rebecca joined LNC as Executive Director. In 2022, she earned the Outstanding New Leader Award from the Association of Nature Center Administrators. She has over 20 years of experience as an educator, both at nature centers and in schools. She holds an M.S. in Environmental Studies with focus on Environmental Education from Antioch University and a B.A. in Geology from Hanover College. Rebecca spends free time playing bluegrass guitar and hiking with her dog Hazel.
Olivia kaiser (She/Her)
Education Programs Manager
olivia@louisvillenaturecenter.org
Olivia graduated from the University of Louisville with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. She started her teaching career with a focus on ESL (English as a second language), taking her to Belize and South Korea. She began working in the field of EE in 2014 at the Parklands of Floyds Fork, and was awarded the Kentucky Association for Environmental Education’s Rising Star award in 2017. After working as an educator for the Louisville Nature Center in 2018, Olivia took a short break from teaching to thru-hike the Pacific Crest Trail. She has laid roots in Kentucky and is excited to be back working at the Louisville Nature Center. When she isn’t tromping through the woods, she spends her free time gardening and cooking.
Mary Ford McGlaun (She/Her)
Engagement & Operations Coordinator
maryford@louisvillenaturecenter.org
Mary Ford is a graduate from Centre College, where she studied International Studies. While acquiring her B.A., Mary Ford developed a passion for environmental education and environmental justice, leading her to study abroad in England, Thailand and Singapore. She has experience in early child care, coordinating educational programs, and non-profit work. Mary Ford loves running, playing soccer, and hanging out with her furry best friend, Opal.
Savanna Latto (She/Her)
Swallowtail Forest School Teacher
savanna@louisvillenaturecenter.org
Savanna has been passionate about the outdoors and connecting with the environment since she went to camp as a child and her excitement has only grown over the years. She graduated from Indiana University with a major in Environmental and Sustainability Studies, and a focus in Ethics and Justice. She hopes to devote her career to making the outdoors accessible and safe for all to enjoy. When she isn't at the Louisville Nature Center you may find her at Red River Gorge exploring with her camera or gardening at home.
Mac Lachmann (He/Him)
Swallowtail Forest School Teacher
mac@louisvillenaturecenter.org
Mac graduated from Eastern Kentucky University with a Bachelors in Recreation and Parks Administration. After working in Adventure Programs at the EKU student rec center, Mac discovered his passion for outdoor education and conservation. This passion led him to intern at Land Between the Lakes and take many other recreation positions across Eastern Kentucky. When he isn't at the Louisville Nature Center, you may find him creating art and taking part in pretty much anything outdoors — camping, hiking, and educating people on Leave No Trace principles!
Ingrid walters (She/Her)
Swallowtail Forest School Teacher
ingrid@louisvillenaturecenter.org
Ingrid graduated from the University of Louisville with a Bachelor's in Secondary Education, but didn't realize how much she enjoyed early childhood education until she had a child of her own. The pandemic gave her the opportunity to homeschool her daughter, and she planned all her lessons, prioritizing environmental education and learning through creativity and play in nature. Ingrid is excited to bring that same joy and energy to other children as well! She believes we can change the world by providing our youngest generations a chance to build a sense of wonder and love for the earth. Ingrid also enjoys volunteering at the farmer's market, gardening, reading fantasy books, and exploring cultures through cooking!
Kennedy Selbe (They/them)
AmeriCorps EELCorps Member
Kennedy attended Lindsey Wilson College and received a B.A. in History and Women’s & Gender Studies in 2020 and an M.A. in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies from the University of Louisville in 2022. While at LWC, Kennedy was a Bonner Scholar, completing more than 1,700 hours of active community service in the Adair County area. They are excited to do more work to expand educational opportunities and contribute to more accessible natural spaces in the community so that others are able to have these same experiences! As part of the EELCorps program, they are here at LNC to increase capacity for environmental education programs, community outreach, and overall impact to Kentuckians environmental knowledge and behaviors. When not at the Louisville Nature Center you can find Kennedy geocaching, hanging out at local coffee shops, or playing video games with their partner.
Janelle Vaesa (She/Her)
Administrative Assistant/Educator
janelle@louisvillenaturecenter.org
Janelle graduated from the University of Louisville with a Master's in Public Health. After graduating she worked in the field of emergency preparedness where she saw how the environment and people affected one another. Her passion for the environment launched her into getting certified as a Kentucky Master Naturalist and establishing a forest school for homeschool families in the local community. When she's not in the forest teaching about native plants and wildlife you can find her running the trails, mountain biking, volunteering as a Scout leader, and on the rare occasion sitting on the porch with a glass of iced tea.
Board of Directors
tony marconi, President
RA Consultants
Aaron Daley, Treasurer
KPFF Consulting Engineers
Wesley sydnoR, Vice President
Louisville MSD
Allison Smith, Secretary
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Rick Adams
Kaplan Johnson Abate & Bird LLP.
Claire Anton
Mattingly Edge
Russel Cotton
Raymond James
Melissa Francisco
Brown Forman
Pete Glauber
Retired from Boehl, Stopher, and Graves, LLP
RON JOLLY
Independence Bank
maria koetter
CoolSeal By GuardTop
Joe chiles
Emeritus, Retired
Mary Lowery
Ability
Lacey McNary
McNary Group
Josie Raymond
KY State Representative
Megan resch
Megan Resch Photography
Heather Turner
University of Louisville
Chris Staples
Baird
Sarah Flarsheim
Ex Officio, Louisville Parks & Recreation
phyllis fitzgerald
Emeritus, Retired from LG&E
Banner photo by Jeff Mattingly