Staff & Board

Sawyer is a proud Hudson Valley native with a strong commitment to community and personal growth. His expertise in accounting is rooted in several years of experience at prominent non-profit organizations, notably the Center for Spectrum Services and Anderson Center for Autism. In these roles, he managed crucial day-to-day financial operations, directly supporting services for individuals with autism. This experience provided him with a deep understanding of the unique financial challenges and opportunities found within the non-profit sector, reinforcing his belief in the importance of financial stewardship for meaningful social impact. 

At Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail, Sawyer is driven by the opportunity to contribute to a transformative project that will benefit his community for generations. "The Fjord Trail can go a long way in revitalizing the best parts of the Hudson Valley. My goal here is to help shape an idea into a lasting reality, improving the region I call home." 

Sawyer holds dual BS degrees in Accounting and Business Management from SUNY Fredonia. Outside of his professional life, he enjoys exploring the natural beauty of the Hudson Valley, attending live music performances, cooking, and following New York sports teams.

Johnny Gonzalez is HHFT's first Natural Resources Intern, joining us for the Summer 2026 season. Johnny is a senior at Vassar College studying Earth Science and Society. Before joining the Fjord Trail team, Johnny worked in sustainable agriculture, environmental justice, and land stewardship. He is deeply passionate about supporting work that will help preserve the integrity of our environment for generations to come.

Outside of work, Johnny enjoys long-distance running, hiking, kayaking, and spending time with friends, family, and pets.

"I’m very excited to be working alongside a team that cares deeply about both environmental stewardship and the well-being of the surrounding communities. Creating green spaces that connect people with the natural world is a powerful way to inspire appreciation for conservation and sustainability," Johnny says. "That’s one of the reasons I believe the Fjord Trail will be a valuable asset for the local community, as well as on a broader scale, by fostering a culture of environmentalism."

With seven years of diverse Salesforce experience, Pranita has worked across various industries, including nonprofit, healthcare, banking, and product/services sectors, in roles as an Administrator, Developer, and Business Analyst. She holds Salesforce certifications as a Salesforce Business Analyst and AI Associate, which complement her technical expertise in Python, R, HTML, CSS, data analysis, data visualization, and project management.

Pranita began her career in India, contributing to organizations such as Cross Country InfoTech, India and NielsenIQ, India where she was recognized for leadership, subject matter expertise, and a customer-centric approach. Pursuing her passion for data and business, she earned a Master’s degree in Business Analytics from Rutgers School of Business. During her studies, she further honed her data analysis skills as a Research Assistant alongside a professor.

Pranita holds a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering in Information Technology from the AISSMS - Institute of Information technology - University of Pune, India, where she was actively involved as the Inauguration Head during her college years. She has shared her perspectives on mental health as a guest speaker on Radio City, India, in 2019.

Outside of work, Pranita is passionate about hiking and trekking. One of her memorable adventures includes a midnight trek crossing seven mountains in India. Her role at HHFT keeps her grounded and encourages her to stay connected to nature. To stay current with Salesforce innovations, Pranita regularly attends workshops and conferences, enabling her to leverage new features to continuously enhance Salesforce's Nonprofit CRM usage at HHFT.

"I am honored to serve as a Salesforce Administrator with HHFT, where I have the opportunity to give back to the community," Pranita shares. "Being the first immigrant on the team has been an exciting journey, and I am grateful for the warm support from the entire team."

A Connecticut native who grew up exploring the Long Island Sound, David brings a deep commitment to conservation that bridges scientific research with public education. He holds a Master of Science in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. There, he led a multiyear forest restoration and seed mix design project across Illinois floodplains, working with organizations including the Illinois Audubon Society and the Illinois Natural History Survey.

As part of the EPA’s National Wetland Condition Assessment, David conducted vegetation and soil assessments across the Midwest, and previously conducted undergraduate research on stress physiology of the imperiled Bridle Shiner minnow. David strengthened his passion for environmental education at Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo, where he created and led educational programs on climate change and endangered species conservation, mentoring students and training volunteers in citizen science initiatives.

“Safeguarding biodiversity means getting people excited to care about it,” David says. “I’m passionate about connecting the community to the Fjord Trail’s rich mosaic of natural habitats and the diverse animals, plants, and fungi they support. Through education and stewardship, we can build a community that doesn’t just admire nature but advocates for it.”

In his free time, David enjoys hiking, playing tennis, reading murder mysteries, and making fresh pasta with his family on Sundays.

Amy is the first Executive Director of HHFT, Inc., a role she has held since the organization was created in March 2020.  Prior to that, she had led the project while the Senior Community Planner at Scenic Hudson since 2014.  While in that position, in addition to the Fjord Trail, she led several initiatives in Westchester County, and helped lead the formation of what is now Scenic Hudson’s River Cities program first in Newburgh and later also Poughkeepsie. 

Before joining Scenic Hudson, Amy was a senior planner with a regional planning agency in Massachusetts where she spearheaded a new regional plan, municipal climate adaptation and mitigation strategies linked to state climate legislation, and initiated a countywide local farming and food plan.  She began her career as an associate with a Colorado-based planning and zoning firm, where she worked on a range of projects including comprehensive long-range, transit-oriented development, and historic preservation plans across the Rocky Mountain West. She holds a Master’s Degree in Regional and Urban Planning from the University at Buffalo and a B.A. in Political Science from Union College.

In her free time, Amy enjoys hiking, running, kayaking, gardening, cooking and playing with her two rescue mutt puppies. 

Amy is excited about the Fjord Trail because of the connections and access it creates for people of all ages and backgrounds to experience the beauty of the Hudson Highlands and river. “After many years of long-range planning, it’s great to be part of creating something, seeing it materialize from idea to reality.  There is such a great energy of collaboration, creative problem-solving, fun, and service as we build not just a trail, but a space for people to connect with nature, which is so essential to health and informs our relationship with the world around us."

A Village of Cold Spring resident, Aaron has been a longtime supporter of the Fjord Trail and its mission. The last decade of Aaron's career has focused on removing barriers to experiencing the outdoors and its benefits, particularly for veterans, military families, and first responders. In leadership positions with Sierra Club’s Military Outdoors and, most recently, as CEO of Beacon-based Guardian Revival, Aaron has helmed initiatives to expand outdoor access—including to New York State Parks and other public lands and waters—and build outdoor experiential programs that strengthen connection, resilience, and community among veterans and first responders.

“For much of my career in the outdoor adventure field, I’ve seen what happens when people are given meaningful opportunities to connect with nature and with each other. In my work with veterans and first responders, many of whom may be living with PTSD and other effects of repeated exposure to stress and trauma, I’ve seen healing, reductions in loneliness, and a renewed sense of belonging. I’ve also seen barriers to access that have prevented some of our nation’s heroes from exploring our parks and public lands, the very places that they swore an oath to defend. I truly believe that the Fjord Trail will provide meaningful access to nature for people of all ages and abilities.”

Aaron is a retired U.S. Army officer and combat veteran whose service included four combat tours. Following his military career, he continued that commitment to service through nonprofit leadership, where he has led organizations through growth and change, managed multi-million-dollar budgets, and built programs and led teams focused on service and community impact. His commitment to the Hudson Highlands community also extends beyond his professional work. Since 2021 he has served as a volunteer firefighter with Cold Spring Fire Company No. 1, and since 2025 has led Cold Spring’s American Legion Post 275.

Aaron lives with his wife Leslie in Cold Spring. Together, they have eight children and two grandchildren.

Prior to joining the Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail team, Molly served for almost a decade as the Director of Operations for the Community Compost Company and Hudson Soil Company, a food scrap recycling service and compost producer. In this position she helped build the business from its start-up phase, establishing the company’s organizational and administrative systems, and oversaw the staff and all programs including municipal food scrap drop spot partnerships with the City of Beacon, City of Hoboken and Jersey City. 

Additionally she served as editor at Livelihood magazine, a publication of the Hudson Valley Current and has freelanced as a writer. Molly previously worked in sustainable agriculture for farms and farm-related businesses in outreach and operations roles. She received her degree in Journalism with a concentration in Public Relations from SUNY New Paltz. 

A lifelong resident of the region, Molly grew up in the lower Hudson Valley and spent much of her free time with family and friends exploring Cold Spring, Beacon and hiking Breakneck Ridge. Along with her administrative and operations background, she brings her passion for the beauty and history of the Hudson Valley to the team. “The Hudson Highlands section of the Hudson River is stunningly beautiful and captured my heart as a child. I am excited and honored to be part of the team that’s bringing the Fjord Trail to fruition, which will create a safe, accessible and ecologically sound place for all to experience the epic nature of this landscape for generations.”

In her free time, Molly enjoys spending time with family and friends, hiking with her husband and rescue pup and tending to her urban garden of mostly native, pollinator-friendly plants.

MJ Martin brings decades of experience in fundraising, communications, and community outreach to her work at HHFT. She is deeply dedicated to conservation in the Hudson Valley, and her professional and volunteer experience shows it.

She served as the Director of Outreach & Development at Hudson Highlands Land Trust for nearly twelve years. Most recently, she was the Vice President & Chief Development Officer at Mohonk Preserve, where she led the successful capital campaign that brought the Testimonial Gateway trailhead – the Preserve’s first new trailhead in 26 years -- and the restoration of the Humpo Marsh area to life. MJ has served on environmental education committees for both the Garrison Union Free School District and the Haldane Central School District. She has also served as a member of the Philipstown Trails Committee and served on the Philipstown Conservation Board for nineteen years.

MJ has been a resident of the Hudson Highlands for more than thirty years, residing first in the Village of Cold Spring, then along Route 9D in Dutchess Junction, and now in Garrison, NY. She and her husband Fred have two grown children. They enjoy hiking the many area trails along with their two dogs, Loki and Sirius. They also love to paddle along the shoreline in their kayaks, tracing the route of the future Fjord Trail.

MJ’s ties to the HHFT project go back to her tenure at the Land Trust (a HHFT Steering Committee member organization), when the planning and public process was just beginning. “I remember hearing about the concept from local friends and colleagues when it was new, and attending the first public meetings,” she recalled. “It was such an exciting idea, both practical and ambitious at the same time. The Fjord Trail has so much potential to create welcoming access to people of all abilities, and serve as an incredible amenity for those of us who are lucky enough to live nearby. When the opportunity to be a part of the team bringing the project to life presented itself, I jumped at it.”

Prior to joining the Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail team in 2022, Lori was the Associate Director of Communications at the Garden Conservancy, Inc., based in Garrison, NY, for seven years. While at the Conservancy, she collaborated on all print and electronic communications for this national nonprofit and managed their social media marketing, which realized 1000% growth during her tenure.

Lori also served for nine years as Assistant Director of Manitoga/The Russel Wright Design Center in Garrison. Her responsibilities at this National Historic Landmark included management of their Summer Nature & Design Camp for youth, their House & Landscape Tour Program, communications, and operations.

Before joining Manitoga, Lori worked for four years as Office Administrator for the Putnam History Museum, in Cold Spring. She is a founding board member of New Leaf Restoration, a community garden in Philipstown, a member of the Philipstown Garden Club, a nature photographer, and an avid hiker.

Lori studied advertising and communications at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City and worked in the pharmaceutical advertising industry for eight years before returning to her native Philipstown, where she and her husband, Hugh, raised their four children.

Lori’s work for the Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail combines her two decades of nonprofit experience in nature, design, history, and visitor services. “The place I’ve called home for nearly all of my life has changed in many ways over the last few decades. I am so thrilled to be part of a project that will bring my community into alignment with these changes and connect it with the vibrant and dynamic city of Beacon.”

Drew is a Hudson Valley resident of over a decade, but was born and raised in California, where he grew up hiking in the Sierra Nevada and Coast Ranges and fell in love with the outdoors. After graduating with a BA in Environmental Studies from The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, Drew worked as a raft guide and carpenter in Montana, before accepting a Student Conservation Association (SCA) internship with The Nature Conservancy at the Sam’s Point Preserve in Cragsmoor, NY working on a northeast prescribed fire crew and performing preserve stewardship.

Drew then worked for The Nature Conservancy in South Carolina, restoring longleaf pine habitats with prescribed fire before taking a position back in New York with New York State Parks (OPRHP) as a park ranger at Minnewaska State Park Preserve. He then became the Park Supervisor for the Sam’s Point Area at Minnewaska State Park Preserve and John Boyd Thacher State Park before working for Scenic Hudson Parks Team, overseeing their contracted park maintenance and performing hands-on park management. In the meantime, Drew received an MS in Park and Resource Management from Slippery Rock University, graduating with Summa Cum Laude honors.

Past professional training and certifications include Wilderness EMT (WEMT) and Outdoor Educator courses from the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS). Drew maintains Wilderness First Responder (WFR) training, and looks forward to working with local responders in improving hiker safety along the Fjord Trail corridor.

"I joined the Fjord Trail team because I believe in providing outdoor recreation and river access to all, and this project aims to do just that. Personally, I look forward to biking along the river from Beacon to Cold Spring with my family. I'm excited about the opportunity here to solve safety issues on Route 9D and Breakneck and look forward to partnering with our local emergency services to create a safer experience of the Highlands for all."

Outside of work, you can find Drew mountain biking on local single-track; fly fishing in the Catskills; spending time with family, hiking, camping, reading, gardening; and woodworking.

Ryan brings a wealth of professional grant writing and fundraising experience to his role at the Hudson Highlands Fjords Trail. He is deeply passionate about environmental justice, climate resilience, and ensuring access to nature for all.

Prior to joining Hudson Highland Fjords Trail, Ryan supported national fundraising efforts for GRID Alternatives, one of the largest nonprofit solar installation and workforce development organizations in the country. Before joining GRID, he worked as a Grant Writer for The Children’s Village, one of the leading child welfare organizations in New York City and the Lower Hudson Valley. He began his career grant writing for Pony Power Therapies while working as a Farm Manager, building an accessible farm and programming for people with disabilities. Ryan holds a BA in Environmental Studies from Ithaca College and a MA in English and Creative Writing from the University of Southern Mississippi.

Outside of work, Ryan enjoys hiking, running, gardening, reading, and dedicating time to his creative writing. As a resident of Kingston, he is active with the greater community and volunteers with the Ulster County Literacy Association.

“The Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail is such a visionary project that restores landscapes and ensures access to nature, which is critical for people’s mental, emotional, and physical health. I’m honored to be a part of this team that is creating a fully accessible trail into nature for all.”

Rebeca Ramirez is a daughter of Mexican immigrants who was born and raised in California, where she spent summers visiting the Sequoias.

During her 20-plus years in the nonprofit space, Rebeca has been everything from an artist and nonprofit arts administrator to a small business owner and community leader dedicated to projects that inspire equitable economic development. Prior to joining the Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail team, she co-founded Cold Spring Cheese, a specialty cheese shop in the Village of Cold Spring, with her husband.

At the Myrtle Avenue Revitalization Project (MARP), Rebeca spearheaded marketing and sponsorship, bringing in much-needed funds from partners to create age-friendly districts and support food access initiatives, youth mentorship opportunities, street beautification efforts, and more. At Heart of Brooklyn, she led the commercial revitalization efforts for the award-winning nonprofit cultural partnership of Brooklyn central institutions, including Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Brooklyn Children’s Museum, Brooklyn Public Library, Prospect Park, and Prospect Park Zoo.

Always involved in her community, Rebeca currently sits on the board of the Fullerton Center in Newburgh, and is a member of the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee at Haldane School District. She was recently a member of the ad-hoc Parking Committee for the Village of Cold Spring, the Co-Chair of the Trolley Committee for the Chamber of Commerce of Cold Spring, and Co-Chair of the Philipstown Trails Committee. In her spare time, Rebeca loves dancing to eighties hip-hop with her nine-year-old son, watching documentaries, and hiking the local trails with the Hiking Bandits at dawn.

“For over a century, our roads have been designed for motorized vehicles; Route 9D is no exception. As we look to the future, the Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail will demonstrate how intentional infrastructure can provide imaginative alternatives that allow pedestrians, cyclists—and all who wish to enjoy this landscape—to move through it safely.”

Prior to coming to HHFT, Rob was the Director of Operations for Integrated Enterprise Solutions, an Information Technology company in Poughkeepsie, for just shy of two years.  Rob oversaw the operations of the company, which included the management of 5 IT Service Technicians and two administrators.  

Rob spent 6 years as the Chief Financial Officer for S&O Construction Services, Inc.; an HVAC and Plumbing contractor in Pleasant Valley, NY, where he was responsible for all financial and HR operations for S&O and performed Construction Management duties for a year prior to taking on his CFO role.

The majority of Rob’s career has been spent in various financial operations roles in collegiate accounting and finance. Rob spent 12 years at Weill Medical College of Cornell University in various budget development and financial project roles. He then moved across the island of Manhattan to Columbia University where he spent two years in Central Administration.   

From 2007 to 2014, Rob took on the exciting role of Chief Financial Officer of two NCAA Division 1 Athletic Programs.  First, at Columbia University, he oversaw the financial operations of 32 NCAA Division 1 athletic sports as well as sports program administration.  From here, Rob transferred to Utah State University in Logan, Utah to perform the same functions.  In his time at Utah State, Rob attended 4 NCAA Football Bowl games, 3 Mountain West Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships and many more NCAA sporting events for the 16 Utah State Men’s and Women’s sports programs.

A lifelong resident of the Hudson Valley, Emily brings over a decade of experience in outdoor recreation program management and communications to her work with the Fjord Trail team.

Emily came to HHFT from The Nature Place, in Rockland County, NY, where she served as Assistant Director—managing communications, staffing, and programming—and previously as the Program and Communications Coordinator. She has worked locally and around the country as an environmental educator, including at the Pacific Environmental Education Center in Mendocino, CA. She also served two terms as an AmeriCorps Environmental Service Corps member. Emily's educational background includes a dual degree in Environmental Studies and Sociology with a minor in Biology.

Emily is an avid hiker, both at home in the Hudson Valley and beyond, including a 2022 thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada. She has hiked thousands of miles of trail throughout the United States and is passionate about the power these paths have to connect people to themselves, each other, and the earth. Emily joined the Fjord Trail team to further feed her personal mission of connecting people with nature, lending her design and communications experience to the organization’s efforts.

“The Fjord Trail will be so critical in helping reconnect people to the Hudson River, nurturing a sense of place in everyone who experiences it. We need people to have that connection; that’s what will ensure this beautiful place has stewards for generations to come.”

Jennifer's professional roots stem from a passion for sharing and protecting the outdoors with others. She has spent over a decade in the nonprofit sector focusing on environmental education and stewardship, community outreach, volunteer programming, and fundraising for public green spaces.

Before joining the Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail team, Jennifer worked for City Parks Foundation for over 7 years, most recently as the Corporate Engagement Manager, and the Coordinator before that. She managed a growing corporate volunteer program, which brought hands-on volunteer support and financial resources to vital public green spaces across New York City. Before that, she worked as the Environmental Education and Outreach Coordinator at Christodora, the Discovery Guide Coordinator at the Wildlife Conservation Society, and a Program Instructor at Frost Valley YMCA. Her educational background includes a MA in Biology from Miami University and a BS in Environmental Science from St. Joseph's University.

Jennifer is thrilled to be joining the Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail team. "Growing up in the Hudson Valley and spending time along the Hudson River has had a profound impact on my quality of life and personal values. It helped foster my connections to nature, my community, and the endless beauty and benefits of this area I call home. I am honored to be a part of this innovative and collaborative effort to create safe, diverse, and meaningful trail and river access that prioritizes the long-term protection of the landscape."

Outside of work, Jennifer enjoys hiking, running, vegetarian cooking, baking, observing local wildlife, and spending time with her family, friends, and rescue pets.