The Women Behind Conservation

I love building relationships and collaborating with partners, developing pragmatic strategies and solving problems to both protect nature and help people. One of my favorite parts of my job is that I get to learn every day, whether it is about TNC’s work restoring an important habitat, the science of how flooding impacts wildlife and people, how wildlife move across land or up and down rivers, or policies and programs that support conservation work.

Science is how we learn about the world and use that knowledge to make decisions that impact our and the planet’s future. I didn’t set out to have a career in science—when I was in school there were very few women in science that I could see. I thought there was just one pathway to work in science, which didn’t feel welcoming to me. My science career developed anyway because I wanted to make a difference for wildlife. I want young women to see that there are many types of science careers and pathways to apply science, and all are needed to support people and nature.

Meg Connerton: Director of Operations and Culture

Ever an idealist, I was lucky enough to spend much of my childhood outdoors and grew up with a profound send of place. After graduating with a degree in Environmental Affairs from University of New Hampshire, I thankfully made my way to TNC.

My colleagues are the best part of my job. TNC’s staff are by far, our greatest asset. I’m consistently awed by their wisdom, dedication and drive. I’m inspired to help create a supportive community, both where staff feel safe to show up authentically but also have the tools and processes in place that allow them to get their best work done easily.

I’m teaching my young daughter about the natural world and the importance of protecting it. With that comes the message that we all have a part in this work. Girls need strong role models. I hope that introducing her to smart, driven women making a real difference will empower her to do the same.

Jessica Dietrich: Geographic Information System (GIS) Manager

Since I was very young I’ve always loved being outside and exploring, and I knew I wanted to work in the environmental field. I like looking at the big picture and understanding how the elements of a landscape are connected and influence each other. I studied landscape ecology and a big part of that was learning GIS as a tool to answer questions about where to focus conservation to have the most impact.  

Loren Dowd: Marketing and Communications Content Manager

I grew up in the mountains and on the ocean in Hawai‘i, and learned from a young age to mālama ka ‘aina (care for and protect the land). This way of being was embedded into outdoor activities with my family, learning about and giving back to the land through Girl Scouts, and in school. I’ve also always wanted to be a writer. After college, I decided I wanted to use my love of writing to help encourage others to care for our planet, especially as climate change became an increasingly apparent threat to our well-being.

One of the best things about being a content writer is that I get to interact with everyone on staff, spend my time learning about the work they're doing, and then share it with our audiences to inspire hearts and change minds. It's rewarding to see firsthand the impact we're having and help educate others. 

Working in science and environmental communications has taught me that if we're going to save the planet and ourselves, we need each and every one of us, especially women and other identities who have been left out of science, policy and decision-making. We all have unique skills to contribute to the enormous task of slowing climate change, adapting to impacts, and protecting nature and humans—together, we will find a way.

Karen Lombard: Director of Stewardship & Restoration

I majored in biology and environmental studies and when I learned about TNC’s work, I said to myself, “I would like to work for that organization.” I had an internship with the National Park Service in Hawai’i, which led to volunteering and then an internship at TNC, and aside from some time off, I’ve been here for nearly 25 years.

NANCY MAREK: Family Forest Outreach Specialist

I've been involved in conservation work for years and have always been interested in TNC. When a position involving forestry opened up, I jumped at the chance. I'm the family forest outreach specialist, providing technical assistance to forest owners interested in the Family Forest Carbon Program and other forest conservation programs in Massachusetts, Vermont and New Hampshire.

I love talking to landowners about forest conservation programs and helping others give back to the community. I'd encourage anyone interested in conservation work not to give up if the path is challenging or you experience failure.

Rebekah Myers: Stewardship Manager, Islands and Southeast Massachusetts

As a child, I spent a lot of my time learning about animals. I originally went to college for film and dreamed of filming nature documentaries, but had always had a proclivity toward science. I eventually went back to school to study wildlife science and gravitated toward biodiversity and nature conservation, especially during my Master's in Natural Resource Management. Throughout my academic years, I was fortunate to be involved in field research across four continents and worked extensively in Africa. Although cliché, I followed my passions and what I was good at. 

Leslie Pond: Volunteer and Former External Affairs Coordinator

I’m a biochemist/immunologist/cell biologist by training and have had a career in scientific publishing and managing a postdoctoral training program. After retiring, I wanted to pivot to work on urgent environmental issues such as climate change, so have been a research intern, volunteer, and part-time member of the policy and partnerships team at TNC for the last four years. I’ve created an info sheet that focuses on the nexus of climate change, health and equity, as well as a report on potential pathways to create a green infrastructure workforce development program, as part of a partnership with a Boston-area neighborhood development corporation. I’m always excited to engage with community members in climate conversations and actions.    

Women have essential roles in society, and in many regions, women and girls are often differently and disproportionately impacted by environmental and climate disasters than men. It is estimated that globally, 80% of people displaced by climate change are women, and women are more likely than men to experience poverty. Women across the world are already bringing their incredible and diverse skills and perspectives to bear on environmental issues, such as climate change adaptation and mitigation. Therefore, it is so important to amplify their voices and make sure that we include women front and center at all levels and across sectors in leading the change that we need to effectively deal with the climate crisis.

Jessica Rice Healey: Senior Associate Director of Development

Growing up in Massachusetts, the New England landscape was a big part of my family’s recreation. I always knew I wanted to pursue a career working in the environmental field and have been fortunate to work for organizations leading important conservation efforts for my entire career.

Even though my degree is in environmental policy, I’ve always been on the administrative side of the work, such as executing global forestry conferences, working with dedicated event volunteers and partnering with generous donors to help fulfill their goals. This allows me to support work that is personally meaningful to me while continuing to learn from the amazing conservation experts that I work with every day. 

Chloe Tomasetta: Marketing and Communications Coordinator

I joined TNC in Massachusetts in February 2024, excited about how TNC is such a people-oriented organization. I've always been motivated by the beauty found in the natural world. I love to spend time outdoors hiking, camping, running and walking my dog; I have a deep appreciation for nature, which I think translates to my work at TNC, collaborating with like-minded individuals to uphold our mission of protecting and restoring the environment. 

I got involved in environmental conservation during my college years, when I participated in the University of Massachusetts Boston's Beacon Voyages for Service Program. As part of the Environmental Service Team, I collaborated with Friends of Coastal Carolina, contributing to projects like building fencing around a farm to curb invasive species and clearing hiking trails for all to enjoy. I also worked as a communications intern with Save the Harbor/Save the Bay to support their mission to restore, protect and share Boston Harbor. 

My advice to women, or anyone, starting out their career is to make meaningful connections with everyone you meet, identify the aspects of work that genuinely excite you and find ways to maintain a sense of creativity in day-to-day life.