staff

Senior Directors

Natasha Rice joined the Chattahoochee Nature Center from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta (BGCMA), where she served as Chief Administrative Officer/Vice President from 2015-2021, she implemented plans to update facilities, technology, and staffing through the proceeds of a $26.1 million capital campaign (including a $9M new construction project – this design was awarded Urban Land Institute Award for Excellence in Civic & Institutional Design in 2019.) On an ongoing basis, she oversaw facilities at 20+ youth-serving locations, as well as a 160-acre camp on the Broad River near Athens, GA. This role included guiding effective, efficient, and sustainable practices. Before BGCMA, Natasha worked for PulteGroup and The Home Depot. She has had experience as a management consultant, commercial banker, and volunteer to environmental nonprofits and she is thrilled to serve the community from within the organization. Natasha holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Rutgers College and a Master of Business Administration from Georgetown University.

Natasha Rice, President/CEO

Natasha Rice joined the Chattahoochee Nature Center from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta (BGCMA), where she served as Chief Administrative Officer/Vice President from 2015-2021, she implemented plans to update facilities, technology, and staffing through the proceeds of a $26.1 million capital campaign (including a $9M new construction project – this design was awarded Urban Land Institute Award for Excellence in Civic & Institutional Design in 2019.) On an ongoing basis, she oversaw facilities at 20+ youth-serving locations, as well as a 160-acre camp on the Broad River near Athens, GA. This role included guiding effective, efficient, and sustainable practices. Before BGCMA, Natasha worked for PulteGroup and The Home Depot. She has had experience as a management consultant, commercial banker, and volunteer to environmental nonprofits and she is thrilled to serve the community from within the organization. Natasha holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Rutgers College and a Master of Business Administration from Georgetown University.
Karen Ewing is CNC’s Vice President of Administration. She oversees the planning, development, implementation, and maintenance of the Center’s administrative, risk, and financial areas. She holds a BA from the University of Georgia, with a major in Economics, and an MBA from Georgia State University with a concentration in Finance. She has been with CNC since 2006 and was previously employed with the Atlanta Lawn Tennis Association and SunTrust Bank. She lives in Atlanta and has two grown children.

Karen Ewing, Vice President of Administration

Karen Ewing is CNC’s Vice President of Administration. She oversees the planning, development, implementation, and maintenance of the Center’s administrative, risk, and financial areas. She holds a BA from the University of Georgia, with a major in Economics, and an MBA from Georgia State University with a concentration in Finance. She has been with CNC since 2006 and was previously employed with the Atlanta Lawn Tennis Association and SunTrust Bank. She lives in Atlanta and has two grown children.
Alicia Thompson was born and raised in Atlanta and has been with Chattahoochee Nature Center since 2007. She began her career with CNC working with Camp Kingfisher, and over her 15 years with the center has seen CNC grow. As Senior Director of Learning and Engagement, she oversees visitor experience and educational programming. She guides a vision for environmental education that engages diverse audiences of all ages and abilities through interpretive programming, community partnerships, and authentic outdoor experiences. Outside of CNC, she has served on several boards and is a 2022 graduate of the Institute for Georgia Environmental Leadership (IGEL). Alicia has paddled hundreds of miles of Georgia’s rivers. Her passion for canoeing led her to volunteer with Georgia River Network, where each summer for 10 years, she organized and led groups of underserved youth who participated in Paddle Georgia, a transformative week-long, 90+ mile paddling trip. She is a proud lifetime member of Girl Scouts of the USA and is a Gold Award Girl Scout. She graduated with distinction from the Warnell School of Forest Resources at the University of Georgia and earned her Bachelor of Science in Forest Resources. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, birding, and tending to her yard – a Certified Backyard Habitat. Alicia lives in Roswell with her husband and their pets Flint and Rue.

Alicia Thompson, Senior Director of Learning and Engagement

Alicia Thompson was born and raised in Atlanta and has been with Chattahoochee Nature Center since 2007. She began her career with CNC working with Camp Kingfisher, and over her 15 years with the center has seen CNC grow. As Senior Director of Learning and Engagement, she oversees visitor experience and educational programming. She guides a vision for environmental education that engages diverse audiences of all ages and abilities through interpretive programming, community partnerships, and authentic outdoor experiences. Outside of CNC, she has served on several boards and is a 2022 graduate of the Institute for Georgia Environmental Leadership (IGEL). Alicia has paddled hundreds of miles of Georgia’s rivers. Her passion for canoeing led her to volunteer with Georgia River Network, where each summer for 10 years, she organized and led groups of underserved youth who participated in Paddle Georgia, a transformative week-long, 90+ mile paddling trip. She is a proud lifetime member of Girl Scouts of the USA and is a Gold Award Girl Scout. She graduated with distinction from the Warnell School of Forest Resources at the University of Georgia and earned her Bachelor of Science in Forest Resources. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, birding, and tending to her yard – a Certified Backyard Habitat. Alicia lives in Roswell with her husband and their pets Flint and Rue.
Tamara joined the Chattahoochee Nature Center in 2017, and at that time began in a new position as Special Events Manager. She has grown and developed a dynamic department over her 5+ years with the Chattahoochee Nature Center. Prior to CNC, she spent 20+ years with the YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta in roles encompassing marketing, membership, leadership development and programming. As Senior Director of Special Events and Marketing she oversees special events, venues sales, Camp Kingfisher, and CNC’s marketing and communication program. Tamara resides in Alpharetta with her dog, Dakota.

Tamara Kinmon, Senior Director of Special Events and Marketing

Tamara joined the Chattahoochee Nature Center in 2017, and at that time began in a new position as Special Events Manager. She has grown and developed a dynamic department over her 5+ years with the Chattahoochee Nature Center. Prior to CNC, she spent 20+ years with the YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta in roles encompassing marketing, membership, leadership development and programming. As Senior Director of Special Events and Marketing she oversees special events, venues sales, Camp Kingfisher, and CNC’s marketing and communication program. Tamara resides in Alpharetta with her dog, Dakota.
David is the Senior Director of Resource Development and is responsible for raising CNC's contributed income, partnerships, and sponsors. He comes to CNC after serving as the Board Chair for the Chastain Park Conservancy. Previously he spent 25 years in Sales and Marketing in the Food Ingredient Industry. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Vanderbilt University. David lives in Atlanta with his wife and three grown children.

David Miles, Senior Director of Resource Development

David is the Senior Director of Resource Development and is responsible for raising CNC’s contributed income, partnerships, and sponsors. He comes to CNC after serving as the Board Chair for the Chastain Park Conservancy. Previously he spent 25 years in Sales and Marketing in the Food Ingredient Industry. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Vanderbilt University. David lives in Atlanta with his wife and three grown children.
Jennifer Rao is the Senior Director of Operations for the Chattahoochee Nature Center and is responsible for the CNC’s facilities, operations, and project management. Jennifer oversees the Wildlife, Horticulture, and Facilities departments and works closely with staff to increase the visual appeal and functionality of the CNC property and to ensure the safety and care of all staff, visitors, and wildlife. Jennifer comes to the CNC after serving as the Director of Operations and Community Engagement for Discover Dunwoody, where she led the DMAP certification process, making the organization one of six Convention and Visitors Bureaus in the State of Georgia to have this recognition. She has over 15 years of project management experience, is a proud Veteran of the United States Navy, holds a SHRM-CP (Certified Professional) in Human Resources, and is finishing her Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Harvard. Jennifer lives in Dunwoody with her husband, daughter, and cat.

Jennifer Rao, Senior Director of Operations

Jennifer Rao is the Senior Director of Operations for the Chattahoochee Nature Center and is responsible for the CNC’s facilities, operations, and project management. Jennifer oversees the Wildlife, Horticulture, and Facilities departments and works closely with staff to increase the visual appeal and functionality of the CNC property and to ensure the safety and care of all staff, visitors, and wildlife. Jennifer comes to the CNC after serving as the Director of Operations and Community Engagement for Discover Dunwoody, where she led the DMAP certification process, making the organization one of six Convention and Visitors Bureaus in the State of Georgia to have this recognition. She has over 15 years of project management experience, is a proud Veteran of the United States Navy, holds a SHRM-CP (Certified Professional) in Human Resources, and is finishing her Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Harvard. Jennifer lives in Dunwoody with her husband, daughter, and cat.

department staff

Camp

Debby Head, Camp Co-Director

Laura Viator, Camp Co-Director

Chelcie Polk, Camp Registrar

Sam Mason, Camp Program Coordinator

 

Development

Kristen Felty, Resource Development Director

 

Finance and Volunteers

Paige Trewhitt, Bookkeeper & Office Manager

Patricia Fulton, Volunteer Specialist

 

Horticulture

Jacqueline McRae, Horticulture Manager

Coles McLaulin, Unity Garden Coordinator and Horticulturist

Erica Anderson, Gardener

Samantha Harper, Gardener

Henning von Schmeling, Horticultural Curator

 

Learning and Engagement

Farah McIntyre, Member and Visitor Engagement Manager

Christie Hill, Naturalist Manager

Kim Ellis, Retail Manager/Nature Store Buyer

Mark Gialanella, Education Programs Supervisor

Amy Meeker-Taylor, Member and Visitor Engagement Supervisor

Rebekah Dolan, Education Administrative Coordinator

Sam Leaf, Outreach and Partnerships Coordinator

Marketing

Tracy Begley, Director of Marketing and Communications

Helen Brose, Marketing Specialist

 

Operations

Brian Dunson, Operations Manager

Scott Tracy, Facilities/Operations

Nicole Golliver, Facilities/Operations

Dale Loi, Facilities/Operations

 

Special Events and Rentals

Fabiola Clermont, Events Supervisor

Caroline Cook, Venue Sales Associate

 

Wildlife

Kathryn Dudeck, Wildlife Director

Dawn Ellerman, Wildlife Technician

Jeremy Maneyapanda, Wildlife Technician