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 worn many hats. As Senior Director of Learning and Engagement, she oversees visitor experience, events, 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 serves on the boards of Keep Roswell Beautiful and Georgia River Network (GRN). Her passion for canoeing led her to volunteer with GRN, where each summer for 10 years, she lead and organized groups underserved youth to participate in Paddle Georgia, a transformative week-long, 90+ mile paddling trip. She is a lifetime member of Girl Scouts of the USA and is a Gold Award Girl Scout. She holds a BSFR from Warnell School of Forest Resources at the University of Georgia, and 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 worn many hats. As Senior Director of Learning and Engagement, she oversees visitor experience, events, 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 serves on the boards of Keep Roswell Beautiful and Georgia River Network (GRN). Her passion for canoeing led her to volunteer with GRN, where each summer for 10 years, she lead and organized groups underserved youth to participate in Paddle Georgia, a transformative week-long, 90+ mile paddling trip. She is a lifetime member of Girl Scouts of the USA and is a Gold Award Girl Scout. She holds a BSFR from Warnell School of Forest Resources at the University of Georgia, and lives in Roswell with her husband and their pets Flint and Rue.
Henning von Schmeling is the senior director of horticulture and operations.

Henning von Schmeling, Senior Director of Horticulture and Operations

Henning von Schmeling is the senior director of horticulture and operations.
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 and CNC’s marketing 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 and CNC’s marketing 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.

department staff

Camp

Debby Head, Camp Director

Laura Viator, Camp Manager

Chelcie Polk, Camp Registrar

Sam Mason, Program Coordinator

 

Community Programs

Farah McIntyre, Visitor Experience Manager

Amy Meeker-Taylor, Visitor and Donor Services Coordinator

Kim Ellis, Retail Manager/Nature Store Buyer

Mark Gialanella, Community Programs Coordinator

 

Development

Currently Open, Director of Resource Development

 

Education

Christie Hill, Naturalist Manager

Sam Leaf, Outreach and Partnerships Coordinator

Rebekah Dolan, Scheduling Coordinator

 

Finance & Human Resources

Desirae Gibson, Human Resource & Volunteer Generalist

Paige Trewhitt, Bookkeeper & Office Administrator

Horticulture

Jacqueline McRae, Manager of Horticulture and Gardens

Erica Anderson, Gardener

Coles McLaulin, Unity Garden Coordinator and Horticulturist

 

Marketing

Tracy Begley, Marketing Manager

Andrea Hearn, Digital Media Coordinator

 

Operations

Brian Dunson, Operations Manager

Dale Loi, Facilities/Operations

Nicole Golliver, Facilities/Operations

 

Special Events and Rentals

Fabiola Clermont, Special Events Coordinator

Caroline Cook, Special Events Assistant

 

Wildlife

Kathryn Dudeck, Wildlife Director

Dawn Ellerman, Wildlife Technician

Jeremy Maneyapanda, Wildlife Technician