Meet Our Team

With experts in conservation, education, and non-profit leadership, our talented team is working hard to make West Michigan the best place to work, play, and live.

Administration

Travis Williams

Chief Executive Officer

Travis has worked in the field of environmental education and resource management since 1997 after graduating from Hope College with degrees in Biology and Environmental Science. As his career developed, he pursued multiple advanced degrees including a MBA in Strategic Management. He has worked for the ODC Network since its founding in 2000 where he has been intimately involved with developing the nonprofit education and conservation organization as its first Executive Director.

Jayne Macomber

Chief Financial Officer

Jamie Krupka

Chief of Interpretation

Jamie holds a BS in Environmental Biology from the University of Dayton. He joined the ODC Network Team in 2003 and has thoroughly enjoyed seeing the organization grow from a small non-profit to a thriving regional entity. He loves that his job varies and requires many different skill sets. He is a birder, always looking up and paying attention to the birds around. He enjoys taking pictures of animals, flowers and landscapes and traveling with his wife and kids.

Kaylee Mesbergen

Chief of People & Culture

Morgan Drew

People and Culture Specialist

Nicole Young*

Business Manager

Lannette Zylman

Executive Assistant

Shannon Fuller

VP of Development and Marketing

Ashley Van Zee

Director of Philanthropy

Kaylee Flieman

Donor Services Manager

Kelly Roche

Advancement Officer

Nathan Slauer

Development Manager

Maddie Tunison

Marketing and Communications Manager

Megan Williams*

Marketing and Events Coordinator

Kristen Grassmid

Rentals Manager

Interpretation

Dylana Eisaman

Creative Director

Mikaela Sterenberg

Art Specialist

Kristen Hintz

Early Childhood Naturalist

Vicki Sturtevant

Early Childhood Naturalist

Sheila Postmus

Early Childhood Naturalist

Programming

Joy Funk

Vice President of Programming

Kim Lane

Animal Care Manager

Mary Field

Naturalist

Tom Funk

Naturalist

Mike Graves

Naturalist

Kaitie Janecke Soltesz

Naturalist

Jennifer LaForest

Naturalist

Lisa McKellips

Naturalist

Caitlin Strikwerda

Naturalist

Myriah Williams

Cultural History Educator

Andrea Woody

Naturalist

Cindy Oosting

Animal Care Assistant

Conservation

Kelly Goward

Land and Water Director

Tanner Bricker

Conservation Services Director

Dan Callam

Greenway Manager

Ben Heerspink

Land Stewardship Manager

Sam Frens

Conservation Technician

Will Hofmann

Conservation Technician

Lexie Kasper

Outreach Coordinator

Maya Klanderman

Sustainability Specialist

Cole Ockerse

Environmental Program Specialist

Sarah Washabaugh

Conservation Educator

Education Network

Bob Wandel

Education Network Director

Ted Malefyt

Education Network Manager

Calihan Bearden

Education Network Ambassador

Ruth Cronk

Education Network Ambassador

Bree DeWeerdt

Education Network Ambassador

Keera Lung

Education Network Ambassador

Sarah Malefyt

Education Network Ambassador

Emily Myaard

Education Network Ambassador

Allie Prindle

Education Network Associate Ambassador

Allie earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Ministry from Hope College. She spent five years at Son-Life Camp as both a counselor and Day Camp Program Director before joining the ODC Network in 2023. In 2024, she and Paige Prins launched the Explore! program as a pilot and she is excited to watch it grow. Allie loves nature journaling and spending time with kids outdoors. Outside of work, she enjoys art, puzzles, thrifting, and being with her husband, family, and friends.

Paige Prins

Education Network Ambassador

Emily Slagter

Education Network Ambassador

Dawn Wedeven

Education Network Ambassador

Kara Green

Education Network Ambassador

Operations

Mike Oosting

Vice President of Operations

Nate Bosch

Landscape Architect

Gerry Kupres

Facilities Manager

Joey Broderick

Project Superintendent

Nick Compagner

Procurement & Production Foreman

Chris Gustafson

Construction & Playscape Technician

Colin Quincey

Facilities and Construction Specialist

Tyler VandenHeuvel

Playground Maintenance Foreman

Cory Van Zee

Facilities & Construction Foreman

Kent Baker

Operations Facilities Specialist

Josh Williams

Operations Site Specialist

Jacob Pierce

Construction & Playscape Technician

Early Childhood Network

John Vincent

Chief of Early Childhood Education

John graduated from Grand Valley State University and has a background which includes teaching special education at the K-12 level before he changed focus to Early Childhood education. Before coming to ODC, he worked for Head Start where he advanced to Deputy Director of Early Childhood Services in Northern Michigan for 120 preschool classrooms in 21 counties in NE Michigan. When not working, John enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters in his new community in West Michigan or at their family cottage in Manistee.

Jayne Schutter

Vice President of Early Childhood Administration

Jayne joined the team in 2017 and serves in a business administration role for all ODC Preschools. Jayne loves good coffee, spending time outside with her family, enjoying beach days and kayaking.

Kara Green

Outreach Coordinator

Jenna Callam

Nature-based Curriculum Coach

Jenna has been with ODC Preschools for five years. She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Development and Psychology, and her Masters Degree in Environmental Education. She has previously worked teaching children at the Wisconsin History Museum, Great Lakes Aquarium, and the Aldo Leopold Nature Center. She loves being outside and is passionate about helping students and teachers learn in nature! Outside of work, she enjoys reading, painting, running, and hiking with her husband, Dan and daughter, Clara.

Alli Engel

Early Childhood Curriculum Coach

Alli has Bachelor’s Degrees in Early Childhood Education and Psychology with a Masters in Child and Developmental Psychology. Before coming to ODC, Alli worked as a Preschool Teacher and Pedagogista at a nature-based school, Special Needs Coordinator, and as an Early Childhood Curriculum Writer. She loves working with a team that shares her passion for the importance of play and learning in an outdoor environment. In her free time, Alli enjoys kayaking and hiking with her husband and their dog, Bailey.

Amanda Webb

Early Childhood Curriculum Coach

Amanda's love for teaching and nature led her to working for the ODC, her dream job! She values the work-family culture of the early childhood staff where each member brings unique gifts to the team and is committed to having a positive impact on their community. In her freetime, Amanda enjoys spending time with friends and family, traveling, hiking and exploring new places!

Little Hawks Discovery Preschool

Liz Rinehart

Little Haws Site Director

Gloria Ruggles

Little Hawks Office Assistant

Gloria grew up in Holland, MI and went to college in Dallas, TX where she studied family, marriage and kids. She served as an interim youth pastor before become a part-time children's director and pastor for nearly six years. She has since worked as an administrator for more than 18 years. Gloria enjoys spending time with her husband John and three kids, hiking, anything to do with the beach and sun, while also training for and running in 5k's, triathlons, and half marathons.

Heather Bouwman

Support Services Director

Heather holds a BS in Psychology and a Masters in Social Work. She's worked in various school and agency settings and has facilitated parenting classes at Little Hawks for seven years. She feels incredibly fortunate to be a part of something so intentional, innovative, and wonderful for the children and families in our community. Heather has been married for over 20 years and has three children with whom she enjoys spending time along the Michigan shoreline.

Stacy Oosterink

Little Hawks Student Transportation

Kristie Aukema

Little Hawks Teacher

Kristie has worked in early childhood classrooms for nearly 20 years as a teacher and teaching assistant. She loves the curiosity that preschoolers have and finds it rewarding to walk alongside them as they discover the natural world around them. Her favorite part of working at an ODC Preschool is that she sees how important play is to the well-rounded development of a preschooler. When not teaching, Kristie enjoys taking road trips with her husband John and three kids to explore and soak up the sun.

Laura Bosch

Little Hawks Teacher

Laura first got involved with the ODC Network when her kids attended Little Hawks Discovery Preschool and she loved the atmosphere. Taking care of children, being out in nature, and seeing new things each day give her a sense of joy. She loves camping and hanging out with her family. Laura and her husband of 13 years, Jerry, have two kids, Sarah and Caleb, and a cute, sassy rescue dog named Misty.

Tom Chappell

Little Hawks Teacher

Tom has a resume that includes factory work, telecommunications, electrical utilities, and code enforcement prior to his coming to the ODC. As a father of a former Little Hawk student, he and his family found their experience made them stronger and more connected. He is excited to be on the ODC Preschools team where his sense of purpose is fulfilled and he can help shape the future of kids through nature-based education. When he's not working, Tom spends time with his family participating in a variety of outdoor activities year-round.

Jodi Huyser

Little Hawks Teacher

Darcy Logan

Little Hawks Teacher

Darcy taught elementary school, Kindermusik, Homeschool, and preschool before joining Little Hawks Discovery Preschool. Her family is passionate about the outdoors and active in Scouting. She loves working with children in nature and watching their curiosity grow. Outside of work she can be found camping, hiking, kayaking, and spending time with family. Raised in Holland, she is a mother to six amazing children.

Lauren Messing

Little Hawks Teacher

Lauren has a bachelor's degree in Child Development from Central Michigan University. She grew up in West Michigan where she spent many summers outdoors camping and playing in the woods. From an early age, she enjoyed working with children and knew that she wanted a career working with them. In her free time, she enjoys photography, crafting and spending time with her husband.

Brittany Peters

Little Hawks Teacher

Brittany has worked in childcare for over seven years and earned an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education before joining the ODC Network. She loves coming alongside children where they are and seeing the growth and joy that they experience in the outdoors. Brittany enjoys spending time with family, at Bible studies, and outdoors. She lives in Hamilton with her husband Michael and two children, Ally and Bradley.

Kristi Rosema

Little Hawks Teacher

Kristi has a M.S. in Natural Resources with a focus in Environmental Education. She was drawn to the ODC Network by Little Hawks Discovery Preschool which allows her to support and encourage children as they use their natural sense of wonder and curiosity to explore the world around them. In her free time, Kristi enjoys spending time outside by taking walks, especially in natural areas, with friends and family.

Sandra Thompson

Little Hawks Teacher

Shelby Warda

Little Hawks Teacher

Stephanie Williams

Little Hawks Teacher

Stephanie graduated from Hope College in 1999 with a degree in Biology. She chose to stay home to raise her 3 kids and loved volunteering in the classroom and at church. When her youngest was in elementary school she went back to school to earn her Associates in Child Development from GRCC. She recently taught at Creation Ridge (Zeeland Christian’s nature-based preschool). Over the last 20+ years, she has worked at DeGraaf Nature Center, Outdoor Discovery Center and Little Hawks Discovery Preschool in various roles.

Missy Zwart

Little Hawks Teacher

Melanie Boerman

Little Hawks Teacher

Dragonflies Discovery Preschool

Kelsey Zuiderveen

Dragonflies Site Director

Carla Chase

Dragonflies Administrative Assistant

Bridget Bravata

Dragonflies Office Assistant

Kristina Boersma

Support Services Director

Dani Brewer

Dragonflies Teacher

Jennifer Buell

Dragonflies Teacher/Wrap Around Care

Mireya Cardona

Dragonflies Student Transportation

Annabel Cieply

Dragonflies Teacher

Kristin DeJarnatt

Dragonflies Teacher

Nicole Dykstra

Dragonflies Teacher

Katie Feikema

Dragonflies Teacher

Tina Gless

Dragonflies Teacher

Nohemi Holtsclaw

Dragonflies Teacher

Vanessa Jackson

Dragonflies Teacher

Betsy Knox

Dragonflies Teacher

Raquel Lara

Dragonflies Teacher

Brittney Rich

Dragonflies Teacher

Brie Rouwhorst

Dragonflies Teacher

Lise Steeby

Dragonflies Wrap-around Childcare

Michelle Sprick

Dragonflies Teacher

Bri Timmer

Dragonflies Wrap-around Childcare

Ashley TerAvest

Dragonflies Teacher

Rachel VanHouten

Dragonflies Teacher

Jaelyn Zook

Dragonflies Teacher

Seedlings Discovery Preschool

Kelly Ashley

Seedlings Site Director

Lindsey Smith

Seedlings Assistant Site Director

Sara Eastwood

Seedlings Office Coordinator

Tsehaia Santa Ana

Seedlings School Counselor

Olivia Carnevale

Seedlings Teacher

Kathy DeJonge

Seedlings Teacher

Natasha Flipse

Seedlings Teacher

Trista Hernandez

Seedlings Teacher

Kimberly Jones

Seedlings Teacher

Ella Majoor

Seedlings Teacher

Taryn Neece

Seedlings Teacher

Beth Nelson

Seedlings Teacher

Erika Nykamp

Seedlings Teacher

Nicole Proctor

Seedlings Teacher

Dani Rainbolt

Seedlings Teacher

Amanda Riggle

Seedlings Teacher

Sarah Scholten

Seedlings Teacher

Abagael Shaffer

Seedlings Teacher

Cassie Streur

Seedlings Teacher

Hannah Trebur

Seedlings Teacher

Lindsay Vasholz

Seedlings Teacher

Val Voss

Seedlings Teacher

Rachel Warren

Seedlings Teacher

Emily Whiteside

Seedlings Teacher

Woodlands Discovery Preschool

Laurel Grose

Woodlands Site Director

Amber Murray

Woodlands Assistant Site Director

Mallory Lake

Woodlands Office Coordinator

Sarah Krupka

Woodlands Social Worker

Mackenzie Aguillon

Woodlands Teacher

Alvesa Alejos

Woodlands Teacher

Libby Bala

Woodlands Teacher

Abby Branstetter

Woodlands Teacher

Lillian Bukrey

Woodlands Teacher

Kas Burnett

Woodlands Teacher

Abbie Burton

Woodlands Teacher

Claire Darling

Woodlands Teacher

Skye DeVries

Woodlands Teacher

Annie Droelle

Woodlands Teacher

Kathy Fowler

Woodlands Teacher

Ally Geurink

Woodlands Teacher

Rose Gillette

Woodlands Teacher

Kacie Grady

Woodlands Teacher

Charity Grant

Woodlands Teacher

Edna Kamphuis

Woodlands Teacher

Gabrielle Kosters

Woodlands Teacher

Hannah Lutz

Woodlands Teacher

Allison Martin

Woodlands Teacher

Courtney Minnich

Woodlands Teacher

Angela Music

Woodlands Teacher

Rachael Pratt

Woodlands Teacher

Eva Smit

Woodlands Teacher

Kaitlyn Stid

Woodlands Teacher

Amie Trameri

Woodlands Teacher

Haley Turner

Woodlands Teacher

Reagan VanKoevering

Woodlands Teacher

Brenda Villegas

Woodlands Teacher

Savannah Warner

Woodlands Teacher

Devin Willard

Woodlands Teacher

Josie Zandstra

Woodlands Teacher

Gentex Discovery Preschool

Annie Davis

Gentex Teacher

Ella Bingle

Gentex Teacher

Emma Gauthier

Gentex Teacher

Gabrielle DeMull

Gentex Teacher

Logan Claxton

Gentex Teacher

Nicole Delo

Gentex Teacher

Sarah Britt Engel

Gentex Teacher

Joslyn Harris

Gentex Teacher

Courtney Jaehnig

Gentex Teacher

Jaden Jarmosco

Gentex Teacher

Kaitlyn Kammeraad

Gentex Teacher

Ryan King

Gentex Teacher

Sarah Lanting

Gentex Teacher

Hailey Lappi

Gentex Teacher

Michelle Leep

Gentex Teacher

Andrea Longenecker

Gentex Teacher

Katie McCoy

Gentex Teacher

Joy Meyering

Gentex Teacher

Cielo Morales

Gentex Teacher

Karsyn Nyboer

Gentex Teacher

Savanna Peterson

Gentex Teacher

Sarah Schneider

Gentex Teacher

Kennidie Smith

Gentex Teacher

Courtney VanderHaar

Gentex Teacher

Kelly Van Malsen

Gentex Teacher

Miya Vliet

Gentex Teacher

Lori Weenum

Gentex Teacher

Ella Meckley

Gentex Teacher

Hatchlings - Staff Childcare

Lyndsey Aldrich

Staff Childcare Teacher

Hannah Boerema

Staff Childcare Teacher

Lisa Mokma

Staff Childcare Teacher

Jennifer Burdo

Staff Childcare Teacher