Over our 35-year history, the Hudson Highlands Land Trust has changed and grown, but one thing has remained the same – our commitment to permanently protect the lands and waters of the Hudson Highlands to benefit all people for generations to come.
Katrina Shindledecker
Executive Director
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Currently Executive Director of HHLT, Katrina has been with the organization for more than a decade. In her previous role as Director of Conservation, she was responsible for overseeing our acquisition and stewardship program.
Katrina holds a Masters of Science in Environmental Policy from Bard College and a Masters of Science in Environmental Science from Pace University.
Her Environmental Science degree focused on land and natural resource management. Her Environmental Policy degree focused on Hudson Valley land trusts and their adoption and implementation of the Land Trust Alliance’s Standards and Practices for land acquisitions and stewardship.
Katrina used her knowledge of Land Trust Alliance Standards and Practices to co-lead HHLT’s original accreditation application in 2008 and renewal application in 2013. In 2016-2017, Katrina served as a member of the Land Trust Alliance Standards Advisory Committee, providing guidance and advice on the 2017 Standards & Practices revision.
Before joining HHLT, she worked in several roles at the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, including implementing environmental recommendations and projects at parks and historic sites across the Taconic region.
Carrie Hilpert
Director of Land Conservation
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As Director of Conservation, Carrie is responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing HHLT’s land conservation program, including acquisitions and stewardship.
Carrie comes to HHLT with more than a decade of experience as an environmental and land use attorney, primarily in Westchester County. She was also an adjunct professor at Pace University Law School, where she taught land use law and legal writing. She holds a BA in Economics from Williams College and Juris Doctorate from Pace University School of Law, where she earned a Certificate in Environmental Law.
A Hudson Highlands native, Carrie returned to this area to raise her family, and she is an active member of the Philipstown community. She is on the Board of the Garrison Children’s Education Fund and coaches the local girls basketball and softball teams.
Davis Connelly
Director of Impact & Engagement
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As Director of Impact & Engagement, Davis leads fundraising and outreach efforts to strengthen HHLT’s relationships and ensure lasting support for land and water conservation in the Hudson Highlands.
Davis brings nearly two decades of nonprofit experience, having previously supported local youth education and global poverty relief. He began as an environmental educator, delivering nature-based learning in New England and New York City. Later, he would lead youth programs at Roads to Success, where he established and sustained initiatives that advanced academic achievement, emotional well-being, and career readiness for thousands across New York’s five boroughs.
Most recently, Davis supported the global mission of BRAC, a pioneering NGO founded in Bangladesh and known for its large-scale impact on poverty. His work focused on raising funds throughout North America for programs that uplift women and refugees in South Asia and Africa.
Davis studied at American University and Cortland State and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. His passion for this region stems from meaningful experiences living along the Hudson River—from the lower Adirondacks to New York City—and now proudly in the Highlands with his young family, where his lifelong pursuits for creativity and immersion in nature have brought him home.
If you want to learn more about ways to support HHLT, contact Davis!
Nadia Azizi
Communications & Events Manager
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As the Communications and Events Manager at HHLT, Nadia plays a crucial role in connecting people with the outdoors and creating access for all. Her passion for fostering community engagement and environmental stewardship shines through in her work to develop and manage communications, coordinate outreach events and volunteers programs, and support the organization’s executive functions.
Nadia’s background in food business management brings a unique perspective to her role at HHLT. Her experience in customer service, logistics, and team coordination translates seamlessly into her current responsibilities, allowing her to efficiently communicate HHLT’s work, and organize volunteer efforts and community events that bring people closer to nature. In her position, Nadia strives to break down barriers to outdoor access and cultivate a diverse and inclusive community of environmental stewards.
For information about upcoming events or to connect with HHLT’s communications efforts, contact Nadia!
Robert Delap
Conservation Easement Manager
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As the Conservation Easement Manager, Bob is responsible for the monitoring and stewardship of HHLT’s growing portfolio of conservation easements. Bob walks the land and builds relationships with owners of conserved properties, fostering a shared ethic of thoughtful conservation of their natural spaces, and ensuring that stewardship remains effective and consistent.
Bob began his conservation career in parks and trails — most recently with the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, and previously with government and commercial partners. Prior to that, Bob worked in the libraries and archives of New York University and the New-York Historical Society. Bob was inspired to make his career change during a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail, where Bob developed a devotion to the land and to those who steward it. He has a BS in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University, and an MS in Natural Resources Conservation from Paul Smith’s College.
You can often find Bob running on trails in the hills around his home of Beacon, NY, or cycling the dirt roads of Putnam County.
If you want to learn more about the benefits of conservation easements on your property, contact Bob!
Jonathan Leitner
Operations Coordinator
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As Operations Coordinator, Jonathan is the backbone of the office. His work includes managing HHLT’s supporter database, overseeing financial accounts, supporting acquisitions and development staff, and coordinating office operations.
Before stepping into his current role, Jonathan was an HHLT volunteer from 2012-2013 and officially joined the team in 2014 as our Program and Database Associate. Jonathan’s wry wit keeps us all on our toes and in good cheer.
If you want to learn more about how you can support HHLT’s work, please contact Jonathan!
Sheena Raju
New Staff Member
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HHLT’s newest staff member, Sheena Raju, leads initiatives that support operations and improve project outcomes.
Sheena graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology with a degree in Fashion Merchandising Management and brings experience in leading projects and creative problem-solving from the fashion industry. Six years ago, she moved to Garrison and fell in love with the Hudson Highlands and its community. Her love for this area now guides her work at HHLT, where she applies her experience in project leadership and creative problem-solving to support office operations and conservation efforts.
“I’m excited to contribute to HHLT’s mission through impactful projects,” Sheena says.
If you want to learn more about how you can support HHLT’s work, please contact Sheena!
Cory Tiger
Preserve & Natural Resource Manager
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As the Preserve & Natural Resource Manager, Cory oversees the protection and management of approximately 1,000 acres of land under HHLT’s care. Cory collaborates with neighbors, community members, scientists, and experts to develop and execute tailored management plans for each distinct property. These plans prioritize the restoration of critical habitats and the promotion of forest regeneration, ensuring the long-term sustainability of these natural landscapes.
In addition to her stewardship responsibilities, Cory lends support to HHLT’s conservation easement and land acquisition projects. Utilizing her proficiency in GIS mapping and conducting detailed site visits, Cory ensures thorough assessment and documentation essential for informed decision-making in these critical initiatives.
Cory brings a robust academic background to her work, holding a B.A. in Environmental Studies and Anthropology from SUNY Stony Brook, complemented by an M.S. in Environmental Policy from Bard College. Her professional journey includes experience in trail construction, environmental education, ecological monitoring, advocacy, and project management, reflecting her multifaceted approach to conservation.
Driven by a lifelong passion for the outdoors nurtured through professional endeavors across New York State, Cory is dedicated to safeguarding wild places for current and future generations. Her commitment to environmental preservation is matched only by her enthusiasm for fostering community engagement and ecological resilience within the HHLT’s protected lands.
If you want to learn more about HHLT’s preserves, contact Cory!
Edward (Ted) Warren
Public Policy Manager
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As HHLT’s Public Policy Manager, Ted specializes in helping municipalities preserve their vital open spaces through effective planning, zoning, and collaborative community engagement. Ted works with municipal boards, conservation committees, and community organizations on community preservation planning, local, state, and federal public policy initiatives, and coordinating a network of conservation organizations within the Highlands region.
Ted’s passion for protecting vital open spaces can be traced back to his time working in Philadelphia, where he was involved in clinical education and public policy, community organizing, and neighborhood preservation and zoning. In addition to his work for HHLT, Ted currently serves on the Cornwall Conservation Advisory Council, where he creates and implements conservation and land use planning projects. During his free time, Ted enjoys hiking with his family, playing guitar, and reading about history.
If your community wants to learn about conservation planning tools and strategies that help preserve natural resources, drinking water, and open space, please contact Ted!
Board of Directors
Jeffrey Bunzel
Chair
Douglas Land
Vice Chair
Pascale Hutz
Treasurer
Rudolph Rauch
Secretary
Nancy Berner
Michael Clarke
James Cross
Christopher Davis
Lizabeth Dunn
Phoebe Geer
Dinesh Kapoor
Henry Lew Kingsley
Daniel Kramer
Carl Loewenson
Angelica Patterson
Thaddeus Pitney
Frederic Rich
Andrew Sidamon-Eristoff
Kristin Sorenson
Gregory Starner
Bente Strong
Anne Symmes
Bonnie Turner
Glennon Watson
Staff News
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2025 Recap From the HHLT Team
Read more: 2025 Recap From the HHLT TeamAs we close out an exciting year, our team wanted to share what made 2025 so memorable. From protecting critical habitats and advancing restoration efforts to deepening our partnerships with the community, this year has been filled with meaningful milestones.