Our Staff
Aidan's Bio
Aidan joined the Trust in March 2020, contributing to the oversight, implementation, and function of core programs, volunteer service projects, and events in the park. Originally from Michigan, Aidan has a background in outdoor education and facilitating programs with youth, non-profit, and corporate groups. They also spent nearly two years teaching English in Taiwan. They have a Bachelor’s Degree from Northern Michigan University and enjoy hiking, biking, rock climbing, good books, and campfires with friends. They live in Hagerstown, Maryland.
Tymber's Bio
Tymber joined the Trust in April 2020. She is a freelance writer and editor with a specialization in nonprofit communications. A graduate of Antioch College, Tymber has a B.A. in Literature and the Human Condition. She has previously worked with Tecumseh Land Trust in Yellow Springs, Ohio, and Moonstone Arts Center in Philadelphia where she created social media content and organized community events. In her spare time, Tymber enjoys hiking, reading, and playing with her cats, Theo and Franklin.
Leila's Bio
Leila Crandall is a sustainability and energy policy professional with a Master of Science in Environment and Sustainability Management from Georgetown University’s The Earth Commons. Her work spans solar energy policy, green economy research, and international development. She is from both Charlottesville, Virginia and Nairobi, Kenya.
Brooke's Bio
Grace's Bio
Grace joined the Trust in January of 2023. She is a graduate of Shepherd University with a Bachelor of Science in Strategic Communication and a minor in Graphic Design. While at Shepherd, she worked with the Student Success Center hosting events, crafting social media posts, and assisting students new to the center. In her free time she enjoys going for walks in the Park, reading, and trying new things (like archery and writing).
Jenna's Bio
Becky's Bio
Becky joined the Trust in May 2023. After graduating from Millersville University with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Studies, she began her career with the C&O Canal as an intern for the National Park Service. As an Assistant Volunteer Coordinator, she worked closely with both the NPS and C&O Canal Trust to support the Volunteers-In-Parks and Canal for All programs. She also collaborated with the NPS Office of International Affairs to welcome a volunteer from Chile for the Summer 2022 season. Community service comes naturally to Becky. She volunteers her time on the weekends to care for cats and kittens at her local animal shelter. When it’s time to rest and recharge, Becky likes to travel (8 countries and counting), read and collect postcards.
Delayn's Bio
Delayn joined the C&O Canal Trust in April 2026. Originally from Baltimore, MD, he began working with youth in underserved communities and arts programs by co-instructing music curriculum, developing and implementing customer retention models, and consolidating data systems for HR, donor relations, and program management.
During his time at the University of San Francisco, he worked at his university’s cultural center, developing programs focused on spoken word and performing arts, giving fellow students a place to be heard and seen. After graduating, he continued working with youth in the Bay Area by supporting students facing hardship, improving their college prep and readiness, and coordinating case management.
Delayn enjoys spending his free time creating and listening to music, poetry, attending local concerts, and visiting art galleries
Lauren's Bio
Lauren has over 15 years of nonprofit leadership experience. She worked at the Brookline Arts Center (BAC) in Massachusetts before returning to the area. She served in many roles at BAC, including Assistant Director, Director of Operations, and Executive Director. Prior to joining the BAC, she served as the Managing Director of Gallery 263 in Cambridge, MA. Lauren earned a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from West Virginia University and a Certificate in Nonprofit Management and Leadership from The Institute for Nonprofit Practice at Tufts University. She is also an alumna of the Leadership Development Program at the Center for Creative Leadership. In 2024 and 2025, Lauren was recognized by Women We Admire as one of the Top 50 Women Leaders of West Virginia.
Lauren lives in a 125-year-old home in Charles Town, WV, with her husband and daughter and is passionate about native plants and conservation, art, education, and food.
Arden's Bio
Arden joined the Trust in February 2024. He is a graduate of Hood College and has a Bachelor’s Degree in Archaeology. After college, he worked as an archeologist in a cultural resource management firm before working with the National Park Service at Petersburg National Battlefield. While in Petersburg, Arden established two volunteer programs that managed archeological site monitoring and invasive species removal on Civil War earthworks. Arden loves anything to do with the outdoors and is especially fond of hiking. He strongly believes in the preservation of historic properties and their utilization as interpretive tools for education. In his free time, he enjoys working on carpentry projects, gardening, boxing, and reading.
Don's Bio
Don became involved with the C&O Canal Trust as a volunteer Quartermaster for the Canal Quarters Interpretive Program in 2016, and was contracted as Canal Quarters Operations Coordinator in October 2021. He previously served as a volunteer with the C&O Canal Bike Patrol and the Maryland City (Anne Arundel County) Volunteer Fire Department. In his role supprting CQ, Don handles maintenance issues and visitor concerns for the eight historic lockhouses in the Canal Quarters program, coordinating with National Park Service Maintenance, volunteer Quartermasters, and other service providers. He also responds to after-hours problems reported via the emergency hotline and assists with other Trust programs. Don is an avid gardener, woodworker, tinkerer and outdoors enthusiast, and is very active with local sustainability efforts in his hometown of Poolesville, Maryland. He retired from the Federal government in 2017 after 27 years of military and civilian service.
Kalina's Bio
Kalina joined the Trust in February 2023. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Arts from Hood College and a Master’s Degree in Communication Studies from Shippensburg University. Kalina brings over a decade of experience in grant management, non-profit fundraising, event planning, and program administration. She loves to learn new things and is a strong proponent of lifelong learning. As an outdoor enthusiast, she enjoys walking, biking, and hiking at various parks in the tri-state area with her husband, Chris. Together they live on a farmette with their horses and cats.
Maureen's Bio
Maureen joined the Trust in March 2024. She brings over 20 years of experience in public/private partnerships at the national, regional, and state levels. Maureen founded her own consulting firm focused on outreach strategy and operations, successful public-private partnerships, and executive communications. She served in the U.S. Naval Reserves for 14 years in multiple public-facing offices. She earned a Master of Public Management from the University of Maryland School of Public Policy.
Growing up in the D.C. area, Maureen took her first ride on the canal with her father. That first introduction resulted in a lifelong love of cycling and the C&O canal. In 2020, Maureen completed her first ride through the canal and in 2021, rode from Pittsburgh to Georgetown to complete the full GAP/C&O experience. Maureen resides in Bethesda, Maryland with her dog Bo and splits her time between cycling the canal and adventures on the Chesapeake Bay, sailing her restored Tanzer near Annapolis. A Montgomery County Master Gardener, Maureen’s hobbies include learning about trees, native plants, and garden design.
Razak's Bio
Razak Zakaria is passionate about working with nonprofit organizations and has nearly a decade of experience in finance and compliance. His leadership journey began in West Africa, where he led efforts to establish permanent and sustainable financial cooperative institutions that now serve as centers for disbursing SME and microfinance loans. He has been part of global finance teams, strengthening financial systems to support sustainable development projects.
Razak has collaborated with program directors at ACDI/VOCA and Heifer International, reviewing multimillion-dollar subaward invoices, managing financial data, budgets, and reporting — all while ensuring compliance with federal, donor, and contract requirements. He has received two awards in recognition of his commitment to serving communities and promoting financial integrity and transparency.
Razak holds a Master of Business Administration in Strategic Leadership and a Master of Science in Nonprofit Leadership from New England College, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from New Jersey City University. Outside of work, Razak enjoys reading and watching soccer games.
Interns & Fellows
A partnership with Georgetown University's Office of Sustainability and supported by the National Park Foundation Capacity Building Fund for Partners
Flo's Bio
Supported by Robert and Dana Reisse
Madeleine's Bio
Madeleine joined the Trust in May 2026. She is currently working towards a career in conservation biology as the Andrew Reisse Natural Resource Conservation fellow and as a graduate student at George Mason University. In her free time, Madeleine enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time in her garden.
Michaela's Bio
Michaela joined the Trust in June 2026, and will be interning here for seven months. She is currently an undergraduate – the first two years of her career were spent at Hagerstown Community College where she earned her Associates Degree in Public History, and was a player on HCC’s Women’s Soccer Program. Currently, she is an undergrad going into her senior year at Towson University as a History major and Museum Studies minor. Additionally, she is enrolled in TU’s Accelerated Bachelors to Masters Program in Global Humanities. Outside of her academic pursuits, she recently relocated to Maryland from the Philippines in 2021. As a member of the
Cultural Organization of Filipino-Americans (COFAM), Michaela participates in volunteer events that connect culture and community within Washington County. She also enjoys traveling, hanging out with friends, and spending time with her dog, Chai.