Our Staff
Aidan's Bio
Aidan has been the Director of Programs and Partnerships since March 2020, overseeing the implementation and function of 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.
Allison's Bio
Allison joined the Trust in February 2024. She is a graduate from the University of Delaware and has a degree in Environmental Studies. Previously, Allison has worked for Delaware Nature Society and the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed where she worked in education, communication, and community engagement. Growing up, Allison spent every summer camping in state and National Parks around the country. She is excited to now be working with individuals and communities to support and celebrate our National Parks. In her free time, Allison enjoys reading, kayaking, and volunteering in the community.
Moira's Bio
Moira joined the Trust in March 2025. She has a degree in Natural Resource Ecology and Management from Louisiana State University and is currently pursuing her master’s in Strategic Communications at the University of Maryland. With a background in environmental outreach and education, Moira is passionate about engaging others in conservation efforts. Growing up, Moira spent much of her time outdoors and on the water, which sparked her interest in environmental advocacy. In her free time, she enjoys puzzling, listening to podcasts, and exploring new places.
Grace's Bio
Grace joined the Trust in January of 2023. She is a recent 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).
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.
Jane's Bio
Jane came to the Trust with more than 25 years of experience coordinating business processes in the manufacturing industry. She earned a degree in Information Technology from Hagerstown Community College where she graduated with top honors. Her skills span a wide array of business functions that include network administration, database administration, and accounting. In her free time she enjoys biking the canal and gardening at her home in Boonsboro.
Isa's Bio
Isa is a recent addition to the C&O Canal Trust team. She will be interning here for a year through the Chesapeake Conservation and Climate Corps. She is originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico, but graduated from Middlebury College in Vermont with a degree in Earth and Climate Sciences and minors in gender studies and Portuguese. She has previously worked in different environmental and reproductive justice environments, focusing mainly on abortion and landslides. She worked at the lab all four years of college and is excited to bring more hands-on environmental experiences to the community. In her spare time, Isa likes to be by the river, hiking, or eating.
Lauren's Bio
Lauren has over a decade 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 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 program in 2016, and was hired 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 as CQ Operations Coordinator, Don handles maintenance issues and visitor concerns for the seven 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 eight years 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.
Emma's Bio
Emma joined the Trust in May 2025. She has a degree in Political Science with a minor in Environmental Studies. Previously, Emma has worked as an AmeriCorps Member and a Chesapeake Conservation and Climate Corps Member with Frederick County’s Division of Energy and Environment where she worked on a variety of environmental projects. Additionally, with a background in Archival Assistance, she is excited to bring her passion for program administration, outreach, and project/grants management to the Trust. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, writing, hiking, and camping.
Maureen's Bio
Maureen joined the Trust as Director of Development on March 18, 2024. She brings over 20 years of experience in public/private partnerships at the national, regional, and state levels. Most recently, Maureen founded her own consulting firm focused on outreach strategy and operations, successful public-private partnerships, and executive communications. Maureen 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.
Chelsea's Bio
Chelsea joined the C&O Canal Trust in June 2025. She grew up on the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay and has many fond childhood memories swimming in the Chesapeake and biking through tidal wetlands with her siblings. It started her love of the outdoors and is part of what brought her to the Trust. Chelsea returned to Maryland after spending 17 years away: going to college in Iowa, volunteering in England, and spending the last 8 years doing nonprofit and political campaign work in Colorado and Texas.
When she returned to Maryland, she learned about the C&O and GAP trails. Being an avid cyclist and enthusiastic about public infrastructure, she bikepacked from Georgetown to Pittsburgh in 9 days. Chelsea fell in love with the trail, communities, and history along the C&O, and is eager to contribute her efforts to its preservation. In her free time Chelsea uses her library card with gusto, is training for a century bike ride, and hopes to do another bikepacking trip on the C&O Canal soon!
Razak's Bio
Razak Zakaria is passionate about working with nonprofit organizations and has over seven years 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.