Staff

Chris is an accomplished and highly respected leader in the field of land conservation. A member of the Greenbelt leadership team since 2015, most recently serving as Vice President of Conservation Operations, he has led efforts to protect more than 6,200 acres in Essex County — accounting for 86 percent of all land conserved in the region during this period. His dedication to farmland conservation and commitment to ensuring the long-term viability of Essex County’s agriculture have also been pivotal in developing one of the region’s most innovative farm conservation programs.

Chris is well-known for his expertise in guiding landowners through the financial and often emotional journey of conserving their land and planning for the future. He takes great satisfaction in collaborating with communities to honor what they value most, such as local recreation, protecting wildlife habitats and farms, and ensuring clean drinking water.

Mike oversees Greenbelt’s properties across Essex County, with a focus on balancing public access and the protection of natural resources. He works closely with the entire Stewardship team to open new conservation areas and ensure a positive visitor experience at all sites.

Mike also leads Greenbelt’s Conservation Restriction Monitoring Program, partnering with landowners to protect the unique conservation values of private properties. His responsibilities include reviewing draft agreements, preparing baseline documentation, and conducting ongoing compliance monitoring.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in Community and Environmental Studies and was first introduced to the land trust world while in college. His passion for land conservation grows from a lifelong love of the outdoors. Before joining Greenbelt in 2012, Mike worked with a nonprofit supporting national wildlife refuges and in environmental consulting. He is deeply committed to Greenbelt’s mission and takes pride in helping people connect with and enjoy the lands they protect.

As Greenbelt's Director of Finance and Operations, Joanne applies her extensive experience in accounting and operations to enhance both financial and operational efficiency.

Prior to Greenbelt, Joanne worked for over 20 years at North Shore 104.9FM/WBOQ radio in the accounting and operations area where she oversaw the day to day operations on Enon Street in Beverly and the tower location in Topsfield.

Joanne has lived in the Ryal Side area of Beverly for 30 years with her husband and two sons. She grew up in Reading, attended the local schools, and went on to graduate from Northern Essex Community College and Bentley University.

As a Land Conservation Specialist at Greenbelt, Julia collaborates with the conservation team, landowners, and project partners to safeguard lands throughout Essex County. Before joining Greenbelt, she worked at Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust in Athol, Massachusetts, where she contributed to a range of conservation initiatives. Julia played an important role in organizing the 7th and 8th annual Massachusetts Open Space Conferences, coordinating the North Quabbin Regional Landscape Partnership, and advancing land protection efforts in north central Massachusetts. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology and Environmental Science from Worcester State University.

Anna spends her days at the Greenbelt office keeping things running smoothly and making sure our community feels connected and appreciated. As our Donor & Community Engagement Specialist, she wears many hats — processing donations, chatting with members, answering emails and calls, and helping the team stay on track. She’s all about making sure supporters feel valued while helping move Greenbelt’s mission forward to protect the land we all love in Essex County.

Anna was born deaf and grew up orally, and she currently wears a cochlear implant. She is a proud graduate of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, with her undergraduate degree in history and a graduate of Harvard University with her master’s in museum studies.

Before arriving at Greenbelt, she worked in the museum and library field, with her longest stint on the guest experience team at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem. Outside of her professional life, she is an avid hiker, who just completed the New Hampshire 4,000-footers with her husband and dog by her side. Her other interests include reading, baking/cooking, and traveling.

A Cape Ann local, Roberta enjoys guiding hikes along coastal and inland trails, finding time in nature to be the best way to recharge — no matter what the weather.

Roberta brings a rich background in digital marketing, web development, and CRM strategy, with experience in both the nonprofit and private sectors. She’s passionate about building meaningful connections and looks forward to strengthening relationships with Greenbelt’s incredible community of supporters. She believes that shared values and strong community bonds inspire collective responsibility for protecting the places we all love.

In addition to her development work, Roberta is an artist and certified somatic yoga teacher — practices that foster community and belonging. 

AnnMarie Gallivan brings a passion for community engagement and a dedication to supporting sustainable local agriculture to her role as Event and Administrative Coordinator. With years of experience managing the Wakefield Farmers Market, AnnMarie has fostered connections between farmers, food producers, and the community, ensuring increased access to fresh, local foods for all.

A creative entrepreneur and artist, AnnMarie previously owned and operated an art studio in Wakefield where she combined her love of mixed media art with her business acumen to cultivate a welcoming space for creative expression. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring new places with her husband, tending to her plants, and finding inspiration in nature. AnnMarie is excited to contribute to Greenbelt’s mission and helping preserve the region’s natural beauty and agricultural heritage for future generations.

In her role as Conservation Restriction Coordinator, Becky supports the Conservation Restriction Monitoring Program by communicating with landowners and conducting CR monitoring visits. A member of the Stewardship Department, she also collaborates with the GIS team to assist in creating and updating maps.

Before joining Greenbelt, Becky worked as a Field Technician with Trout Unlimited in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California. She has also gained experience with the Bureau of Land Management in Montana. A graduate of Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania, Becky is an avid skier who also enjoys hiking and camping. A recent transplant to Massachusetts, Becky is eager to explore the state and experience all that it has to offer.

As a member of the Stewardship team, Owen helps maintain Greenbelt properties and trails across Essex County. He also supports public events and volunteer programs and contributes to key conservation initiatives, such as invasive plant management, Osprey protection, and grassland bird habitat preservation.

A native of Gloucester, Owen first served on the Stewardship team in 2023 as a full-time summer intern. A recent graduate of Bates College, where he received a bachelor's degree in environmental studies, Owen is interested in fieldwork, particularly as it relates to ecology and conservation. When not working, he enjoys staying active, playing sports, and cheering on Liverpool Football Club. 

As Vice President of Stewardship, Planning & Technology, Abby uses geospatial technology to connect people to nature and embed science into Greenbelt’s conservation work.Notable projects she has managed include the GreenbeltGo app, the Conservation Prioritization Initiative, and Greenbelt’s Guidebook maps. 

Conservation planning is a particular interest of hers; she leads Greenbelt’s efforts to partner with municipalities and non-profits on open space mapping as well as Greenbelt’s climate resilience planning work.

Abby has a Master’s Degree in Environmental Policy & Planning from Tufts University and a Bachelor’s in Communication from Emerson College. She has been a visiting instructor of GIS at Salem State University (SSU) and founded Greenbelt’s collaborative internship program with SSU in 2013.

Prior to joining Greenbelt in 2011, she worked for a municipality on wetland and open space permitting and management. As a lifelong lover of animals and nature Abby is happiest when horseback riding or hiking with her dog Teddy.

Elizabeth works with landowners in the belief that we all have a role to play in protecting the lands and waters of Essex County. She works to familiarize them with the beneficial options available to meet their conservation and financial goals.

Elizabeth has a lifelong passion for animals and the natural world. She thoroughly enjoys being outdoors—on horseback, on bike, on a romp with her two Collies, or on a hike with her kids.

Working at Greenbelt since 2017, Rachel has enjoyed strengthening Greenbelt’s supporter and community partnerships through her work in the Development and Community Engagement department.

Before accepting the position of Director, Rachel supported the department through strategic marketing initiatives, data analysis, and fundraising work. 

Rachel looks forward to further engaging Greenbelt’s base of support, expanding relationships and deepening ties in the community. She loves the culture that Greenbelt fosters with its donors, community partners, and amongst its staff, and strongly believes in Greenbelt’s mission. Being a part of such a well-respected organization makes the work all the more enjoyable.

Prior to Greenbelt, Rachel worked in sales and marketing at a safari company. A Texas transplant, Rachel moved to New England to complete a Master’s degree at Boston University, and happily put down roots in beautiful New England. When she’s not hiking the local trails with her family, Rachel can be found tending her beehives and enjoying open water swimming.

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Vanessa brings over 20 years of experience in land conservation and a passion for working with people to preserve land to her position as Director of Land Conservation at Greenbelt. 

After participating in efforts to save Coho salmon in Oregon and grizzly bears in Montana, Vanessa began her land trust career in Napa, California. Following a break to teach English in Ecuador, Vanessa settled back in her home state of Massachusetts in 2007. 

Vanessa enjoys visiting and eating from local farm stands, kayaking, trail running, XC skiing, bicycling, and hiking mountains near and far.

As a member of the Stewardship team, Adam plays a key role in maintaining Greenbelt properties and trails throughout Essex County. He also supports public events and volunteer programs and contributes to biological initiatives such as invasive plant control, Osprey conservation, and grassland bird habitat protection.

A native of Lynn, Adam brings a wealth of experience to his position along with passion for the outdoors. Most recently serving as a backcountry camp caretaker with the Appalachian Mountain Club in the Pemigewasset Wilderness of the White Mountains, Adam is also an active member of the Army National Guard’s military police, a skilled carpenter, and a dedicated beekeeper.

Dave is committed to protecting the natural landscapes he grew up admiring with a focus on enhancing public access and safeguarding wildlife habitats on Greenbelt’s protected properties.

As a member of the Stewardship team, Dave has a wide range of responsibilities, from developing property management plans and mapping/designing trails to overseeing the community garden program and supporting Conservation Restriction Monitoring Program. He also plays an instrumental role in managing the agricultural license and farm soil health programs and assists with plant education and the pollinator program.

​​​​​​​Prior to Greenbelt, Dave served as Assistant Land Manager in Amherst, Massachusetts, where he spent a decade overseeing the management of 2,000 acres of conservation land, delineating watershed boundaries, and maintaining the town’s extensive 80-mile trail network, including the renowned Robert Frost Trail. He also served as the Conservation Land Manager for the Town of Lincoln, Massachusetts, for five years, where he was responsible for the stewardship of the town’s trail network, biodiversity fields, and the management of its farm license agreements.

As a member of Greenbelt’s Development and Engagement team, Sharon assists in meeting Greenbelt’s strategic marketing objectives by creating and managing ongoing graphic design across all departments.   

She works closely with colleagues, constituents, and vendors to create newsletters, land campaigns, guidebooks, event promotions, kiosks, and signage to enhance awareness of, and support for, Greenbelt’s land conservation efforts.

In 2012, working as a consultant, she spearheaded Greenbelt’s rebranding effort and was subsequently invited to join the staff as Design Manager.

Prior to joining Greenbelt, Sharon worked for the design firm Fitch/Richardson Smith in Ohio, Boston, and London, before settling with her husband and children on the North Shore to be near Boston, open countryside, and the ocean.

Dave leads Greenbelt’s Osprey Program, which he founded in 2010. The program focuses on building and maintaining nesting platforms, collecting and analyzing data, engaging and educating the public, and collaborating on research to advance Osprey conservation throughout Essex County and beyond. Dave also continues to oversee the Greenbelt hunting program.

Prior to this role, Dave served as Greenbelt’s Director of Stewardship from 2001 to 2025, where he earned recognition for a thoughtful approach to land management that balanced public access with the protection of natural resources. Over his 25-year tenure, he was central to many of Greenbelt’s most significant conservation and property enhancement initiatives, including the protection and opening of landmark properties such as Donovan Reservation (Hamilton/Essex) and Vineyard Hill Reservation (Hamilton/Topsfield).

He also established Greenbelt’s comprehensive conservation restriction monitoring program and oversaw dozens of property improvement projects countywide. In addition, Dave played a key role in expanding Greenbelt’s headquarters at Cox Reservation in 2007 and led the construction of the stewardship barn in 2004.

An avid outdoorsman, Dave is a licensed U.S. Coast Guard captain who guides fishermen in the coastal waters of Essex County. He is also an active member of numerous local, state, and national conservation organizations.

Jane advances Greenbelt’s land conservation goals by organizing and facilitating events that engage the public not only with Greenbelt, but with the benefits of open space throughout Essex County.

She works to create a wide variety of programs throughout all corners of Essex County, while also meeting the needs of participants across all age groups and lifestyles. Jane is also part of our efforts to make our reservations and properties accessible to everyone.

Jane is a former public-school teacher and brings that background to her work, educating and reaching out to a new generation of Greenbelt supporters interested in conservation. On the occasional free weekend, she can be found backpacking or trail running in the mountains, or sailing along the coast.

Becca brings her geographic, analytical, and technical skills to support all of Greenbelt’s departments and core mission. 

She creates maps and web map applications, helps maintain and update Greenbelt’s database, and participates in a number of projects, such as Greenbelt’s Prioritization Project and the GreenbeltGo Trails app.

Becca is passionate about the environment and is a long term resident in Essex County, which is why she is thrilled to be applying her GIS skills for an organization dedicated to conserving land in her home county. When she isn’t making maps or performing geospatial analyses, you can find Becca fishing on her Old Town kayak, traveling, or taking pictures of wildlife and natural landscapes with her camera and drone.

She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Cartography and Master’s Degree in Geo-Information Science from Salem State University. 

John collaborates closely with Greenbelt’s dedicated team of 300-plus volunteers to support a diverse array of programs, initiatives, events, and office operations that strengthen our conservation efforts throughout Essex County. Our work would not be possible without the incredible efforts of our volunteers! As part of the Stewardship team, John coordinates volunteer workdays, ensuring they have the greatest impact on maintaining and enhancing Greenbelt’s work across the region.

Before Greenbelt, John managed programming at an island conservation area in Washington, DC, where he worked closely with area public schools and the District Government. His work centered on environmental education, volunteer programming, workforce development, stewardship, and the operation of a stormwater trash interceptor. John began his career in public education and holds a Master of Arts in Teaching degree. Outside of work, he is an avid fly fisherman (both fresh and saltwater), a clawhammer banjo player, a camper, and a history buff.