An enthusiastic group of Greenbelt friends and supporters gathered on a lovely spring evening this past May 21 for our Annual Meeting — an opportunity to connect, reflect, and celebrate the organization’s accomplishments over the past year. Highlights included an overview of completed projects and key achievements from President Chris LaPointe, as well as an inspiring look to the future. Attendees also heard from Rachel Horgan, Director of Development and Community Engagement, who shared key insights from Greenbelt’s constituent survey conducted last spring.
The event also welcomed three new members to the Board of Directors and recognized the dedicated service of outgoing board members Holly Langer, Annie Madden, and Jonathan Sherwood. The Al Creighton Award for Conservation was presented to conservation leader and advocate Natasha Grigg, while the Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Carol Brooks Ball. Thank you to everyone who attended and continues to support Greenbelt’s mission.
Outgoing Board Members
- Holly Langer & Annie Madden — While Holly and Annie could each fill a dedicated chapter in Greenbelt’s history, recognizing these two longtime and deeply influential members of the community in a single tribute feels especially fitting.
Though they did not know each other when they joined the Board in 2004, Holly and Annie quickly became close friends and trusted partners in advancing Greenbelt’s mission. Over the years, they helped shape a more strategic, collaborative, and forward-looking Board culture during a period of tremendous organizational growth.
At various times, both served as Board chair, and over the years each has provided leadership across numerous committees and initiatives, including Governance, Strategic Planning, Stewardship, Development, Land Protection, President Search, Transition Support, and Greenbelt’s 50th Anniversary efforts. Through their thoughtful guidance, commitment to best practices, and all-around kindness, they helped foster a Board culture grounded in respect and collaboration.
- Jonathan Sherwood — Jonathan has served on the Board for six years, including roles as chair of both the Audit and DEI Committees, while enthusiastically stepping up to contribute wherever needed. With a professional background in affordable housing, he brought a valuable and discerning perspective to Board discussions and decision-making, always leading with a caring, insightful, and collaborative approach. \
New Board Members
- Liz Moody — Liz is an executive human resources leader in the manufacturing industry with extensive experience spanning talent acquisition, workforce planning, compensation, and mergers and acquisitions. She has also been a valued member of Greenbelt’s Personnel Committee for the past several years, contributing thoughtful insight and steady support.
- Patricia Reeser — Patricia retired in 2017 after a 30-year career as in-house counsel and executive with National Amusements. A long-standing leader in conservation and civic engagement in her hometown of West Newbury, she has served in a variety of volunteer roles, including as a selectman, a member of the Community Preservation Committee, and both a member and chair of the Open Space Committee. In the latter capacity, she worked closely with Greenbelt on a number of successful conservation projects and has earned widespread respect for her expertise, passion, and enduring commitment to protecting the region’s natural landscapes.
- Adrian Scholes — Adrian is a marketing executive with more than 30 years of experience leading global strategy, brand development, and demand generation across startups and enterprise organizations. He is also an active Greenbelt volunteer, serving as a photographer and trail ambassador, and is passionate about advancing land conservation and helping people connect with the outdoors.