The People Behind Our Mission

Jen became Delaware Nature Society’s Executive Director in May 2022 after many years of involvement as a member, supporter, and partner. A fifth-generation Delawarean, she brings more than 25 years of experience in land and water conservation, including over a decade leading the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary.

Jen is known for fostering collaboration among diverse partners to achieve shared environmental goals. She has held leadership roles with organizations such as American Rivers, The Nature Conservancy, and the Brandywine Conservancy. When she’s not working, Jen enjoys tennis, hiking and exploring the Christina and Brandywine Rivers near her home in Wilmington.

As Director of Advancement, Suzanne provides strategic leadership for DelNature’s fundraising, marketing, communications, and donor engagement efforts, strengthening relationships and advancing the organization’s mission across all platforms.

A graduate of the University of Delaware, Erynn holds a degree in Wildlife Conservation and brings more than a decade of experience in conservation and education to the organization. As a Delaware native, she attended DelNature programs growing up and attributes those experiences to her love of nature and ultimate career path.

Dedicated to fostering curiosity and environmental stewardship, Erynn is passionate about creating inclusive, hands-on learning experiences for people of all ages. In her free time, she enjoys swimming, exploring waterways by kayak, and relaxing with a book.

A lifelong Delawarean, Mark Nardone brings deep experience in media and communications to his role as Director of Advocacy. He works with conservation partners and local communities to shape public policy that protects the environment and promotes health and well-being for all.
Mark lives in Wilmington with his wife and two sons. Outside of work, he is an assistant scoutmaster for Troop 29 and enjoys and spending time outdoors with his family hiking, camping, fishing, and swimming.

David Pragoff is the Director of School and Group Programs at Delaware Nature Society (DelNature) where he is responsible for overseeing education programming for schools, Scouts and community groups at DelNature sites. He earned a BS in Environmental Science from Dickinson College and has been designing and delivering non-formal experiential education programming for 30 years primarily in Delaware, Maryland and Maine.
David is a founding member and current Board member for the Delaware Association for Environmental Education.
David was raised in southeastern Pennsylvania. Growing up he spent many hours exploring the forests and fields of rural Chester County and enjoyed summers at a small camp in the Maine woods. Prior to joining Delaware Nature Society, David worked as a counselor, trip leader, and Program Director for outdoor living skills and day/overnight trip programs at a residential summer camp in Maine and as an Urban Environmental Education Coordinator for a cross-age teaching and mentoring program in Baltimore.
David is a founding member and current Board member for the Delaware Association for Environmental Education.

Tina brings extensive experience managing educational programs for youth, families, and adults across multiple sites. Before joining DelNature, she held leadership roles with the YMCA of Delaware and the YMCA of Greater Brandywine, overseeing camps, out-of-school programs, and early childhood education.
A certified trainer for the Delaware Institute for Excellence in Early Education, the American Camping Association, and the American Red Cross, Tina is passionate about outdoor learning and child development. She also holds certification in “Outdoor Learning in a Nutshell” from the Eastern Region Association of Forest and Nature Schools.

Joe Sebastiani has been part of Delaware Nature Society since 1998 and serves as Director of Land Stewardship. Growing up in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, he developed a lifelong connection to the outdoors and a passion for environmental education and land management.
Joe oversees ecological land management across the organization. He enjoys improving the health of existing habitats, as well as leading reforestation efforts where we work.

Chris comes to DNS as the Director of Facilities, with an almost 20 year background of property management experience, and a very diverse background. He owned a successful landscape company that not only managed commercial and residential manicured grounds, but also included estate and commercial facility oversight. After selling his company he was looking for a path to continue his career of property management, which led him to DelNature.

Kristen Travers brings more than 25 years of experience in conservation and environmental education to her role as Director of Conservation. She works with partners and watershed organizations to develop programs, resources, and training that engage diverse audiences in protecting natural habitats and improving water quality.
Kristen’s love for the outdoors began with family camping trips and time spent exploring the woods. She holds a degree in Environmental Science and a master’s in Training Design and Development. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, kayaking the Brandywine, and tending her lively gardens.

Mike Valenti joined DelNature in 2023 as Director of Abbott’s Mill Nature Center after more than two decades with the Delaware Forest Service, where he served as Forestry Administrator. During his tenure, he helped permanently protect nearly 3,000 acres of forestland, expanded the state’s wildland firefighting program, and led the update of Delaware’s Forest Action Plan in 2020.
Mike also teaches at Delaware State University, sharing his expertise in entomology, dendrology, and population biology. A longtime Scout leader and former wildland fire crew boss, he brings enthusiasm, dedication, and a lifelong passion for conservation to his work.

Dennis Williams is a lifelong Delawarean and advocate for environmental protection. He joined DelNature with years of experience as a nonprofit executive and senior financial leader in the aviation and manufacturing industries.
A former State Representative in the Delaware General Assembly, Dennis focused on conservation, renewable energy, and open-space preservation, co-authoring legislation to expand the state’s Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards. He holds degrees in Accounting and Financial Management from the University of Delaware, an MSE in Technology Management from the University of Pennsylvania, and is pursuing certification in Nonprofit Management. Outside of work, Dennis supports local arts organizations and serves on several community boards.

Matthew Williams joined DelNature in 2023 as Director of the DuPont Environmental Education Center. He leads educational programs, conservation initiatives, and community outreach with a focus on engaging underserved populations.
As the founder of Conscious Connections Inc., Matthew has dedicated his career to empowering communities through education, exposure, and opportunity in the arts and agriculture. He holds a master’s degree in Education and has partnered with organizations such as McGraw Hill’s School Education Group and The Nemours Foundation. A member of Lead Delaware, Matthew continues to champion equity, inclusion, and environmental awareness across Delaware.