Our Staff & Board
“There must be the generating force of love behind every effort destined to be successful.”
~ Henry David Thoreau
People with a Passion for Parks
Our philosophy is simple – form and maintain a positive relationship with every donor, volunteer and partner – and the rest will follow. We consider our supporters family, and as family, we share a common goal to work together for the betterment of Lincoln Park. Our volunteer Board of Directors believe in our responsibility to care for the environment, advocate for open space, and nurture peoples’ connection to our park’s nature and history. All our Board members either live near the park or grew up playing in the park and they spend significant time enjoying the park today with their children, grandchildren or pets.
We believe Lincoln Park is what makes living in the third largest city in the United States livable. It’s the “lungs of our city” giving us all room to breathe and it is important to everyone’s quality of life. So when we hear park visitors say – “It’s my park” – we understand completely.
Employees
Doug Widener
Executive Director
Earned a Master of Science in Environmental Studies and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Ohio University. Doug has 25 years of environmental nonprofit managerial experience including: strategic planning, education program development and management, fundraising, government advocacy, partnership development, staff oversight, and board stewardship and management. Doug’s previous employers include: the Chicago Academy of Sciences/Notebaert Nature Museum, U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), and USGBC Illinois Chapter. He enjoys time in nature, physical activity, reading, writing, and spending time with family and friends.
Aaron Hammond
Assistant Director of Park Management and Sustainability
Earned a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies from Loyola University Chicago and is pursuing a Master of Arts in Geography and Environmental Studies. He has extensive experience working with native landscapes and our urban forest, as well as leading and educating volunteers. Aaron enjoys traveling, cycling, hiking, and spending time with his dog.
Rebecca Conant
Assistant Director of Educational Programs
Earned Masters in Environmental Biology and Nonprofit Management, as well as a bachelor’s degree in Geology, Studio Art, and Art History. She has extensive experience developing, managing and evaluating educational programs and leading staff and volunteers. She enjoys hiking, bicycling, dancing, and photography.
Britt Barbour Uhlenhake
Manager of Marketing and Development
Earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She has experience in social work, law, and the culinary arts. She worked as a baker before taking a hiatus to focus on her family, which includes 3 children and a black lab. She first became involved with the Conservancy in 2017 as a docent. Britt enjoys travel, yoga, reading, and cooking.
Carissa Hudson
Administrative Coordinator
Earned a Bachelor of Science in Ecological Restoration from Northland College. She has experience in volunteer and natural resources management and started with the Conservancy in 2017 as a Restoration Assistant. Carissa enjoys board games, plant biology, and all things nerdy.
Board of Directors
Julie Jahn
Co-Chair
Civic Leader
Melinda Munson
Co-Chair
Civic Leader
Larry Leive
Treasurer
Civic Leader
Amy Scalera Findlay
Secretary
Civic Leader
Cathy Breitenbach
Chicago Park District Representative
Director of Cultural & Natural Resources
Linda Baker
Director
Civic Leader
Anne Van Wart
Director
Civic Leader
Paul Selwold, PMP
Director
Project Management Consultant, SetterOx LLC
Norman Raidl
Director
Civic Leader
Andrea Chadwick
Director
Civic Leader
Danielle Hoeg
Director
Civic Leader
Alyson Coates
Director
Civic Leader
Jamie Shuttleworth
Director
Chief Strategy Officer, mcgarrybowen
Kelly Small
Director
Civic Leader
Chris O’Neill
Emeritus Director
CEO, Logical Media Group
