Friends of the Forest Preserves

Benjamin Cox, Executive Director, benjamin@fotfp.org

Benjamin Cox became Friends’ first Executive Director in 2004. He graduated from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis with a degree in journalism and minors in Spanish and Environmental Studies. After working as a newspaper reporter and freelance writer and designer, he served in several non-profit roles, including Director of the International Tibet Independence Movement and Facilitator for the Peace Learning Center as an AmeriCorps Member. But conservation is his real passion. As Executive Director, Benjamin leads our advocacy and policy efforts, works to bring resources to the forest preserves in Cook County, and builds partnerships and coalitions to maximize our community’s impact.

Sydney Armstead, Engagement Program Manager, sydney@fotfp.org

Sydney was born and raised in Chicago and has been following her passion for environmental science, conservation education, program coordinating, and nature exploration for many years. Her journey began as a high school intern with the Fishin’ Buddies Youth Conservation Conference program. She found her calling soon after and continued her education at Northern Illinois University. After graduating with a Bachelors in Environmental Studies, she worked with several environmental non profits over the years which had a significant impact on her career as an environmentalist. Sydney has a love for developing/planning outdoor programs and helping to bridge the gap between people and nature, with one of her most notable being the Youth Environmental Thinkers program with the Nature Conservancy. She is very excited to be a part of the engagement team and is eager to learn from the entire organization.

Ian Babelonia, North Branch Crew Member

Ian initially started as an Earth and Environmental Scientist, but after spending a summer doing field work he shifted his focus from the science aspect to doing hands-on work. After finishing his environmental sciences degree he invested himself into volunteer work, bouncing between different forest preserves until he was hired by Friends. Although new to conservation work he is excited to do his part to preserve and restore the Illinois ecosystem.

Joy Bailey (she/her), Engagement Program Coordinator, joy@fotfp.org

Joy serves Friends of the Forest Preserves as the FPE Manager & Engagement Coordinator and as a Community Leader for Eggers Grove.  Previously, Joy was a trainer/organizer for Crossroads Antiracism Organizing & Training and co-led a regional program called Chicago ROAR (Regional Organizing for Antiracism).  Joy also taught high school Spanish in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Joy spends her free time taking salsa and bachata lessons, volunteering at Sand Ridge Nature Center and is the assistant Community Steward for Wooded Island in Jackson Park. She lives on the southside of Chicago with her spouse and two cats.

Jeremy Bender (he/him/his), Calumet Crew Member

Born and raised in the South Suburbs of Chicago, Jeremy developed his life long love of the outdoors while participating in the local Boy Scout organization. “I have fond memories visiting Sandridge Nature Center, and winter hikes at the Indiana Dunes.” Having time during a recent construction slow down in the Chicagoland area, he spent the summer camping, hiking, and amusement park hopping with his son Conner. It was during this time on a road trip through West Virginia to South Carolina and back through the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee on his way home that Jeremy decided to transition towards a career in forestry management and preservation. “It’s a dream come true. I’m very thankful to the Friends of the Forest Preserves organization for giving me this opportunity to begin the next chapter of my new journey.”

Alejandra Bravo, Development Manager, alex@fotfp.org

Alex joined Friends in 2019 as an Administrative Assistant and became Development Associate in 2020. A recent graduate of Loyola University Chicago’s Institute of Environmental Sustainability, she began her career in the field of conservation as a restoration intern with Audubon Great Lakes where she discovered her passion for conservation work. She hopes to combine her previous administrative and field experience to help support fundraising, operations, and the growth of Friends.

Mary Charalab, Barrington Greenway Initiative Crew Manager, mary@fotfp.org

Since childhood, Mary always had an interest in nature. Growing up and exploring many of the local forest preserves led to a passion for the outdoors, which opened the door to a career after she stumbled upon volunteering opportunities. In 2016, She started volunteering with the Poplar Creek Prairie Stewards, and then decided to take an internship with the Student Conservation Association and Friends during the summer of 2017. She continued to follow her passion by working as a restoration technician for two summers before finally achieving her dream job of working as a crew member for the Conservation Corps during the summer of 2020. Outside of work, Mary got an associates degree at Harper College after taking every environmental and biological class they had to offer. She is thrilled to be involved with the Barrington Greenway Initiative Crew at Friends.

Anja Christensen, Calumet Crew Member

Anja moved to Chicago from Denmark in the summer of 2022, and has a master’s degree in Environmental Planning from Roskilde University. Anja got introduced to restoration and conservation work through her volunteer time at The Nature Conservancy’s Indian Boundary Prairies in Markham, and is excited to expand her skillset through Friends of the Forest Preserves.

Max Davis, Data and Evaluation Analyst, max@fotfp.org

Max joined Friends in August 2023 to help strengthen programs using data and evaluation. He grew up in Minnesota and developed an early love for diverse midwestern ecosystems, from remote parts of the northern boreal forests to the regional and state parks in and around the Twin Cities. He studied Urban and Environmental Policy in Los Angeles, becoming particularly interested in movements for regional equity and environmental justice. He went on to work as an evaluation consultant on projects for nonprofits, tribes, and state and local governments throughout the Midwest. He is excited to bring his data and evaluation background to help Friends of the Forest Preserves understand and grow its impact.

Jillian DiCarlo, Finance and Administration Director, jillian@fotfp.org

Jillian joined Friends as Administrative Manager in 2017. Her previous position as Data Manager for the Tree Research and Education Endowment Fund helped her discover her love for conservation non-profit work, which she was thrilled to be able to continue with Friends. She became Finance and Administration Director in 2018, and is excited to help guide the organization’s continued growth through management of Friends’ finances, human resources, and general administration.

Brenda Elmore, Associate Director of Conservation Corps, brenda@fotfp.org

Brenda Elmore was raised on the South Side of Chicago. Brenda was introduced to native plants and trees by taking a horticultural class which sparked her interest and eagerness to learn more. After volunteering at various FPCC sites she was offered a job with Green Corps Calumet and worked as Crew Supervisor for 2 years. Next Brenda worked for The SCA and finally moved on to FOTFP where she was a Crew Manager for over 5 years. She has been with Friends since 2011 – one of the longest and most beloved employees! Many have grown to know Brenda for her love and passion for the environment, her exceptional hard work in and out of the field, conversing with numerous volunteers, and speaking on various panels. Brenda truly believes that you never know where life will lead you because life has led Brenda to a spiritual connection with nature.

Greg Franzen, Operations Coordinator, greg@fotfp.org

Greg got into restoration and ecology from his time in the scout program spending many years in the woods of Wisconsin and Illinois. He obtained his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point. Greg has worked in restoration for almost 3 years, working at Pizzo and Associates before transitioning to Friends of the Forest Preserves.

Frances Kane, Grants Manager, frances@fotfp.org

Frances joined Friends in December of 2022 to oversee all aspects of the grants process for the organization. After graduating from DePaul University with a degree in Environmental Studies & Sustainability, she began her career working in environmental grantmaking, where she helped fund conservation-oriented projects across the state. As someone passionate about environmental stewardship and connecting people to nature, Frances is excited to support Friends in their mission to protect, promote and care for the county’s forest preserves.

Beth Klacko, North Branch Crew Member

Beth grew up in Lockport, Illinois where she was able to run free and roam the prairies and canals. And while her path eventually led her to live a city life, she always found a way to keep communicating with nature. While having an unfulfilling day job, she began volunteering with Openlands, becoming a certified Treekeeper. This experience opened her eyes to the importance of taking care of green spaces and connecting communities to these special places. She then began volunteering with FPCC, growing an interest in ecological restoration and combating Climate Change. Not having a formal education in forestry or any environmental field, and comparing her age to others who were just starting out in the profession, made it feel intimidating at first, but it has not stopped her. Beth took the leap and is now a full time North Branch Crew Member. It is never too late to change your life and do what you love!

Shirley Konwent, Associate Director of Human Resources, shirley@fotfp.org

Shirley was born and raised in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago. She enjoyed the outdoors with her family while riding the toboggan slides at Deer Grove Forest Preserve, hiking at Starved Rock and other recreational activities in the forest preserves of Lake County, Cook County and in surrounding Midwest states. Shirley was always driven to solve problems and help others to be the best they can be. She studied Human Resources/Personnel Psychology and received her BS from the University of Illinois, Champaign. Early in her Human Resources career, she completed her MBA with a Graduate Certificate in Human Resources at Keller Graduate School. After more than 20 years of experience in industrial and corporate settings, Shirley chose to continue her education by obtaining her Senior Certified Professional certification from the Society for Human Resources management in 2021. Shirley is excited about leveraging her experience in employee development and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to foster a positive work environment for all members of the Friends team.

Martika Lopez, Palos Assistant Crew Manager, martika@fotfp.org

While exploring their neighborhood as a child, Martika always happened to stumble across stray or injured animals. Martika’s little heart always decided ‘let me take it home and nurture it back to health or find it a home.’ While they didn’t end up getting a degree to become a veterinarian, Martika did still feel the need to help something bigger than themselves. With the amazing influence of their older sister who previously worked at Friends, Martika started their journey into conversation with hopes to heal the land.

Hannah Miller, Program Manager, hannah@fotfp.org

Hannah has a degree in Environmental Science from Carroll University. In 2017, she interned with Audubon Great Lakes performing restoration work throughout the forest preserves in Cook County. She first joined Friends in 2018 as the Conservation Corps Program Assistant. In this position she worked with the Forest Preserves of Cook County staff and Conservation Corps partners. In 2020, Hannah went to work with the Student Conservation Association as the Program Coordinator. She helped manage programs throughout the Chicago Region and Northwest Indiana. In April 2021, Hannah rejoined Friends where she manages the Forest Preserve Experience Program, helps with the training and support for the adult Conservation Corps programs, and facilitates Conservation Corps alumni engagement.

Radhika Miraglia, Program Director, radhika@fotfp.org

Radhika has been engaging people in conservation efforts ever since she led the environmental committee at her high school. She has been working in the Chicagoland environmental community for more than 20 years, and holds a master’s degree in Conservation Biology, with a focus on community-based conservation efforts. Radhika started working with Friends as a volunteer, cutting buckthorn with her two young children at LaBagh Woods. She now leads our Conservation Corps and Engagement programs, which unite people to protect, promote, and care for the forest preserves in Cook County.

Lucas Ochoa, Calumet Assistant Crew Manager, lucas@fotfp.org

Lucas has been involved with Friends since 2020. Some of his past work includes helping Friends members facilitate community outreach efforts in the Calumet region. After graduating Loyola University Chicago, Lucas felt motivated to apply his education in a hands-on way. As a floating crew member for the South Branch, he hopes to continue to learn more about Chicago’s ecology and various methods of restoration.

Gloria Orozco, Community-based Conservation Manager, gloria@fotfp.org

Gloria has been part of the Friends family since the summer of 2010 when she joined the Chicago Conservation Leadership Corps, a youth summer program. After that experience, she came back for three more summers! In October 2013, she joined the Conservation Corps full-time. During her four years on the Roving Crew, she worked her way up to Assistant Manager. After taking a small hiatus for motherhood, Gloria came back into the field in March 2019, working for the Chicago Park District in the Calumet Region. Although her love and passion for restoration work is deep rooted, she knew her calling was to work in community engagement. As the Senior Field Organizer, Gloria has the opportunity to do both. She enjoys exploring ways to help people connect with nature and help shape different aspects of our community engagement strategy.

Hannah O’Sullivan, Palos Crew Manager, hannaho@fotfp.org

Having grown up with an intense love of nature, gardening, and camping, Hannah began volunteering pulling invasive plant species at Deer Grove in 2016. She quickly fell in love with ecological restoration, and developed a strong desire to learn everything she could about our local ecosystem. Hannah’s first experience in the Conservation Corps was as a Crew Leader with the Student Conservation Association in the Summer of 2017, an experience which sparked a great passion for leadership. After graduating from Northeastern Illinois University with her BA in Environmental Studies in 2017, she started as a Crew Member with Friends of the Forest Preserves in March 2018, and became an Assistant Crew Manager. Hannah has volunteered at Crabtree and River Trail Nature Centers assisting with leading educational workshops for a wide variety of groups. In March of 2024, Hannah was beyond thrilled to become Crew Manager of the FOTFP Palos Crew. When not outside working with and enjoying nature, Hannah loves spending time with her two cats.

Dana Potts, Palos Crew Member

Dana is a crew member working with the BGI crew. He graduated from Marquette University with a major in journalism and a minor in political science. Out of college he worked an odd number of jobs from bartending to freelance to real estate. He was studying to be a real estate lawyer until Covid hit. He volunteered with the forest preserves, cutting buckthorn and barberry to get out of the house. He fell in love with restoration work and has since changed professions to focus on what he’s passionate about.

Grace Reilly, North Branch Assistant Crew Manager, grace@fotfp.org

Grace grew up exploring the Forest Preserves of Cook County. Her time spent playing in the woods with her family and volunteering throughout high school helped guide her to pursue Environmental Studies at Lewis & Clark College. Prior experience includes working as a restoration technician, a naturalist aide at a nature center, and working with FOTFP as a Forest Preserves Experience Crew Leader. Expanding and restoring natural areas for all is her passion, and she hopes to continue that work as an Assistant Crew Manager.

David Schill, North Branch Crew Manager, david@fotfp.org

David was born and raised in the mountains of Asheville, North Carolina where an outdoor lifestyle was the norm, and appreciation for the natural world was a guiding principle. After running around in the woods as a child, David obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies and got to work. As a Natural Resource Assistant for the Army Corps of Engineers in Peoria, working in parks, reservoirs and waterways, David began to learn about and appreciate the Illinois landscape. Next he returned south to Kentucky and performed land management on nature preserves throughout the state as a Natural Areas Technician for the Office of Kentucky Nature preserves. This work spoke to his soul and lit a fire in David that has driven him to pursue a career in conservation and take the opportunity to make a difference here at Friends.

Jessica Spector, Calumet Crew Manager, jessica@fotfp.org

Jessica was born and raised in Northwest Indiana and has spent most of her life in and around Chicagoland soaking up all things nature. She graduated with her bachelor’s in Marine Biology from Florida Institute of Technology, and later went on to pursue her Master’s degree in Biology from Purdue University Northwest. Her passion for native habitats started in her undergraduate program where she worked at a county park nature center in Florida. There she helped lead public programs and assisted with cataloging native species seen in the park. Starting in 2019, after graduating with her M.S., Jessica worked for the National Park Service as a seasonal biological science technician focusing on wetland restoration at Indiana Dunes. Jessica is excited to help lead the Calumet Crew as their Manager and continue on the path of ecological restoration with Friends.

Isabella Stocke, Barrington Greenway Initiative Crew Member

Isabella graduated from the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana with a major in Earth Society and Environmental Sustainability. During her time in school, she continued to develop her love for the outdoors in and out of class. In the summers Isabella worked as the Naturalist Aide at Knoch Knolls Nature Center for the Naperville Park District. While volunteering with Fermilab and the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County she continued to engage in more learning to become a better ecological conservation steward.

William Talavera, Barrington Greenway Initiative Crew Member

Will grew up in the west suburbs of Chicago. Ever since he was a little kid, he’s had a fascination with the natural world. This fueled Will’s quest to get his bachelor’s in Earth and Environmental Sciences from the University of Illinois in Chicago. During his time as an undergraduate, Will worked on a project in the Rockies for three summers, which reinforced his love for the natural world and made him appreciate it even more! Outside of research, Will enjoys reading about Paleontology/Paleoecology and writing speculative evolution in his spare time. Will also enjoys being outside in general, whether that’s running, biking, or just taking an evening stroll.