OUR TEAM
Our Team
Andrea
Wallace Noble
Education Programs Manager
Learn More about Andrea
Andrea is a Severson Dells camp kid all grown up! She loves the land and the people who have cared for it, and now creates programs that will inspire the next generation to do the same.
Nature Superpower: She can hear a barred owl call beneath the voices of 20 excited kids!
Education: BS in Biology and minors in Chemistry and Marketing Management.
Ann
Wasser
Executive Director
Learn More about Ann
Ann has two decades of experience in informal science education, including teaching at residential outdoor schools, aboard tall ships, a science center, and an aquarium.
Education: BS in Earth Systems Science & Policy with concentration in Marine & Coastal Ecology from California State University & an MEd in Science Education from University of Washington.
Elly
Salazar
School Programs Coordinator
Learn More about Elly
Elly's belief is that everyone can have passion for something in nature and passionate people protect what they love.
Nature Superpower: She always maintains her sense of direction. Elly just has a feeling of where she's going and how to get back - even on new trails!
Education & Experience: Environmental Science degree from Drake University, and has spent time educating at Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Florida, a sea turtle rescue & sanctuary, as well as at Cosley Zoo in Illinois.
Laura
Sjoquist
Administrative Assistant
Learn More about Laura
Laura has worked & volunteered as an environmental and outdoor educator in the Rockford area for many years at Atwood Education Center, Natural Land Institute and Angelic Organics Learning Center.
Nature Superpower: Hiking in the rain!
Education: BA in Studio Arts from University of Minnesota and Masters in Education from Hamline University
Linda
Sandquist
Director of Development
Learn More about Linda
Linda is a lifelong Rockfordian whos passion is helping make Rockford a thriving place to live. Linda was inspired to join the Severson team after seeing the impact that a Pollinator Palooza event had on her granddaughters.
Liz
Wiener
Public Programs Coordinator
Learn More about Liz
Liz joined the team at Severson Dells in 2022 after spending time as 4-H County Program Coordinator with Michigan State University. Her experience ranges from nature centers, zoos, residential outdoor education, & summer camps.
Nature Superpower: Finishing a National Park Junior Ranger book in under 30 minutes to become a Junior Ranger OR Talking to animals so they feel safe around me and don't need to panic
Education & Experience: BS in Environmental Ed from Unity College in Maine, & MS in Experiential Education from Minnesota State University in Mankato, MN
Rebecca
Rankins
Community Engagement Manager
Learn More about Rebecca
Rebecca joined Severson in 2023 after growing up down the road in Winnebago.
Nature Superpower: Becca can find anything and everything you'll ever need at a thrift store.
Education: B.A. in Political Science & Criminal Justice from Carthage College
AmeriCorps Members
Caedyn
Wells
Community Science
Learn more about Caedyn
After traveling to Puerto Rico for costal erosion research, Caedyn found a love for researching environmental issues. He has special interests in bat conservation & research, frogs, wetland & aquatic habitat conservation, and much more!
Nature Superpoer: Caedyn feels 'one' with animals and the environment.
Education & Experience: BS in Environmental Biology, minor in Geology from Beloit College where he worked closely to do envrionmental field work in Ohio, Puerto Rico, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, and Michigan.
Caroline
Pacheco
Environmental Educator
Learn more about Caroline
Caroline loves being on the water and really enjoys kayaking. She's also building her skills in nature photography.
Nature Superpower: Seeing or spotting animals
Education: Caroline holds a degree in Middle School Science Education
Lauren
Bonavia
Environmental Educator
Learn more about Lauren
Lauren is a Rockfordian driven by her curiosity and deep passion for the natural world and she loves to share this excitement with others. Lauren believes everyone has a place in nature.
Nature Superpower: Pattern Recognition! This comes in handy when looking closely at plants and rocks - some of her favorite outdoor pastimes.
Education & Experience: BS in Wildlife Ecology & Managment from UW-Stevens Point. Lauren has worked seasonally in Colorado, Montana, and Kansas collecting data on animals & habitats.
Olivia
Price
Environmental Educator
Learn more about Olivia
Olivia loves the natural environment we inhabit and are a valuable part of, and believes it to be full of wonderful structures. Olivia loves understanding how all these amazing life forms co-create our world.
Nature Superpower: Their curiosity about all natural systems and the interactions those systems have with each other.
Experience: Olivia has worked in affordable systems, for a political campaign, and as an English Teaching Assistant in Spain. They studied political science and math in their undergraduate.
Current Board Members
2025 Severson Dells Nature Center Board Members
Board members are all voluntary and support the Nature Center in many ways.
President - Chris Samuelson
Vice President - Michelle Borgialli
Treasurer - Jessie Madl
Secretary - Masha Roberts
Melanie Costello
Elicia Gross
Jason Huber
Dan Kasten
Ben Kimes
Jake Loescher
Michael Oliveri
Cathy Ott
Mark Samuelson
Tasha Wendorf
To contact the board, please email sdncboard@seversondells.org
Are You Interested in Serving on a Committee or the Board?
Would you like to become more involved at Severson Dells Nature Center? We welcome members of the community to express their interest in serving on a committee and/or the board. We are especially interested in candidates who:
- have professional and lived experienced that will advance the mission and vision of Severson Dells Education Foundation
- are ethical leaders that enjoy working with fellow community leaders
Board Member Expectations & Role
- The Board is elected to represent a cross-section of the northern Illinois community. The Board sets policy and guides the direction of Severson Dells Education Foundation through the strategic planning process. The bylaws support the governing role of the Board by establishing officers and putting the overall well-being of the organization in the purview of the Board.
- As advocates, Board members interpret the mission of Severson Dells and represent it to the community. The mission statement and vision are the guiding principles for Board decisions.
- Board members lead the organization in providing support in many ways including committee leadership, attendance at programs and events, and being ambassadors in the community.
- Board members bring a unique expertise from their professional and personal experience and interests. Those skills help lead the organization and ensure the Severson Dells is a trusted resource for our community.
Board Member Requirements
- Serve a minimum of 1 three-year term on the Board. Eligible to serve 2 three-year terms.
- Represent the organization in a professional manner with commitment to the Severson Dells mission.
- Attend Board meetings and important related meetings on a regular basis. The Full Board of Directors meets at 3:30pm on the 3rd Thursday of each month at Severson Dells Nature Center. Meetings typically last 1 -1 ½ hours.
- Serve as a leader and volunteer for assignments and complete them thoroughly and within the timeline.
- Stay informed about committee matters, prepare well for meetings, and review minutes and reports.
- Participate in the committee's annual evaluation and strategic planning efforts.
- Participate in fundraising for the organization.
