Staff
Michele Richards – President/Director
Bringing a Master Naturalist program to Pennsylvania has been one of Michele’s passions. She serves as the President and Director of the organization and is based in northeastern Pennsylvania. Since attending Juniata college, she has directed her career towards natural resource education and conservation. That career path has taken her into private, nonprofit, and governmental arenas.
Previously, she co-founded and directed the PA Institute for Conservation Education and established the Wildlife Leadership Academy and PA Master Naturalist during her tenure. Prior to this, she coordinated the education program of the American Wilderness Leadership School in Wyoming, directed the outdoor education program for a regional Girl Scout Council, and worked as a naturalist and educator for a Conservation District, a PA State Park and an Arboretum in Ohio. She has lead nature tours to Africa and loves going outdoors discovering nature with her children.
Susie Moffett – Program Coordinator (Southwest Region)
Susie Moffett joined Pennsylvania Master Naturalist in November 2021 as the Program Coordinator for the Southwest Region of Pennsylvania.
Program Coordinator (Southeast Region)
Rebecca Whitson – Program Assistant (Southeast Region)
Becky joined the Pennsylvania Master Naturalist team in August 2021 as the Program Assistant for the Southeast Region. She trained as a Pennsylvania Master Naturalist volunteer in 2013 at Lancaster Conservancy, and has volunteered over 250 hours of her time since to natural resource conservation.
Rachel Nelson – Communications and Program Specialist
Rachel joined Pennsylvania Master Naturalist in October 2020 as the Communications Specialist. She also coordinates the training course for Centre/N. Huntingdon Counties, and completed the training course herself in 2021. Rachel moved to Pennsylvania from Waco, Texas in 2019 where she was a certified Texas Master Naturalist and a Park Ranger (Interpretation) with the National Park Service at Waco Mammoth National Monument.
Rachel graduated from Emory & Henry College in 2010 with a B.A. in Public Policy and Community Service and in 2013 with an M.A. in Community and Organizational Leadership. She also completed a Graduate Certificate in Wilderness Management from the University of Montana in 2022.
Rachel is currently working toward her PhD in Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management at Penn State University.
