Our Leadership
Catherine Timko
Executive Director
Catherine leads the Center’s nonprofit mission by directing strategies to deliver programs, raise funds, manage finances, support employees, engage community partners and develop long term strategies for sustainability. Her vision is inspired by the many generations of children, families, and students who value and engage with the Center’s programs and classes. Her appreciation for the natural world drives a culture of continuous improvement so that first time and longtime visitors are energized by the mission.
Amy LeMonds
Director of Programs and Wildlife
Amy LeMonds oversees more than 200 program and class offerings, daily care for 100 resident animals and wildlife rehabilitation services that serve the public with more than 1,500 intakes annually. Amy’s vision for effective programs is inspired by the human-wildlife connectedness and the importance of engaging students of all ages. Amy’s leadership has grown and expanded program offerings from ages 0 to college level through cross-functional collaboration and organizational capacity building.
Teece Lester
Preschool Coordinator
Teece Lester leads the nature-based preschool program, the region’s first and largest, and encompassing three dedicated classrooms. Teece and our experienced teachers provide programs that build on children’s inherent curiosity about the world by using hands-on nature-based activities to foster social, physical and academic development. They help to encourage children to develop an attitude of inquiry and respect for the natural world by providing activities that integrate Ohio’s Early Learning Outcomes including science, math, literacy and the arts.
Morgan Paskert
Marketing Coordinator
Morgan Paskert directs marketing efforts, membership and visitor services to encourage people to visit the Center, participate in programs and support the nonprofit mission. Morgan’s leadership ensures that the Center’s message and program information are accessible online, on social media, in print, and in regional media. Morgan manages all Center-based visuals and messages so that from a virtual visit to enjoying a program, people of all ages are engaging with the mission.
Our Staff
Susan Ballard
Program Specialist
Christine Barnett
Wildlife Program Specialist
Angie Bendahan
Welcome Desk Specialist
Vicky Benko
Program Specialist
Carol Ormsby
Finance Coordinator
Annette Constantino
Program Specialist
Katy Downing
Planetarium Specialist
McCall Gorbach Foster
Development Specialist
Dawn Galang
Preschool Specialist
Elaine George
Welcome Desk Specialist
Alicia Goddard
Program Specialist
Tim Jasinski
Wildlife Rehabilitation Specialist
Kyle Koprowski
Wildlife Specialist
Jordan Ladikos
Visual Communications Specialist
Ken Miller
Exhibit and Maintenance Specialist
Chris Pfeil
Program Specialist
Bill Reed
Planetarium Specialist
Molly Ruschau
Program Specialist
Mike Sandy
Facility and Maintenance Specialist
Jaylene Scarlato
Welcome Desk and Group Sales Specialist
Julie Schroyer
Wildlife Specialist
Annmarie Slyman
Preschool Specialist
Maggie Watson
Preschool Specialist
Justin Willard
Program Specialist
Kirsten Wykowski
Wildlife Specialist
Angela Yeager
Program Planning Specialist
Board of Directors
Phil Callesen
Board President | Baker Hostetler, LLP
Phil was elected to the Board of Directors in October 2014. Phil has been with the law firm Baker & Hostetler LLP since graduating Case Western Reserve University School of Law in 1987 and has been a partner since 1995. His practice consists primarily of lending transactions with a focus on private equity and project finance. He has been the Leader of BakerHostetler’s national Debt Finance practice since 2000. BakerHostetler is a national full-service law firm with approximately 900 attorneys in 14 offices. BakerHostetler’s national headquarters is in Cleveland.
Phil was born in Manistee, Michigan, where he started his love of the outdoors. His family moved to Westlake in the early 1970s. Phil’s connection to Lake Erie Nature & Science Center dates back to his childhood when he and his friends would ride their bikes to the Center to spend time on lazy summer days.
Currently, Phil lives in Avon Lake with his wife Margy. All three of their children attended programs at the Center.
Trudy Pauken, Vice President | Westlake City School District, Retired
Katie Colacarro, Treasurer | Nordson Corporation
Gary Garling, Secretary | The Lubrizol Corporation
Devin Barry, Partner | Thompson Hine LLP
Bruce Cady | IBM, Retired
John Cavalier | Cohen & Company
Bryan Gacka | Ernst & Young
Eric German | Bober Markey Fedorovich
Jessica Kerrigan | Hylant
William Nowak | Eaton Corporation, Retired
Kyle Nowlin | Cohesity
Lisa Roth | Ziegler Metzger, LLP
Zach Stephens | Deloitte & Touche LLP
R. Scott Thomas | The Sherwin-Williams Company
Allen Waddle | Maloney + Novotny
Bill Watkins | Harris Williams & Co subsidiary of PNC
Jeff M. Whitesell | Tucker Ellis
Karen Huhndorff, Ex-Officio | Women’s Board of Lake Erie Nature & Science Center
Women's Board
The Women’s Board of Lake Erie Nature & Science Center supports the organization and its mission through hands-on service, community awareness, and fundraising. It offers members an opportunity to learn about natural history, meet others with similar interests, and advance the Center’s educational mission. The Women’s Board meets on the first Wednesday of each month monthly at Lake Erie Nature & Science Center or other locations as announced. For more information, please call 440-871-2900 or email info@lensc.org.
