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.
Our Staff
Susan Ballard
Program Specialist
Angie Bendahan
Marketing and Welcome Desk Specialist
Vicky Benko
Program Specialist
Annette Constantino
Program Specialist
Laura Dorr
Wildlife Specialist
Katy Downing
Planetarium and Program Coordinator
Dawn Galang
Preschool Specialist
Alicia Goddard
Program Specialist
Tim Jasinski
Wildlife Rehabilitation Coordinator
Kyle Koprowski
Wildlife Specialist
Teece Lester
Preschool Coordinator
Diane Metzger
Welcome Desk Specialist
Ken Miller
Exhibit and Maintenance Specialist
Carol Ormsby
Finance Coordinator
Morgan Paskert
Marketing and Development Coordinator
Chris Pfeil
Program Specialist
Bill Reed
Planetarium Specialist
Molly Ruschau
Program Specialist
Mike Sandy
Facility and Maintenance Specialist
Jaylene Scarlato
Visitor Services Coordinator
Julie Schroyer
Wildlife Specialist
Annmarie Slyman
Preschool Specialist
Maggie Watson
Animal Program Specialist
Justin Willard
Program Specialist
Board of Directors
Trudy Pauken
Board President
Trudy Pauken is a retired Reading Intervention Specialist. She taught children in grades K – 4 at Hilliard Elementary School in Westlake, OH. Trudy’s grown daughters experienced the wonderful programs and nature experiences at the Center while students in the Westlake Schools and Trudy now shares the Center’s valuable resources with her grandchildren. Trudy’s love of watching children explore the wonders of nature and science through hands-on experiences, and the promotion of reading about animals and nature in the educational programs provided by the Center is why her involvement on the Lake Erie Nature and Science Center’s Board of Directors is a passion. Trudy is pleased to support and further the Lake Erie Nature and Science Center’s mission as Board President.
Trudy Pauken, Board President | Westlake City School District, Retired
John Cavalier, Board Vice President | Cohen & Company
Eric German, Board Treasurer | Bober Markey Fedorovich
Devin Barry, Board Secretary | Thompson Hine LLP
Bruce Cady | IBM, Retired
Phillip M. Callesen, Immediate Past Board President | Baker & Hostetler LLP
Dan Coil | JACK Entertainment
Lisa Fallon | Penumbra, Inc.
Bryan Gacka | Eaton
Monica Newell | KeyBank
Kyle Nowlin | Cohesity
Iken Sans | The Lubrizol Corporation
Char Shryock | Bay Village City Schools
Scott Simmons | Barentz
Zach Stephens | Deloitte & Touche LLP
R. Scott Thomas | The Sherwin-Williams Company
Allen Waddle | Maloney + Novotny LLC
Bill Watkins | Harris Williams & Co subsidiary of PNC
Jeff M. Whitesell | Tucker Ellis LLP
Neil Whitford | Calfee, Halter & Griswold LLP
Karen Huhndorff, Ex-Officio | Women’s Board of Lake Erie Nature & Science Center
In Memoriam: With deep sadness, we remember William J. Nowak who passed in December 2021. Bill served on the Board of Directors since 2014 and as President.
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.
