Alianah Suda
Development Intern
Alianah is a first-generation Micronesian American and a proud Austin native who is passionate about community and connection. She is currently a Business Management student at Texas State University, where she is building a foundation in leadership, organizational strategy, and community-focused work. Alianah’s interest in the nonprofit sector began early and continues to grow as she explores how public outreach and mission-driven organizations can create measurable and meaningful impact. As someone who values belonging and accessibility, she is inspired by the role Pease Park plays in bringing people together across generations and backgrounds. She hopes to build a career that allows her to uplift communities and contribute to projects that leave a lasting and positive mark on the people they serve.
Allison Johnson
Directora de Participación Comunitaria
Allison Johnson se enamoró de Austin cuando llegó aquí para obtener su MBA en la Universidad de Texas y se comprometió con la comunidad sin ánimo de lucro durante los siguientes 10 años mientras trabajaba en marketing y comunicaciones en Generation SERVE. Allison está encantada de ayudar a los miembros de nuestra comunidad a conectarse con la naturaleza, aquí mismo, en medio de la ciudad, de todas las formas que nos mantienen sanos y conectados: a través del juego, la reflexión, el voluntariado y el aprendizaje.
Correo electrónico: allison@peasepark.org
Amy Corbett
Director of Finance
Amy moved to Austin in 2000. Over her career, she moved from public accounting into the non profit space through volunteering and serving on community nonprofit Boards. In her prior role, she served as Finance Director at a local workforce development nonprofit. She is thrilled to join the team at Pease Park Conservancy. She hopes to advance its mission and dedication to public green space conservation and community programming. She enjoys biking, hiking, pickle ball and being outside with her family and dogs.
Bret Kiester
Director de Operaciones del Parque
Bret llega a Pease Park Conservancy con 20 años de experiencia en operaciones en el sector sin ánimo de lucro. Antes de unirse a la conservación Bret pasó los últimos 12 años sirviendo como Ejecutivo del Centro de la YMCA de Austin en el Condado de Hays. Además, Bret ha servido a su comunidad como Presidente de la Junta de la Cámara de Comercio del Área de Buda, miembro del Consejo Asesor de Salud Estudiantil de Hays CISD y ha formado parte de varias comisiones de la ciudad de Buda. Bret es voluntario como educador del Proyecto WILD para Texas Parks and Wildlife y ama nuestros parques estatales. Bret se graduó en Administración Pública en la Universidad del Norte de Texas, está casado y tiene dos hijos.
Cheyenne Moore
Director of Development
Cheyenne is a born-and-raised New Yorker who relocated to Austin in 2016 and quickly found a sense of home in its green spaces, especially Pease Park. Driven by a lifelong passion for community impact, she has built a career in nonprofit fundraising, with professional experience at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Travis Audubon, and The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Cheyenne holds a dual B.A. in Classics and Archaeology from The George Washington University and an M.A. in Museum Anthropology from Columbia University. Outside of work, she can be found chasing after her three young children, exploring new films, and cooking dishes inspired by her Honduran, Irish, and Italian roots.
Dalton Smith
Coordinador de Operaciones del Parque
Born in Round Rock and raised in what was a small town of Liberty Hill, Dalton, with his family, volunteered in Pease Park and throughout Austin which gave him a greater appreciation for the outdoors as well as his community. Dalton prefers the physical aspects of the work to that of a typical desk job, and takes immense pride and joy in his ability to maintain, facilitate and regulate aspects of Pease Park. Dalton is certified in Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers and first aid through the American Heart Association. He is a Licensed Irrigation Technician and a Certified Pool and Spa Operator (CPO) through the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance. He has completed the Landscape Water Budgeting course through the Texas A&M School of Irrigation and holds a certificate in Turfgrass Management through the University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education. On his off days you will find him hiking the trails in Austin or soaking up the sun in one of the many local swimming holes.
Della Orr-Harter
Coordinadora de Desarrollo
Della, tejana de octava generación, regresa a Austin tras completar un año de servicio con AmeriCorps en el sur de California. Su amor por la vida al aire libre comenzó a una edad temprana, y ella apreciaba la oportunidad de vivir a sólo una cuadra del océano. Durante su estancia allí, practicó diversas actividades al aire libre, desde buceo con esnórquel con tiburones hasta avistamiento de ballenas, acampada en coche, limpieza de playas, surf e innumerables paseos por la playa. Deseosa de estar más cerca de su familia y seguir una carrera centrada en la conservación, Della está encantada de volver a su estado natal, Texas. Criada en una familia profundamente comprometida con el trabajo sin ánimo de lucro, siente la vocación natural de dedicar su carrera a causas significativas. Consciente de la urgencia de abordar el cambio climático, Della está decidida a influir positivamente en nuestro planeta. Con su regreso a Austin, Della está entusiasmada por reencontrarse con el vibrante ritmo de la ciudad y contribuir a los esfuerzos en curso en materia de conservación y gestión medioambiental.
George Rojano
Horticulture Coordinator
George was born and raised in Austin. Growing up in South Austin, he didn’t encounter Pease Park until early adulthood, but immediately fell in love. Before joining the Conservancy, George’s nonprofit experience came from his time as a student, intern, and volunteer for both Breakthrough Central Texas and Urban Roots. Growing up in such a green city, George quickly fell in love with nature, went on to study Earth Systems at Stanford, and returned home to be a full-time farmer with Urban Roots. He’s ecstatic to be a part of the Conservancy and takes great pride in putting love into the plants and landscape at the park. Outside of work, you’ll find George attending his brother’s soccer games, enjoying one of Austin’s many swim spots, or cuddling his cats at home.
Jackie Perales
Communications Intern
Jackie is excited to join Pease Park Conservancy as the new Communications Intern. Born and raised in Austin, Jackie has always felt a deep connection to the city and its vibrant communities. She is currently attending St. Edward’s University, pursuing a B.S. in Computer Science with a focus on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, complemented by a minor in Business. Driven by a passion for bringing people together and fostering inclusive environments for all, Jackie has a strong background in volunteering for meaningful causes. She is eager to support Pease Park Conservancy’s mission of nature conservation, sustainability, and engaging community programming. Outside of work, she enjoys photography, reading, running, hiking, playing piano, making puzzles, watching soccer, and exploring Austin’s coffee scene. She looks forward to helping make Pease Park an even more welcoming and inspiring space for everyone.
Jovani Escobedo
Operations Intern
Luis Ortiz-Colon
Park Programming Manager
Marrisa Bandera
Park Operations Tech
Marrisa Bandera grew up in Austin, Texas. She is excited to be part of the Conservancy, where she can spend time working outdoors and learning about plants, trees, animals, and other wildlife. Her favorite season is spring. She finds hard work rewarding both personally and visually. Marrisa is CPR and First Aid certified. She holds a certificate from the Texas Nursery & Landscape Association as a certified Landscape Associate.
Nicole Netherton
Directora General
Nicole is a Houstonian who found her spiritual home in Austin during her time at The University of Texas at Austin, but she also lived in (and loved) New York City in the early 2000s. Nicole entered the nonprofit world in 2016 after being inspired by a life-changing trip to Antarctica: seeing the fragile ecosystem 7,000 miles from home sparked a shift toward environmental work. Before that, she had a 15 year career in marketing for a book publisher, and her professional background is in development, marketing, and management. Her professional passions include protecting wildlife and native ecosystems in Central Texas, increasing equitable access to nature, and mentoring women toward conservation careers. She is excited to be a steward of a place that is so important to Austin’s past, present, and future, both for people and for nature.
PAX
Mascota de Pease Park Conservancy
PAX es nuestra simpática ardilla vecina y residente de Pease Park. Pax valora la sostenibilidad, el cuidado del medio ambiente y es una embajadora de la accesibilidad al aire libre. Como ardilla gris oriental, PAX disfruta de las densas copas de los árboles de Pease Park e incluso se la puede ver haciendo acto de presencia en algunos de nuestros eventos comunitarios.
