Our Staff
Elaine
Executive Director
Elaine has been part of Tanglewood’s story for more than two decades, leading the organization through an incredible period of growth and impact. She believes deeply in the power of hands-on, outdoor education to inspire a lifelong love of nature. As Executive Director, she works closely with staff, the Board, and community partners to keep Tanglewood’s trails, programs, and conservation efforts strong and sustainable. When she’s not guiding Tanglewood’s future, Elaine can often be found observing birds or tending to monarch butterflies — two of her favorite ambassadors for environmental awareness. She also shares her passion for the planet as a college instructor in Sustainability.
Email Elaine:
Deanna
Office Manager
With over 14 years at Tanglewood, Deanna is the cornerstone of our daily operations. As Office Manager, she ensures everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. From overseeing financial transactions, to managing memberships, camp registrations, and facility rentals, Deanna keeps us organized and on track. Whether it’s a question about finances, logistics, or simply where to find something, Deanna is the go-to resource for staff and visitors alike.
Email Deanna:
Maggie
Volunteer Coordinator
Maggie came to work at Tanglewood after a position at Sea World Orlando – she traded sting rays for owls! Maggie coordinates volunteers, supervises interns, and handles the group/corporate volunteering opportunities. If you are interested in volunteering or applying for an internship, please email her! As educator, when she’s not designing and curating STEAM and nature-based curriculum in the office, Maggie is out in the field, traveling across five counties with animal ambassadors in tow. Maggie writes curriculum in tandem with the other educators. As Camp Director, Maggie manages all aspects of our summer camps. She hires and supervises our seasonal staff and ensures that all our campers have a safe, fun, educational and nature-based summer!
Email Maggie:
Ryan
Educator
Ryan is passionate about helping people discover the wonder of the natural world through hands-on learning and exploration. As Tanglewood’s Lead Educator, he develops and teaches programs rooted in STEAM and FOSS curricula, engaging students of all ages across the Twin Tiers and Finger Lakes. Ryan also helps shape Tanglewood’s summer camps, after-school programs, and community events, ensuring that every experience inspires curiosity and care for nature.
In addition to his teaching role, Ryan supports research and conservation efforts at Tanglewood, serving as a key contact for scientific collaborations and studies. He oversees the care and enrichment of Tanglewood’s amphibian ambassadors and works to ensure that the organization’s conservation practices reflect the best strategies for supporting local wildlife and habitats.
Email Ryan:
Megan
Curator
In her three years at Tanglewood, Megan has brought expertise, creativity, and care to both our animals and our educational programs. As Curator, she oversees the daily care, housing, and wellbeing of Tanglewood’s animal ambassadors, ensuring they receive excellent, enriching care with the help of our dedicated volunteers.
Megan also delivers engaging programs that align with STEAM and FOSS curricula, helping students of all ages connect classroom learning with the natural world. Her work supports Tanglewood’s mission to inspire environmental awareness and stewardship throughout the Twin Tiers and Finger Lakes region.
Email Megan:
Genevieve
Marketing Associate
Genevieve joined Tanglewood in 2025, bringing a degree in Graphic Design. She combines her creative skills with a passion for nature and animals to support our marketing and outreach efforts. Genevieve is also developing new talents in animal photography, capturing the unique beauty of our resident animals and the natural world around us. If you have marketing-related questions, projects, or ideas, she’s the person to connect with!
Email Genevieve: