Commission Staff

Melissa Kalvestrand served many roles at the Commission since joining the staff in November 2009. After 10 years of consistently taking on more responsibilities, she was named executive director in January 2020.

During her tenure at the Commission, she has overseen the accreditation review process and facilitated the accreditation decisions for over 100 applicants each year. She partnered in developing, interpreting, reviewing, and revising the accreditation requirements and maintaining the Requirements Manual. She also co-facilitated the public participation process resulting in the 2017 revisions to Land Trust Standards and Practices.

As executive director, she has been leveraging the successes of the accreditation program and of accredited land trusts to advance the Commission's next phase of work. That work includes maintaining the strengthen of land trusts, maintaining public trust, and engaging with land trusts in new ways to improve their return on investment in the program.

Melissa has a master's degree in biodiversity, conservation, and policy from the University at Albany and a bachelor's degree in biology from Cornell University.

mkalvestrand@landtrustaccreditation.org | 518.587.3143 ext. 6020

Jennifer joined the Commission staff in 2008. Since that time, she has served many roles and is currently the Associate Program Director. She previously worked for the Land Trust Alliance in developing the 2004 Land Trust Standards and Practices and the land trust accreditation program, in addition to providing technical assistance to land trusts through the nascent NYS Conservation Partnership Program. Early in her career, Jennifer worked for a local land trust and other nonprofits to address wetland and water quality issues and has served on a number of nonprofit boards. She has a bachelor's degree in biology and a certificate in project management. Jennifer and her retired husband live in Saratoga Springs, NY, near their two adult children. They have two pets: one precocious rescue dog and a leopard gecko. When she is not working, Jennifer is off traveling with her husband or exploring the New York State park system with her family.

jbconnor@landtrustaccreditation.org | 518.587.3143 ext. 6010

Jessica joined the Commission staff in 2014. She is a licensed attorney, who practiced in primarily the areas of real estate and estate planning law. Prior to entering into private practice, she was the executive director of the Sippican Lands Trust, Inc. (SLT), where she successfully guided staff through the accreditation process during the pilot program. Jessica also worked in land protection for both SLT and the Buzzards Bay Coalition, Inc. She has served on several nonprofit boards and committees, and served as Commissioner from 2009 to 2012.

jwhittaker@landtrustaccreditation.org | 518.587.3143 ext. 6012

Stacy joined the Commission in 2015. As program associate she is responsible for office management, assisting in applicant tracking and correspondence along with coordinating Commission meetings. Prior to joining the Commission, she has worked in both the non-profit and corporate sectors as a marketing associate, event planner and executive coordinator. Stacy holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from the College of Saint Rose.

sgirmindl@landtrustaccreditation.org | 518. 587.3143 ext. 6016

Leanna joined the commission in 2026. She brings over a decade of experience in communications, editorial strategy, and digital design within nonprofit, education, and mission-driven organizations.

As Communications Specialist at the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, she supports communications initiatives that strengthen awareness of the accreditation program and the importance of excellence, integrity, and public trust in the land conservation community.

Leanna holds a degree in English from the University of Central Florida and brings a strong commitment to conservation, community engagement, and mission-centered communications. Originally from the Everglades region of Florida, she is currently based in Pasadena, CA where she can be found hiking in the foothills with her dog, Bonnie.

LRobinson@landtrustaccreditation.org

Siobhan joined the Commission staff in 2021. She previously served as the Executive Vice President for the Vermont Land Trust where she worked for over 23 years. Prior to her land trust career, Siobhan worked as an environmental and outdoor educator. She has a bachelor's degree in American Studies and Women's Studies from Douglass College at Rutgers University.

ssmith@landtrustaccreditation.org | 518.587.3143 ext. 6015

Courtney joined the Commission staff in 2024. Previously, she worked for 22 years for the Galveston Bay Foundation, a land trust on the Upper Texas Gulf Coast, where she worked in nonprofit operations, strategic planning, grants administration, habitat restoration, and outreach. Courtney holds a Master of Science degree, with distinction, in Interpretation: Management and Practice from the University of the Highlands and Islands in Perth, Scotland, and a Bachelor of Science degree, summa cum laude, in Environmental Science from the University of Houston – Clear Lake. She enjoys reading, nature writing, hiking, and traveling.

csmith@landtrustaccreditation.org | 518.587.3143 ext. 6011

Megan joined the Commission staff in 2025. She previously worked as a Conservation Project Manager for the Upper Valley Land Trust in New Hampshire and as a Land Protection Specialist for the Three Valley Conservation Trust in Ohio. Megan holds a Master of Science degree in Environmental Studies with a focus in land conservation and non-profit management from Ohio University and a Bachelor of Art degree in Environmental Studies from Washington College in Maryland. She’s currently the Chair of her town’s Conservation Commission, a Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga Teacher, and an avid grower and consumer of fruits and vegetables.

mchapman@landtrustaccreditation.org | 518.587.3143 ext. 6013