Meet the Staff

WE CARE.

Each and every one of us is committed to leaving a legacy of land and water for your children and grandchildren. We are friendly folks and are always excited to share our love of the land with you … come and visit with us anytime!

Jeff Baker, Stewardship Coordinator

Jeff joined Greenbelt in 2008 after working nine years as a biologist for a Native American tribe in western Oregon where he worked on fish, wildlife, rare plants, habitat and environmental projects. Jeff has a B.S. in Wildlife Science and an M.S. in Geography from Oregon State University. Outside of work Jeff likes to explore the outdoors and work around the house with his wife and two children.

shawnda-busch

 
 

Shawnde Bausch, Accounting and Grants Manager

Shawnde joined Greenbelt Land Trust in 2024 with over 25 years of varied experience in accounting, grants, government and administrative work. She is thrilled to bring her knowledge and enthusiasm to work for Greenbelt’s mission. When not in the office she enjoys spending time with her husband and two teens, chatting around a campfire, and exploring the beautiful trails in the Willamette Valley.

 
 

Matt Benotsch, Outreach Manager

Matt joined Greenbelt Land Trust in 2020 with almost twenty years of land trust experience in the Willamette Valley working as a land steward, with volunteers, and in communications and outreach. He enjoys spending time with his wife and son at home, playing competitive disc golf, gardening, and slowly transforming his yard into native habitat.

Chris sized

Chris Berry, Land Steward

Chris joined Greenbelt Land Trust in 2023. He was born in Corvallis and now lives in Brownsville, Oregon. Chris has a love for natural lands and is excited to be part of ensuring their availability for present and future generations. His prior work experience includes farming and construction. In his free time, Chris enjoys gardening, travel, outdoor adventures, metal detecting, and spending time with family.

Matt Blakeley-Smith, Stewardship Director

Matt joined Greenbelt Land Trust in 2013, after working ten years as a restoration biologist for the Institute for Applied Ecology. Matt believes that meaningful conservation requires the participation of private citizens. From gardening in a small suburban lot, volunteering on a weed-pull, or planting a riparian buffer, everyone can play a role in shaping our environment. While not driving a tractor, Matt enjoys growing carnivorous pitcher plants and raising honey bees with his wife and son on their urban micro-farm.

Kendra Callahan, Events Coordinator

Kendra joined Greenbelt in 2023 and is excited to have the opportunity to connect people to the beautiful open spaces that makes Corvallis such a special place. Her previous work includes coordinating outdoor skills workshops for women, managing volunteer programs, organizing educational and outreach events, and working as an Education Assistant for the Corvallis School District. Outside of work, Kendra enjoys spending time with her family and friends, hiking or running on trails with her dog Zipper, and sitting on her porch whenever the sun comes out.

Emily Day, Habitat Biologist

Emily joined Greenbelt Land Trust in 2024 after working for eight years in habitat conservation and restoration on public lands in the Willamette Valley. As a Corvallis born resident, she is passionate about protecting the Valley’s native habitats for generations to come. In her free time, she enjoys trail running, nature adventures with her husband and two kiddos, and growing food on their one-acre hobby farm.

Jean and turtle

Jean Fleming, Volunteer Manager

Jean joined Greenbelt in 2022; her background in conservation includes work with the American Bison, a variety of southwestern herptiles, and the endangered Willamette Daisy. She also worked as a director of a children’s summer camp focused on community building and outdoor stewardship. She is passionate about connecting people with conservation through meaningful hands-on experiences. Outside of work, Jean enjoys playing board games, scuba diving, and hiking with her dog, Watson.

Claire Fox

Claire Fox, Conservation Director

Claire’s background in farming and forestry fuel her passion for community-driven conservation. Claire joined Greenbelt in 2019, and today, she leads Greenbelt’s Conservation Team to protect the precious lands and waters of the Willamette Valley. Claire has a BA in Environmental Studies from Dickinson College and Master degrees in Forestry and Environmental Management from Duke University. In her free time, Claire loves to hike, garden, and eat good food!

Ketty Herb-Kalberer, Director of Finance

Ketty is a contracted employee of Greenbelt and has an extensive background in budget development, financial performance evaluation, and non-profit management. An MBA graduate of the Lundquist College of Business, at the University of Oregon, she worked as a Senior Financial Analyst for Hewlett-Packard for six years developing financial models and projecting the profitability of HP’s worldwide inkjet business. She has served on the Board of non-profits including Corvallis Community Children’s Centers and the Center for Nonprofit Stewardship.

Spoon Hough, Administrative Coordinator

Spoon joined Greenbelt in late 2023 after a varied career in administration and marketing. She is passionate about land conservation and community cultivation, and is thrilled to be working for an organization whose mission statement and culture align so well with her own interests and values. As a lifelong Oregonian and long-time Corvallis resident, she feels deep connection to and love for the land, people, and wildlife of the Willamette Valley. When away from her desk, she can be found hiking, biking, participating in community singing and dancing events, and pursuing the company of as many  dogs as possible.

Anna Magnuson, Conservation Manager

Anna joined Greenbelt in 2022 after working as a program manager in forestry research and natural resources for the past seven years. As a lifelong Oregonian, Anna has a deep-seated love for wild spaces in the Willamette Valley and believes that conserving these lands is critical for the well-being of our community. When she’s not in the office discussing forests, rivers, open spaces, and farmlands, Anna can be found out in the wild enjoying forests, rivers, open spaces, or tending to the needs of her pet chickens, turkeys, and beloved dog, Corra.

Jessica McDonald, Executive Director

Jessica became Greenbelt’s Executive Director in 2020 after having served as Associate Director and Development Director for the organization since 2009. With deep Oregon roots and a passion for conservation and community, Jessica leads the organization’s strategic vision, financial resiliency planning and operations. She loves muddy trails, jazz, family shenanigans, rescue dogs, and Oregon rain. But, more than anything … she cares about leaving a legacy of clean running rivers, wild outdoors, and colorful Valley prairies for generations to come. Get to know Jessica.

Andy Neill, Habitat Biologist

Andy joined Greenbelt Land Trust in 2022 with twenty years of experience working in the prairies and forests of western Oregon. Most recently, Andy worked for the Institute for Applied Ecology restoring and enhancing prairie habitat for endangered species like Taylor’s checkerspot and Fender’s blue butterflies. Andy thrives on building strong partnerships that combine efforts to reach common goals. In his free time, Andy enjoys shuttling his kids to their activities, riding his bike with family and friends, and exploring any location with great views and native vegetation.

Lily Schmidt, Membership Manager

Lily joined Greenbelt in 2022 with a background in community outreach, nonprofit work, and event coordination. She’s passionate about environmental conservation and building genuine connections with people and is looking forward to the natural intersection of those passions at Greenbelt. Originally from the Midwest, Lily moved to Oregon for the trees, mountains, lakes, and coast. In her free time she loves hiking, backpacking, crafting, game nights with friends, and exploring our local lands with her pup Winnie.

Emily Torres Barton, Development Director

Emily joined Greenbelt Land Trust in 2023 with 10 years of non-profit and fundraising experience. She considers the west coast home and moved to Oregon 20 years ago to raise her 2 boys in the clean, fresh air. Emily’s family has historical and generational ties with migrant populations that traveled up and down the west coast. Emily’s passionate about including all communities in the experience of the outdoors. When not working, Emily spends time with her cats, Poe Poe and Simi, her partner, her adult children, friends, and family while adventuring in the Northwest.