NOHLC Staff
Acting Executive Director
Sue Julian
Sue Julian earned degrees in education and biology from Antioch College in 1968. The program called for off-campus experiences which led her to an outdoor education school in New Hampshire, a one-room school house in Kentucky, and a boarding school in Maryland. She taught science and established a library in the Peace Corps in Malaysia, then returned to earn a second bachelors degree from Grand Valley State University. She was Director of Education at Impression 5 Museum in Lansing before "retiring" to raise two sons and assist her husband, Charles. Since then, her career has been as a full time volunteer splitting her time among Holly Area School Board, Michigan Environmental Council Board, Holly Area Youth Assistance, various PTA's, Holly Township Nature Center, MDCC, Headwaters Trails and political campaigns. Sue has been a member of the North Oakland Headwaters Land
Conservancy Board since 2002; is a past President of the Board and currently serves as co-Chair of the Stewardship Committee as
well as Land Specialist. Contact Sue at land@nohlc.org or (248) 795-2808.
Sue Julian earned degrees in education and biology from Antioch College in 1968. The program called for off-campus experiences which led her to an outdoor education school in New Hampshire, a one-room school house in Kentucky, and a boarding school in Maryland. She taught science and established a library in the Peace Corps in Malaysia, then returned to earn a second bachelors degree from Grand Valley State University. She was Director of Education at Impression 5 Museum in Lansing before "retiring" to raise two sons and assist her husband, Charles. Since then, her career has been as a full time volunteer splitting her time among Holly Area School Board, Michigan Environmental Council Board, Holly Area Youth Assistance, various PTA's, Holly Township Nature Center, MDCC, Headwaters Trails and political campaigns. Sue has been a member of the North Oakland Headwaters Land
Conservancy Board since 2002; is a past President of the Board and currently serves as co-Chair of the Stewardship Committee as
well as Land Specialist. Contact Sue at land@nohlc.org or (248) 795-2808.
Board of Directors
Emily Duthinh, President
Emily has served on NOHLC's Board of Directors since 2013 and is currently serving as president. She has been active in the Stewardship and Land Acquisition Committees for twelve years. She is also Chair of the Oakland County Cooperative Invasive Species management Area *(CISMA). She is a Conservation Steward in Michigan and co-founded the Oakland Phragmites and Invasive Species (OPIS) Task Force. Emily earned her bachelor's degree in geology from Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. and her master's degree in environmental science from Duke University. She worked for 18 years in environmental consulting, investigating and remediating contaminated soil and groundwater at industrial sites throughout the mid Atlantic states, Ohio, and Michigan. Emily is an adjunct professor at Wayne State University in Detroit and Owens Community College in Toledo, Ohio. She has extensive experience in preschool and K-12 education, particularly educating students with special needs, and was a founding school board member of the M.O.D.E.L. Community School, a charter school for students with autism in Toledo. Contact Emily at eduthinh@gmail.com.
Emily has served on NOHLC's Board of Directors since 2013 and is currently serving as president. She has been active in the Stewardship and Land Acquisition Committees for twelve years. She is also Chair of the Oakland County Cooperative Invasive Species management Area *(CISMA). She is a Conservation Steward in Michigan and co-founded the Oakland Phragmites and Invasive Species (OPIS) Task Force. Emily earned her bachelor's degree in geology from Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. and her master's degree in environmental science from Duke University. She worked for 18 years in environmental consulting, investigating and remediating contaminated soil and groundwater at industrial sites throughout the mid Atlantic states, Ohio, and Michigan. Emily is an adjunct professor at Wayne State University in Detroit and Owens Community College in Toledo, Ohio. She has extensive experience in preschool and K-12 education, particularly educating students with special needs, and was a founding school board member of the M.O.D.E.L. Community School, a charter school for students with autism in Toledo. Contact Emily at eduthinh@gmail.com.
Jean Gramlich, Vice-President
I spent my childhood wandering the fields and woods around the Niagara River, so love of the land and waters is etched into my being. When I retired from my professional career as a clinical psychologist, I returned to the land and environmentalism. I have been very active in the Sierra Club, serving as state chair for seven years and am currently the vice-chair. I am an Advanced Master Gardener and a Conservation Steward through MSUE. I love the hands-on work of NOHLC's Stewardship Committee and look forward to the policy work on the Board to help NOHLC be viable in the long term.
I spent my childhood wandering the fields and woods around the Niagara River, so love of the land and waters is etched into my being. When I retired from my professional career as a clinical psychologist, I returned to the land and environmentalism. I have been very active in the Sierra Club, serving as state chair for seven years and am currently the vice-chair. I am an Advanced Master Gardener and a Conservation Steward through MSUE. I love the hands-on work of NOHLC's Stewardship Committee and look forward to the policy work on the Board to help NOHLC be viable in the long term.
Marilyn Zigarac, Treasurer and Chair of the Finance Committee
Marilyn earned Masters of Science degrees from Walsh College in both Taxation and Professional Accountancy and is currently the Tax Partner at Arvai & Associates, P.C. in Troy where she has been employed since 1992. She is a past Chair and Vice Chair of the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants Federal Tax Task Force and is currently an active member. She is also a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants - Tax Division, the MACPA Michigan State and Local Task Force and the Walsh College Tax Advisory Committee. Marilyn is a strong advocate for preserving our natural resources and protecting from over development. Weekends will find her tending her garden and a current goal is to learn about and incorporate native plants.
Marilyn earned Masters of Science degrees from Walsh College in both Taxation and Professional Accountancy and is currently the Tax Partner at Arvai & Associates, P.C. in Troy where she has been employed since 1992. She is a past Chair and Vice Chair of the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants Federal Tax Task Force and is currently an active member. She is also a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants - Tax Division, the MACPA Michigan State and Local Task Force and the Walsh College Tax Advisory Committee. Marilyn is a strong advocate for preserving our natural resources and protecting from over development. Weekends will find her tending her garden and a current goal is to learn about and incorporate native plants.
Bette Moen, Secretary
Bette is a resident and business owner in Springfield Township. She is the founder and director of Cedar Crest Academy & Early Childhood Center. The passive solar classroom building, environmental studies, and property management of Cedar Crest, attest to the value placed on continuous learning and sustainability.
Bette’s professional studies are in education, psychology and organizational leadership. She uses her extensive local and national connections to focus attention on conservation, global climate change, and updating standards in education.
Bette is a resident and business owner in Springfield Township. She is the founder and director of Cedar Crest Academy & Early Childhood Center. The passive solar classroom building, environmental studies, and property management of Cedar Crest, attest to the value placed on continuous learning and sustainability.
Bette’s professional studies are in education, psychology and organizational leadership. She uses her extensive local and national connections to focus attention on conservation, global climate change, and updating standards in education.
Mike Dougherty
Mike and his family have been residents of Springfield Township for over 20 years. He recently retired from a more than 30 year career as a manager and consultant in the Information Technology industry to focus on other interests. Mike holds B.A. (English) and M.A. (Geography) degrees from Kent State University. For the past several years he has pursued additional training in the areas of Conservation and Citizen Science and has completed the Michigan Master Naturalist (2010) and Michigan Conservation Stewards (2011) programs through MSU-E. As a volunteer he has done work for NOHLC, Oakland County Parks, and the MNFI. He is an accomplished and award winning nature photographer and operates Silent Light Photography. Mike hopes to apply his skills to communicate the beauty, diversity, and conservation value of the natural environments that NOHLC is striving to protect for future generations.
Mike and his family have been residents of Springfield Township for over 20 years. He recently retired from a more than 30 year career as a manager and consultant in the Information Technology industry to focus on other interests. Mike holds B.A. (English) and M.A. (Geography) degrees from Kent State University. For the past several years he has pursued additional training in the areas of Conservation and Citizen Science and has completed the Michigan Master Naturalist (2010) and Michigan Conservation Stewards (2011) programs through MSU-E. As a volunteer he has done work for NOHLC, Oakland County Parks, and the MNFI. He is an accomplished and award winning nature photographer and operates Silent Light Photography. Mike hopes to apply his skills to communicate the beauty, diversity, and conservation value of the natural environments that NOHLC is striving to protect for future generations.
Kelly Daly Flynn
Kelly earned a Bachelor in Chemistry from Lawrence Tech, a PhD in Chemistry from University of Michigan and a Master in Engineering
from Oakland University. She currently works as a continuous improvement leader for Ascent Aerospace in Lake Orion and Macomb.
As a chemist, she knows the havoc industrial energy usage and waste discharge has wreaked on the environment and has always been
an advocate for environmental preservation. As a resident of Clarkston for the past 20 years, she has become more aware of the
importance of conserving natural habitats for plants and wildlife.
Kelly joined the NOHLC board in 2018. She also sits on a policy board for the Oakland County Health Network, is a service
representative for a Clarkston support group, teaches at Oakland Community College and volunteers as a STEM mentor for children of
all ages. In her spare time, she tends to her rose garden, competitive walks, and chases her teenagers off the couch.
Kelly earned a Bachelor in Chemistry from Lawrence Tech, a PhD in Chemistry from University of Michigan and a Master in Engineering
from Oakland University. She currently works as a continuous improvement leader for Ascent Aerospace in Lake Orion and Macomb.
As a chemist, she knows the havoc industrial energy usage and waste discharge has wreaked on the environment and has always been
an advocate for environmental preservation. As a resident of Clarkston for the past 20 years, she has become more aware of the
importance of conserving natural habitats for plants and wildlife.
Kelly joined the NOHLC board in 2018. She also sits on a policy board for the Oakland County Health Network, is a service
representative for a Clarkston support group, teaches at Oakland Community College and volunteers as a STEM mentor for children of
all ages. In her spare time, she tends to her rose garden, competitive walks, and chases her teenagers off the couch.
Michael Metz
Mike earned degrees in Biology and Political Science from the University of Michigan in 1993, and a J.D. from the University of Michigan
Law School in 1997. He originally practiced real estate law at a Detroit law firm, and currently serves as Associate General Counsel at
Guardian Industries, a global glass manufacturing company. Mike has been a Clarkston resident for 7 years and Detroit area resident for
over 40 years. Mike is an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys camping, hiking, and skiing, and has been moved by recent reversals in
environmental regulations to protect his local community and the waters of Michigan and the Great Lakes. Mike was recently introduced
to NOHLC through his son's Eagle Scout project to build benches overlooking the Bridge Valley Fen. As a volunteer for NOHLC, Mike
hopes to apply his real estate skills to help conserve the woods, fields, streams, wildlife and other natural features of North Oakland. Mike
has been married to Amy Metz for over 20 years, and they have two children
Mike earned degrees in Biology and Political Science from the University of Michigan in 1993, and a J.D. from the University of Michigan
Law School in 1997. He originally practiced real estate law at a Detroit law firm, and currently serves as Associate General Counsel at
Guardian Industries, a global glass manufacturing company. Mike has been a Clarkston resident for 7 years and Detroit area resident for
over 40 years. Mike is an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys camping, hiking, and skiing, and has been moved by recent reversals in
environmental regulations to protect his local community and the waters of Michigan and the Great Lakes. Mike was recently introduced
to NOHLC through his son's Eagle Scout project to build benches overlooking the Bridge Valley Fen. As a volunteer for NOHLC, Mike
hopes to apply his real estate skills to help conserve the woods, fields, streams, wildlife and other natural features of North Oakland. Mike
has been married to Amy Metz for over 20 years, and they have two children
Sue Julian
Sue earned degrees in education and biology from Antioch College in 1968. The program called for off-campus experiences which led her to an outdoor education school in New Hampshire, a one-room school house in Kentucky, and a boarding school in Maryland. She taught science and established a library in the Peace Corps in Malaysia, then returned to earn a second bachelors degree from Grand Valley State University. She was Director of Education at Impression 5 Museum in Lansing before "retiring" to raise two sons and assist her husband Charles. Since then her career has been as a full time volunteer splitting her time among Holly Area School Board, Michigan Environmental Council Board, Holly Area Youth Assistance, various PTA's, Holly Township Nature Center, MDCC, Headwaters Trails and political campaigns. Sue has been a member of the North Oakland Headwaters Land Conservancy Board
since 2002, is a past President of the Board and currently serves as co-Chair of the Stewardship Committee while also serving as the
interim Executive Director.
Sue earned degrees in education and biology from Antioch College in 1968. The program called for off-campus experiences which led her to an outdoor education school in New Hampshire, a one-room school house in Kentucky, and a boarding school in Maryland. She taught science and established a library in the Peace Corps in Malaysia, then returned to earn a second bachelors degree from Grand Valley State University. She was Director of Education at Impression 5 Museum in Lansing before "retiring" to raise two sons and assist her husband Charles. Since then her career has been as a full time volunteer splitting her time among Holly Area School Board, Michigan Environmental Council Board, Holly Area Youth Assistance, various PTA's, Holly Township Nature Center, MDCC, Headwaters Trails and political campaigns. Sue has been a member of the North Oakland Headwaters Land Conservancy Board
since 2002, is a past President of the Board and currently serves as co-Chair of the Stewardship Committee while also serving as the
interim Executive Director.
Lora Perkins
Lora graduated from Adrian College with a major in Mathematics and a minor in Chemistry. She later received a Master’s Degree in Reading from Oakland University. Her professional career began as a teacher for the Pontiac Public Schools, where she worked for 35 years. After retiring from the Pontiac Public Schools in 1997, Lora worked for the Michigan Education Association as a staff Uniserv Director. Soon after retiring from that position in 2003, she began work for Michigan State Representative Hubert Price Jr. at his office in Pontiac, Michigan. During that time, she also did contracted projects for the Michigan Education Association. Lora joined the NOHLC Stewardship Committee in 2009 after working on the political campaign, “Independence Goes Green”. As current Co-chair of that Committee, she coordinates Property Inspections for all the Conservancies’ Properties.
Lora has been married to Lorenzo Perkins, another former Public School teacher and current NOHLC volunteer, for 52 years. They have one child, a son, Mark, and four grandchildren.
Lora graduated from Adrian College with a major in Mathematics and a minor in Chemistry. She later received a Master’s Degree in Reading from Oakland University. Her professional career began as a teacher for the Pontiac Public Schools, where she worked for 35 years. After retiring from the Pontiac Public Schools in 1997, Lora worked for the Michigan Education Association as a staff Uniserv Director. Soon after retiring from that position in 2003, she began work for Michigan State Representative Hubert Price Jr. at his office in Pontiac, Michigan. During that time, she also did contracted projects for the Michigan Education Association. Lora joined the NOHLC Stewardship Committee in 2009 after working on the political campaign, “Independence Goes Green”. As current Co-chair of that Committee, she coordinates Property Inspections for all the Conservancies’ Properties.
Lora has been married to Lorenzo Perkins, another former Public School teacher and current NOHLC volunteer, for 52 years. They have one child, a son, Mark, and four grandchildren.
Jill Stern
Jill is a long-time resident of Rose Township and has always held an interest in wildlife rescue and rehabilitation. She holds a B.A. from the University of Michigan in English Literature, as well as a Juris Doctor law degree from Western Michigan University, and is currently working on a final thesis to earn an advanced law degree, an LLM, from Loyola University Chicago School of Law, in the area of Health Law and Policy. Jill currently practices in the area of health law, cloud-based cognitive computing and augmented intelligence as in-counsel at IBM Watson Health.
To further her interest in wildlife, Jill raises heritage rare breed chickens, and is committed to a beekeeping, with over 500,000 bees. Jill also volunteers her time to the Village Elementary, in Hartland Michigan, as the the Reading Committee Chair of the PTO.
Jill is a long-time resident of Rose Township and has always held an interest in wildlife rescue and rehabilitation. She holds a B.A. from the University of Michigan in English Literature, as well as a Juris Doctor law degree from Western Michigan University, and is currently working on a final thesis to earn an advanced law degree, an LLM, from Loyola University Chicago School of Law, in the area of Health Law and Policy. Jill currently practices in the area of health law, cloud-based cognitive computing and augmented intelligence as in-counsel at IBM Watson Health.
To further her interest in wildlife, Jill raises heritage rare breed chickens, and is committed to a beekeeping, with over 500,000 bees. Jill also volunteers her time to the Village Elementary, in Hartland Michigan, as the the Reading Committee Chair of the PTO.
Performance Audit Committee
Mary Blanchard
Mary is a graduate of Michigan State University and is a certified Conservation Steward through the MSU Extension Program. Her special interest is in stewardship, especially the removal of invasive plants from quality pieces of property. Mary currently serves on the North Oakland Headwaters Land Conservancy board as well as the Holly Twp. Parks & Rec and Headwaters trails, Inc. board. Mary is a resident of Holly, Mi with her husband John. She has two grown sons, Matt & Brian.
“There is a special satisfaction in removing invasives, and treating them if necessary, then watching as nature reclaims itself with native plants.”
Mary is a graduate of Michigan State University and is a certified Conservation Steward through the MSU Extension Program. Her special interest is in stewardship, especially the removal of invasive plants from quality pieces of property. Mary currently serves on the North Oakland Headwaters Land Conservancy board as well as the Holly Twp. Parks & Rec and Headwaters trails, Inc. board. Mary is a resident of Holly, Mi with her husband John. She has two grown sons, Matt & Brian.
“There is a special satisfaction in removing invasives, and treating them if necessary, then watching as nature reclaims itself with native plants.”
Chris Benedict
A Clarkston resident since 2004, Chris served on NOHLC's Board of Directors from 2008 - 2015, including as president 2012-2013 and 2015. He continues to assist the office with computer related issues and began service on the Audit Committee in 2017.
Chris spends his days (and some nights) as the Information Technology Administrator at Springfield Township, and moonlights as vice president of the board of the Huron River Watershed Council, representing Oakland County. After working 15 years in production and skilled trades at Ford Motor Company, Chris returned to school to earn a bachelors degree in business/public administration from the University of Phoenix and a masters degree in public administration from Oakland University.
A Clarkston resident since 2004, Chris served on NOHLC's Board of Directors from 2008 - 2015, including as president 2012-2013 and 2015. He continues to assist the office with computer related issues and began service on the Audit Committee in 2017.
Chris spends his days (and some nights) as the Information Technology Administrator at Springfield Township, and moonlights as vice president of the board of the Huron River Watershed Council, representing Oakland County. After working 15 years in production and skilled trades at Ford Motor Company, Chris returned to school to earn a bachelors degree in business/public administration from the University of Phoenix and a masters degree in public administration from Oakland University.
Staff
Shannon Steel
Associate Executive Director
Shannon has been a member of the NOHLC team since 2015. She has been passionate about the natural world since she can remember. Her interest in environmental issues led her to complete a bachelor’s degree in Geography with a minor in Biology. During her undergraduate career at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Shannon acquired Geographic Information System (GIS) skills through coursework and independent research. Here at NOHLC, Shannon performs geospatial work and assists with conservation planning, fund development, and outreach projects.
Associate Executive Director
Shannon has been a member of the NOHLC team since 2015. She has been passionate about the natural world since she can remember. Her interest in environmental issues led her to complete a bachelor’s degree in Geography with a minor in Biology. During her undergraduate career at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Shannon acquired Geographic Information System (GIS) skills through coursework and independent research. Here at NOHLC, Shannon performs geospatial work and assists with conservation planning, fund development, and outreach projects.
Mary Herzenstiel
Administrative Assistant
Mary was born and raised in northern Oakland County and currently lives there with her husband, Frank, and two sons. She is a graduate of Oakland University and Marygrove College. After working in the marketing and international business fields, she became a high school teacher. Sharing the love of the outdoors with her husband and children drew her to learning more about conservation. Living on a lake in Springfield Township, Mary became interested in invasive species and the balance of ecosystems. Working on an organic CSA farm in Davisburg, she learned more about edible weeds such as purslane. Currently, she maintains the NOHLC database and enjoys being a guest teacher and volunteer in the local schools.
Administrative Assistant
Mary was born and raised in northern Oakland County and currently lives there with her husband, Frank, and two sons. She is a graduate of Oakland University and Marygrove College. After working in the marketing and international business fields, she became a high school teacher. Sharing the love of the outdoors with her husband and children drew her to learning more about conservation. Living on a lake in Springfield Township, Mary became interested in invasive species and the balance of ecosystems. Working on an organic CSA farm in Davisburg, she learned more about edible weeds such as purslane. Currently, she maintains the NOHLC database and enjoys being a guest teacher and volunteer in the local schools.
Rebbecca Steketee
Outreach Coordinator
Rebbecca joined the NOHLC team in June 2017. She holds a bachelor's degree in History from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. Upon graduation, she became an Interpretive Park Ranger with the U.S. National Park Service, working for nearly 12 years at various parks in the system. While working with the NPS, Rebbecca worked closely with volunteers and with Bridging the Watershed, a program focused on caring for the Potomac and Chesapeake Bay watersheds through education and outdoor programs. Following her husband's career to Michigan, she was unable to continue her NPS career and so shifted to administrative work. Rebbecca met her husband while they were both working as park rangers and they still enjoy traveling and visiting the national parks.
Outreach Coordinator
Rebbecca joined the NOHLC team in June 2017. She holds a bachelor's degree in History from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. Upon graduation, she became an Interpretive Park Ranger with the U.S. National Park Service, working for nearly 12 years at various parks in the system. While working with the NPS, Rebbecca worked closely with volunteers and with Bridging the Watershed, a program focused on caring for the Potomac and Chesapeake Bay watersheds through education and outdoor programs. Following her husband's career to Michigan, she was unable to continue her NPS career and so shifted to administrative work. Rebbecca met her husband while they were both working as park rangers and they still enjoy traveling and visiting the national parks.