About SGP

Leslie joined the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership as the Executive Director in 2023. She works collaboratively with a dedicated team tasked to advance the vision, mission, goals, and objectives of the 500-mile-long greenway network. She serves as a key liaison between government officials, agencies, and partner organizations to create connections, develop resources, and promote the Susquehanna Greenway.

Leslie is a Penn State graduate with a degree in Landscape Architecture. Early in her career, she worked on various data collection, assessment, and visioning phases for the Susquehanna River in support of the future Susquehanna Greenway Partnership. As a private consultant, she developed methodologies for bike, pedestrian, and greenway master plans and designed trails, parks, and streetscapes in North Carolina and Pennsylvania. Leslie worked in the public sector for County and local governments as a senior planner in transportation and land use. She served as an elected official and an appointed local and regional planning commissioner and continues to volunteer for a variety of community causes. As an advocate for access to quality recreation facilities, Leslie is delighted to bring her skill set to SGP with a focus on creating connections.

Alana joined the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership in 2018 and was promoted to Director of Communications & Outreach in 2019. Her work is focused on promoting trails and communities within our vibrant and connected Susquehanna Greenway, so that communities in our region can enjoy opportunities to engage with the outdoors. A graduate of Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA, Alana received a B.A. and M.A. before joining SGP. One of Alana’s earlier endeavors was as project manager for a PBS documentary series entitled “Stories of the Susquehanna Valley.” The narratives of this series allowed her to make connections from one river town to another, sparking a desire to become more involved in communities along the shared waterway. SGP has become an avenue for her to do just that.

In her spare time, Alana enjoys hiking, kayaking, painting, reading, collecting tea, and traveling. During her travels, both in the U.S. and abroad, she’s always on the lookout for ways to get outside and bask in the natural surroundings. Her time at SGP has shown her that these things also exist right in our own backyard in the beautiful Susquehanna Valley. She loves how the Greenway can feed these interests, and how her own experiences can serve the continued growth and development of SGP.

Poppy joined the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership in 2022. Her position in SGP’s Trails Program area involves implementing and supporting programs, projects, and planning efforts to improve, expand, and create trails and outdoor recreation opportunities throughout the Susquehanna Greenway within Pennsylvania. In collaborating with local and state trail partners, nonprofits, and government entities, Poppy will further advance trail use and development including non-motorized transportation, water and land use and conservation, and active healthy living opportunities.

Poppy graduated from Gettysburg College with a degree in Studio Art and Philosophy with a minor in Art History. While at Gettysburg she helped to create the GRAB Program (Gettysburg Recreational Adventure Board) where she guided trips and led programs for the entire campus community. After graduating, she worked as a Wilderness Guide for several years, leading trips across the U.S. and internationally before creating the Outdoor Education and Leadership Program at Bucknell University. Before joining SGP, she had been working in Healthcare and focusing on her family. She is excited to return to outdoor recreation and bring her passion for the outdoors to people and communities throughout the Susquehanna Greenway.

Sara Maul joined Susquehanna Greenway Partnership in 2022 as the Administrative & Operations Assistant. She focuses on grant tracking, bookkeeping and general support to the Executive Director. Sara is a graduate of Paul Smith’s College and University of Massachusetts, with degrees in Hotel and Restaurant Management. Her love of the outdoors, and most specifically kayaking the Susquehanna, led her to get involved with SGP. Sara is looking forward to being integral to the work that brings more people to enjoy and appreciate what our region has to offer. As a new member of the Selinsgrove Borough Council, she sees how local municipalities can impact the residents and the region by means of providing them with the opportunities to get outdoors. Sara can be reached at [email protected].

Katharine joined the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership in 2025 as the Education & Outreach Assistant, serving through the CORE Susquehanna Americorps program. Her position involves creating, reviewing, and editing outreach content such as social media posts, newsletters, articles, and promotional materials for the Susquehanna Greenway programs. A recent graduate of Penn State Behrend in Erie, PA, Katharine received a B.A. in Communications with a minor in Media Production. By combining her strong communication and media expertise with a deep passion for the outdoors and nature, she is committed to enhancing the Susquehanna Greenway Partnerships overall outreach to the community. 

During her free time, Katharine enjoys biking, kayaking, traveling, taking care of her plants, and nature photography. Growing up in the Central PA area she has spent an abundance of time partaking in outdoor activities around the Susquehanna Greenway or Pine Creek Valley. Her genuine love for nature and the outdoors fuels her passion for creating meaningful connections and inspiring others to appreciate and protect the natural world.