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. She has been part of the Selin’s Grove Brewing Company since 1997. 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].

Shardonnia joined Susquehanna Greenway Partnership in 2023, taking on the role of an AmeriCorps member. Her position is to support the ongoing evolution of SGP’s Trail Program. Within this dynamic role, she is dedicated to enhancing volunteer stewardship, elevating the user experience along the Susquehanna Greenway, and lending a helping hand to the Program Manager for Tails & Recreation. Shardonnia has temporarily stepped away from her academic pursuits at Mansfield University to immerse herself in the enriching world of workforce experience. At Mansfield, her academic passion revolves around environmental biology, a subject that aligns beautifully with her role at SGP. Beyond her professional dedication, Shardonnia’s interests extend to the creative realm. She finds comfort in the art of painting/drawing, explores new worlds through her love of reading, and proudly nurtures her beloved plants, truly embodying the title of a loving plant mom.

Cale joined the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership in May 2024 as a Susquehanna Greenway Trails Intern. Her role is to assist with planning and administrative duties as well as support SGP’s overall growth. She is eager to help the community become more involved with outdoor recreation. Cale is a current student at Susquehanna University where she studies environmental science and Spanish. She is also a part of Kappa Delta Sorority and is a member of the Panhellenic Council for all Greek Life.  

One of her biggest accomplishments was when she studied abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina for a semester. She has a love for languages, which is why she loves to travel. She loves the idea that each country has different natural beauty and scenery to be discovered, and these experiences can be shared by a community of others who have the same love for nature and culture. Her other interests include going on nature walks, listening to music, and taking photos.

Sienna Dunkleberger joined the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership as the 2024 Media and Communications Intern. Sienna recently graduated from Warrior Run Jr/Sr High School this past year and plans to attend Geneva College in the fall. She will be majoring in Psychology and minoring in Missions, with plans to pursue a B.A. and a M.A. degree. After college, Sienna plans to travel as a registered psychologist on missions’ trips. She is also interested in opening an art therapy practice to provide mental health services through art mediums such as painting and pottery. Additionally, Sienna grew up on the Isle of Que, located on the Susquehanna River in Selinsgrove, PA. Her childhood experiences on and around the Susquehanna River give her a unique and personal connection to SGP’s mission and initiatives.  

In her free time, Sienna enjoys many outdoor activities, such as kayaking, paddleboarding, hiking, and swimming. She is also an avid runner and will be competing as a member of Geneva’s Track & Field team. Sienna enjoys traveling with her family to visit national parks throughout the United States. In the future, she hopes to travel abroad to visit Europe, Australia, and Costa Rica. Additionally, Sienna enjoys pottery, thrifting, visiting coffee shops, and expanding her plant collection.