Sycamore is staffed by seven full-time employees and several part-time student interns. Our experienced, effective team is committed to protecting land, restoring habitat, connecting people to nature, and raising support for Sycamore’s mission. Please get in touch with us at the contact info below. For general questions, email info@sycamorelandtrust.org.
John Lawrence
Executive Director
john@sycamorelandtrust.org
812-336-5382 ext. 105
I started with Sycamore in 2004 as a summer intern, and joined the permanent staff in 2006. I became Sycamore's assistant director in 2008, and its executive director in 2019. I've volunteered with Wildcare as a wildlife rehabilitator, and served as president of the Sassafras Audubon Society. In 2020, I joined the board of the Indiana Land Protection Alliance. I'm a Monroe County native and Indiana University graduate, and enjoy birding, plant identification, and walking with my wife Carrie and our four rescue dogs.
Ellen Bergan
Marketing & Communications Assistant
conservation@sycamorelandtrust.org
Growing up in Ellettsville, I have spent most of my life exploring the rolling hills and ravines of southern Indiana, developing an early passion for conservation that has continued in my studies of Environmental Management and Geography at IU. While my academic career has led me to conducting terrain analyses in the Andes mountains and researching sea turtle morphology in the Galápagos Islands, I remain rooted in protecting the landscapes of my Hoosier home to ensure it can be cherished by future generations, humans and critters alike. In my free time, I enjoy reading, drawing, backpacking, and watching neighborhood birds from my front window.
Ann Connors
Development Director
ann@sycamorelandtrust.org
812-336-5382 ext. 104
I grew up in Bloomington, studied history at the University of Illinois, and got my Master's degree at the American Graduate School of International Management. After living and working in big cities and overseas, I returned home and love working to help protect our natural heritage. In my free time, I enjoy the local arts scene and visiting small towns and historic sites in our region.
Chris Erickson
Land Preservation Director
erickson@sycamorelandtrust.org
812-336-5382 ext. 106
My journey began running through the woods and over the Dunes of northwestern Indiana. Working toward the protection and conservation of landscapes has taken me around the world and throughout many parts of the United States. My focus has largely been on forestry, but in 2016 I left forestry to become an attorney. I returned to Indiana University for that purpose, and never lost my draw to the natural world. After having shared walks, runs, and camping with my wife in the Midwest, Southwest, and back again, we now have a son and dog to share our love of the outdoors with. I am excited to be
working with Sycamore Land Trust to continue conserving and protecting the varied treasured
landscapes of southern Indiana.
Chris Fox
Land Stewardship Director
chris@sycamorelandtrust.org
812-336-5382 ext. 103
I grew up in southeastern Indiana and have spent most of my life working and exploring the backwoods. My career has provided me opportunities to track copperbelly water snakes through the wetlands and follow the endangered Kirtland's warbler from the Bahamas to Michigan, among other adventures. I joined Sycamore Land Trust in 2017 to help conserve and protect critical habitat for our diverse flora and fauna and future generations of Hoosiers.
Susan Haislip Daleke
Administrative Director
susan@sycamorelandtrust.org
812-336-5382 ext. 100
I spent my formative years on the southwestern coast of Connecticut exploring creeks, beaches, and woodlands, developing a passion for conservation at an early age. After graduation from the University of Bridgeport, I traveled the states as a US Army officer before settling in southern Indiana, home of my mother's family, to raise my own children. I enjoy birding, quilting, board games, and time with my husband Mike and our families.
Kate Hammel
Communications and Membership Director
kate@sycamorelandtrust.org
812-336-5382 ext. 101
I grew up in Northern California camping and earning Camp Fire Girl badges for wilderness skills and volunteering. After graduating from Mills College, I focused my career on non-profit development to promote sustainability and strengthen community, building food access programs to support small-scale agriculture, education programs to connect children to nature, and two community gardens. My husband Kirby grew up in Indiana and we chose to raise our daughters in this beautiful place. I enjoy exploring Indiana’s fascinating ecosystems with an identification book, crafting, and adding to my enormous and ever-growing trail map collection.
Madeleine Thompson
Communications and Development Fellow
events@sycamorelandtrust.org
812-336-5382 ext. 102
Growing up, I moved all around the Midwest. Getting to explore each regions’ beautiful landscapes (and zoos!) was amazing and connected me with every new place I called home. Manifesting my love of nature, I studied biology at Saint Louis University where I focused on ecology and conservation. My work at the Saint Louis Zoo and passion for conservation have currently led me to pursue a dual master’s degree in environmental science and public affairs at IU. I hope to protect the diverse natural world so that the connection between humans, wildlife, and nature can continue to spark in all.
Mary Welz
Education Director
mary@sycamorelandtrust.org
812-336-5382 ext. 107
My happiest early memories are of the outdoors, splashing in creeks and adventuring along wooded trails. I have always identified as a student of nature and strive to be a thoughtful land steward in both my professional and personal pursuits. The support and protection of our biodiversity is my calling, and I am committed to help others experience and reconnect with our natural world. The importance of invasive plant management and restoration with native plants has been the focus for my recent efforts. I am thrilled to share my joy and curiosity for nature to enhance Sycamore’s educational outreach.
