Kari Spiegelhalter, president
Kari is the Co-Founder & Partner at Mend Collaborative Landscape Architecture & Planning. Kari works on a broad range of parks, ecology, and equity-related planning and design projects that enhance urban ecosystems, public health, and environmental justice. She is especially interested in how participatory design processes build ecological and social resilience in communities.
Drew CarmAn, Vice-President
Drew is the Director of Park Planning & Design at RVi Planning + Landscape Architecture. His career-long focus on park, trail, and open space planning comes from 15 years of experience working in both the private and public sectors. His expertise in developing major capital improvement projects for public parkland range from master planning to construction documentation, cost estimating, bid and construction phase services. Apart from his passion for creating compelling outdoor places for people, he spends his creative and artistic energy as an avid musician, painter, and occasional welder.
ted siff, Treasurer
Ted has been advocating for parks, open space, trails and environmental protection in Austin for decades. Professionally, he has been the Texas state director of the Trust for Public Land as well as the Executive Director of the Austin Parks Foundation. As a volunteer, he serves on the Conservation History Association of Texas (CHAT) board and co-founded the Shoal Creek Conservancy and the Texas Public Interest Research Group (TexPIRG). He has also co-led the effort to create the Austin Outside coalition.
beth larkin, secretary
Beth is an Associate at Studio Balcones who brings extensive project management and marketing expertise from her 13+ years of experience within Austin’s robust greenspace, parks, and active transportation nonprofit scene. A true plant nerd (she’s not someone you want to hike with if you are looking to move quickly) she will stop and wax poetic about ecological systems, horticulture, and whatever critters appear, so be warned. Prior to joining Studio Balcones, Beth worked for nonprofit coalition Austin Outside (AO), which works to champion vibrant and thriving outdoor places for all in Greater Austin. Previous to that, she served for 9 years on the senior leadership team as the Project & Creative Director for The Trail Foundation, now The Trail Conservancy, and helped develop and manage many iconic Butler Trail projects. She graduated magna cum laude from Texas A&M with a degree in Landscape Architecture in 2006. Beth is an avid knitter, voracious reader, food lover, hiker, swimmer, painter, weight lifter, and accumulator of hobbies.
Joanna Wolaver, past president
Joanna Wolaver is the executive director of Travis County Parks Foundation. With over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Joanna is dedicated to assisting mission-driven organizations in reaching their full potential. Joanna has held a variety of positions at nonprofit organizations, including serving as the founding executive director of Shoal Creek Conservancy. She has also managed three successful open space and transportation bond campaigns in Texas and New Jersey. Joanna received a Master’s degree in Geography and the Environment from the University of Texas and an undergraduate degree in Urban Planning and Environmental Sciences from Bryn Mawr College. She is an Austin (almost) native, arriving at the age of five. She enjoys traveling, hiking and adventuring with her husband and curious young son.
Charles Bergh
Charles Bergh is a dedicated conservationist and former Parks Director for Travis County, with over 45 years of experience in parks, land, and water conservation. During his career with Travis County, Charles played a pivotal role in acquiring over 12,000 acres of parkland and spearheading the construction of recreational facilities worth over $230 million. His leadership in administering the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve system in its initial decade laid the groundwork for the county’s habitat conservation plan. Beyond this, Charles initiated transformative projects such as the Travis County Greenway Program, which proposes to construct trails along Onion Creek, Gilleland Creek, and Wilbarger Creek in eastern Travis County. His vision led to the acquisition of significant parklands like Reimers Ranch, RGK Ranch and the Castle-top property in southwest Travis County. Advocating for conservation, he established the county's conservation easement program to safeguard significant agricultural and conservation properties. Charles's efforts in facilitating voter-approved park bonds valued at over $530 million underscore his commitment to promoting countywide park and land conservation initiatives. Before starting his career at Travis County, Charles gained valuable experience with the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, and various environmental consulting firms in Utah, Wyoming and Alaska. Holding a Bachelor's Degree in Wildlife Ecology from Utah State University, Charles is also a devoted family man with a passion for hiking and skiing. As a retiree, he looks forward to broadening his horizons through extensive travels abroad with his wife, Christie.
Melinda Chow
Melinda is co-executive director of Austin Youth River Watch (AYRW) and has been with AYRW since 2016. Prior to AYRW, she served as manager of Hot Science - Cool Talks at the UT-Austin Environmental Science Institute. Her professional experience spans over two decades and includes working with Austin public radio stations KUT & KUTX, Girls Rock Austin, the South Memphis Alliance in Tennessee, and the National MultiCultural Institute in Washington, D.C. Melinda has lived in Austin since 2006, and she has served on the boards of the international Girls Rock Camp Alliance, and the Dumpster Project. She holds bachelor’s degrees in Biology and Anthropology, and a master’s degree in Applied Anthropology.
Lyda Creus Molanphy
As a veteran of Texas politics, Lyda Creus Molanphy established Connections Consulting to bring her clients more than 20 years of public affairs experience in the public, private and non-profit sector. She is the recipient of numerous awards for her creativity, exceptional work ethic and overall professionalism. Prior to forming Connections Consulting, Lyda served as CEO of Great Springs Project, and as a high-level executive at the Texas Dental Association where she oversaw successful strategic planning and corporate rebranding initiatives. Before joining TDA, Lyda was the vice-president of one of the state’s most respected public affairs firms representing Fortune 500 companies, law firms, banks, political campaigns and professional associations. Lyda is on the Board of the Capital Area Dental Foundation where, as an active member of the Communications Committee, she has overseen the development of a strategic communications plan for the organization. Lyda is also a volunteer for the Texas Book Festival, the Texas Conference for Women and the City of Blanco where she is providing counsel to help the growing Hill Country community in its marketing and communications efforts.
tom wald
Tom Wald is a long time bicycling and walking advocate. He is Executive Director of the Red Line Parkway Initiative, supporting a 32-mile linear park and public space along the Capital Metro Red Line. He also serves on the boards of Safe Streets Austin and People United for Mobility Action. He formerly served on the Austin Bicycle Advisory Council and Pedestrian Advisory Council, he co-founded the Orange Bike Project, and he was the first Executive Director of Bike Austin.