Staff & Board

Staff

Natasha Harrison - Executive Director

Natasha has been in non-profit management for over 27 years. She was the Executive Director at the Norman Bird Sanctuary in Middletown, RI for 12 years and prior to that founded and ran the non-profit arts organization Island Arts in Newport, RI for 16 years.  She is a graduate of Rhode Island School of Design and lives in Newport with her husband where they raised their two now grown daughters.

Madison Brady - Communications Manager

Madison is a Newport native who grew up immersed in the city’s rich history. Raised in the Point Neighborhood, she developed an early understanding of the importance of preservation and the profound impact it has on the community. Madison’s appreciation for the natural and architectural heritage of Newport continues to grow through her work at NTC.

Pilar Kilroy - Operations Manager

Originally from Oregon, Pilar has made Newport her home for the past 25 years. She believes in the importance of Newport's continued beautification, preservation and understanding the storied history of horticulture in our lovely city. 

Morgan Palmer - Community Outreach

Morgan originates from Maine, where she grew up on the edge of the White Mountain National Forest and gained a fascination and love of all things nature through time spent exploring the woods. As a resident of the South Coast, she has spent the last 10 years gaining experience in growing as a landscaper, gardener, nursery grower, and cut flower farmer. She also holds a B.S. in Geoscience with a concentration in Geospatial Technologies from Southern New Hampshire University.

Abby Snoeren-Place - Tree Nursery Production Manager

Abby’s love of plants began at a young age while watching her mom work as a florist. This early interest led her to gain hands-on experience in a variety of horticultural and agricultural settings. Abby is currently earning a bachelor’s degree in Plant Science at the University of Rhode Island, where she is originally from. She is passionate about growing healthy trees and helping others understand their importance to communities and the environment.

Joe Verstandig- Living Collections Manager

Joe graduated from the University of Rhode Island in 2017 with a B.S. in ornamental horticulture. While in college, he interned at the Mohonk Mountain House, in New Paltz, New York, as a gardener. During his schooling at U.R.I., Joe worked part-time in the University botanical Garden, where he fell in love with woody plants. After school, Joe worked as a full-time horticulturist at Blithewold Mansion, Gardens, and Arboretum for 3 years, helping maintain world-class gardens. In March 2026, Joe celebrated 5 years with the Newport Tree Conservancy. Joe lives in Providence and enjoys active hobbies.

Mathilde Wadson- Environmental Education Director

Mattie is a Rhode Island native with a strong passion for connecting people to the local environment through education. She studied Sustainable Agriculture at the University of Rhode Island and Elementary Education at Salve Regina University, shaping her approach to hands-on, place-based learning. For the past three years, Mattie has worked as an Environmental Educator, creating engaging programs that highlight Rhode Island’s unique ecosystems and communities. She is dedicated to helping others build a deeper appreciation for the natural world right in their own backyard.

Board

Dory Hamilton Benson

Tim Brown

Shannon Cushing

Alexa Brazilian McLaughlin

Kara DiCamillo

Lauren Parmelee

William “Rocky” Steeves

Kathleen Weathers

Ex-Officio:

Scott Wheeler - Newport Tree Warden