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Our Roots · Staff & Board

The people running the farm, and the people governing the mission.

Here's who's running Crown Point today — the staff on the ground and the volunteer board that governs the mission.

Crown Point Ecology Center
Shared Stewardship Staff and board working together for the land
Community at HeartShaped by the people we serve
Seasonal RhythmsConnected by the cycles of soil, weather, and wildlife
Common GoalsEvery decision shaped by conservation and education
Practical LearningHands‑on experiences grounded in the land
Current staff

The team on the ground.

The people running Crown Point's farm, programs, and operations today.

Ian Roberts, Executive Director of Crown Point Ecology Center

Ian Roberts

Executive Director

Oversees Crown Point's operations, staff, and strategic direction.

With Crown Point since 2025
Bianca Macreno, Farm Manager at Crown Point Ecology Center

Bianca Macreno

Farm Manager

Oversees farm operations: the CSA, farm stand, and farmer training program.

With Crown Point since 2024
Zale Piepho, Education and Programs Manager at Crown Point Ecology Center

Zale Piepho

Education and Programs Manager

Supports the farm's growing educational programs and events.

With Crown Point since 2026
Nick Palmer, Office Manager at Crown Point Ecology Center

Nick Palmer

Office Manager

Keeps day-to-day operations and visitor communications running behind the scenes.

With Crown Point since 2026
Clara Lamb, Marketing and Events at Crown Point Ecology Center

Clara Lamb

Marketing & Events

Leads Crown Point's marketing, communications, and signature events.

With Crown Point since 2019
Jim Matalik, Facilities and Grounds at Crown Point Ecology Center

Jim Matalik

Facilities & Grounds

Maintains the buildings, trails, and grounds across the 115-acre campus.

With Crown Point since 2026
Board of Directors

The leadership that governs the mission.

The volunteer board that governs Crown Point's mission.

Gina Krieger, Board Chair of Crown Point Ecology Center

Gina Krieger

Board Chair

Vice President / Co-Owner, Seven Grains Natural Market.

On the board since 2020
Kaitlyn Misheff, Co-Vice-Chair of Crown Point Ecology Center

Kaitlyn Misheff

Co-Vice-Chair

Private Chef and Author.

On the board since 2026
Tony Preziuso, Co-Vice-Chair of Crown Point Ecology Center

Tony Preziuso

Co-Vice-Chair

Founding Partner, Ascend Financial Partners.

On the board since 2026
Pam Troendly, Secretary of Crown Point Ecology Center

Pam Troendly

Secretary

Project Manager (Retired), Akron Children's Hospital.

On the board since 2023
Katie Wojno DeMarchi, Treasurer of Crown Point Ecology Center

Katie Wojno DeMarchi

Treasurer

Board Certified Behavior Analyst and CPA, Independence Local Schools.

On the board since 2025
Mark Butler, Permanent Voting Member representing the Dominican Sisters of Peace

Mark Butler

Permanent Voting Member — DSOP

Leadership Liaison and Director of Founded Ministries, Dominican Sisters of Peace.

Claire Crane, Permanent Voting Member representing the Dominican Sisters of Peace

Claire Crane

Permanent Voting Member — DSOP

Resource and Education Coordinator, Office of Founded Ministries, Dominican Sisters of Peace.

Mary Anne Krejci

Board Member, Ex Officio

Realtor, Howard Hanna.

Alicia Thomas, Board Member of Crown Point Ecology Center

Alicia Thomas, MS, RD, LD

Board Member

Director, Research Bionutrition, University Hospitals Medical Center.

On the board since 2019
David Marchetta, Board Member of Crown Point Ecology Center

David Marchetta

Board Member

Professional Engineer (Retired).

On the board since 2023
Joy Kosiewicz, Board Member of Crown Point Ecology Center

Joy Kosiewicz, Esq.

Board Member

Vice President, Senior Associate Counsel, Akron Children's Hospital.

On the board since 2025
Aaron Rich, Board Member of Crown Point Ecology Center

Aaron Rich

Board Member

Realtor, Keller Williams Chervenic Realty.

On the board since 2023
Governance

The Dominican Sisters of Peace hold two permanent voting board seats

Mark Butler and Claire Crane sit on Crown Point's board as Permanent Voting Members representing the Dominican Sisters of Peace — not elected like the rest of the board, but structurally guaranteed. It's concrete evidence of what "a ministry of the Dominican Sisters of Peace" means in practice.

Ian Roberts, Executive Director, also holds an ex-officio board seat on the Governance Committee, per standard nonprofit practice for a sitting ED.

Want to know more about how Crown Point is led?

The full arc of leadership since 1989 is part of a longer story.