Grace Bennett
President
Board Seat 2024 – 2026

I am a retired elementary school teacher who has been described as “a city girl who loves to be outside,”  which can explain why my husband and I chose to live near this little urban oasis. My first connection with the BPC was in 2011 helping out with water testing through CSLAP (Citizens’ Statewide Lake Assessment Program). I joined the board in 2013 and can still be seen canoeing on the pond collecting water samples with other CSLAP volunteers from the BPC.

Gabi Sarhos
Vice President (Past President)
Board Seat 2024 – 2026

As an architectural designer with a keen appreciation for urban spaces and a dedicated city dweller, I wanted to give my time to support Albany’s green spaces, and especially my neighborhood park and pond. A resident of Albany since 2012, I joined the BPC board in 2017 and have worked on a number of projects, including the yearly CSLAP water testing. Aside from my volunteer work at the Conservancy, I am mom to an awesome boy, spouse of an UAlbany chemistry professor, and a designer since 2013 with Envision Architects in downtown Albany.

Jenny O’Neill
Treasurer
Board Seat 2022-2025

I am a local accountant with over 25 years in the non-profit sector, with a BS in Management (Accounting) from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Though originally from East Greenbush, I’ve lived in Albany for more than half my life. I live with my husband, in his childhood home on Euclid Avenue, with our three children. I volunteer for a number of community organizations, including Albany City Schools and my church. I’m looking forward to working with the Buckingham Pond Conservancy, to do my part to ensure that it remains a vibrant part of our community for our children and beyond.

Nancy Costello
Secretary
Board Seat 2023-2025

My husband and I have regularly enjoyed the pond and playground with a succession of six Albany grandchildren, and three others who visit from the Boston area. As a retired elementary school teacher, I have been known to combine some reading lessons with outings in this beautiful setting.

Jeanette Carioto
At Large
Board Seat 2023-2025

I have lived in Albany my whole life and have loved Buckingham Pond as a child, dog owner and parent! I received my PhD from SUNY Albany and work as an archaeologist for an environmental due diligence company.

Kate Carleo Wojcik
At Large
Board Seat 2023-2025

I moved to the Buckingham Pond neighborhood in 2006. Since that time I’ve enjoyed endless loops around the pond and play sessions in the park with my two children. I have been a board member since 2018 and manage the Conservancy’s social media so you may see me snapping photos that will end up on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter @buckinghampond.

Laura Andrea Leguia
At Large
Board Seat 2023 – 2025

I am a saxophonist, and composer, and ecological gardener. I joined Conservancy Board to help preserve and improve this natural public area in our neighborhood. I have four years of professional experience manually removing invasive species from Manitou Point Preserve in Garrison, NY, where we kept the landscape attractive and 100% native while preserving a naturalistic landscape aesthetic for woodland and prairie. I also have experience with event organization and volunteer coordination

Felton McLaughlin
At Large (Past President)
Board Seat 2024 – 2026

I have lived by Buckingham Pond since 2002 when my family and I moved to Albany from Westchester County. We have had a few ducks over the years make their nests in our yard (one by our pool in the back). Our daughters delighted in watching the turtles lay their eggs in our front yard every spring and then cheered on the baby hatchlings as they made the journey back to the pond. We love Buckingham Pond and want to do our part to make the pond and the park a lovely respite from the urban and suburban life that surrounds us.

Marsha Penrose
At Large
Board Seat 2024 – 2026

I have lived in Albany my whole life, being raised in the School 19 and School 23 neighborhoods and moving to the pond area 37 years ago when my son, Adam, was born.  I have been an active member of the Buckingham Pond Conservancy since its beginning, serving as Treasurer for several years, collecting water samples for our water quality surveys, and working on our annual special events. I’m a strong advocate for the neighborhood and environmental issues in general.

Anne Savage
At Large (Founder, Past President)
Board Seat 2024 – 2026

My family and I are avid users of the pond and park in all seasons. I was one of the original co-founders of Buckingham Pond Conservancy, and have served many different roles over the years.  I am so proud that the Conservancy has become an established part of this wonderful neighborhood. When not working for the pond  I am an independent consultant serving nonprofits and government agencies, and I serve as the president of the City School District of Albany Board of Education.

Mark Schlessman
At Large
Board Seat 2024 – 2026

I’m a semi-retired biology professor. My wife Laura and I enjoy taking our dogs Loki and JoeJoe for walks around the pond. As a Conservancy board member, I’m working specifically on  controlling invasive plants, putting interpretive labels on our trees, and developing an online tree map.

Linda Wagner
At Large
Board Seat 2023 – 2025

I moved to Albany in 2008 and joined the Conservancy in 2009 to connect with our neighborhood. Now that I’m fully retired, I’m glad I can contribute more time to the Conservancy’s mission. We are avid walkers in and around the park; our grandkids love the playground when they visit. During my employed years, I was a nonprofit executive, communications professional, and journalist. In retirement, I am a memoir author and climate activist, as you can see on my website at lindamarywagner.com.