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.

7Jenny O’Neill
Treasurer
Board Seat 2025-2027

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 2025-2027

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 2025-2027

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. I manage the Conservancy’s social media so you may see me snapping photos that will end up on Instagram and Facebook.

Kate Carleo Wojcik
At Large
Board Seat 2025-2027

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.

Al Lawrence
At Large
Board Seat 2025 – 2027

I have lived in Albany for more than 50 years – more than half that time in the Buckingham Pond neighborhood.  I was one of the early members of the conservancy and have enjoyed the trails and playground with my wife, children and grandchildren since the days of the green dinosaurs. I’ve helped on pond clean-up days and have been steward of the playground for several years. Professionally, I’ve worked as a journalist, lawyer and college professor.  I now monitor internal affairs investigations in the city police department for the Community Police Review Board.

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.

Alisabeth (Beth) Natali
At Large
Board Seat 2025 – 2027

As someone who has lived in Albany my entire life and grew up around the pond, I believe the preservation of the pond and recreation of the park is vitally important to our city, and I am be honored to be a part of its continued growth and preservation. I have lived in Albany nearly all my 40 years (a few times I tried to move away, and I was always called back), along with most of my extended family, who has also lived here all of their lives. As I get older, it becomes apparent to me that community engagement is not only important, but necessary, and I want my daughter to be able to model that value for my daughter.

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 (Founding Member, 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.