Cate Harrington
Cate retired after 33 years with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in 2023, most recently as the Wisconsin program’s Director of Marketing and Communications. In that role, she led a great team that helped advance TNC’s work to connect people with nature and protect critical lands and waters in Wisconsin, the Great Lakes region, and beyond. Cate received her MA in Spanish language & linguistics and her MA in journalism & mass communications from University of Wisconsin-Madison. She enjoys traveling, birding, volunteering on Groundswell’s communications committee, and spending time outdoors with her husband, John, and their English springer spaniel, Tanner.
Laura Hanson
For nearly three decades, Laura has worked to improve systems and organizations through various leadership roles advocating for self-determination, access, and inclusion for people with disabilities and older adults. She currently works as a project manager at the Wisconsin Department of Health Services in the Bureau of Eligibility and Enrollment Policy. Laura has previously served on the Board of InControl Wisconsin for three terms and on the Board for Community Shares as a representative from Disability Rights Wisconsin. She also volunteered on Groundswell Conservancy’s Community Committee before becoming a board member. Laura has a BA in Psychology with a minor in Sociology, and she recently obtained a Graduate Certification at Edgewood College in the Social Innovation and Sustainable Leadership program. She lives in the Town of Dunn with her husband, two college-aged children, and two mischievous cats. When she’s not in her garden, she’s out hiking and foraging, studying herbalism, or going to concerts with her kids.
Davin Lopez
Davin Lopez has been with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) since 2005. In 2011 he joined the WDNR’s Bureau of Natural Heritage Conservation (formerly Endangered Resources), where some of his main duties are to serve as the state Whooping Crane reintroduction coordinator and the state lead for the Kirtland’s Warbler conservation project. Previously, Davin was in the WDNR’s Chronic Wasting Disease program where he started as a field technician and eventually took over as the statewide coordinator. He has also worked at Colorado State University as a lab technician in a malaria research lab and as a zookeeper at the Denver and Pueblo Zoos. Davin grew up in Denver, Colorado, has bachelor’s degrees in biology and anthropology from New Mexico State University, and did his master’s degree work in population ecology at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.
Rachel Snyder
Rachel is the Senior Director of Gift Planning and Agreements for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Prior to her position with UWM, she was a Senior Associate Attorney with Stafford Rosenbaum LLP where she worked with clients on estate planning, probate and trust administration, and nonprofit advising. She also served for several years as a staff attorney with the Wisconsin Legislative Council, working on a range of issues including education, family welfare, state tribal relations, tax, and tourism. Rachel received a bachelor’s degree in history and business administration from Ripon College and a J.D. from University of Wisconsin Law School. Rachel also currently serves on the Board of Directors of The Road Home Dane County and as a member of the Old World Foundation Advisory Committee.