The NEMIGLSI network operates through a shared leadership model managed by an administrative team, guided by a regional leadership team, and supported by the statewide Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative. All schools and communities serve as contributing partners and advisors.

Meag Schwartz, Network Coordinator

Meag Schwartz Headshot

In her role as Network Coordinator, Meag fosters school-community partnerships, coordinates educator professional learning, and supports authentic, meaningful student stewardship projects across Northeast Michigan. Meag is a connector and conduit for all things place-based stewardship education, and works to bring external funding into the region through seeking and managing state and federal grants. She graduated from Alma College with a degree in Biology and later earned a master's degree in Environmental Science from Indiana University. Meag considers herself a lifelong learner and is curious about the world around her. She is a Great Lakes aficionado and enjoys snorkeling, paddleboarding, and hiking through the forests of northern Michigan. Contact her at: meag@greatlakesstewardship.org

Savannah Obert-Pfeiffer, Place-Based Stewardship Education Specialist

Savannah HeadshotIn her role as place-based stewardship education specialist, Savannah provides direct support to teachers, facilitating professional learning opportunities, and connecting them with local partners. She also helps to support student stewardship projects that encourage students to find value in their home communities and to contribute to community impact. Savannah is originally from Lansing and attended college at Michigan Tech, where she earned her bachelor's degree in Sustainability Science and Society. Some of her hobbies include painting landscapes, exploring new hiking or walking paths, and trying out new baking recipes. Contact her at: savannah@greatlakesstewardship.org

Sarah Morrison, Communications Support

Sarah HeadshotIn her role as communications support, Sarah focuses on getting the word out about the amazing work Northeast Michigan Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative does.  Not only so people can celebrate and be inspired, but also so other northeast Michigan educators know that NEMIGLSI is a resource for them.  Whether it be the NEMIGLSI social media channels (Facebook and Instagram), press releases, news stories or articles, she is helping to create those valuable tools.  Sarah also loves the outdoors. She enjoys camping, boating and running on trails along Lake Huron and exploring new northeast Michigan terrains! 

Administrative Team

Administrative Team partners provide day-to-day management of NEMIGLSI network activities; they are responsible for managing network finances and reporting, fostering school-community relationships, and facilitating programmatic activities. The Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan serves as the fiscal agent for the NEMIGLSI network.

Michigan Sea Grant LogoNOAA Logo

Brandon Schroeder

Senior Extension Educator

Michigan Sea Grant

Michigan State University Extension

Phone: (989) 354-9885

schroe45@msu.edu

MSU Extension

Tracy D'Augustino

Extension Educator

Michigan State University Extension

Phone: (989) 724-6478

daugustt@msu.edu

Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary Logo

Daniel Moffatt

Stewardship & Education Specialist

Thunder Bay Marine Sanctuary

Phone: (989) 312-3207

daniel.moffatt@noaa.gov

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Patrick Heraghty

Executive Director

Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan

Phone: (989) 354-6881

pheraghty@cfnem.org

Leadership Team  

Leadership Team partners provide resources and expertise, with their hands in the dirt and feet in the water, alongside youth engaged in PBSE projects.  In addition, they aid in NEMIGLSI goal development and prioritization.

Leadership Team

Abby Ertel: Huron Pines
abby@huronpines.org

Amanda Weinert: Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians
aweinert@ltbbodawa-nsn.gov

Diane Farner: Headwaters Land Conservancy 
dfarner@headwatersconservancy.org

Doug Baum: Northeast Michigan Council of Governments (NEMCOG)
dbaum@nemcog.org

Eric Ostrander: Michigan DNR
ostrandere1@michigan.gov

Jenny Schroeder: Alcona Community Schools
schroederj@alconaschools.net

Justin Gluesing: Alcona Montmorency Alpena ESD
gluesingj@amaesd.org

Kelli Rau: Whittemore-Prescott Area Schools
rauk@wpas.net

Laura Percival: MiSTEM Network
percival@copesd.org

Luke Freeman: Au Gres Sims School District
freemanl@ags-schools.org

Miranda Strasburg: US Fish & Wildlife Service 
miranda_strasburg@fws.gov

Sarah Morrison: NEMIGLSI Communications
sarah.nemiglsi@gmail.com

Scott Steensma: Onaway High School
ssteensma@oacsd.com

Sienna Timm: Alpena County 4-H
suszek@anr.msu.edu

Stephanie Dege: Posen Consolidated School District
sdege@posen.k12.mi.us

Sue Keller: Friends of Negwegon State Park
alcosmk@gmail.com

Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative

The Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative 501(c)3 serves as a liaison for national place-based education networks and scholarship, state education partners and initiatives and other state GLSI network hubs; and also providing administrative, fundraising, program development, and evaluation services.