Advancement Team

Originally from Massachusetts, Matt has spent most of the last three decades in the Adirondacks after coming to Lake Placid for the first time in 1989 to teach high school English. He made his way into development work at The Adirondack chapter of The Nature Conservancy after an eighteen year career in independent schools as an English teacher and administrator. The independent school realm eventually called him back, and he merged his enthusiasm for great teaching and learning programs with his background in institutional advancement by serving as Director of Development at Long Trail School in Vermont and later at Falmouth Academy on Cape Cod. When he is not traveling in his capacity as Director of Advancement, Matt spends time outdoors with his son, Finn, especially enjoying hiking, biking and running--and nordic skiing when the snow flies.

Christie joined the Advancement Office in May of 2017, but first arrived on campus in 1991 as an eighth grade day student. Life at NCS impacted her so positively that she's thrilled to be back in her new capacity. After graduating from The Masters School in 1996 she received a Bachelor of Science from Hobart and William Smith Colleges, majoring in psychology and double minoring in religion and women's studies. Christie also holds a Certificate in Fundraising Management from Columbia University. Prior to coming to NCS, Christie spent a year as Chief Development Officer for Rettsyndrome.org. Christie was the Associate Director of Institutional Advancement at The Windward School in White Plains, New York for nine years. She worked for two years at Noble and Greenough School in Dedham, Massachusetts on the annual fund, reunion giving, and the capital campaign. She also worked at Lawrence Academy in Groton, Massachusetts focusing on major gifts in the annual fund and senior year gift drive. Christie implemented many new programs at The Windward School, including their annual Golf and Tennis Classic, now in its seventh year, a biennial benefit netting over $900,000 in her final year and an annual Homecoming for all Alumni. Christie is focused on the cultivation of constituents and he stewardship of donors. Christie and her husband moved from Westchester County to the Adirondacks this summer and have a son and daughter. When not working she enjoys teaching figure skating, cooking, and spending time with her friends and family.

A native of Lodi in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York, Emily worked for the past 10 years in development and communications for the Finger Lakes Land Trust, a non-profit land conservation organization based in Ithaca. She earned her BS at Cornell University in plant science, which has a broader range of applications than one might think. Emily now lives in Keene, where she spends time cooking, hiking, exploring, gardening, and meeting new and interesting people.

Jodi is originally from Chicago and has lived all over the United States. She discovered the Adirondacks twelve years ago and decided to make it her home. Jodi worked in sales and marketing for eight years before she joined her husband's property management business in 2012. Jodi joined the North Country School and Camp Treetops staff in June 2018. In her spare time, Jodi enjoys everything the Adirondacks have to offer, including hiking, swimming, and skiing. Jodi lives in Saranac Lake with her husband, Bill, her two boys, Will and Leo, and her dogs Nixon and Lola.

Originally from Clifton Park, NY, Linda lives at Lincoln Pond in Elizabethtown, NY. She discovered the Adirondacks through her husband, whose family owned one of Lincoln Pond's original camps. Linda has 25 of years of experience in office administration. Before joining NCT, Linda worked at Adirondack Community Action Programs, Inc. as an after school coordinator who oversaw six programs in Essex County school districts. She chairs the Elizabethtown Grievance Board of Review, where she helps property owners review and challenge their taxes. Linda holds a BA in human development and family relations from SUNY Empire State. Married with three children, Linda is a talented photographer, artist and woodworker.