About

Meet the Board of Directors!

Helen Toledo: Founder

Helen is the founder of the Buffalo Women of Environmental Learning and Leadership (BWELL). She has a B.S. in Environmental Geosciences from the University at Buffalo and holds a M.S. in Great Lakes Environmental Science from SUNY Buffalo State.

Helen is an environmental educator who aims to effectively communicate environmental impacts through the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). She believes that bringing new voices, ideas, and perspectives from within our community is crucial to creating a sustainable and resilient future.

Deana Guarino: President

Deana is an avid WNY hiker and loves being outdoors. She joined BWELL in order to share her love of hiking with others and connect with other women who enjoy protecting our outdoor space. She loves stewardess tasks- enjoying invasive species talks, bringing ‘indoor-sy people’ on her favorite hikes or bringing a garbage bag on a hike.

Jennifer Crane: Vice President

Jenn is an avid hiker, guide, and science educator She is passionate about connecting people with the outdoors and loves to inspire curiosity and appreciation for the natural world. Jenn joined the BWELL board to share her love for nature and help expand outdoor education opportunities for everyone in Western New York. Nature can be found anywhere and can be accessible to all. When she’s not teaching, you’ll find her hiking, and paddle boarding or kayaking during the summer months.

Cassie Pelz: Treasurer

Cassie’s interest in the environment and the desire to make a difference in the nature community led her to join BWELL. She enjoys spending time outdoors whether it is hiking, kayaking, or reading a good book in the hammock. She never passes up an opportunity to check out a cool bug or plant while gardening and loves sharing the wonder that is nature with others!

Breanna Robirds: Secretary

Breanna (Bree) is passionate about people, learning, and the planet, a perfect blend to contribute to BWELL! She loves long, peaceful camping trips, backpacking, local shows, and helping others whenever she can!

If you catch Bree in the wild she could talk for hours about sustainable living, cool bugs, foraging mushrooms, or her cats!

Julia Roetzer: Board Director

Julia loves to inspire people to be as sustainable as possible. She enjoys meeting and talking to new people about our communities and the environment. When she isn’t tabling an event or networking, she is rock climbing, hiking, or relaxing around a campfire!

Brittni Anderson: Board Director

Brittni has an educational background in Environmental Technology/Geoscience and Health and Human Services. So with a profound commitment Public Health and Environmental Science, Brittni’s aspiration is to create healthier communities by identifying major sources of exposure to environmental hazards, provide out reach and education on the interconnectedness of humans, animals/wildlife and ecosystems, and inspire people to get outdoors!

She loves having a nice tranquil quiet time by our local waterways, going on hikes, and kayaking! Brittni joined the board to serve the people of WNY, promote sustainability and be a part of a community that shares the same passion for the environment!

Sondra Dawes: Board Director

Sondra is a Buffalo transplant who fell in love with the outdoor offerings of the city. In the warmer months, you can find her near the water, hammocking in the park, or tending to her plants. Sondra has her masters degree in social work and dreams of incorporating nature-based interventions into treatment plans. Sondra currently works with pregnant individuals primarily on the east side and west side of Buffalo and has a passion for supporting women. She is excited to join the BWELL board and connect with others in the community.

Erin Hightower: Board Director

Erin is excited to support environmental stewardship and community-based conservation learning with BWELL. Her interest was spurred in joining in creating a supportive and welcoming environment for women to find their strength in nature. Her interest in sustainable land use has been shaped by her previous 11 years of work with a Conservation District in Washington State and a career in agricultural management, giving her a hands-on perspective on balancing environmental and practical needs. She enjoys hiking and believes that protecting natural landscapes begins with helping people understand, value, and care for the places they live and work. She is also active in 4-H, various Masonic organizations, The Ninety-Nines Women Pilots Organization, and Literacy Volunteers of Chautauqua County in their bookstore.

Isabelle Mahar: Board Director

“Isabelle (Izzy)’s passion began at Barnard College, a historic women’s college, where she was surrounded by passionate, inspiring, and supportive women in science. She joined BWELL to continue supporting other women in science and to share her love and care for the environment. Izzy is well versed in invasive insects and native plants, and whenever she gets the chance to be outdoors, she’s birding!”