The PTNY Team

Paul Steely White, Executive Director | p[email protected]

In 2018, Paul had the honor of driving the ceremonial last car allowed on NYC’s Central Park’s loop drive. Car-Free Central Park was one of the many successful public space, bicycling, greenway and pedestrian safety campaigns of Transportation Alternatives, an organization that became a model for effective public interest advocacy during Paul’s 14-year tenure as executive director.

Paul has a bachelor's degree in biology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and master’s degree in environmental studies from the University of Montana. He spends his Saturdays and Sundays brick oven baking, bicycling, and hiking the parks and trails of the Hudson River Valley with his wife Zoe and their three rascally children. Paul joined PTNY in March 2023, succeeding the legendary Robin Dropkin.

The Parks Team

Will Cote, Program Director | [email protected]

A native of the Capital Region, Will Coté has a passion for exploring all of the natural beauty of the region and enjoys work that enhances the livability of our communities. Will has over 15 years’ experience in non-profit program management ranging from at-risk youth programming and food equity initiatives, to active transportation policy and green space development. Will enjoys traveling, having visited over 20 countries and numerous national parks around the world. He also enjoys spending time with his children, family and friends, cooking and watching movies. Will received his undergraduate degree in Secondary Education from the State University of New York at Oneonta and his Master’s Degree in History from the University at Albany. He is also a graduate of the Rensselaer County Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Institute.

Shaina Hogan, Program Coordinator | [email protected]

After receiving her bachelor's degree in sustainability and international development from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Shaina moved to Utah to work outdoors as a wilderness therapy guide serving at-risk youth. Since then, she has spent extensive time exploring trails in the U.S. and abroad, further cultivating her love of natural spaces and desire to work on environmental issues. When she arrived in Schenectady in 2017, she was enamored by the abundance of green space in the region and now loves helping PTNY protect and advocate for these spaces. As Program Coordinator for PTNY, Shaina helps support and strengthen Friends groups of state parks, historic sites, and public lands; helps facilitate events such as Park Advocacy Day and I Love My Park Day; and works to make sure all New Yorkers and visitors alike can access and enjoy our public lands. In her free time, Shaina loves to ride her bike, write poetry, explore new places, and enjoy live music.

Garrett Boland, Arthur Savage Intern | gboland@ptny.org

Originally from Connecticut but now living in Syracuse, Garrett grew to love all the trails and parks New York has to offer while studying geography at Syracuse University. His passion for the outdoors led him to pursue a Masters degree in Environmental Science from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry with a focus on recreation management and planning. Garrett joined the PTNY team in the fall of 2022 and is helping our parks and social media teams. He brings a wide variety of experience in outdoor recreation and education, and has previously worked for the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) as a trail crew supervisor, with the Student Conservation Association as an Environmental Educator at Five Rivers Environmental Education Center, and most recently with the DEC and the Catskill Science Collaborative as a Research Assistant. He has found a lifelong passion for outdoor recreation and enjoys biking, skiing, caving, backpacking, fly fishing, and helping people get outside!

The Trails Team

Dylan Carey, Project Director | [email protected]

Dylan moved back to his native Capital Region in 2018 after having spent the previous five years living in Brooklyn, NY. A graduate of SUNY Albany in 2010 with a B.A. in Political Science and of the Pratt Institute in 2016 with a M.S. in City and Regional Planning, Dylan previously worked for New York City’s Office of Management and Budget, the Pratt Center for Community Development, and the Office of Congressman Paul Tonko. Dylan is an avid cyclist and loves being able to explore and discover the history tied to the many trails around the state. He also is an enthusiastic baseball, basketball and soccer fan, with a lifelong commitment to his beloved New York Mets and Syracuse Orange.

Rebecca Murray, Project Coordinator | [email protected]

Born and raised on Long Island, and residing in the Hudson Valley for 6 years, Rebecca made her way north to Schenectady, NY. She graduated with honors from the State University of New York at New Paltz with a BA in International Relations and Political Science where she developed an interest in political theory and public policy. Prior to joining PTNY, Rebecca was a Research Assistant at Pattern for Progress and an Environmental Program Associate at Scenic Hudson, helping her realize her passion for the outdoors and sustainability. Living in the Catskills only strengthened her appreciation of nature and commitment as an outdoor enthusiast. In her free time, she likes to read, hike with her dog, cook, and play board games.

Erica Schneider, Project Associate | [email protected]

The Operations Team

Jonathan Duda, Grants Coordinator | [email protected]

Jonathan brings 10+ year's worth of experience with non-profit organizations ranging from outdoor education centers to New York State historic sites. Formerly the Marketing Manager, Instructor and Event Coordinator at the Ashokan Center in Olivebridge, NY He is the founder of Let’s Drum, a travelling music program. He is the former Executive Director of the Grant Cottage State Historic Site in Saratoga, NY. He possesses a lifelong passion for the outdoors as a road and mountain biker, hiker and curious explorer, and thus a constant patron of our open spaces.

Linden Horvath, Director of Development | [email protected]

Linden grew up adventuring in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountain Range and has been committed to preserving and protecting public green space ever since. From living and working overseas to attaining her Masters in Sustainable International Development from the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis, Linden has more than 5 years working in land use, advocacy, and policy. Previously the Development Coordinator at Capital Roots and the Grants and Program Development Manager at the AI Center of Excellence, she is excited to bring her experience creating community around shared causes to Parks & Trails New York. Linden loves the access to green space the Capital Region and New York State provide. When she’s not busy volunteering she can be found hiking with friends, enjoying dinner parties, or reading with her cat Eleanor.

Ian Kerr-Mace, Development Coordinator | [email protected]

Ian returned to the Capital Region in June of 2020 after two years in the NYC metropolitan area and four years in Buffalo. A native of Rensselaer County, he has a background in historic preservation and restoration, has spent more than a decade in arts administration and advocacy, and brings six years of campaign and event management experience to PTNY. His love of nature and the outdoors can be seen in his love of cycling, soccer, and (very) amateur gardening. In his “spare” time, he is an active multi-genre musician, and has recording and performance credits throughout the United States.

Margaret McGivern, Director of Administrative Services | [email protected]

Margaret has worked in the non-profit sector for more than 25 years and enjoys being a part of an organization with a mission to make a change for the better. As Director of Operations, Margaret oversees many of the functioning aspects of the organization including finances, human resources, bike tour event registration oversight, administration and information systems. She received a B.S. in Advertising from Syracuse University and an A.A.S. in Business Administration from Hudson Valley Community College. In her free time, Margaret enjoys being a mom, singing on community gospel choirs, tubing on the Battenkilll, floating in her pool, and spending time exploring parks and trails with her dog, Luna.