Sophie joined the Conservancy in 2023 as the Executive Director and brings over twenty years of experience to the position in her prior work as an urban planner and program director for nonprofit organizations. Most recently, Sophie served in a senior leadership role for the Urban Land Institute, a nonprofit organization focused on creating livable communities where she was responsible for the programming, operations and strategy for UrbanPlan, an education program which enables high school and university students, community members, and elected officials to redevelop a fictional site and engage in the complex tradeoffs that happen in the land use process every day in cities across the country. Before joining ULI in 2014, Sophie directed the LEED for Neighborhood Development program at the U.S. Green Building Council for six years where she worked with experts and staff to create a rating system for evaluating sustainable neighborhood projects.
Prior to that, Sophie worked at several historic preservation and planning consulting firms and the U.S. EPA, where she did research on the impacts of development on natural habitats. Sophie grew up in England and Canada, but has lived in the U.S. since moving there to attend university. She has a BA from Smith College, an MS in Historic Preservation from Columbia University, and a Master’s in Urban Planning from Virginia Tech. Sophie serves on the board of Project GROWS, a nonprofit organization with a mission to improve the health of children and youth through garden-based education and access to healthy food in the Shenandoah Valley. In her spare time, Sophie enjoys gardening, hiking, experimenting in the kitchen, running whether it be a marathon or along a local trail as well as spending time with her two children often cheering on their favorite soccer teams.
He is excited to explore a new field and contribute to a mission he believes in. Outside of work, most of his hobbies are sports. Kyle grew up playing many sports and currently plays Pickleball and Ice Hockey. He is also very interested in aviation and astronomy and will talk about either topic for hours to anyone willing to listen. Outside of work you will most likely find him spending time with his family and watching Washington Capitals and Commanders games.
Andrew has always had a strong connection to the outdoors, shaped by his childhood in Letchworth, a small town just north of London in the UK. He recalls warm summer days listening to music in the park, splashing in paddling pools, and walking through the commons on the way to school. As a teenager, Andrew spent his time playing football in green spaces and exploring the surrounding countryside, farmland, and woods. These preserved landscapes helped the town maintain its identity, reflecting an early understanding of the value of land and community.
Now serving as the Field Operations Manager for Willowsford Conservancy, Andrew aims to help others connect with the land through recreation, conservation, education, and shared appreciation of the outdoors. As a project manager, he has collaborated with local zoning, permitting, and civic groups to ensure projects align with community needs. He also brings experience in youth leadership, trail construction, and maintenance through his involvement with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and as a BSA Scoutmaster.
During her time at Towson, Emma worked as a Graduate Assistant for Competitive Sports at the campus recreation center. In this role, she supported sport clubs and intramural programs while supervising a team of approximately 20 student employees. She also taught indoor cycle classes and is looking to teach in the Northern Virginia area. Emma is excited to learn more about the Farm’s operations and to connect with members of the community and the CSA membership. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, as well as with her two cats, Stone and Storm.
Jarrett has also worked in retail as a manager and at a farming collective. He is passionate about supporting local farmers and growing/buying food locally, and has an interest in native plants. He and his wife live in Front Royal where they have their own home garden and two Great Pyrenees.
