PRESIDENT & CO-FOUNDER

Megan is the President and Co-Founder of the District Coyote Project. Megan has been conducting research and learning about coyotes and coyote-human interactions for two of the three decades she's lived in DC. She was a Professor in Practice at Virginia Tech's Center for Leadership in Global Sustainability for thirteen years before leaving to become a small business owner with her husband.

VICE PRESIDENT & RESEARCH LEAD

Lindsay is the vice president and research lead of the District Coyote Project. Lindsay has a master's degree in environmental science from American University, where her master's thesis research focused on coyotes in Washington, DC. She is currently a biologist with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

BOARD MEMBER & TREASURER

Serda has been involved with the District Coyote Project since its founding, bringing a background in environmental science, human-wildlife coexistence, and community-rooted care. She holds a master’s degree in environmental science and policy from George Mason University, where her research focused on large carnivore conflict in Armenia, and has worked with various organizations on human-wildlife conflict issues both locally and internationally.

BOARD MEMBER

Ryan serves as Director of Environmental and Climate Justice at Lawyers for Good Government. Previously, he served in the U.S. Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Land Management. Ryan has more than 15 years of experience in federal civil service — from local fieldwork and administration to program management, policy, and leadership of multi-billion dollar national and international permitting and environmental policy programs. Ryan has his bachelor’s degree in wildlife conservation from the University of Delaware and a master’s degree in natural resources from Virginia Tech. He has served as adjunct faculty at several universities and a board member on many organizations focused on improving the world we live in.

BOARD MEMBER

Raina is passionate about helping people feel connected to nature and believes stories play a powerful role in conservation. She started her career as a park naturalist, teaching about local flora and fauna, and has since worked with wildlife and natural resources organizations in Virginia and New Jersey. Today, she works for a nonprofit supporting climate change storytelling. Raina has a master’s degree in natural resources from Virginia Tech and brings her strong background in science communication to the District Coyote Project board.

BOARD MEMBER & COMMUNICATION/OUTREACH SPECIALIST

Deanna is a board member of the District Coyote Project (DCP) interested in understanding animal-human-environment interactions to inform public health communication. She studied biology as an undergrad and worked in Lyme disease ecology research in New York State before moving to the DMV in 2018 for grad school. She earned her master’s degree in public health at the George Washington University, with a focus in health promotion. As a part of the DCP team, Deanna marries her interest in wildlife ecology with her passions for public health communication, outreach, and science education. Currently, she is a participant engagement and communications coordinator at the National Cancer Institute.

BOARD MEMBER & GIS SPECIALIST

Josh is responsible for website maintenance and geospatial mapping for the District Coyote Project (DCP), which includes the community science reporting form and data management. He received his bachelor’s degree in bio-geography from Florida Atlantic University and a master’s degree in Natural Resources from Virginia Tech, which led to his involvement in the DCP. Currently, Josh is a Senior Environmental Associate at the Davey Resource Group and its Native Shorelines division, where he works on resiliency and nature-engineered solutions.