Monica Canepa is a Park Ranger with Gloucester County Parks, Recreation, & Tourism. She is also a Certified Interpretive Guide (National Association for Interpretation) and a Trainee Master Naturalist with the Middle Peninsula Chapter. Additionally, Monica raised over $300,000 for The Nature Conservancy. Having graduated from American University with a B.A. in Legal Studies, Monica is a dedicated public servant. Monica is proud to dedicate her career to protecting the planet and connecting people to nature. Outside of work, Monica is often found birdwatching or enjoying a creative project. 

Nada brings a deep appreciation for Shenandoah National Park to life as a volunteer Ambassador and Park Photographer. She enjoys connecting with neighbors and visitors at local community events, and sharing more about the Trust’s vital work to help mobilize continued support for the park. 

This fall, Nada will advance her professional journey as an incoming law student at Washington and Lee University School of Law. As a member of the Young Professionals Council, she looks forward to integrating her education and experiences with practical leadership strategies to help drive strategic initiatives and strengthen the Trust’s community advocacy efforts. 

Originally from North Carolina, I earned a B.A. in Biology with an emphasis in Zoology. My research has focused on Eastern Box Turtles since my undergraduate studies, where I first began investigating their ecology. I continued this work with The Clifton Institute and now contribute the same long-term research project with the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. My research interests center on developing and implementing innovative methods to better understand turtle ecology and behavior, with the goal of improving conservation strategies that support long-term persistence of local turtle populations. Outside of research, I enjoy playing video games and hiking with my dog. 

Bailey began her career in conservation working as an environmental educator and advocate for three years in Virginia and Utah, and now she continues to work to support conservation efforts in her 9-5 with Appalachian Conservation Corps as well as in her free time. She is motivated by her passion to help people cultivate a relationship with the landscapes and ecosystems around them. When she’s not in the office, you can find Bailey in the woods somewhere identifying wildflowers and admiring lichen. She looks forward to meeting you at a SNPT event soon! 

Jacob Neff is a seasoned nonprofit communications professional with a passion for advocacy through engaging and accessible digital content. 

During his six years of undergraduate and eventually graduate study at Bridgewater College in the Shenandoah Valley, Jacob utilized Shenandoah National Park land extensively and developed a deep appreciation for what it takes to keep this great park running. 

Now settled into life in central Virginia, you can find him out on excurions with his hiking group “Hikers of CVille,” biking various road and gravel routes across the region, walking his crazy bird dog Ollie or enjoying time spent downtown in his homebase of Charlottesviille. 

Connect with him at a SNPT event near you! 

Anna is a lawyer living in Washington, D.C. with her dog and two cats. In her professional life, she advocates for public policy solutions in healthcare, consumer protections, and governance. During her free time, she enjoys camping and hiking in Shenandoah with her dog, Michael, playing pinball and knitting. Anna is excited to be part of SNPT’s Young Professional Council to advocate for the park’s continued preservation and encourage marginalized communities to enjoy all the park has to offer.