Our Team
JOSEPH A. STOUT, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Joe has made countless contributions in the field of parks, recreation, and conservation throughout his 43-year career. With the Foundation since October of 2010, the Foundation has become focused on engaging the public and advocating for the park system.
A lifelong Westchester resident, Joe lives in Harrison with wife Mary Ellen, daughter Kerriann, son in law Erik and the family bulldog Hugo where he is Treasurer of Harrison Emergency Medical Services board and serves on the Planning Board. He loves to walk in county parks, spend time on Cape Cod, make homemade pizza and work on his golf game!
CHRISTINE LA PORTA, DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Christine joined Westchester Parks Foundation in 2013 and has spent her career in the financial, government, and not-for-profit sectors. Christine oversees the day-to-day operations of WPF and provides leadership for all departments, programs and events.
A native of Westchester, Christine has a BA from Stonehill College and MPA from NYU’s Wagner School of Public Service, was named a 2017 “40 Under 40 Rising Star” by the Business Council of Westchester, and is a graduate of Leadership Westchester. She has also served on the Executive Board of the Bronxville Beautification Council and Byram Hills PTSA. A longtime park user, Christine believes that parks are what makes Westchester a great place to live.
NANCY PATOTA, DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
Westchester Parks Foundation (WPF) welcomed Nancy (Curtis) Patota as the new Director of Development in August 2024. Nancy comes to WPF with years of experience in fundraising and communications. Most recently, Nancy was the Chief Development & Marketing Officer at Burke Rehabilitation Hospital, a leader in exceptional medical and physical rehabilitation, and Executive Director at The Arc Westchester Foundation, an organization dedicated to the inclusion of people of all abilities. Prior to her work at Arc, she served as the Assistant Vice President in the Advancement & External Affairs Office at Iona University in New Rochelle, NY.
ERIC HARVEY, FUNDRAISING & BUSINESS OPERATIONS
Eric joined Westchester Parks Foundation in May 2016. Eric is responsible for business operations and general management of our staff and facilities at our two golf driving ranges at Dunwoodie and Mohansic Golf Courses. In this role he is also responsible for 3rd party concessions and vending. He also oversees the Memorial Bench and Tree program throughout the Westchester County Parks System. Additionally, he assists with general fundraising, out-reach communications, sponsorships, year-end giving, major gifts, capital campaigns, gala and special events, donor research, and gift acknowledgements.
Eric has lived in Westchester his entire life, growing up in Larchmont, living for a few years in New Rochelle as a newlywed and settling with his family in Rye. Eric is married and has three children, 2 sons and a daughter, His oldest son and daughter both serve the Westchester Community as County Lifeguards. His family has adopted two rescue dogs “Lucky” and “Teddy”.
MARY BENJAMIN, MANAGER OF VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS
Mary started as the Manager of Volunteer Programs with the WPF in 2021. Before working with the Foundation, Mary worked for 5 years with the Westchester County Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation as an educator at Muscoot Farm. There she helped design and run public programs for every season with the aim of connecting visitors to Westchester’s agricultural history. She was also lucky enough to meet two best friends there: a Jersey cow named Iced Tea, and her husband Jonathon. She loves connecting people to the parks because she truly believes they have something for everyone!
ADAM LIPPMAN, VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR
Adam joined Westchester Parks Foundation in March 2020 as Volunteer Coordinator. Originally from a marketing and design background, Adam’s love for nature, backpacking and volunteering on the Appalachian Trail led him to the more rewarding path of conservation, advocacy and sharing his passion for volunteering.
ELYSSA MARTINEZ, DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS
Elyssa joined Westchester Parks Foundation in November 2017 as the Program and Recruitment Coordinator. Elyssa coordinates all of the on-site logistics for WPF’s programs, in addition to assisting Camp Morty with all aspects of staff and camper recruitment. Before joining the Westchester Parks Foundation, she worked for the Westchester County Parks department for three years as an Assistant Event Coordinator at the Westchester County Center in White Plains. This is where her passion for Westchester County-owned parks grew.
SAM TWARDY, WEB & GRAPHICS COORDINATOR
Sam joined Westchester Parks Foundation in the Spring of 2019 as the Web and Graphics Coordinator. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art/Design from SUNY Binghamton. Before Westchester Parks Foundation she worked in multidisciplinary roles across several industries, most recently for Whole Foods Market as a Graphic Artist.
Sam is a Westchester native who loves riding bikes at Glen Island and taking nature walks at Marshland Conservancy. She is also an avid photographer and enjoys photographing the County parks whenever she can.
MEGAN LEAHY, VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR
Megan joined Westchester Parks Foundation in 2023 as a Volunteer Coordinator. Before finding her way to WPF, Megan worked at a variety of jobs including at a native plant nursery, as a Community Volunteer Ambassador with the National Park Service, and leading youth conservation crews.
Originally from Pennsylvania, Megan is excited to explore the many beautiful parks in the area. She loves spending time outdoors in any capacity, but especially gardening, kayaking, hiking, and sitting in the sun to read a good book.
EVAN FELICETTI, DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR
Evan joined Westchester Parks Foundation in March 2023 in the role of Development Coordinator. He received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Fordham University, and spent his first few years after college working at various non-profits. Westchester born and raised, Evan Lives in New Rochelle, a short walk away from Glen Island.
Evan cares greatly about the outdoors, and is passionate about ensuring access and enjoyment of parks to Westchester residents from all walks of life. In high school, he completed an Eagle Scout Project rehabbing various trails in southern Westchester, including work at Nature Study Woods. In his free time, Evan enjoys watching baseball, cooking, and spending time with friends & family.
JON CHATTMAN, SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER | CONTENT CREATOR
Jon Chattman boasts over 15 years of experience in social media management and content creation. He's an author of eight books, a writer, pop culture enthusiast, entertainment and podcast host, and talent buyer/booker. Jon runs his own social media and talent booking company, Moving Forward Connections. His writing credits include The Huffington Post, The New York Post, Inked Magazine, USA Today, and more.
Career highlights include reporting from the Oscar, Tony and Independent Spirit Awards red carpets, asking Meryl Streep her strategy for a zombie apocalypse, sharing a Reuben sandwich with Randy "Macho Man" Savage, and questioning Joe Torre on why he didn't throw the 2000 World Series.
MICHAEL ROONEY, PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR
Having been an integral part of Westchester’s Winter Wonderland light show for the past 5 years, Michael is excited to join Westchester Parks Foundation full time as the Production Supervisor. His education in Electrical Technology from WCC and a decade working as an electrician have honed his skills at "getting it done" under pressure. He continues this focus and is key to lighting up the night with the thousands of cables and lights needed to make Westchester’s Winter Wonderland a magical event.
Michael is a Westchester Native and calls White Plains his home. He enjoys Bicycle Sundays on the Bronx River Parkway and loves camping and cooking both at home and on the road.
JOANNA FRENCH, TRAILS WITHOUT LIMITS COORDINATOR
Joanna joined Westchester Parks Foundation in 2024 and is responsible for coordinating and supervising our adaptive hiking and cycling program, Trails Without Limits. She has an MS in Therapeutic Recreation from SUNY Cortland and a BA in Sociology from the University of Vermont.
Joanna grew up in Southern California and has made Westchester her home since 2011 with her husband and two children. In her free time, she enjoys hikes with her dogs, skiing, cycling and exploring the outdoors.
TATENDA ZENENGA, DIRECTOR - CAMP MORTY
Tatenda assumed the role of Director of Camp Morty at the Westchester Parks Foundation in 2024, bringing with him a wealth of experience from the financial services sector, where he has worked extensively as an Investment Banker and more recently in Private Equity. Hailing from New Rochelle, NY, Tatenda is deeply rooted in Westchester, and is committed to advancing Camp Morty's mission of empowering local youth and fostering a deeper appreciation for our community parks.
With a solid educational background, Tatenda earned a BS in Finance and Business Economics as well as an MS in Finance and Investment Management from Sacred Heart University. His dedication to excellence was recognized in 2018 when he received the "Outstanding Achievement in Business Finance and Economics" award from the Jack Welch College of Business at Sacred Heart University.
Tatenda's commitment to service and community engagement traces back to his days at Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains, where he graduated in 2014. Notably, he was honored as one of five recipients of the "Order of the Crusader" award for his outstanding contributions to both the school and the broader community. As he takes on his new role, Tatenda looks forward to leveraging his skills and experiences to further the impact of Camp Morty and inspire the next generation of leaders in Westchester.