As CEO of Winnakee, Bob brings a forester’s perspective to the land trust community and translates the importance of active stewardship and sustainable forest management to traditional land conservation. With over 35 years of experience in government, consulting, academia, and now non-profit land protection and stewardship, Davis offers an in-depth and yet uniquely broad, 360-degree perspective on the conservation of family forest legacies. His career has focused on the long-term sustainable management of forests for the continued provision of their critical ecosystem services. Most recently, as Director of Forest Properties at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Davis oversaw a team of professionals responsible for the management of over 26,000 acres of forest land. Prior to joining ESF, Bob managed a consulting firm, Forestry Advisors, LLC, which he founded in 2000, to assist public and private forest landowners to practice sustainable forestry. Bob launched his career with NYSDEC in the Hudson Valley. He is a graduate of SUNY-ESF in Forest Resource Management and holds an MS in Forest Ecosystem Science. In his free time, you will find Bob walking the woods to unravel how today’s forests have evolved and how to help build their resilience for the future.

As Senior Director of Finance and Administration, Jessica oversees Winnakee’s financial operations, risk management, human resources, and accreditation compliance, ensuring the organization remains strong and resilient in its mission to conserve and care for land in perpetuity. She comes to Winnakee with many years of experience in nonprofit management and leadership and holds a BA in Psychology and an MBA. Having grown up in western and upstate NY, Jessica now resides in Rhinebeck, where she enjoys exploring the landscapes of the Hudson Valley, particularly her favorite WLT parks and preserves. Whether it’s a Moon Hike in the summer or sledding in the winter at Burger Hill, Jessica is grateful for the opportunity to connect with nature and share these experiences with her family and friends. Her passion lies in preserving these precious areas for her children and future generations to enjoy.

Since joining Winnakee in 2019, Uri has overseen communications for the enhanced conservation strategy, including a recent rebranding and new web site. She also builds programming and partnerships to connect the community to the land. Prior to Winnakee, Uri was the Executive Director of The Eleanor Roosevelt Val-Kill Partnership and Development Director of the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy. She also served in various political roles, including as Chief of Staff to NYS First Lady Silda Wall Spitzer and as a Finance Director for Governor Eliot Spitzer’s campaign and Hillary Clinton’s first NYS Senate run. Her experience also includes work in the private sector at the hedge fund The D.E. Shaw Group. Early in her career, she worked in marketing at HarperCollins Publishers in London, the press department of The Museum of Modern Art, and as an assistant to MoMA’s then President Agnes Gund. Uri graduated with a BA in English and Art History from The Ohio State University. In her free time, she enjoys exploring Winnakee trails, birding, kayaking and cross country skiing.

As the Director of Land Stewardship, Jen oversees easement stewardship and all land management activities on Winnakee preserves. Her goal is to actively manage forests and wetlands in the Hudson Valley to protect species’ habitat, forest resiliency, and mitigate harmful effects of climate change. In her role, Jen enjoys connecting the community to nature in their own backyard through volunteer opportunities and educational programs. She is an active member of the Saw Kill Watershed Community (SKWC) group and participates in the Lower Hudson Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (LHPRISM). Jen received a Bachelor of Science in Ecology and Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from Elon University and a Masters of Natural Resources from Oregon State University. She also holds a NYS Pesticide Applicator License and ISA Arborist Certification. Jen’s favorite outdoor activity is hiking, but you can also find her identifying plants and insects along trails, kayaking, camping, and biking.

Trevor Keough was born and raised in Saranac Lake, New York with roots tied to the early settlers of Saranac Lake in 1819. He spent much of his childhood exploring the woods and rivers, ponds, and lakes in the surrounding backcountry. After graduating from Saranac Lake High School, Trevor attended Paul Smiths College where he achieved a bachelor’s degree in Forest Operations. While earning a Master of Science degree from Mississippi State University with a focus on large scale forest planning and forest economics, Trevor worked as a consulting forester. Most recently he worked as a Resource Analyst for a Timber Investment Management Organization in Mississippi. Trevor serves as the Young Professional Board Representative to the Society of American Foresters and is actively involved with Ducks Unlimited and Backcountry Hunters and Anglers. In his free time, you can likely find him recreating outside, training his dog, or making BBQ.

Laura joined Winnakee Land Trust as Conservation Project Manager in April 2024. In this role, Laura protects land in partnership with community members and other local stakeholders through the acquisition of properties and conservation easements. Prior to joining the WLT team, Laura conserved forests and farmland, expanded trail systems, and restored eastern brook trout habitat with organizations such as Trout Unlimited, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Land Trust Bird Conservation Initiative, and most recently, the Piedmont Environmental Council, a land trust in Virginia. Laura grew up in northeastern Massachusetts, and first fell in love with New York while getting her degree in Environmental Studies from Ithaca College in the Finger Lakes. After years of visiting the Hudson Valley, Laura is thrilled to call this region home and further local efforts for ecological restoration, public recreation, and climate resilience. In her spare time, Laura enjoys playing ultimate frisbee, kayaking, and hiking with her little dog, Disco.

Jenny Pfister is a development professional with 10+ year experience in nonprofit fundraising and communications. Before joining Winnakee, she held senior positions at Dutchess County SPCA (Development Director) and Goddard Riverside Community Center, a large human services organization in Manhattan (Director of External Relations). Prior to her development work, she enjoyed a career in advertising, with a focus in branding and corporate identity. An avid gardener and painter, she holds a BFA from School of Visual Arts and studied botanical illustration at New York Botanical Garden.

A lifelong Hudson Valley resident, Jessica Jaeb has a strong connection to the natural beauty of the area and enjoys helping protect it in her role as Annual Fund and Database Manager. Jessica studied history and communication at Marist College, where she refined her fundraising skills on the executive board of St. Jude Up ‘Til Dawn. Prior to joining the team, Jessica was a public information officer for area schools. In her free time, Jessica enjoys hiking, water skiing on the Hudson River and reading memoirs.