Shawn Graff - Executive Director

Shawn came to OWLT in 2003 after serving as President of Graff & Associates, a consulting firm specializing in non-profit management, historic preservation and fundraising. He has extensive experience in consulting local governments and non-profit organizations on fundraising, site planning, historic preservation and long-range planning.

In addition to directing the Land Trust’s preservation programs, Shawn is responsible for all aspects of organizational development including fund development, membership, education and outreach, land stewardship and conservation. Shawn holds a Masters of Art degree in Art History from UW-Milwaukee, where he focused much of his research on historic preservation and city planning.

Steve Henkel - Land Protection Director

Steve began his career with OWLT in the spring of 2008 by volunteering at stewardship work days and assisting with preserve acquisition projects, and was hired later that year. Steve’s primary focus is working with landowners on conservation easement and land acquisition projects, and managing the easement stewardship program.

He earned a B.S. degree in Water Resources/Water Chemistry and a M.S. degree in Natural Resources from UW-Stevens Point. Following graduation, Steve spent nearly 20 years in the environmental consulting field investigating and remediating soil and groundwater contamination. He holds Professional Hydrologist and Professional Soil Scientist licenses in Wisconsin.

Marilyn Schlotfeldt - Operations Manager

Marilyn grew up on a farm in NW Iowa. She attended college in Omaha, Nebraska and graduated with a degree in education, drama, and English. After teaching for three years, Marilyn and her husband moved to West Bend she started a career with St. Joseph’s Community Hospital. For the next twenty-six years, Marilyn worked in personnel, accounts payable and managed the IT/Communications Department.

Marilyn enjoys working with volunteers - especially her son Mike who didn't know he was a volunteer until Marilyn started working here.

Mike Hoffer - Stewardship/Restoration Director

Mike came to OWLT from North Carolina, where he was the managing editor and publisher of several local magazines. In this role, Mike provided a strong voice in local government and worked with multiple nonprofit groups. His public policy knowledge, engineering background and nonprofit experience serve him well in his role with OWLT.

Mike has a Masters in Public Administration from the University of North Carolina Wilmington, and a Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering from University of Maryland Baltimore County. He's also pretty good at disc golf.

Katie Weber - Conservation Specialist

Katie started with OWLT in the summer of 2011 directing work crews and soon moved into the office working on easement documentation and management plans. A graduate cum laude in from UW – Eau Claire in Biology and Environmental Science she has both national and international experience. Her most recent work was assisting the Ice Age Trail Alliance.

Katie is equally comfortable building a trail, identifying a trees, feeding a wood chipper or writing a management plan. A true renaissance environmentalist!

Elaine Gauthier - Accountant

Elaine brings a wide variety of accounting experiences to her position.  She has been working accounting jobs, in manufacturing, accounting firms, golf courses and in her own business for most of her adult life.  Elaine graduated from UW-Oshkosh with a B.B.A. degree in accounting.

Her joys in life come from running a standard poodle in agility competitions and showing her Appaloosa in ranch horse shows.

Janet Sivula – Office Manager

Janet brings strong administrative skills from her work coordinating blood drives with the American Red Cross, and from her career as a registered nurse in hospital, home health and hospice settings.  Janet possesses an Associate Degree in Nursing from Moraine Park Technical College, and has been a Registered Nurse for over 20 years.