Meet the Groupies
Staff
Robert S. DeLuca
President
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Robert S. DeLuca has served as President and CEO of Group for the East End since 1992. He holds a B.S. in Environmental Science from Fordham University and an M.S. in Environmental Science from the State University of New York’s College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse. Prior to joining the Group, Bob worked as both a Biologist and Senior Environmental Analyst with the Suffolk County Office of Ecology and taught environmental advocacy and policy as an adjunct professor for Long Island University, Southampton, for over 15 years. Bob began his career with the Group in the mid-1980s as an Environmental Analyst. In this role, Bob developed the Group’s first environmental outings and community education programs.
631-765-6450 ext. 213
Jennifer Hartnagel
Director of Conservation Advocacy
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Jenn began working for the Group in 2007. She graduated with a B.A. in geography from James Madison University and earned an M.S. in environmental science from the State University of New York's College of Environmental Science and Forestry. As the Group’s director of conservation advocacy, she attends public hearings, submits written comments on development proposals, and has led several conservation projects. Jenn enjoys camping and hiking with her family, loves her dogs, and has run multiple marathons.
Jennifer Skilbred
Director of Environmental Education
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Jen earned a BS in earth and environmental science from Lehigh University and a MEM in coastal management from Duke University. She worked at the Group for nine years starting in 2007, on advocacy, education, and communications. She left to manage organizational relationships, lead local nature play classes, teach swim lessons, and use her web design and development skills to help small businesses and nonprofits. After spending over a year living, homeschooling, and working on the road as her family traveled throughout North America, Jen is now back in Sag Harbor and excited to return to the Group.
Jen is passionate about connecting children with the natural world around them and working to leave future generations a healthy environment. She is happiest when outdoors, and loves to explore, hike, paddle, and swim with her family and friends.
Kristina Lange
Director of Development
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After earning a B.S. in business management from Ithaca College and a decade of working in financial services, Kristina started a new career in not-for-profit marketing and fundraising. She moved “out east” in 1999 and became director of marketing & communications at the Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons. Since joining the Group in 2011, Kristina has led many fundraising efforts and is editor of the organization’s newsletter.
Always up for an adventure, she has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, bungy-jumped in New Zealand, gone trekking in Nepal, and sky-dived on Long Island. She loves animals and the quiet, natural beauty of Shelter Island.
631-765-6450 ext. 216
Taralynn Reynolds
Director of Outreach
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With an M.S. in conservation biology from Columbia University, Taralynn served as an environmental educator at the Wildlife Conservation Society in New York; studied endangered primates in the rainforests of Madagascar; and worked with high school students in the Galapagos Islands to create wildlife habitat and monitor plant growth. More recently, Taralynn taught biology and environmental science at BASIS International School in Shenzhen, China, where she encouraged students to become stewards of the environment. Taralynn joined the Group in 2019 to lead the organization’s outreach programs. She is passionate about native plants and pollinators, and is a member of the Suffolk Alliance for Pollinators (SAP) and a board member of the Long Island Native Plant Initiative (LINPI).
Rachel Bosworth
Director of Communications
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Rachel is a public relations and marketing professional with a degree in Advertising and Marketing Communications from the Fashion Institute of Technology. After graduation, she completed an internship in New Orleans at Deveny Communications before coming back home to the North Fork, where she opened a boutique website design firm, RB Collaborative. With the Group, Rachel manages communications efforts and assists in planning the annual Swing Into Summer benefit.
Sofia Vallecillo
Environmental Associate
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Sofia earned a B.S in Environmental Studies and Natural Resources through the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources at the University of Vermont. Since beginning at the Group, Sofia has assisted in ecological restoration and management. She is passionate about rethinking consumption and waste practices and has worked at sustainable businesses that aim to curb consumers’ overall plastic waste production.
Sofia enjoys the outdoors, travel, and exploring new hobbies such as sewing and film photography.
Catie Lang
Environmental Associate
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Catie earned her B.A in Biology and Environmental Studies through Colgate University. There, she conducted research on invasive and native earthworm species. Since graduation, she has taught High School Biology, Human Anatomy, and Health at the Frederick Gunn School. At the Group, Catie assists in our education programming. She is very passionate about preserving the natural world, and inspiring others to do so as well.
Catie enjoys being outdoors, exploring new places, and activities such as running, reading, and photography.
Board of Directors
Katherine Leahy Birch, Chairman
William Ryall, Vice Chair
Susan Abdalla
Louis Bevilacqua
W. Marco Birch
Kristen Briner
Lilee Fell
Andrew Goldstein
John Shea
Kimberly Smith Spacek
Marisa van Bokhorst
Mary Walker
Donna Anne Winston