Our Staff
Erica Matheny, PhD, Executive Director
([email protected])
Dr. Erica Matheny is an environmental scientist, educator, and nonprofit leader who believes lasting environmental progress begins with strong community relationships. She has served as Executive Director of Tinker’s Creek Watershed Partners (TCWP) since 2023, leading the organization’s work across the Tinker’s Creek and Brandywine Creek watersheds.
Under her leadership, TCWP has expanded its environmental education, community programming, watershed restoration, and regional partnerships. Erica oversees organizational strategy, fundraising, staff development, and program operations while working closely with municipalities, public agencies, businesses, schools, and community organizations. She also leads the Ohio Stormwater Conference and represents TCWP in regional efforts related to water quality, environmental policy, and community resilience.
Erica brings more than 20 years of experience in research, higher education, program development, and organizational leadership. She holds a PhD in Urban Studies and Public Administration with an environmental focus, an M.S. in Ecology, and a B.S. in Biology. Her approach combines science, collaboration, and practical action to make watershed protection relevant and accessible to the people and communities TCWP serves.
Outside of work, Erica enjoys hiking, kayaking, and traveling with her family and their two dogs.
Matt Siefert, senior Watershed Coordinator
[email protected]
Matt is the Senior Watershed Coordinator for Tinker’s Creek Watershed Partners. He brings a diverse background of experience in both the public and private sectors, including work in lake management, public education as a park naturalist, and invasive fish management, to this role. Matt performs a wide array of duties for TCWP, though he is primarily involved in the development and implementation of educational programming, assisting with the coordination of environmental projects, and stormwater compliance.
Matt has a master’s degree in biology from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania and a bachelor’s degree in environmental biology from Pennsylvania West University, Clarion. A naturalist both professionally and recreationally, Matt enjoys spending his free time birding, photographing wildlife, and ranting about non-native species to anyone unfortunate enough to be within earshot.
Angela Brodie, Development and Communications Director
([email protected])
Angela is the Development and Communications Director for Tinker’s Creek Watershed Partners. She previously served as the NOWCorps AmeriCorps Program Director at TCWP and brings extensive experience in grant writing and management across multiple roles, including work with AmeriCorps, HRSA HCOP, and U.S. DOT grants. Her professional expertise includes grant management, community development, education, training, and strategic communications.
Angela holds both a Master of Arts and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from The University of Akron and has served as adjunct faculty at The University of Akron and Kent State University.
Outside of her professional work, Angela enjoys traveling, gardening, hiking, and spending time with her family.
Kylie Kovach, Education and Outreach Coordinator ([email protected])
Kylie is the Education and Outreach Coordinator for Tinkers Creek Watershed Partners. She graduated from Kent State University in May of 2025 with a degree in environmental studies and brings a blend of hands-on field experience and a genuine passion for helping people connect with nature. Before joining TCWP, she spent two years as an education naturalist with Stark Parks, developing programs that made the outdoors feel exciting for learners of all ages!
Kylie is also a content creator on social media, where she shares engaging content about the environment. Her friends lovingly call her a “nature nerd,” and she embraces it wholeheartedly – especially when it comes to birds, native bees, and plants. Her professional goal is to spark curiosity and make environmental education accessible to everyone.
When she is not adding observations to iNaturalist, Kylie can be found behind a camera, painting, or outside doing just about anything! Her favorite ways to spend time outside include climbing, birding, hiking, and stand-up paddle boarding!”
Refka Abroug, U.S. State Dept. IREX Community Engagement Exchange (CEE) Fellow, Spring 2026
Refka Abroug is a U.S. Department of State Community Engagement Exchange (CEE) Fellow through IREX who completed her U.S.-based fellowship with Tinker’s Creek Watershed Partners. Originally from Tunisia, she brought an international perspective, cross-cultural experience, and a strong commitment to community impact to her work with TCWP.
With a background in communication, media, and public engagement, Refka specializes in making complex issues accessible through compelling storytelling and strategic outreach. During her time in Ohio, she contributed to TCWP’s community engagement and environmental initiatives, focusing on increasing public awareness and participation.
Refka has returned to Tunisia, where she is building on the work she began with TCWP by implementing community engagement and sustainability initiatives in her home community. Through a grant awarded to TCWP’s Executive Director, the partnership will continue with travel to Tunisia to support Refka’s work and help advance the plans developed during her fellowship.
future watershed positions
Stay tuned for openings…
Kraken, Chief Mousing Officer
In Memory of Kraken
Kraken, our beloved MVP (most valuable purrer) and proud adoptee from the Cleveland APL, passed away in July 2025. She will always be remembered as a cherished member of the Tinker’s Creek Watershed Partners team, serving as the fearless guardian of Creek and Catnip.
Her loyalty to stormwater management and her legendary role as sidekick to the Stormwater Monster made her one of a kind. Off duty, she found joy in mousing around and basking in pools of sunshine. Her furry “commentary” in Kraken’s Corner of our newsletter brought smiles to many, and her spirit will continue to inspire us.
Board of Directors
Ana Burns is the Senior Area Manager of Environmental Services for Davey Resource Group’s northern Ohio office. She received an M.S.E.S. in Applied Ecology degree from Indiana University School of…
Karen Farkas is a retired journalist. She received a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Ohio University then spent 39 years as a reporter and editor at The Plain Dealer and…
Liz Myers holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering with a minor in Environmental and Plant Biology, as well as a Master of Science, from Ohio University. During this time, she worked…
Tony is a professional civil engineer with extensive experience in water resources, stormwater management, and public infrastructure planning throughout Northeast Ohio. Over the course of his career, Tony has worked…
Erin Burke is a Watershed Coordinator at Summit Soil & Water Conservation District, where she works with communities and stakeholders to implement stormwater and watershed management within the Tuscarawas Watershed.…
Christopher Chaney is a Park Biologist in the Conservation Department at Summit Metro Parks where he promotes the Wild Back Yards initiative and manages the organization’s nursery in the Tinker’s…
Mike Cunnington serves as an External Affairs Representative for Enbridge Gas Ohio. Prior to his time with the company, he worked in a variety of public policy roles at the…
Dr. John L. Day has a Doctorate in Education and is a retired Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. He was in clinical practice 28 years…
Katherine Holmok is a licensed Landscape Architect in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Indiana. She oversees the coordination of a diverse team comprising engineers, planners, scientists, and landscape architects. This team is…
Erik is a practicing attorney with Squire Patton Boggs, where he is a Partner in the firm’s Environmental, Safety and Health practice group and works out of their Cleveland office. Previously, he was a…
Matthew Mace, P.E. is a seasoned civil engineer who has worked in both the government and corporate sectors since his graduation from the University of Akron in 2001. As a…
Samantha Robbins, CESSWI, Project Environmental Scientist, STONE Environmental Engineering & Science, Inc. Sam Robbins, CESSWI, holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences from The Ohio State University and has…
Anne Farley Schoeffler was a sixth, seventh, and eighth grade science teacher for 21 years, building the middle school science program for Seton Catholic School in Hudson. Professional development took…
Alyson is the owner of Cambium and a certified Shinrin Yoku (forest therapy) practitioner. Through her work, she fosters meaningful connections between people and nature by leading intentional gatherings and…
Board Members Emeritus:
Sandy Barbic, Michael Liptak, Justin Czekaj, Stacey Faile, Charlie Uray, Chris Vild