Staff

Leigh Youngblood

Leigh Youngblood joined Gather New Haven as Interim Executive Director in January 2023 under an agreement with Interim Management Solutions, a firm that facilitates placement of Interim Executive Directors for nonprofits throughout New England. Leigh was with the Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust in Athol, MA, for over 24 years,

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Christian Vick

Christian brings a strong commitment to working with New Haven youth and young adults.

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Karen Nelson Director of Environmental Education and Engagement

Karen brings decades of experience and skill leading youth programs and summer camp programs. As the Director of Environmental Education & Engagement (D3E) Karen’s primary responsibility is to plan, implement, manage and coordinate all environmental education-focused programs occurring in Gather New Haven’s nature preserves. Karen oversees the property management of

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Xochitl Garcia Assistant Program Manager

Xochitl grew up in the Fair Haven neighborhood and has a bachelor’s degree in Environmental and Urban Community Studies from the University of Connecticut. She has worked at several New Haven non-profits over the past ten years that include Common Ground and Urban Resources Initiative. She brings the principles of

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Brent Peterkin

Brent Peterkin is the first full-time Executive Director of the merged organization. A native of New York City, Brent comes to Gather New Haven after almost six years as Statewide Director for Project Longevity, a nationally recognized program of the U.S. Attorney for Connecticut focused on reducing gun violence in

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