The people
behind our mission
Our staff
Amber Seiler
Office Manager
amber@savedunes.org | 219-879-3564 x 121
Favorite place in the Dunes: Washington Park Beach
As a native of Michigan City, Amber grew up playing in the area’s woodlands and on the shores of Lake Michigan. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in education from Ball State University. Amber has a background in the finance and manufacturing industries and most recently in the education industry where she coordinates a youth mentoring program at some local schools. She is involved in community groups and local volunteer efforts. In her free time, Amber still enjoys spending time with her family on the shores of Lake Michigan beaching, boating, hiking and fishing.
Betsy Maher
Executive Director
betsy@savedunes.org | 219-879-3564 x 122
Favorite place in the Dunes: Trail 9, IN Dunes State Park
Em Racine
Manager of Communications & Community Engagement
em@savedunes.org | 219-879-3564 x 102
Favorite place in the Dunes: Cowles Bog
Em is a Chicago transplant with intergenerational ties to the Indiana Dunes. She received a Bachelors of Fine Arts degree with honors from The University of Illinois at Chicago, and brings an array of experience in Community Events Coordination & Social Media Implementation to Save The Dunes. She believes in bringing folks together in nature through sustainability, education, and recreation. She enjoys road tripping, growing herbs & veggies in her garden, and making art in her free time.
Harshini Ratnayaka
Manager of Government Affairs and Policy
harshini@savedunes.org | 219-879-3564 x 101
Favorite place in the Dunes: Mount Baldy
Harshini grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana. She holds a B.S. in Biology from Xavier University of Louisiana and a J.D. in Comparative Law from Louisiana State University Law Center. She also was a legal intern for Louisiana Sea Grant, where she was able to work on several environmental policy projects. With degrees from both the natural science and legal sectors, Harshini combined her love for protecting the environment with helping others in her community. Harshini was previously the New Orleans Group leader for a non-profit group called Citizens’ Climate Lobby, a nonpartisan grassroots advocacy climate change organization focused on national policies to address the climate movement. In her free time, Harshini explores the Michigan City area and the Indiana Dunes National Park trails. She enjoys reading, playing video games, and visiting the local Indiana beaches.
Jacob Nieto
Conservation Coordinator
jacob@savedunes.org | 219-879-3564 x 104
Favorite place in the Dunes: Miller Woods
Katie Hobgood
Program Director
katie@savedunes.org | 219-879-3564 x 128
Favorite place in the Dunes: East Branch of the Little Calumet River
Lisa Scheller
Development Director
lisa@savedunes.org | 219-879-3564 x 100
Favorite place in the Dunes: IN Dunes State Park
Lisa has lived in Chesterton Indiana for the past 25 years. She has a Bachelors in Social Work and over 35 years of development experience. She has dedicated herself to the mission of many amazing organizations. Lisa has a passion of developing relationships as well as partnering with other businesses and individuals to make a difference. Lisa is a wife, a mother to two adult daughters and they have 3 awesome dogs. Lisa and her family enjoy all the seasons of NWI. They love being outdoors, especially hiking and exploring the dunes.
2025 Summer Interns
Alex Samansky
Indiana University McKinney Climate Fellow
Favorite place in the Dunes: Portage Lakefront & Riverwalk
Hailing from Portage, Indiana, Alex grew up going on school field trips to the Indiana Dunes, learning about the ecosystems around him. Alex is pursuing his Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree from Indiana University Bloomington, majoring in History, Political Science, and Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, expecting to graduate in August 2025. For his Earth & Atmospheric Sciences major, Alex spent six weeks studying abroad in Tanzania, camping in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, learning about the geology of the East African Rift Valley and the paleoanthropological significance of the region. He previously interned in Washington, D.C., for Michigan Senator Gary C. Peters as well as now former Delaware Senator Thomas R. Carper. In his free time, Alex enjoys reading, hiking, traveling, and watching all kinds of sports, especially football.
Emma Depa
Valparaiso University CAPS Fellow
Favorite place in the Dunes: Dune Succession Trail, West Beach
Emma grew up in Crown Point, Indiana and has spent most of her childhood in and around nature, especially the dunes. Emma is currently pursuing her Bachelors of Science (B.S) at Valparaiso University, majoring in Environmental Science and Geography, expecting to graduate in May 2026. She previously worked with the Lake County Health Department in their vector control program. She is passionate about bringing awareness to important causes and loves to learn. In her freetime she enjoys hiking, biking, reading, and crafting.
Board of Directors
Officers
Members
Favorite place in the Dunes: Dune Ridge Trail
Favorite place in the Dunes: Mt. Baldy
Favorite place in the Dunes: Michigan City Beach
Favorite place in the Dunes: Mounty Baldy Trails
Favorite place in the Dunes: Cowles Bog
Favorite place in the Dunes: Miller Beach Lakeshore
Favorite place in the Dunes: Cowels Bog
Honorary Members
Susan MiHalo
Sylvia Troy
Tom Serynek
