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

 Betsy is a leader in non-profit management with a passion for and commitment to environmental conservation. With over a decade of experience, Betsy has built a well-rounded career in non-profit management having worked in areas including volunteer management, human resources, fundraising, and special events. She holds her Master’s in Public Administration and a Senior Certification in Human Resources. Previously, Betsy served as the Director of Volunteer Services at Lincoln Park Zoo where she built a community of volunteers, created a paid internship program, and oversaw staff training. Betsy has a contagious enthusiasm for nature and bringing individuals together to protect and preserve the environment. She is a wife and the mother of two boys. Their family enjoys spending their free time on the shores of Lake Michigan and visiting national parks, two areas she now works to protect as the Executive Director at Save the Dunes.

Dylan Hollingsworth

Community Engagement Program Coordinator

dylan@savedunes.org | 219-879-3564 x 100

       Favorite place in the Dunes: Lake Street Beach

Dylan Hollingsworth is a fifth generation native of Gary, IN. She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Fordham University and became a Gates Millennium Scholarship alumna in 2017. Over the past few years, Dylan has served as an AmeriCorps member, volunteered at various local farms and gardens, acted as a youth mentor, and completed the Gary Urban Farmer’s Initiative course through Purdue Extension. Her professional experience spans across both the educational and nonprofit sectors making her a versatile and valuable team member.    
 
In her free time, she enjoys indoor gardening, recreating at her favorite local beaches, spending time with her dog, creative writing, and researching media and culture.

Harshini Ratnayaka

Advocacy Program Coordinator

harshini@savedunes.org | 219-879-3564 x 101

       Favorite place in the Dunes: Barker Woods Nature Preserve

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.

Katie Hobgood

Program Director

katie@savedunes.org | 219-879-3564 x 128

       Favorite place in the Dunes: IN Dunes State Park Campground

Katie is a Northwest Indiana native, bringing thirteen years of nonprofit program management experience to the Save the Dunes team. She is a creative and curious individual with a proficiency in process creation and implementation, and a strong background in community collaboration and engagement. She holds a B.A in Sociology with a concentration in Anthropology from Indiana University.
 
Katie enjoys traveling and RV camping with her husband and two dogs. She spends time volunteering with Humane Indiana Wildlife working with their education ambassador owl species, and banding saw-whet owls with IN Audubon each fall. She enjoys being outside, decorating, and expanding her knowledge base whenever she can.

Vicky Plath

Bookkeeper

vicky@savedunes.org | 219-879-3564 x 121

        Favorite place in the Dunes: Porter Beach

Vicky started with Save the Dunes in 2010. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree in 1997 from Governors State University and earned her MBA from Purdue University in 2006. During her career, Vicky has worked with several non-profit organizations and for profit companies in the banking and logistics industry. Vicky fell in love with the dunes when she moved to Northwest Indiana from Illinois almost 20 years ago.
 
She is involved with many organizations, such as the Northwest Indiana Paddling Association and Shirley Heinze Land Trust. In her spare time Vicky enjoys spending time outdoors with her wonderful husband, Dan and their three beautiful children.

Board of Directors

Officers

Nancy Moldenhauer
President | Michigan City, IN
Favorite place in the Dunes: Cowles Bog Trail
 
Vern Beck
Vice President | Hebron, IN
Favorite place in the Dunes: IN Dunes State Park
 
Denise Kavanagh
Treasurer | Valparaiso, IN
Favorite place in the Dunes: Cowles Bog
 
Madeleine Grimm
Secretary | Porter, IN
Favorite place in the Dunes: Cowles Bog
 

Members

Angie Nelson Deuitch | Michigan City

Favorite place in the Dunes: Mt. Baldy

Carol Sue Angarola | Ogden Dunes, IN

Favorite place in the Dunes: Ogden Dunes

Jordan Bailey | Ogden Dunes, IN

Favorite place in the Dunes: Dune Ridge Trail

Paul Labus | Whiting, IN

Favorite place in the Dunes: Miller Woods

Rudy Gallegos | Munster, IN

Favorite place in the Dunes: Mt. Baldy

Sabrina Haake | Gary, IN

Favorite place in the Dunes: Miller Woods

Susan Kirt | Valparaiso, IN

Favorite place in the Dunes: J. Timothy Ritchie Nature Preserve

Honorary Members

Charlotte Read
Dale Engquist
Ellen Firme
Geof Benson
Herbert Read
Susan MiHalo
Sylvia Troy
Tom Serynek

Interested in a Board position or joining a committee? Let us know.