Team Members

Nilyana rodriguez

Nilyana Rodriguez is the Digital Content and Design Specialist at Big Waters Land Trust. In this role, she creates impactful visual materials that support outreach, advocacy, and fundraising initiatives. Nilyana ensures that every piece—from event promotions to educational resources—reflects the organization’s mission to conserve land and connect people to nature. Originally from Sarasota, Florida, Nilyana has … Read more

Lee Amos

Lee Amos is Land Stewardship Manager and staff biologist at Big Waters Land Trust. He specializes in native plants and conservation and has worked with the Florida Native Plant Society, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Sweetbay Nursery, and Florida Native Plants Nursery to encourage the widespread use and enjoyment of Florida’s fabulous flora. At Big Waters, … Read more

Shalla Ashworth

Shalla joined Big Waters in September 2024 as Director of Philanthropy. Together with our dedicated philanthropy team, she is charged with securing the organization’s fundraising revenue required to protect land and water in Southwest Florida forever. Growing up on the banks of the Mississippi River in rural Iowa community, Shalla’s passion and respect for nature … Read more

Tianna Boswell-Porter

Tianna Boswell-Porter

Tianna Boswell-Porter is the Marketing and Events Manager at Big Waters. In this role, Tianna is responsible for the logistics and the overall success of events. Tianna is a New York native who moved to the Sarasota area in 2015. She has had the privilege to connect and contribute her skills to local businesses and … Read more

Connie Brown

Connie Brown

Connie joined Big Waters in February 2021. In her role as the Director of Community Engagement, her responsibilities include overseeing special event management, community education, and relationship development with the community, donors, and volunteers. Connie lived in Hawaii for 15 years where she was truly able to appreciate and connect with nature. She graduated from … Read more

Pam Brownell

Pam Brownell

Pam joined Big Waters December 2007. Her current role as Chief of Staff encompasses oversight of daily organizational operations, human resources, Board Governance, risk management and all capital projects. Pam’s extensive understanding of the Land Trust Alliance’s Standards and Practices have helped Big Waters ensure compliance and achieve the status of a nationally accredited land … Read more

Sarah Denison Williams

Sarah Denison Williams

Sarah joined Big Waters in May 2023. As Community Education Manager, she creates engaging experiences that help people of all ages form connections with nature. Sarah grew up in Jupiter, FL, and moved to Manatee County in 2010 to attend New College of Florida. Sarah graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies in … Read more

Esmeralda Figueras

Esmeralda joined Big Waters in August 2022 as a Land Steward. She works with our land stewardship manager, Lee Amos, to conserve and steward land across Southwest Florida. Born and raised in Manatee county, Esmeralda ventured to the far northern reaches of North Carolina to earn a degree in Environmental Science & Policy at Duke … Read more

Michael Greatchus

Michael joined Big Waters in 2021. He was born and raised in New England and graduated from Hesser College. In 2005, Michael moved to sunny Florida with his husband Frank. As an Executive Assistant Michael brings to Big Waters extensive experience as a trusted partner providing support on administrative and business management. He resides in … Read more

Christine Johnson

Christine Johnson

Christine P. Johnson is a fifth generation Floridian who shares the Big Waters’ vision for the human and natural words of Southwest Florida to flourish together. After earning a BS in Business Administration from the College of Charleston and an MBA from the University of Florida, Christine worked in management and consulted with Fortune 500 … Read more