People

Cheri Dill joined Delaware Nature Society in 2019 as the Director of Business and Finance. Born and raised in New Castle County, Delaware, she is excited to join an organization dedicated to local environmental education, advocacy and conservation.  Cheri comes to Delaware Nature Society with over 20 years of not-for-profit accounting and business management working for local organizations dedicated to education, youth development, and community health.  Cheri holds an MBA from Widener University and a BS in Accounting from the University of Delaware.  A mother of two, she resides with her husband in Newark.

Scott Heck joined Delaware Nature Society in 2015 as their Facilities Manager. In 2021 he was promoted to Director of Facilities and Grounds. In his new role, he will direct the design, planning, construction and maintenance of the organization’s commercial facilities and residential properties. He is responsible for developing and managing the global facility and grounds, operating and capital budgets, and long-range plans based on the organization’s growth and future needs. Raised in New Castle County, Scott’s passion for Delaware’s natural areas began while canoeing the Brandywine River, fishing the Delaware Bay, and exploring the regions great parks and trail systems. He resides in North Wilmington with his beautiful wife and two kids.

Emily Knearl joined the Delaware Nature Society in October 2019. Emily has worked in advocacy and communications in the nonprofit and government sectors for 25 years. She has 20+ years in developing targeted strategies to pass a legislative agenda, build a brand, and engage a community.  She is delighted to join the DelNature team and their important work in conservation, education and advocacy.  Emily has a Master in Public Administration from the University of Delaware and a BA in Political Science from Trinity University.

Joanne McGeoch has been a non-profit executive and fundraising professional since 2003. She has worked in leadership roles in non-profits throughout the greater Philadelphia region including Habitat for Humanity, Tyler Arboretum and Greener Partners. In her 18 years as a fundraiser, she has raised over $15M towards capital campaigns, capacity building, and strategic growth initiatives. She joined Delaware Nature Society in 2015 as the Director of Development & Marketing. In January 2018 she was promoted to Deputy Director and in July 2021, she was appointed Interim Executive Director. Joanne has a BFA in Studio Arts from Arizona State University, and advanced certifications in Fundraising and Planned Giving. Her passion for the environment stems from childhood years spent getting lost in woods, climbing trees, and later, mountains. In her spare time, she builds clay pots and bowls from creek-clay using textures and colors inspired by nature. She lives in Wilmington with her husband and two children.

Tina comes to Delaware Nature Society with extensive experience managing educational programs for youth, families and adults at multiple sites and in positions of increasing responsibility for the YMCA of Delaware and the YMCA of Greater Brandywine. Tina’s experience includes camp, out-of-school-time programs, and licensed early childhood programs. Tina is an approved trainer for the Delaware Institute for Excellence in Early Education, the American Camping Association, the Darkness to Light child abuse prevention program and the American Red Cross, and completed a certification program titled “Outdoor Learning in a Nutshell” with  the Eastern Region Association of Forest and Nature Schools.