Executive Director

Laura has been the Executive Director of Heart-J Center since its launch in 2014. She was immersed in hands-on learning from toddlerhood, tagging along on her biologist parents’ field expeditions in the mountains, forests, rivers, and deserts of Colorado and Utah. The curiosity and conservation ethic inspired by these childhood adventures led to a career in land and water conservation, natural history interpretation, and nonprofit management. Laura’s work at Heart-J Center brings together nearly 30 years of conservation and education experience and is driven by her desire to help others discover the activities and topics that ignite their passions. Laura holds a B.A. in Biology/Environmental Science from Colby College in Maine, an M.S. in Environmental Studies from the University of Montana, and an M.Ed. in Education and Human Resources/Organizational Learning Performance and Change from Colorado State University.

Director of Programs & Operations

Silas joined the Heart-J Team 2018 and has been steadily expanding and diversifying Heart-J programs. He has over 20 years of experience leading adventure education-based expeditions, logging hundreds of backcountry days, from the southwest US and Mexico to Australia, Nepal, Scotland, and more. An all-around outdoorsman, Silas has through-hiked 600 miles of Colorado's Continental Divide Trail and is a certified Wilderness First Responder. Silas holds a B.A. in Arts and Humanities from Colorado State University, an M.A. in Environmental Management and Sustainable Development from the University of Queensland, Australia, and is a former Ph.D. candidate (ABD) in Sustainability Education at Prescott College.

Youth Programs Manager

Angela joined the Heart-J Center staff in early 2022. Angela first came to Sylvan Dale as a wrangler, making the most of her 20 years of experience riding, training, and caring for horses. Angela quickly realized that Sylvan Dale’s natural setting makes it an incredible place for outdoor learning. With a background in geology and sustainability education, and recent work as a substitute K-12 classroom teacher, Angela is excited to put her passion for education, her dedication to young people, and her love of Sylvan Dale to work to expand Heart-J Center’s youth programs. Angela earned a B.S. in Geology from Western Illinois University and an M.S. in Environmental Science and Sustainability from Loyola University.

Program & Development Coordinator

Carol has been coming to Sylvan Dale since she was a toddler in the early 1960s! As a lifelong guest, Carol is deeply passionate about this incredible place. Carol lived in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Oklahoma, and moved to Loveland in early 2022. Carol is excited to be part of the Heart-J Center’s efforts to protect Sylvan Dale’s legacy so that the Ranch can serve future generations. Carol’s 40-year career in IT/project management has provided her with the skills and attention to detail needed to keep Heart-J Center organized - including program scheduling and details, and data management. Carol is also an ambassador for Heart-J Center, sharing the inspiring plans for the future of the Ranch with Sylvan Dale guests. Carol holds an A.S. in Mathematics and a B.A. in Business Administration from National Louis University in Chicago.

Youth Outdoor Educator

Hi! My name is Mel and I'm one of the Outdoor Educators for our Nature School program at the Heart-J Center located at Sylvan Dale Ranch in Loveland, CO! My fondest memories take me back to my childhood in Illinois- swimming in lakes, riding horses, catching bugs and playing in the mud. A guiding torch in my life is that childlike sense of curiosity and my love for learning. This eventually led me to pursuing a bachelor's degree in education at the University of Kansas. While there, I declared an emphasis in special education and service learning. After graduation, I worked as an early childhood interventionist, and soon after, my curiosity and love for learning sparked the desire to return to school along with a change of scenery. In May of 2024, I will complete my Masters in Counseling with a focus in youth mental health from Colorado State University. It is an honor combining my knowledge of teaching, passion for mental health, and personal love for alternative education in the outdoor world through the wonderful Nature School programs at X8 Global. It feels like a dream come true. I thoroughly enjoy spending my days alongside my students in the beautiful acreage at the Sylvan Dale Ranch. I have the opportunity to learn everyday and my curiosity is so well fed. I’m elated to continue working with this partnership for another year, and I can’t wait to see what else is in store.

Education Ranger

Hi, my name is Claudia Hickam and I'm one of the Outdoor Educators for the 3rd-5th grade class at the Heart-J Center which is located at Sylvan Dale Ranch in Loveland, CO. I received my bachelor's from the University of Kansas with a degree in communications focusing in personal, emotional, and interpersonal communication, but I have a passion for education and the great outdoors! I'm so excited to have the opportunity to teach our students all about the natural world while continuing to build a sense of community.