Heart-J Center staff, volunteers, and partners gathered in a circle on a burn-recovery meadow with the Northern Colorado foothills behind them

Leadership, Stewardship & Community

The people who guide, teach, steward, and strengthen Heart-J Center.

Leadership & Staff

Leadership and staff.

The team running programs, operations, and stewardship day to day.

Silas Binkley, M.A.
Executive Director, Heart-J CenterChief Executive Officer, Sylvan Dale Legacy

Silas Binkley, M.A.

Silas Binkley serves as Executive Director of Heart-J Center and Chief Executive Officer of Sylvan Dale Legacy, leading the organizations' vision, operations, strategic partnerships, and long-term stewardship initiatives. Since joining Heart-J Center in 2018, he has helped guide the organizations' growth through innovative programming, organizational leadership, conservation partnerships, and the stewardship of Heart-J Center's 960 protected acres.

Laura Hershiser, B.S.
Program Operations & Communications ManagerELEVATE Program Manager

Laura Hershiser, B.S.

Laura leads nature-based mental wellness programming through ELEVATE and directs organizational operations, communications, and partnership coordination. Her background spans environmental education, outdoor leadership, facilitation, and whitewater river guiding, work that shaped her belief in what sustained time outdoors can do for a person. Laura earned her B.S. from Southern Oregon University.

Ben Meyer, B.S.
Horsemanship & Land-Based Operations Program Manager

Ben Meyer, B.S.

Ben Meyer serves as Heart-J Center's Horsemanship & Land-Based Operations Program Manager, leading hands-on experiences in horsemanship, working-land stewardship, and practical backcountry skills. A lifelong horseman, Ben believes meaningful learning happens through mentorship, hands-on work, and a close working relationship with the land. He oversees the development of the H.O.L.L.S. program while helping students build practical skills rooted in traditional ranching, conservation, and responsible land stewardship.

Henry McLaughlin, M.S.
Lead Facilitator, ELEVATE

Henry McLaughlin, M.S.

Henry facilitates nature-based wellness programs for organizations throughout Central and Northern Colorado, guiding participants in reflection, resilience, and growth across Sylvan Dale Ranch and the Heart-J Center backcountry. He holds an M.S. from Colorado State University and is a certified Wilderness First Responder.

Noah George
Backcountry Sawyers Program Manager

Noah George

Noah George leads Heart-J Center's Backcountry Sawyers Program, coordinating volunteers and restoration projects that improve forest health, reduce wildfire risk, and expand safe access throughout Heart-J Center's backcountry properties. Over the past two years, he has helped steward Heart-J Center's forested landscapes through hands-on conservation, trail restoration, and fuels-mitigation projects.

Zella Benson, B.S.
Nature School Educator

Zella Benson, B.S.

Zella teaches with energy and a relationship-first approach, helping students build confidence, curiosity, resilience, and ecological awareness through hands-on exploration in Northern Colorado. A CSU graduate, rock climber, and backpacker, she is helping develop new backpacking initiatives for Heart-J Center and Nature School.

Nick Hagen, A.A.S.
Nature School Educator

Nick Hagen, A.A.S.

Nick is a conservation practitioner and lifelong outdoorsman with deep field experience in wildlife management, stream restoration, and outdoor education. He owns Songdog Outdoor Services in Fort Collins, specializing in beaver coexistence and low-tech ecological restoration, and serves as an assistant instructor in Front Range Community College's Natural Resources Department. A.A.S., Wildlife Technology (FRCC, 2022).

Governance

Meet Our Board of Directors

Volunteer leaders providing strategic direction, financial oversight, and long-term stewardship for Heart-J Center.

John Hallagan, Chair, Heart-J Center Board of Directors
Chair

John Hallagan

John serves as General Counsel and Senior Advisor to the Flavor Extract Manufacturers Association, providing legal, regulatory, and scientific counsel to the association and its members. He brings decades of governance, compliance, and organizational leadership experience to the Board Chair role.

Eliana Paradise, Secretary, Heart-J Center Board of Directors
Secretary

Eliana Paradise

Eliana is a graduate student at Colorado State University in Ecosystem Science and Sustainability, with a focus on carbon management. Her research perspective informs the Board's approach to land, climate, and long-term stewardship.

Marilyn Schaefer, Treasurer, Heart-J Center Board of Directors
Treasurer

Marilyn Schaefer

Marilyn is Director of Respiratory Therapy at UCHealth and a certified coach through the Regional Institute for Health and Environmental Leadership. She brings clinical leadership, financial oversight, and health-and-wellness perspective to the Board.

Angela Elzer, Board Member, Heart-J Center Board of Directors
Board Member

Angela Elzer

Angela Elzer served on the Heart-J Center staff from 2022 to 2026, where she helped shape many of the organization's signature youth education experiences. She played a leading role in launching and expanding the Nature School, guiding its growth into one of the region's premier nature-based educational programs while also overseeing adventure camps and experiential youth programming.

Marshall Spring, Board Member, Heart-J Center Board of Directors
Board Member

Marshall Spring

Marshall is the Founder and Executive Director of Combat Recovery Foundation, a nonprofit supporting veterans and first responders through community, purpose, and outdoor-based experiences. He brings extensive leadership experience in veteran advocacy, partnership development, and mission-driven programming focused on resilience, connection, and healing through nature.

Clinton Wilson, Board Member, Heart-J Center Board of Directors
Board Member

Clinton Wilson

Clinton serves as State Program Specialist for Behavioral Health Logistics with CSU Cooperative Extension. His work across rural and agricultural communities strengthens the Board's understanding of behavioral health, working lands, and community partnership.

Board inquiries, nominations, and governance questions are routed through organizational leadership.

Contact the Board
Founder Emerita
Laura Armstrong, Founder Emerita and Senior Strategic Advisor of the Heart-J Center for Experiential Learning

Laura Armstrong

Founder Emerita & Senior Strategic Advisor

Founder & Executive Director, 2014–2025

Laura Armstrong founded the Heart-J Center for Experiential Learning in 2014 and served as its Executive Director for more than a decade. Under her leadership, Heart-J Center grew from an ambitious idea at Sylvan Dale Ranch into a vibrant nonprofit serving thousands of people through nature-based education, experiential learning, community partnerships, and land stewardship.

Laura built the organization around a deep belief that meaningful experiences in nature should be accessible to everyone. Her leadership expanded opportunities for youth, teachers, veterans, first responders, healthcare workers, families, and diverse communities, with a strong commitment to inclusion, equity, and access. Along the way, she cultivated lasting relationships with donors, foundations, partners, volunteers, and community leaders that continue to strengthen Heart-J Center today.

Laura concluded her service as Executive Director at the end of 2025, but her connection to the organization continues. As Founder Emerita and Senior Strategic Advisor, she brings her institutional knowledge, relationships, and perspective to Heart-J Center and Sylvan Dale Legacy as they steward the land, community, and mission she helped shape into their next chapter.

Heart-J Center is deeply grateful for Laura's vision, perseverance, and more than a decade of extraordinary service.

ELEVATE Team

ELEVATE team.

Facilitators and clinicians leading nature-based wellness work through ELEVATE.

Cecily Kreager
ELEVATE PractitionerPractitioner

Cecily Kreager

Cecily Kreager is a therapist, facilitator, and wellness provider based in Northern Colorado who walks alongside individuals and families with curiosity, playfulness, and hope. She believes each person has the right to heal in ways that feel meaningful to them, whether through a therapeutic relationship, creativity, nature, art, or a combination of different paths.

Jess Erickson
ELEVATE PractitionerPractitioner

Jess Erickson

Jess Erickson is an embodiment enthusiast, soul-restoration practitioner, and fusion belly dance instructor and performer. She began working with Heart-J Center as an ELEVATE facilitator in 2025.

Jess brings together nature immersion, connection with self and others, creativity, movement, and mindfulness. She believes this combination helps make ELEVATE a distinctive and meaningful experience for participants. Her interests include creativity, healing, dance, spirituality, and understanding the complexities of the human psyche.

Outside of her work, Jess cares for nearly 200 plants with her husband and shares her home with a cat named Princesa Francesca Penelope. Additional information about her work is available at jesserickson.com.

Brian Yoder
Licensed Professional CounselorPractitioner

Brian Yoder

Brian is a Licensed Professional Counselor who brings clinical grounding to ELEVATE's time outdoors. He supports participants in building resilience and steadiness, working alongside facilitators and wellness practitioners so each day out holds room for the whole person.

Brad Conner
Licensed Clinical Social WorkerPractitioner

Brad Conner

Brad is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who works with individuals and groups navigating stress, transition, and recovery. Within ELEVATE, he helps hold a steady, welcoming space where participants can slow down, reconnect, and take the next step at their own pace.

Gigi Perkins
Bilingual Facilitator & Interpretation SupportPractitioner

Gigi Perkins

Gigi is a bilingual facilitator who helps make ELEVATE welcoming for Spanish-speaking and bilingual groups across Northern Colorado. She supports interpretation during the day and centers connection, cultural belonging, and shared experience so everyone can take part fully.

Parker Horsch
Sound Healing PractitionerPractitioner

Parker Horsch

Parker is a sound healing practitioner whose work invites participants into rest, presence, and nervous-system recovery. His sessions round out ELEVATE's interdisciplinary approach, pairing quiet, restorative practice with the landscape that surrounds it.

Instructors & Community Practitioners

Instructors and community practitioners.

Independent instructors and practitioners teaching and offering sessions on the ranch.

Lisa Griesen
Watercolor InstructorInstructor

Lisa Griesen

Since 2022, Lisa Griesen has taught watercolor classes at Heart-J Center, where creativity, nature, and community come together. She creates expressive watercolor and mixed-media works inspired by the beauty and wonder of nature, meaningful places, and cherished memories. Lisa works with watercolor, alcohol inks, pastels, and other media in a spirit of curiosity and exploration.

Madeline Marchell
Forest Therapy Guide & Wellness PractitionerPractitioner

Madeline Marchell

Madeline Marchell is an integrative medicine practitioner, Qi Gong therapist, naturalist, and forest therapy guide. She provides healing walkabouts in Fort Collins and offers sessions at Sylvan Dale Ranch.

Madeline's connection to the ranch began through volunteer service with Heart-J Center's school programs. She also taught Nature Moves sessions for Heart-J Center's Nature School, helping participants experience movement, nature, and personal well-being through place-based practice.

Additional information about Madeline's work is available at rockymountainshaman.com.

Volunteer Leaders

Volunteer leaders.

Volunteers who give their time and leadership to programs across Heart-J Center.

Rollin Goering
Volunteer Hike LeaderVolunteer

Rollin Goering

Rollin Goering is a Heart-J Center volunteer who organizes public hikes on the ranch. He loves the outdoors and is passionate about creating meaningful opportunities for veterans and community members to connect with the land. Outside of Heart-J Center, Rollin is a full-time residential Realtor with RE/MAX Alliance in Fort Collins.

Dean Call
Volunteer Hike LeaderVolunteer

Dean Call

After serving 12 years in the United States Marine Corps, Dean Call developed a deep commitment to helping others navigate adversity and find purpose beyond life's challenges. His military experience and personal journey of resilience have shaped his passion for supporting veterans, families, and community members through connection, service, and personal growth.

To join the team or volunteer, reach us at explore@heartjcenter.org.

One landscape.
Two complementary roles.

Heart-J Center
Heart-J Center

People. Place. Purpose.

Experiential education and programs connecting people with land through learning, stewardship, community, and direct experience.

Sylvan Dale Legacy
Sylvan Dale Legacy

Land. Conservation. Legacy.

Long-term ownership, conservation, protection, and stewardship of land and enduring resources in support of charitable purposes.

Explore Sylvan Dale Legacy

Together, the organizations create a durable relationship between protecting place and connecting people to it.

Volunteers working a fence line in the Northern Colorado foothills
Stewardship Community

Stewardship Begins With Showing Up

Three ways people care for this landscape. Choose the one that fits where you are.

A Land Access Steward reviewing a map on the ranch
By Invitation

Land Access Stewards

A trained cadre of experienced volunteers who mentor crews, interpret the landscape, and support safe public access.

Learn More
Two people walking a foothills ridge above the valley at first light
Coming 2027

Stewardship Council

A small invited group whose long experience on this land will advise the Executive Director. Its purpose is stewardship, not governance.

Learn More
Volunteers working together on a restoration project
Open to Everyone

Volunteer Community

Trails, forest health, wildfire recovery, habitat, and waterways. Start with one project day and find your way back.

Learn More
Begin the Journey

Memberships & Affiliations

Professional credentials
  • Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education logo
    Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education (CAEE)
    Organizational Member

    Heart-J Center is an organizational member of the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education, part of a statewide network working to advance high-quality environmental education throughout Colorado.

    Member Profile