Staff

In 1995, the Southeast Alaska Land Trust had a founding Board of three, along with a handful of volunteers. Today, SEALT has an 11-member Board of Directorsfour standing committees, and a skilled professional staff responsible for carrying out the work of land conservation.

Margaret Custer | Executive Director

Margaret brings a wealth of experience to the important work of the Southeast Alaska Land Trust, having focused her career on collaborating with state and federal agencies, tribes, nonprofits, and the private sector to safeguard environmental, economic, cultural, and subsistence resources. From 2008-2021, she managed the region’s oil spill response team and provided prevention and preparedness services in 14 different communities in Southeast Alaska. That engagement with community stakeholders and industry partners in the waters and waterfronts of Southeast Alaska inspired her in countless ways to cherish the region she calls home. Since joining the land trust in 2021, she is honored to partner with communities, businesses, and individuals to conserve wild spaces that are vital to their long-term interests.

Margaret is passionate about building community, environmental stewardship, and developing partnerships that benefit the greater good. She loves volunteering, travel, finance, cooking, hiking, asking the right questions, and reading great books.

Email: margaret@sealt.org

Stephanie Lawlor | Conservation Manager

Stephanie grew up in Ketchikan (Go Kings!) and spent most of her adult life traveling around the world with her Air Force husband and children until landing in Florida. In Florida, she worked as a research scientist at the University of South Florida investigating wetland hydrologic connectivity. Stephanie graduated with a BS in Evolutionary Biology and Ecology from the University of West Florida and received her MS in Environmental Science and Policy from the University of South Florida. Missing the beautiful lands and waters of the Tongass and having two of her four adult children living here, Juneau was the perfect place to return to her roots. Experienced in wetlands, grant writing, and private fundraising, Stephanie is eager to work with landowners to ensure the wildlands of Southeast Alaska are conserved for future generations. Her favorite pastime is spending time with her family while exploring and enjoying everything Southeast has to offer.

Email: stephanie@sealt.org

Dan Hysell  | Stewardship Specialist

Having grown up on the east coast, Dan often explored the forests, mountains, and rivers of northern New Jersey. His love for nature led him to pursue a degree in Biology at Boston College, where he grew his passion for environmental conservation. After coming to Juneau in 2017 as an AmeriCorps volunteer, Dan decided to dedicate time to engaging directly with youth and families in the community. He spent the past several years coordinating educational, social, and nutrition-based opportunities at the local and State level. He is very excited to join the SEALT team in land stewardship, and looks forward to working with landowners and community members to care for the cherished lands of Southeast Alaska.

Dan is passionate about collaborating with the community, caring for our lands and waters, and honoring place-based values. Outside of work, he loves to hike up mountains, bake (and eat) lots of bread, and wander in the woods with his dog, Goofy.

Email: dan@sealt.org

Ceona Koch  | Outreach & Development

Originally from central Washington, Ceona grew up cruising the Inside Passage with her family on their homebuilt steel sailboat. Since graduating from Western Washington University with degrees in Environmental Science and Spanish, she has lived and worked in Wrangell as a naturalist guide and office manager for a local tour company. She has also worked as a fisheries technician on the Stikine River for ADF&G, and in tourism development for the City of Wrangell. Through personal projects and volunteer work she has gained experience in community development, event planning, and graphic design.

In her time off you’ll find Ceona on long bike rides, cooking, fishing, foraging, reading, and spending time with friends around a campfire. She cares deeply about conservation, outdoor recreation, and community building.

Email: ceona@sealt.org

Goofy | Tennis Ball Supervisor

Goofy grew up exploring the trails and waters of Juneau and is always excited to get out on his next adventure, rain or shine. His favorite things include chin scratches, dropped croissants, rolling in alpine patches of snow, and meeting new friends of all kinds (except squirrels).