Ru Mahoney
Director of Operations

Ru is originally from the gulf coast and developed a love of nature early in life on the beaches and backwater of Florida. She now resides in Logan with her husband, a carnivore ecologist, and six year old daughter. Ru holds a degree in Biology from New College of Florida, with a specialization in neuroethology and scientific illustration. Her field experience includes research on wolves in northern Minnesota and endangered birds in the Everglades and Florida Keys. Previous professional experience has included illustration and curatorial work, environmental journalism, creative development, and event production for dynamic environmental media outlets like the BLUE Ocean Film Festival. Her goals for Stokes include expanded community outreach, establishing citizen science projects in Cache Valley, and recruiting a diverse membership base. She is very pleased with the opportunity to add her talents to the wonderful programming offered at Stokes.

Andrea Liberatore
Director of Education

Andrea Liberatore grew up mostly in rural Wisconsin where she had pets ranging from your typical cats and dogs to sheep, cows, and horses. Her passion for nature was inherited from a plant-loving mother and an animal-loving father. She has a Master of Science degree in Natural Resources and Environment from the University of Michigan and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois. Previous experience includes research on place-based education for the U.S. Forest Service, organic gardening education through a botanical garden in Michigan, research on toxins in household products, and a stint as a dendrochronologist (one who reads tree rings). She also spent two years living in South Africa with her husband, Adam, as an education volunteer for the U.S. Peace Corps. Andrea is excited to be in Logan, teaching and learning about the area's beautiful natural treasures.

Leanna Ballard
Parent Tot Teacher

Leanna Ballard teaches our Parent Tot program at SNC. She brings a wealth of knowledge experience to this program. Leanna developed and directed the Outdoor Adventures and Discovering Nature program for Logan City and Cache County school districts. She led backpacking and hiking tours for the Audubon’s Junior Naturalist program. And she taught at Teton Science Schools. Leanna now works as a botanist. She raised five of her own children, and is now an active grandmother of five. Leanna believes strongly in experience education. She enjoys sharing her appreciation for nature with both tots and their parents and helping to spark their sense of wonder through the Parent Tot program.

Pam Riffe
Bookkeeper