Sandi J. Helgerson joined JDCF in the summer of 2008. She has a long history of working with non-profit organizations in human service and conservation fields – United Way, the University of Iowa, the Girl Scouts, the Dubuque Soil and Water Conservation District and St. Mark Community Center in Dubuque. Her main areas of focus have been in health promotion, program development, and fundraising.

Helgerson, a native of Dubuque, Iowa, has enjoyed and taken advantage of all the rich resources that are available in the Tri-State area. Currently, she resides on a 120-acre farm just south of the Dubuque airport. Her husband has worked for John Deere for over 30 years. They have a six year old son who enjoys a number of outdoor activities with the family, including horseback riding.

Michele Cahill joined JDCF in 2010, initially coordinating an eight-month project, JDCF's application for accreditation to the Land Trust Alliance. After that Michele took on a new role as JDCF's Community Educator.

With 20 years in international marketing and sales — and eight years as a yoga instructor — Michele has spent a lot of time organizing, publicizing, and giving presentations. Seven years with a non-profit in California taught her much about coordinationg volunteers and keeping them passionate.

Born and raised in Jo Daviess Couinty, Michele began volunteering at three JDCF-owned land and water reserves — Wapello, Keough Effigy, and and Casper Bluff.

Barb Hatfield was born and raised on a small farmette west of Elizabeth, Illinois. After marrying her husband, Jerry Hatfield, they lived in West Central Illinois; Madison, Wisconsin; and Racine, Wisconsin. Seven years ago they moved back to Jo Daviess County, because it's "home" and the prettiest place in the country.

Barb was a business manager at a parochial h igh school in Wisconsin for ten years and, since moving back to Illinois, has worked in an accounting office and in the finance department of a design firm. In her spare time she enjoys walking, scrapbooking, reading, and spending time with family and friends.

Jeff Horn implements land management plans, maintains sites for public access, and coordinates projects with volunteers. In September 2009 Horn came to JDCF from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, where he was part of the Natural Heritage Residency program.

Jeff completed his Master of Science from the University of Illinois in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences in 2009. Before going back to graduate school, he worked with several different agencies, including the Illinois Natural History Survey, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Forest Service, and the Nature Conservancy. Jeff enjoys hunting, fishing, golf, baseball, and spending time with his family.

Deb Kelly joined JDCF in early 2008 following many years with the Equestrian Land Conservation Resource as the Director of Equestrian Partnership. Kelly assists JDCF staff with the production of all printed and electronic communications — newsletters, press releases, informational brochures, and specialized reports.

When not in the office, Deb teaches riding lessons as well as exercises a variety of horses for local clients. She lives at home with her husband Mike, three cats, three basset hounds, and six pasture ornaments. She also has two horses that earn their keep in the world of eventing.

Chris Kirkpatrick has worked for JDCF in cooperation with the University of Illinois Extension since 2003. Chris' responsibilities include landowner outreach, land protection, and stewardship services program. Chris also provides technical services for hire to landowners for habitat inventories, land management plans, and GPS mapping.

Kirkpatrick has helped to expand greatly the Land Stewardship Registry Program, a voluntary recognition program to develop relationships with landowners, as well as the program that protects land through conservation easements. Chris has also been an integral part of the acquisition of the land owned by the Foundation.

Christie Trifone-Simon joined JDCF in 2007, coming to the Foundation with a flavored background and experience base, having offered service to Iowa DNR (parks & fisheries), Army Corp of Engineers, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a Soil & Water Conservation District in MN, and the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium.

For JDCF, Christie develops and administers a plan that interacts with donors and builds relationships with them. She works to increase the assets of the Foundation by conducting special events, securing business partnerships, and acquiring in-kind gifts that meet a need of the Foundation. In her spare time, Christie enjoys spending time with her family and loves to hike, bike, and camp, fish, garden, and bake goodies!