Who We Are
Graylag Staff
Nik Bassett, Facilities Director
A lifelong resident, just five minutes down the road in nearby Northwood, I love to call this area home. Working in and enjoying the outdoors is a great passion of mine. My wife and I have two boys who love to come to Graylag to play and explore. A goal of mine is to help ensure that areas like Graylag and land around will provide the same opportunities I was able to enjoy growing up outdoors, for my kids and for generations to come. Projects around Graylag are always in the works. While some are done to help satisfy the needs of our guests, others are designed to help people enjoy and connect with the natural settings around us. Staying connected to the local community is an important value of mine. I have served on various committees and organizations but have dedicated a lot of my efforts to the local fire department.
Anne Deely, Executive Director
I first came to Graylag as a guest in 2013, and like so many others, I knew my family would have to come back again (and again). I am grateful to have returned every summer since then, and even more grateful to now spend my work days here as well. I live in Deerfield with my husband and three sons. Many of my most treasured family memories are built around Graylag, and I am happy to be able to help others experience the peace of this beautiful place!
Board of Directors
Fran Berman (President, Board chair) – Exeter, NH
Fran has been deeply involved in Graylag operations for the past five years and assisted her partner Carl Wallman in its transition to Graylag Nature Preserve. She is a retired editor and small business consultant as well as an experienced nonprofit leader who has served in key roles on multiple nonprofit boards. She grew up on a farm in New Jersey and has lived in NH for 40 years.
Melinda Bubier (Vice President) – Strafford, NH
Gerry Caron – Needham, MA
Gerry is an avid outdoorsman, naturalist, and friend of Graylag. “Carl’s vision for the Graylag Nature Preserve resonates with me deeply and I hope to help carry it forward into the next chapter.” Gerry is a practicing environmental lawyer in the Boston area and is on the faculty of BC Law School in Newton, MA as an Adjunct Professor.
Susan Geib – Durham, NH
Susan is a writer and a retired marketing communications consultant in higher education. She has served on various nonprofit boards in the arts. Susan grew up at Graylag when it was a boys’ camp founded by her family and would have been the first camper if it had been coed. After decades of city life, she moved back to New Hampshire in 2008 and is thrilled to have become more deeply involved with Graylag.
Nicholas McDermott – Brooklyn, NY
Nicholas McDermott first visited Graylag with his mother, Carl’s cousin, who grew up with him in New York City. Nicholas’ relationship with Carl and Graylag deepened through his work as a practicing architect, assisting with planning and design projects over the years. He is partner and co-founder of Future Expansion, an architecture office in Brooklyn, and is on the faculty at the Yale University School of Architecture.
Dan Scheib – Needham, MA
Dan is a good steward of the environment and a devoted outdoorsman with many years exploring the woodlands of Northern New England. He is also a member and longtime supporter of his local Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), Newton Community Farm. Dan is a retired high-tech executive and is excited to share his passion for the outdoors while supporting the mission of Graylag.
Peter Schultz (Treasurer, Finance Committee chair) – Colchester, CT
Peter came to know Graylag as a guest attending meditation retreats here. He leads the Finance Committee, which provides oversight and guidance to the Board and staff on all important financial matters including annual budget development and monthly reviews of operations versus budget.
Amanda Sears (Secretary) – Deerfield, NH
Amanda is a nonprofit leader who advocates for working families as director of the Campaign for a Family Friendly Economy. Her connection to Graylag was forged several years ago, when she worked at Graylag, overseeing programs and operations.
Mary Ellen Shannon – Barnstead, NH
Mary Ellen was first introduced to Graylag in late fall of 1981. It soon after became her year-round home through mid 1994 — where her children were raised, where her relationship with nature and energies emerged. An instant special connection. Now that she has retired from the administration world, her spare time is spent sharing the gifts of Yoga, meditation, and Reiki in her local community as well as at Graylag. Mary Ellen loves time in her gardens and is a member of the Barnstead Garden Club. She is grateful for this opportunity for more involvement in Graylag.
Mark West (Stewardship Committee chair) – Nottingham, NH
Mark is a wetland/wildlife ecologist who has experience with land conservation, environmental education and birdwatching. Graylag offers the opportunity to apply these interests and more to the land stewardship and education within this community.
Wini Scovill Young – Northwood, NH
I am retired from Coe-Brown Academy where I taught biology and environmental science. I am a member of the Northwood Conservation Commission, Friends of Northwood Meadows State Park and NALMC on whose board I first met Carl. I was familiar with Graylag before he bought it. It has always been a very special place for me and has become so much more so because of Carl’s nurturing and vision.
