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.
Donna Keeley (Programs Committee chair) – Pittsfield, NH
A long-time neighbor of Graylag, Donna is an avid community volunteer in Pittsfield. She chairs the Programs Committee, which develops year-round educational programs to bring people closer to nature at Graylag.
Peter Schultz (Treasurer, Finance Committee chair) – Madison, 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.
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.
Melinda Bubier – Strafford, NH
Serita Frey – Deerfield, NH
Serita is an ecologist and professor at the University of New Hampshire where her research examines global change impacts on New England forests. She lives in Deerfield with her husband and daughter.
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.
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.
