MOVERS AND SHAKERS | STAFF & TRUSTEE NEWS

MOLLY SCOTT | Events Coordinator

As WCT’s Events Coordinator, Molly assists with all things events here at Willistown Conservation Trust, including the initial planning and the day-of responsibilities. Before her arrival, Molly previously worked in events and alumni engagement at Swarthmore College, in development and alumni relations at Bryn Mawr College, and in event planning at the University of Pennsylvania. She brings a depth of experience and a joyful, creative spirit that will add to the value of our work. When she’s not busy working on our events, Molly and her family enjoy hiking and birding in the area, while traveling, and on trips to Cape May Point, NJ. She is the mother to three young adult women, a barred rock hen, and a mixed-breed rescue dog.

KIMBERLEY H. GALLIGHER, VMD

Dr. Galligher earned her Veterinary Medical Doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine. Her career has run the gamut in small animal medicine with its entirety in this region. Her roots are in ambulatory medicine, ER, and private practice. Kimberley works as an independent contractor Relief Veterinarian where she works at local veterinary hospitals.

The Galligher family settled down in Willistown 20 years ago and have been active supporters of WCT ever since. Conservationminded people, they currently reside on a historic farm where Kim enjoys cooking, gardening, and beekeeping. Preserving the remaining open space and teaching our young to foster relationships with nature are Kim’s goals. As she explains, “Nature is full of little souls that deserve kindness and gratitude like the rest of the world.”

LINDA

Chester, Pennsylvania, Linda attended West Chester University where she earned an undergraduate degree in Economics. Later, she received a graduate degree in Social Services from Bryn Mawr College. After working in financial services, Linda decided to devote her career to making a difference through various social service roles, including refugee assistance, suicide prevention, disaster recovery, and child welfare. She has since founded a community led nonprofit called Gather in the Circle that works to improve the livability of downtown Newtown Square. Gather runs a seasonal farmers market, and tests ways to encourage sustainable community connections.

When she’s not working to make a difference in her community, Linda can be found splitting her time between Newtown Square and London, where she currently lives with her husband and four children. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, hiking, reading, and spending time with her family. As a board member, she hopes to continue to champion WCT’s work by helping to strengthen connections to the surrounding communities.

We honor three founding trustees who concluded board service in 2022.

TIMOTHY B. BARNARD, FOUNDING TRUSTEE | We honor Tim’s 26 years of service as a key founding board member helping to establish the Trust. We thank him for his part in instituting the legal governance structures that have guided our organization toward a strong and viable institution. For his gentle powers of persuasion and his keen knowledge of nonprofit organizations and environmental law. For his ability to listen to others and consider the merits of multiple points of view. For his efforts to make the environmental movement and the Trust more inclusive and welcoming to all.

ALICE HAUSMANN, FOUNDING TRUSTEE | We honor Alice’s nearly 40 years of dedication to preserving the Willistown countryside and serving the community she loves — first as a consultant to the Brandywine Conservancy and later as co-founder of the Trust in 1996. We thank her for her passion, valued intuitions, kindness, and ability to understand the point of view of others. For her willingness to support bold new initiatives — from the founding of Rushton Farm to the Bird Conservation and Watershed Protection Programs. For her love of the natural world, including birds and all wild creatures; and for her unwavering dedication to showing us how to share these resources with all people. For the wisdom and guidance as a committee leader, Executive Committee member, and Trustee, that has made the Trust a strong and vibrant organization; and for her enduring friendship, we are forever grateful.

JAMES VAN ALEN II, FOUNDING TRUSTEE | We honor Jim for being an essential member of the Founding Trustees in the development of the Trust’s mission. We thank him for helping to guide us financially toward a responsible and sustainable future. For devoting himself to the acquisition and preservation of a portion of his own family’s land known as Rushton, now the home of Rushton Woods Preserve and the Rushton Conservation Center, with Trust Programs including Community Farm, Bird Conservation, and Watershed Protection. For his unbridled faith in the leadership of his wife, Bonnie, in support of their mutual passion to preserve open space and the natural resources therein for all to share.