Meet our Staff
Lauren Kras
Executive Director
Lauren holds a BS in environmental science from Messiah College and a MS in Plant Biology from UNH. She joined the Society for the Protection of NH Forests in 2012 where she served as Conservation Easement Steward until 2017. During those years, she also taught biology at UNH and served on the board of directors of New Hampshire Audubon. In 2017, she joined Mass Audubon in Plymouth, MA as Tidmarsh Sanctuary Director. Here Lauren helped create a wildlife sanctuary at the home of a former cranberry bog that underwent the largest freshwater restoration in the northeast. In 2020, she was promoted to South East Regional Director for Mass Audubon and in that role has managed 21 wildlife sanctuaries and aided in protecting nature for people and for wildlife throughout Plymouth and Bristol counties in Massachusetts. Lauren is a passionate and enthusiastic conservationist. She is excited to be part of the Squam community and lead SLCS into its next chapter!
Emily Landry
Land Acquisition Director
Emily joined the Squam Lakes Conservation Society as the land acquisition director in 2023. She brings years of experience in stewardship and was part of the first AmeriCorps cohort at SLCS back in 2018.
To further the mission of SLCS, Emily leads the land conservation process. This includes working with landowners, drafting conservation easements and baseline documentation reports, making maps, coordinating with attorneys, surveyors, and appraisers, and getting out in the field to explore potential conservation land. If you are interested in conserving your land in the Squam Lakes community, please contact us!
Katie Currie-Huggard
Stewardship Director
After earning a degree in Outdoor Education and Natural History from Sterling College in VT, Katie developed a deep appreciation for environmental protection. Following graduation, she spent three years at the Hulbert Outdoor Center in Fairlee, VT, where she met her partner, Abe. She then worked as a Senior Land Steward at the Upper Valley Land Trust in Hanover, NH, focusing on easement stewardship, fee land maintenance, and collaborating with volunteers. Katie lives in Haverhill, NH, bordering the White Mountains National Forest, which allows her to conveniently hike up Black Mountain from her doorstep. Her interests include gardening, hiking, skiing, kayaking, birdwatching, and exploring various locations. Her time at SLCS has strengthened her love for Squam’s special places and people. Her favorite place to visit on Squam Lake is our Doublehead Preserve and she hopes to see you out there!
Denise Siraco
Communications & Development Director
Denise joined the team at SLCS in 2021. Although Denise grew up in Massachusetts, she lived all over the country before settling in to the Lakes Region in New Hampshire in 2001 to be closer to family. Denise has honed her skills in marketing, graphic design, social media marketing, guest services and event coordinating throughout her 20 plus years in hospitality management and non-profit educational organizations, as well as owning her own small graphic design-web design business. She is used to wearing many hats, and sincerely enjoys it.
Sara Hixon
Bookkeeping & Administrative Support
As the Bookkeeper and Administrative Support for Squam Lakes Conservation Society, Sara, works part time on Tuesday and Wednesday each week. She has been a part of the team since March of 2020. Sara handles all the Accounts Payable and Receivables, Account Reconciliation, Unitization, Prepares Reports for Board Review, handles some Human Resource tasks, Works on Finance oriented tasks regarding the Forever Squam Capital Campaign, prepares information and works with the Auditor each year, Works on Tax Exemptions, along with providing support to any of her team members.
Sara is a lifelong resident of the Squam area. She feels so grateful to reside in such a beautiful spot and work for an organization with members that care so much about preserving natural beauty for those of today and those to come. Together we are strong.