Operations Staff
Layla Dunlap, M.S. Chief of Staff
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Layla Dunlap is our Chief of Staff after serving as the SGI Director of Finance and Operations. After living out west for over 20 years, Layla decided to come back to her hometown of Clarksville to help us achieve our restoration and conservation goals across the Southeast. While living in Montana, she honed her botany skills as well as her project and personnel management skills. Layla recently worked for the Montana Department of Agriculture where she managed multiple regulatory programs and supervised over 20 employees. Layla earned her Master’s of Science degree from the University of Idaho in 2015 and focused her research on different techniques for growing native plants for restoration. She has multiple years experience in growing native plants and conducting rare plant surveys in the western U.S. Layla’s favorite native plants include Pyrola asarifolia, Lupinus sericeus, Xerophyllum tenax, and Lewisia rediviva.
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Melissa Horn, Executive Administrative Assistant
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Melissa comes to SGI from the business world, with over 20 years’ experience in various roles as an Administrative or Executive Assistant. She holds an AAS in Accounting and a BS in Business Management & Organizational Development.
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Devan Gearhart, Technical Clerk
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Devan is SGI’s administrative assistant and technical clerk; essentially, the organization’s glue. She is a graduate of APSU with a degree in biology and in science education and has several years of experience in administrative support. Before joining the SGI team, Devan had volunteered with SGI at the Dunbar Cave prairie restoration. Contact Devan if you have any questions about SGI.
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Sara Whisler, M.S., Project Specialist
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Sara graduated from Austin Peay in 2016 with a B.S.in English Literature. Sara started working at Austin Peay in the Health and Counseling department as the Administrative Assistant. During this time, she completed her master’s degree in Strategic Leadership. Sara has a passion for organization and budgets, and loves learning new things. Sara enjoys new experiences and has done everything from archery to zip-lining. Sara is excited to join the SGI team and put her experience to work. Her current projects are Shibori (a Japanese dye technique), Pilates, and spending time with her pup Ginger Pie.
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Holly L, M.Sc., Project Specialist
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Holly serves as SGI's Project Specialist. Holly obtained her Master of Science degree from Austin Peay State University in 2022. Holly's favorite plant genera are Liatris, Equisetum, and Achillea. Beyond her professional pursuits, she finds joy in birding, reading, and maintaining an extensive houseplant collection, reflecting her deep appreciation of nature and conservation.
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Email: holly.latta@segrasslands.org
communications staff
Eleanor Lopez, DPM, Director of Communications
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Eleanor Lopez comes to SGI with years of experience developing communications strategies in nonprofit, academic, and for-profit sectors. She obtained her Doctorate of Plant Medicine from the University of Florida, along with a Master’s of Entomology & Nematology. She holds an MS in Sustainability, and degrees in Spanish and Environmental Studies. Eleanor is committed to telling the stories about conservation efforts of prairie plants and the animals that use them - from the tiniest bee that coevolved with a specific flower - to the humans that have used prairies for food, fiber, and medicine for thousands of years.
Please contact Eleanor with any press or media inquiries.
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Click here to view Eleanor’s CV
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Gregg Elliott, Communications Consultant