Youth unite for Earth;inspire change piece by piece

Ryan Nisay

Executive Director & Founder

Growing up in the Potomac Falls Region, Ryan serves as the founder and Executive Director of the Loudoun Nature Conservation Project, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit he built to inspire students and communities across Loudoun County to become more environmentally conscious and to give back through hands-on service. After stepping back briefly to begin his studies, Ryan has returned to actively leading LNCP's day-to-day operations, guiding its branches, research initiatives, and partnerships as the organization continues to grow. He attends Cornell University with a full ride as a double major in Music and Biological Sciences.

Christian Shire

Co-Founder & Advisor

With a background in environmental sciences, Christian Shire co-founded the Loudoun Nature Conservation Project to address the pressing environmental challenges facing our community. Growing up in Potomac Falls, Christian co-founded LNCP to give back to his community. Christian now attends Acadia University majoring in Marine Biology, where he continues to contribute to LNCP's research division and serves in a mentorship and advisory role.

Enzo Garcia-Eguiluz

Director of External Relations & Communications

A Loudoun County resident, Enzo recognized early on the need for stronger student-led environmental leadership in his community. In 2025, he co-founded LNCP's NOVA Nature Conservation Branch, expanding the organization's reach beyond high schools and into the college community for the first time. Enzo now serves as Director of External Relations and Communications, leading LNCP's community partnerships, media presence, and inter-branch collaboration. He attends Northern Virginia Community College with plans to transfer to the University of Virginia.

Nawaf Shehzad

Director of Expansion & Operations

Recognizing the need for stronger student-led conservation efforts across Northern Virginia, Nawaf co-founded the NOVA Nature Conservation branch in 2025 alongside Enzo, helping bring LNCP's mission to a new community of students and volunteers. As Director of Expansion, Nawaf leads LNCP's efforts to establish new branches across Loudoun County and the broader Northern Virginia region, identifying schools and communities where student conservation can take root and guiding new chapters through their early stages. He attends Northern Virginia Community College with plans to transfer to the University of Virginia.

Shray Vij

Director of Research & Development

Shray joined LNCP in early 2024 and has since led several of the organization’s research initiatives, guiding projects from concept to publication. His work spans LNCP’s water quality studies, including its water factors, runoff, and nitrate research, along with a study on the environmental impact of data center growth across Northern Virginia. As Director of Research & Development, he focuses on applying rigorous science to real-world conservation challenges and using LNCP’s findings to inform local decision-making and broader environmental advocacy. His contributions have helped bring LNCP’s research to a wider audience, including a featured segment on WUSA9 and recognition in the Congressional Record by U.S. Representative Suhas Subramanyam. Outside of LNCP, Shray spends his free time at the gym.

Alyssa Nisay

Branch President

Growing up in Potomac Falls alongside her brother and LNCP founder Ryan, Alyssa developed an early appreciation for the natural spaces that shaped her community. As President of LNCP's Potomac Falls Branch, she leads cleanups, club partnerships, and community engagement efforts within the school and its surrounding area, inspiring fellow students to take meaningful action for conservation.

Evan G

Branch President

Evan is a senior at Independence High School and the founder of LNCP's Independence Branch, which they started in their junior year. An aspiring environmental activist, Evan's path toward advocacy began at the 2025 ACLU Advocacy Institute, and they launched the branch shortly after. Evan is passionate about environmental policy and making conservation fun.

Jenna Hamandi

Branch President

Jenna became a member and founder of LNCP’s Dominion Branch in 2026 to continue the organization’s involvement across Loudoun County. Jenna is currently a student at Dominion and serves as the president for LNCP’s Dominion Branch and leads initiatives that support sustainability, create partnerships, and increase community engagement. She helps organize environmental cleanups and volunteer events that encourage students to take an active role in improving their local environment. Jenna works with local leaders and community partners and is committed to creating a lasting impact by promoting conservation and inspiring others to take action in preserving nature.

Karthik Uppalapati

Branch President

Karthik is a junior at Rock Ridge and AET engineering, and the founder of LNCP's Rock Ridge Branch. His interest in conservation started with the environmental impact of data center expansion across Northern Virginia. As Branch President, Karthik works to make the environment healthier through student-led action at his school.

Tyler

Branch President

Bio coming soon.

Jerson Lorton

Branch President

NOVA branch president position - in progress.

Daniela Morales

Branch President

Bio coming soon.

Ryan Nisay

Executive Director & Founder

Growing up in the Potomac Falls Region, Ryan serves as the founder and Executive Director of the Loudoun Nature Conservation Project, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit he built to inspire students and communities across Loudoun County to become more environmentally conscious and to give back through hands-on service. After stepping back briefly to begin his studies, Ryan has returned to actively leading LNCP's day-to-day operations, guiding its branches, research initiatives, and partnerships as the organization continues to grow. He attends Cornell University with a full ride as a double major in Music and Biological Sciences.

Christian Shire

Co-Founder & Advisor

With a background in environmental sciences, Christian Shire co-founded the Loudoun Nature Conservation Project to address the pressing environmental challenges facing our community. Growing up in Potomac Falls, Christian co-founded LNCP to give back to his community. Christian now attends Acadia University majoring in Marine Biology, where he continues to contribute to LNCP's research division and serves in a mentorship and advisory role.

Enzo Garcia-Eguiluz

Director of External Relations & Communications

A Loudoun County resident, Enzo recognized early on the need for stronger student-led environmental leadership in his community. In 2025, he co-founded LNCP's NOVA Nature Conservation Branch, expanding the organization's reach beyond high schools and into the college community for the first time. Enzo now serves as Director of External Relations and Communications, leading LNCP's community partnerships, media presence, and inter-branch collaboration. He attends Northern Virginia Community College with plans to transfer to the University of Virginia.

Nawaf Shehzad

Director of Expansion & Operations

Recognizing the need for stronger student-led conservation efforts across Northern Virginia, Nawaf co-founded the NOVA Nature Conservation branch in 2025 alongside Enzo, helping bring LNCP's mission to a new community of students and volunteers. As Director of Expansion, Nawaf leads LNCP's efforts to establish new branches across Loudoun County and the broader Northern Virginia region, identifying schools and communities where student conservation can take root and guiding new chapters through their early stages. He attends Northern Virginia Community College with plans to transfer to the University of Virginia.

Shray Vij

Director of Research & Development

Shray joined LNCP in early 2024 and has since led several of the organization’s research initiatives, guiding projects from concept to publication. His work spans LNCP’s water quality studies, including its water factors, runoff, and nitrate research, along with a study on the environmental impact of data center growth across Northern Virginia. As Director of Research & Development, he focuses on applying rigorous science to real-world conservation challenges and using LNCP’s findings to inform local decision-making and broader environmental advocacy. His contributions have helped bring LNCP’s research to a wider audience, including a featured segment on WUSA9 and recognition in the Congressional Record by U.S. Representative Suhas Subramanyam. Outside of LNCP, Shray spends his free time at the gym.

Alyssa Nisay

Branch President

Growing up in Potomac Falls alongside her brother and LNCP founder Ryan, Alyssa developed an early appreciation for the natural spaces that shaped her community. As President of LNCP's Potomac Falls Branch, she leads cleanups, club partnerships, and community engagement efforts within the school and its surrounding area, inspiring fellow students to take meaningful action for conservation.

Evan G

Branch President

Evan is a senior at Independence High School and the founder of LNCP's Independence Branch, which they started in their junior year. An aspiring environmental activist, Evan's path toward advocacy began at the 2025 ACLU Advocacy Institute, and they launched the branch shortly after. Evan is passionate about environmental policy and making conservation fun.

Jenna Hamandi

Branch President

Jenna became a member and founder of LNCP’s Dominion Branch in 2026 to continue the organization’s involvement across Loudoun County. Jenna is currently a student at Dominion and serves as the president for LNCP’s Dominion Branch and leads initiatives that support sustainability, create partnerships, and increase community engagement. She helps organize environmental cleanups and volunteer events that encourage students to take an active role in improving their local environment. Jenna works with local leaders and community partners and is committed to creating a lasting impact by promoting conservation and inspiring others to take action in preserving nature.

Karthik Uppalapati

Branch President

Karthik is a junior at Rock Ridge and AET engineering, and the founder of LNCP's Rock Ridge Branch. His interest in conservation started with the environmental impact of data center expansion across Northern Virginia. As Branch President, Karthik works to make the environment healthier through student-led action at his school.

Tyler

Branch President

Bio coming soon.

Jerson Lorton

Branch President

NOVA branch president position - in progress.

Daniela Morales

Branch President

Bio coming soon.