Who We Are

Our Team

Hover or tap any card to learn more about a team member. All members are student volunteers dedicated to conservation.

Executive

Ryan Nisay

Executive Director & Founder

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

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, he helped build LNCP to give back to the community that raised him. Christian now attends Arcadia University, where he continues to contribute to LNCP's research division and serves in a mentorship and advisory role.

Directors

Enzo Garcia-Eguiluz

Director of External Relations & Communications

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

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 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.

Executive Staff

Jose R. Herrera

Tech Lead

Jose R. Herrera

Tech Lead

Jose joined LNCP in July 2026 after the organization's WUSA9 feature caught his attention and resonated with a goal of his own: putting his technical skills toward something bigger than profit. Coming from a background of freelance work for his family's businesses, he serves as webmaster - running LNCP's website, email, and Google Workspace, and keeping the organization's digital operations running smoothly. A rising fourth-year Computer Science major at UVA (class of 2027), Jose builds and maintains the digital backbone of a mission he believes in.

Chloe Loo

Grant Manager

Chloe Loo

Grant Manager

Chloe studies applied economics and management at Cornell University's Dyson School. After working with LNCP part time, she joined the organization full time as Grant Manager, leading the grant research and applications that fund LNCP's cleanups, research, and branch expansion.

Branch Presidents

Each branch president leads LNCP operations at their school or college - organizing cleanups, recruiting members, and representing their community.

Potomac Falls

Alyssa Nisay

Branch President - Potomac Falls

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.

Independence

Evan G

Branch President - Independence

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.

Dominion

Jenna Hamandi

Branch President - Dominion

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.

Rock Ridge

Karthik Uppalapati

Branch President - Rock Ridge

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.

Stone Bridge

Tyler Gorthy

Branch President - Stone Bridge

Bio coming soon.

NOVA

Jerson Lorton

Branch President - NOVA

Joining in 2026 and a first year at Northern Virginia Community College, Jerson serves as the President of LNCP’s NOVA Branch and is thrilled to work alongside the team to achieve their mission. Jerson is incredibly ambitious and dedicated to protecting Loudoun County’s natural spaces. His goals as NOVA’s President isn’t only to lead cleanups, restore habitats, and conserve the greenish of the land, but to inspire young-minds and show them that our contributions can make a difference. He also believes that although a single conserved natural site may seem small, it is a step closer to paving a path for a greener, healthier planet.