Our Team

Ryan S. 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.

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.

Christian Shire

Senior Director of Research

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 and serves as LNCP's Senior Director of Research, leading the organization's research division.

Jose R. Herrera

Digital Operations Manager

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

Grants and Development 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 Grants and Development Manager, leading the grant research and applications that fund LNCP's cleanups, research, and branch expansion.

Lucy Guilfoyle

Social Media and Content Manager

Lucy Guilfoyle is a member of LNCP's team with a passion for environmental remediation, plastic pollution research, and ecological health. Through her research on microplastics and soil systems, she has developed a strong interest in how scientific understanding can inform efforts to protect and restore local ecosystems. As Social Media and Content Manager, Lucy shares LNCP's cleanups, research, and events with the wider community, bringing students and neighbors together around conservation, environmental education, and hands-on action. She believes that meaningful environmental progress begins with curiosity, shared responsibility, and people willing to turn concern into action.

Shray Vij

Director of Research

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, 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 - 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.

Evan Giglotti

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.

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.

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.

Tyler Gorthy

Branch President - Stone Bridge

Joining in 2026 as a senior at Stone Bridge High School, Tyler serves as the President of LNCP’s Stone Bridge Branch and is thrilled to work alongside the team to achieve their mission. Tyler is incredibly ambitious and dedicated to protecting Loudoun County’s natural spaces, a passion driven by his goal of becoming a civil/environmental engineer. His goals as Stone Bridge’s President aren’t only to lead cleanups and get his fellow students involved in restoring local habitats, but to inspire young minds and show them that our contributions can make a difference. He believes that a single conserved natural site may seem small, but it is a step closer to paving a path for a greener, healthier planet.

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.

Daniela Morales

Branch President - GMU

Growing up in Loudoun County and attending Potomac Falls High School, Daniela developed a strong appreciation for the natural spaces and ecosystems throughout Northern Virginia. Now a junior studying Environmental Science at George Mason University, she serves as President of the George Mason University branch of the Loudoun Nature Conservation Project. She also works at Claude Moore Park, where she helps educate children about the environment and encourages them to engage with the natural world around them. Through LNCP, Daniela works to connect Mason students with hands-on conservation opportunities, local environmental organizations, and their surrounding communities. She hopes to help people develop a stronger connection with their environment by creating opportunities to explore, learn about, and actively care for the natural spaces around them.

Hassaan Abusin

Branch President - Heritage

A senior at Heritage High School, Hassaan is passionate about leadership, service, and making a positive impact in his community. He is excited to work alongside others to help create meaningful change and support those around him. Hassaan hopes to continue growing as a leader while inspiring others to get involved and make a difference.

Salaar Saleem

Branch President - Loudoun County HS

Founding the Loudoun County High School branch in 2026, Salaar is a senior at Loudoun County High School who became interested in helping the environment after writing a report on the harmful impact data centers have on the environment. He is happy to bring LNCP to his school and to work on cleaning its surrounding environment.

To be announced

Branch President - UVA

UVA branch president position - in progress.