Ballot of Board Members and Officers

New and Renewing Board Members

Jennifer Jarden. A lifelong resident of Lower Merion, Jenn currently lives in Bryn Mawr with her family. She is a professor and Program Director of Interior Design at Harcum College, where she brings a deep passion for design and education. Jenn has extensive experience in design, fundraising, and nonprofit philanthropy. She is a founding board member of the Friends of Harriton Preserve and has been the driving force behind a variety of public events that connect the community with nature and promote the use of open green space. Jenn is also an active member of the Lower Merion Conservancy’s Gala Committee and served as its chair in 2024.

Aaron Mapes, Esq. Aaron is a seasoned environmental attorney who advises clients on transactions, litigation, and regulatory compliance across the United States. His practice focuses on environmental due diligence for single- and multi-property deals, representing real estate private equity funds, energy and industrial businesses, municipalities, and civic institutions. He provides strategic guidance on environmental risk, remediation, and regulatory protocols, and regularly negotiates environmental terms in purchase agreements, leases, and insurance policies. Prior to joining Fox Rothschild, Aaron practiced at a regional law firm and clerked at the EPA. He is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania and the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. A University of Maryland School of Law graduate, he has been recognized by Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers in America for his environmental law expertise. Aaron is a resident of Penn Valley. 

Michael McCann, Ph.D. Dr. McCann has lived in Bala Cynwyd for more than 25 years with his wife, Dr. Karen Snetselaar. A longtime faculty member at Saint Joseph’s University, he served as professor and chair of the Biology Department and was the founding director of the university’s Institute for Environmental Stewardship. He also directed a U.S. Department of Energy grant that supported a public stormwater workshop series in partnership with the Lower Merion Conservancy. Dr. McCann played a key role in securing the Conservancy’s headquarters space at the Barnes Foundation property. Deeply committed to science education outreach, he has collaborated with the Conservancy, the Wagner Free Institute of Science, and other organizations for over two decades. A published researcher in numerous scientific journals, Dr. McCann holds a B.S. in Biology from Saint Joseph’s University and a Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology from Stanford University. He served on the Conservancy’s board from 2008 to 2020 and rejoined in 2022, during which time he has held leadership roles as both secretary and vice-chair.

Dr. Diane Pappas-Sfedu, DDS

Dr. Diane Pappas-Sfedu is a practicing dentist and oral and maxillofacial surgeon based in Philadelphia. She has lived in Bryn Mawr with her husband, Dr. Emil Sfedu, and their son Christopher for the past 25 years. Together, they are dedicated stewards of their historic 92-year-old home and estate, Little Wyndham. A passionate advocate for historic preservation in Lower Merion Township, Diane has volunteered her time and talents with several organizations, including The Shipley School, Vox Ama Deus, St. Luke’s Greek Orthodox Church in Broomall, and Holy Trinity Romanian Orthodox Church in Philadelphia. She joined the Board of the Lower Merion Conservancy in 2019 and brings to it her deep commitment to preservation and community service.

Officers

Thomas Duncan, Esq. (Chair) Tom is a partner at Faegre Drinker, where he represents a diverse range of clients and institutions in complex real estate and business transactions, with a particular focus on environmentally sensitive industrial sites. He is recognized for his expertise in managing environmental risks and liabilities, and he specializes in Brownfield redevelopment, securing approvals under programs such as Pennsylvania’s Act 2. His practice includes contract negotiation, environmental due diligence, and obtaining federal and state cleanup liability protections.

Tom is actively engaged in professional service and leadership. He serves as secretary of the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Environmental and Energy Law Section and is a member of the New Jersey State Bar Association’s Environmental Law Section. He also holds a governor-appointed position on the Environmental Hearing Board Rules Committee and has contributed in various advisory and educational roles related to environmental law. Earlier in his career, Tom served as assistant counsel at the Pennsylvania Environmental Hearing Board and practiced at a boutique environmental and energy law firm. He joined the Lower Merion Conservancy’s Board in 2020 and served as Vice Chair in 2024. Tom lives in Bala Cynwyd with his wife and their three young children.

Bruce Ludwig (Vice Chair): Bruce is a highly respected litigator and strategist with over 40 years of experience representing private and public-sector unions, labor organizations, and working individuals. He provides counsel on a wide range of state and federal legal matters, including labor law, collective bargaining, civil rights, discrimination, internal union governance, unemployment compensation, and wage and hour issues. Bruce earned his J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School and graduated magna cum laude from Yale University with a B.A. His professional excellence has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America (2019–present), a Martindale-Hubbell® AV rating, and annual inclusion on the Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list since 2005. Deeply engaged in his community, Bruce serves as President of the Rosemont Civic Association and joined the Conservancy’s Board in 2023. He is also a certified Master Watershed Steward and an active participant in the Master Naturalist Program.

Karen Snetselaar, Ph.D. (Treasurer): Karen is a Professor Emerita of Biology at St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, where she has taught courses in biology, chemical biology, environmental science, and sustainability studies. An expert in plant pathology, invasive plant species, and backyard gardening, Karen has led numerous efforts to increase public understanding of the critical role of plants in healthy ecosystems. Karen’s work has been featured in media outlets such as WHYY’s You Bet Your Garden and The Philadelphia Inquirer, and she has participated in interviews on the topic of invasive species. She is widely published, with research appearing in leading journals including Nature and Fungal Genetics and Biology, and she serves as managing editor of Mycologia, a premier journal in the field of fungal biology. A dedicated community volunteer, Karen frequently teaches courses at the Wagner Free Institute and is a board member of the Friends of the Cynwyd Heritage Trail, where she chairs the Stewardship Committee and leads ecological restoration and planting projects. She has been an active member of the Lower Merion Conservancy since 2019 and has developed and presented educational lectures supporting the Conservancy’s stormwater management initiatives.

Deborah Callahan (Secretary): Deb brings a wealth of experience from her extensive career in marketing and advertising, having held key leadership roles such as Vice President/Group Product Director at prominent organizations including Guinness North America, Schieffelin & Somerset, Special Olympics International, and PepsiCo. Originally from California, Deb now resides in Bryn Mawr with her husband, Tim. Since joining the board in 2018, she has made significant contributions through her service on the Executive, Governance, and Development Committees. Deb has been instrumental in driving the Conservancy’s successful fundraising initiatives, most notably leading the annual gala benefit. Passionate about environmental issues and supporting underserved communities, Deb also serves on the board of Sanctuary Farm in Philadelphia and is actively involved with various community-focused organizations.