Board of Directors

gail fulton

Gail is a life-long resident of Newburgh, since her birth at St. Luke’s Hospital. After earning a degree in Business Administration at Dutchess Community College and Paralegal Degree at Mercy College, Gail then worked thirty-two years for the federal government and ten years at West Point.

The City of Newburgh has special meaning to Gail who has seen it persevere through good times and bad. Gail can frequently be found on official and informal tours, field trips and educational outings to better understand both the natural and built environment. She applies that knowledge to her personal mission of helping to help improve the city, which she does through numerous civic organizations and community efforts. Gail currently serves with the City of Newburgh Conservation Advisory Council, on the Parks Stakeholders Sub-Committee, and is a founding Board member of the Greater Newburgh Parks Conservancy.

wilbur higgins

Wilbur was born and raised in Newburgh, growing up on Water Street before those houses and businesses were torn down in the urban “renewal” program. He left Newburgh only to attend and graduate from Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, returning to spend his entire career, 1971 to 2007, working for the City of Newburgh as Recreation Director and Youth Bureau Director. 

His achievements included construction of the Activity Center, renovation of Delano-Hitch Stadium into a minor league baseball/football/and professional size soccer facility, renovation of the Anne Delano-Hitch Aquatic Center, development of Newburgh Landing & the Washington Street Boat Launch, rehabilitation of the abandoned Montgomery & Wards Catalog Store into the Youth Bureau & Center, and rehabilitation of the Stanwick Coil Building into a youth center.

Past board affiliations include the chairman of St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital Board and a member of the Newburgh YMCA Board. He currently serves on the Anne F. Bourne Memorial Fund and is Board Vice President of both Meals on Wheels of Greater Newburgh and the Newburgh Armory Unity Center.

While Wilbur created numerous adult and senior citizens programs in Newburgh, youth have always been at the heart of his work. He strove to provide safe programs, experiences, and places for youth to grow and learn to become positive young adults. Wilbur is a living reflection of the Abraham Lincoln quote etched on his retirement plaque from the City of Newburgh, “No man stands as tall as when he stoops to help a child.”

KAthy lawrence

Kathy has had a diversified professional life. A learner and leader in sustainable agriculture, food justice, and non-profit management for nearly 30 years, Kathy currently serves as CRAU Advisor for the Antibiotic Resistance Action Center at George Washington University. There she consults on the Certified Responsible Antibiotic Use standard she spearheaded in her previous position—co-founder and senior director for School Food Focus, a national collaborative that leveraged the procurement power of large school districts to make school meals across the country more healthful, regionally sourced and sustainably produced. Prior to that, Kathy initiated the Chinese language program at the Storm King School, after serving five years as Executive Director of the National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture. Before that, she directed Just Food, the New York City-based non-profit organization she founded in 1995. Early in her career, Kathy coordinated public information and outreach for the New York and Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Working Groups and facilitated multi-sector citizen advocacy at the United Nations. Five years in the 1980s negotiating business deals in China set her firmly on her non-profit path. 

Kathy holds a BA in East Asian Languages and Culture from the University of Kansas and a Masters of International Affairs, from Columbia University. A resident of Newburgh, Kathy is an Airbnb Superhost, serves on the Strategic Economic Development Advisory Committee, sings locally, and loves gardening. She is proud to be part of founding the Conservancy to promote community cohesion in this amazing city and to create equitable access to green space development and decision making.

kevindaryán luján

Kevindaryán Luján is a first generation Colombian American and a City of Newburgh resident. He was born and raised in the Hudson Valley and his family has lived in the City of Newburgh for over 30 years. His career in politics began as a Deputy Field Organizer for Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney representing District 18 in 2014 and Kevindaryán has since worked on numerous local, state and federal campaigns across the Hudson Valley. 

Elected to the Orange County Legislature in 2017, Kevindaryán represents the 4th Legislative District in Newburgh. He is the first Latino ever elected in the Orange County Legislature and amongst the youngest legislators elected in Orange County history. 

Kevindaryán chairs the Board Development Committee for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh and the Caucus of Color for the New York State Young Democrats, co-founded the Newburgh Repair Café, is a Member of the Orange County Democratic Committee, and is former Vice Chair for the City of Newburgh Democratic Committee. 

Kevindaryán has a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Florida International University in Miami, Florida and a Master’s degree in International Relations and European Studies from Central European University in Budapest, Hungary. Kevindaryán is fluent in English, French and Spanish and a beginner in Mandarin and Arabic.

kathryn McKenzie

Kat is a movement artist who grew up in the City of Newburgh. Like many, her passion and appreciation for plants was reignited during the COVID pandemic through helping with her father's garden. Kat believes plants play a vital role in our health and so hopes to create a greener Newburgh through community advocacy and education. Kat was one of Newburgh’s first Environmental Justice Fellows, in the inaugural class of 2021. Since that time, she has deepened her interest in environmental policy and communications, and is a focused leader in addressing PFAS drinking water contamination in Newburgh.

Ali T. Muhammad

Ali T. Muhammad is a locally sourced environmentally conscious activist who enjoys natural and healthy living. He believes that the people living within cities like Newburgh deserve the same air quality and opportunities to the shade and beauty of trees. Deeply believing in the power of people, Ali is looking forward to learning more about the Conservancy and how he and the board can inform underserved folks about the importance of tree planting, fresh air, and environmental justice.

DANIEL VOLPE

Daniel Volpe is a life-long resident of the Greater Newburgh area. He is a graduate of Newburgh Free Academy and Orange County Community College. As a retired community banker, he understands the unique challenges involved in the development of green spaces. He resides in New Windsor with his wife, Michele.