Officers
Kori Sedmak – President
Kori received her BS in Evolution and Ecology from The Ohio State University and worked as a park naturalist prior to becoming the Outreach Program Specialist at the Franklin County Soil and Water Conservation District. Kori’s love for birds came about while working on birdsong projects at the Borror Laboratory of Bioacoustics at Ohio State with Doug and Angelika Nelson, who also kickstarted her passion for birding and conservation. Kori served for three years on the Columbus Audubon board before her election as CA president.
Allison Boehler – Vice President
Allison Boehler is the Administrative Manager of the Midwest Biodiversity Institute. At MBI, she also oversees the development and operation of the MBI Education Program. Allison serves as a community volunteer with several organizations and has served as Chair of the Columbus Audubon Conservation Committee since July 2017. She has experience with environmental policy, conservation, and education, with a primary interest in biodiversity.
Kristan Finn – Secretary
Kristan Finn began her involvement with Columbus Audubon as recording secretary more than 15 years ago and has returned in that same role—but with a laptop instead of pencil and paper! She has also served as president, trustee, and newsletter editor. Kristan is a director of copywriting at GSW, an advertising agency specializing in the pharmaceutical and medical device industries. She has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in communication and rhetoric. An artist “on the side,” Kristan lives in Clintonville with her husband, John Finn.
Kathleen Bruns – Treasurer
Kathy is a retired CPA bringing decades of accounting and finance experience and is honored to bring this to her role as the Board’s Treasurer. Kathy and her husband Bill live in central Ohio and are very passionate about land preservation and
restoration. They are enthusiastic volunteers for Ohio’s Division of Natural Areas and Preserves, Franklin County Metro Parks, and for other organizations, including Columbus Audubon’s beautiful Calamas Swamp Preserve.
Board Members
John Finn
John Finn is involved in the Glen Echo Bird Club and has been very active with this birding group for a number of years. He is always willing to do anything bird related and brings his birding expertise to the board. A long-time Clintonville resident, John also is an accomplished musician (classical guitar).
Hardy Kern
Hardy Kern is the Director of Government Relations for American Bird Conservancy’s Pesticides and Birds Campaigns. He sits on the Policy team where he works with NGOs, federal and state agencies, and all levels of government to promulgate laws and regulations which benefit birds. His portfolio is mainly focused on pesticides, lead poisoning, and environmental pollution though he advises all parts of American Bird Conservancy on governmental engagement.
Hardy has a B.S. in Zoology from The Ohio State University and a Master of Public Administration degree and certificate in nonprofit management from Kent State University. Hardy has served on the board of directors for the American Association of Zoo Keepers and Polar Bears International. He currently volunteers at the Ohio Wildlife Center and serves on several committees for the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Hardy is an avid birder, runner, reader, and strategic planning fan.
Becca Mathews
Becca has a degree in Environmental Biology, but experiencing how inspiring it can be to teach about something you are passionate about hooked her into the field of Environmental Education and Nature Photography. With eleven years experience working in various positions Becca has taught people of all ages in both formal and nonformal education settings about a wide variety of subjects including a large focus on birds. In 2023, she used conservation and environmental education as a foundation to start her own cut flower farm, River Bend Homestead-Ohio Grown Flowers. A lot of emphasis has been put on sustainable food and meat production and Becca is trying to bring that same focus to cut flower production. She sells the flowers she grows through a CSA subscription program as well as local markets, and teaches workshops about sustainable flower farming and gardening. Becca is also a board member of the Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA).
Other Chapter Leaders | |
| Administrative and Projects Coordinator | Carmen Ostermann |
| Avid Birders | Donna Kuhn |
| Birdathon | |
| Christmas Bird Count | Rob Thorn |
| Community Outreach | Sheila Fagan |
| Conservation | Allison Boehler |
| EcoWeekend | Heather Sheets |
| Field Trips | Kori Sedmak |
| Membership | Joe Meara |
| Newsletter Editor | John Finn |
| Ohio Young Birders Club | Darlene Sillick |
| Programs | Carmen Ostermann |
| Service in the Preserves | Natalia Nekrasova |
| Social Media and Website | Stefanie Hauck |