Board of Directors & Staff

Board of Directors

Joyce Wilks-Love (President, Board Member since 2004) is a retired educator who served in the education community as a classroom teacher in School District #189 – East St. Louis, Illinois and as an administrator in the Alton Community Unit School District and St. Louis Public Schools. She received her B.S. degree from the University of Missouri, Columbia and her MA in Education Administration from Washington University. She has always prided herself in providing a quality education for the youngsters in the metropolitan St. Louis area. Believing TGC to be a positive addition to U City and surrounding communities, Wilks-Love joined the Board to help make a difference in the programming and outreach.

Irv Logan (Vice President, Board Member since 1997) received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Communications and was one of the original founders of The Green Center, serving multiple terms in several leadership positions on the Board in that time. He was a Community Specialist for the Missouri Department of Conservation from which he retired after a 22-year career of exemplary public service. Some of his many accomplishments include co-founding Gateway Greening and the Earthways Center for Resource Efficiency (both divisions of the Missouri Botanical Garden); the later attracts visitors from across the nation who are interested in studying the principles of sustainable development. Irv has also hosted a television program designed to educate our community about important conservation issues. He became involved with The Green Center when he set up an outdoor classroom in Ruth Park Woods for students in the U City School District.

Ankoor Shah (Secretary, Board Member since 2013) began his connection to TGC by volunteering while an Environmental Studies undergraduate at Washington University. After law school in Oregon, he moved back to St. Louis and became active with TGC again - this time as a Board Member. Ankoor joined the Board to promote environmental engagement in our urban settings. He believes people of all ages should be able to enjoy nature and the peace and calm it brings us. His love for TGC is rooted in showing what a beautiful community we all live in, and making sure we leave it better for all those who come after us.

Scott Shippey (Treasurer)

John Solodar (Board Member since 1999) came to St Louis in 1968 to do scientific research at Monsanto. He has a BA from Swarthmore College and a PhD in organic chemistry from Yale University. He and his wife Nancy have lived in their U City home for over 50 years. John is now on the U City Parks Commission which is his 8th city advisory group. He has had a long interest in the outdoors stemming from nine seasons in a Boy Scout camp in northern New Jersey both as a camper and, later, a staff member. This grew into avid birding with many trips throughout the world and many years on the board of the St Louis Audubon Society. John joined up with The Green Center shortly after it was formed at the suggestion of two of his friends. He is interested mostly in the outdoor and nature activities of TGC, helping with finances and financial planning, and keeping the organization growing.

Peg Kaltenthaler

Elizabeth Calvin (Board Member since 2017) worked in the nonprofit world nearly all of her professional life. Justice issues are important to her - with a special emphasis on climate, environmental issues, gender and racial justice, in the U.S. and internationally. She has supported women’s agriculture programs and understands the heavy load they often carry in feeding families and communities, and seen, up close, the need for refugee and migrant labor support. Liz believes strongly that how we care for the earth - the land, air, and water will determine all of our well-being. She wants her time on the Board to help lift up TGC's outstanding nature, art, and education programs are lifted up to a broader community.

Jolene Klingenberg (Board Member since 2025) is a retired creative director and marketing manager who spent her career working in St. Louis ad agencies and in marketing at a large financial services firm after earning her BFA from Washington University. She discovered The Green Center through her daughter who, charmed by the place and people after picking up plants from the online plant sale, exclaimed "Mom, you have to volunteer here!" And so Jolene did. She has been a volunteer since 2021 and co-chair of the Art Committee since 2022. She recently joined the Board and is hoping to help build greater awareness for TGC through her background in creative direction, marketing, and branding.

Beverly Tucker Knight (Board Member since 2025), a native of Northern California, Beverly was drawn to the parks and recreation field through her work in environmental education. Following her studies in recreation and public relations at San Jose State University, she began her full-time career with the City of Saratoga in Silicon Valley. Beverly had over 30 years of municipal parks and recreation experience prior to joining the City of Olivette in October 2014, where she now serves as the Parks & Recreation Director for the City of Olivette in St. Louis County. In that role, Beverly oversees 120 acres of parks, trails and open space and the community center, Five Oaks on Warson. She also serves as the staff liaison to the City Council-appointed Parks & Recreation Commission. Beverly lives in St Louis County with her husband Steve. They share two grown children and are both active volunteers with several non-profits and community agencies.

Jennifer Smith-Simms (Board Member since 2025) is a Registered Horticultural Therapist and Manager of Public Programs at the Missouri Botanical Garden where she’s worked since 2003. She has a Bachelor of Plant and Soil Science with a specialization in Landscape Design from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. With over 30 years’ experience in the Horticulture industry, she regularly consults on therapeutic gardening, healing gardens, and accessibility and inclusion. Jennifer served on the board of the American Horticultural Therapy Association and has been a member since 2006. When she is not enjoying her work, she volunteers for Second Chance Ranch, a dog rescue that cares for senior and special needs dogs. As a horticultural therapist, Jennifer was drawn to TGC due to the peaceful nature of the space located in the middle of the University City and its potential to be a place of respite, serenity, and calm during stressful times for kids and adults alike.

Staff

Amanda Smith (Executive Director, [email protected]) joined The Green Center staff in October 2024. Amanda comes to TGC with over twenty years of creating memorable and engaging interactions with art and nature for folks of all ages. After years learning and working in New York, Chicago, and, most recently, South Florida, Amanda is eager to settle back into her native St. Louis where she looks forward to helping light that initial nature-loving spark in others that the hills of Missouri first lit in her. Amanda is also honored to be following in the leaf-adorned footsteps of her great grandfather, Dent Smith, who founded the International Palm Society in 1956.

Kathleen Kapayou, CIG (Education Program Coordinator, [email protected]) joined The Green Center staff in 2006. Kathleen has a degree in Biology with a Certificate in Conservation. She has experience teaching in both non-formal and formal educational settings. Her work experience has led her to design and teach a variety of environmental and art-based programs, including nature-themed creative writing, drawing, and photography. Kathleen coordinates and instructs the year-round education programming for the Center. In 2007, she completed the Missouri Master Naturalist training program, developed by the Missouri Department of Conservation and University of Missouri Extension, and is an active member of the Great Rivers chapter. Kathleen also became a Certified Interpretive Guide, through the National Interpretive Association, in January 2014.

Theodore Smith (Outdoor Learning Spaces Coordinator, [email protected]) joined The Green Center staff in July of 2021. He has a passion for outdoor activities such as cycling, kayaking, gardening, invasive plant species removal, and native species planting. He is a lifelong University City resident with a special connection to the Green Center, spending plenty of time beautifying area parks and green spaces.