Libby Benjamin– Director of Conservation/Acting Executive Director
Email: lbenjamin@headwatersconservancy.org
Libby has been with HeadWaters Land Conservancy since serving as a Huron Pines AmeriCorps member in 2014. She holds a B.S. in Natural Resources Management from Grand Valley State University. Libby works with northeast Michigan landowners who want to protect their property’s natural resources by donating land or a conservation easement. She manages HWLC’s conservation easement stewardship program, and if you’ve attended any HWLC’s hikes or events in the last few years, you’ve probably met Libby. Her favorite part about her job is working with (and learning from!) HWLC’s awesome volunteers, and hearing landowners’ stories about their land. Libby enjoys hiking with her dogs, horseback riding, skiing, snowshoeing, reading, being on the water, and spending time on Mackinac Island with family and friends.
Dianne Farner– Community Engagement and Development Coordinator
Email: dfarner@headwatersconservancy.org
Dianne joined HeadWaters staff in August of 2020 after serving as an Account Development Manager for Griffin Beverage. She earned her B.A. in History of Art and Visual Culture from Michigan State University and a M.B.A. from Spring Arbor University.
Dianne is very excited to be at HWLC to help preserve and protect the land and water of northeast Michigan. In her free time, she enjoys wild mushroom foraging, hiking, kayaking and basically anything outdoors year round! Dianne lives in Gaylord with her husband Zach, their daughter Gwyn and two wild cattle dogs Penny and Ophelia.
Rhiannon Erhardt– Stewardship Technician
Email: rerhardt@headwatersconservancy.org
Rhiannon recently joined Headwaters staff in May of 2021. She earned her Biology degree in 2020 with Oakland University. There she was treasurer of the Ecology club and volunteered in a Ecology research lab that worked with strawberry plants. In the past few years she has worked in a hospital laboratory as a Lab Path assistant in Grand Rapids (her hometown) and as a bus driver and supervisor for students on OU’s campus! In her free time she loves to hit the trails and she loves to spend time with friends and family outdoors enjoying the natural beauty of Michigan. She also loves to read, and during quarantine taught herself to cross-stitch and crochet. Rhiannon is very excited to learn more about land conservation and help spread the mission of HWLC.
Laura Justin – Consultant
Email: ljustin@headwatersconservancy.org
Laura Justin joined HeadWaters Land Conservancy in August of 2011 after serving as the Membership & Recreational Activities Director at Grand Traverse Resort & Spa for the past 5 years. Her background includes a B.A. in Organizational Communication from Central Michigan University and a teaching degree from Spring Arbor University. Laura retired from HWLC in September 2021 after serving ten years as Executive Director.
Laura has lived in Michigan for 30 years. Her passion for the land and water are reflected in her hobbies which include catch & release small mouth bass fishing, gardening, hiking and canoeing. She now lives on Drummond Island with her husband Curtis and their dog, Bella.
