Who We Are
Our Team
Hover or tap any card to learn more about a team member. All members are student volunteers dedicated to conservation.
Executive
Ryan Nisay
Executive Director & Founder
Potomac Falls High School
Cornell University
Ryan Nisay
Executive Director & Founder
Growing up in the Potomac Falls Region, Ryan serves as the founder and Executive Director of the Loudoun Nature Conservation Project, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit he built to inspire students and communities across Loudoun County to become more environmentally conscious and to give back through hands-on service. After stepping back briefly to begin his studies, Ryan has returned to actively leading LNCP's day-to-day operations, guiding its branches, research initiatives, and partnerships as the organization continues to grow. He attends Cornell University with a full ride as a double major in Music and Biological Sciences.
Ryan Nisay, Executive Director & Founder. Potomac Falls High School - Cornell University. Growing up in the Potomac Falls Region, Ryan serves as the founder and Executive Director of the Loudoun Nature Conservation Project, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit he built to inspire students and communities across Loudoun County to become more environmentally conscious and to give back through hands-on service. After stepping back briefly to begin his studies, Ryan has returned to actively leading LNCP's day-to-day operations, guiding its branches, research initiatives, and partnerships as the organization continues to grow. He attends Cornell University with a full ride as a double major in Music and Biological Sciences.
Christian Shire
Co-Founder & Advisor
Christian Shire
Co-Founder & Advisor
With a background in environmental sciences, Christian Shire co-founded the Loudoun Nature Conservation Project to address the pressing environmental challenges facing our community. Growing up in the Potomac Area, Christian co-founded LNCP to give back to his community. Christian now attends Gannon University majoring in Marine Biology, where he continues to contribute to LNCP's research division and serves in a mentorship and advisory role.
Christian Shire, Co-Founder & Advisor. With a background in environmental sciences, Christian Shire co-founded the Loudoun Nature Conservation Project to address the pressing environmental challenges facing our community. Growing up in the Potomac Area, Christian co-founded LNCP to give back to his community. Christian now attends Gannon University majoring in Marine Biology, where he continues to contribute to LNCP's research division and serves in a mentorship and advisory role.Directors
Enzo Garcia-Eguiluz
Director of External Relations & Communications
Potomac Falls High School
Enzo Garcia-Eguiluz
Director of External Relations & Communications
A Loudoun County resident, Enzo recognized early on the need for stronger student-led environmental leadership in his community. In 2025, he co-founded LNCP's NOVA Nature Conservation Branch, expanding the organization's reach beyond high schools and into the college community for the first time. Enzo now serves as Director of External Relations and Communications, leading LNCP's community partnerships, media presence, and inter-branch collaboration. He attends Northern Virginia Community College with plans to transfer to the University of Virginia.
Enzo Garcia-Eguiluz, Director of External Relations & Communications. Potomac Falls High School. A Loudoun County resident, Enzo recognized early on the need for stronger student-led environmental leadership in his community. In 2025, he co-founded LNCP's NOVA Nature Conservation Branch, expanding the organization's reach beyond high schools and into the college community for the first time. Enzo now serves as Director of External Relations and Communications, leading LNCP's community partnerships, media presence, and inter-branch collaboration. He attends Northern Virginia Community College with plans to transfer to the University of Virginia.
Nawaf Shehzad
Director of Expansion & Operations
Nawaf Shehzad
Director of Expansion & Operations
Recognizing the need for stronger student-led conservation efforts across Northern Virginia, Nawaf co-founded the NOVA Nature Conservation branch in 2025 alongside Enzo, helping bring LNCP's mission to a new community of students and volunteers. As Director of Expansion, Nawaf leads LNCP's efforts to establish new branches across Loudoun County and the broader Northern Virginia region, identifying schools and communities where student conservation can take root and guiding new chapters through their early stages. He attends Northern Virginia Community College with plans to transfer to the University of Virginia.
Nawaf Shehzad, Director of Expansion & Operations. Recognizing the need for stronger student-led conservation efforts across Northern Virginia, Nawaf co-founded the NOVA Nature Conservation branch in 2025 alongside Enzo, helping bring LNCP's mission to a new community of students and volunteers. As Director of Expansion, Nawaf leads LNCP's efforts to establish new branches across Loudoun County and the broader Northern Virginia region, identifying schools and communities where student conservation can take root and guiding new chapters through their early stages. He attends Northern Virginia Community College with plans to transfer to the University of Virginia.
Shray Vij
Vice President & Head of Research
Shray Vij
Vice President & Head of Research
Shray joined LNCP in early 2024 and has since led several of the organization’s research initiatives, guiding projects from concept to publication. His work spans LNCP’s water quality studies, including its water factors, runoff, and nitrate research, along with a study on the environmental impact of data center growth across Northern Virginia. As Head of Research, he focuses on applying rigorous science to real-world conservation challenges and using LNCP’s findings to inform local decision-making and broader environmental advocacy. His contributions have helped bring LNCP’s research to a wider audience, including a featured segment on WUSA9 and recognition in the Congressional Record by U.S. Representative Suhas Subramanyam. Outside of LNCP, Shray spends his free time at the gym.
Shray Vij, Vice President & Head of Research. Shray joined LNCP in early 2024 and has since led several of the organization’s research initiatives, guiding projects from concept to publication. His work spans LNCP’s water quality studies, including its water factors, runoff, and nitrate research, along with a study on the environmental impact of data center growth across Northern Virginia. As Head of Research, he focuses on applying rigorous science to real-world conservation challenges and using LNCP’s findings to inform local decision-making and broader environmental advocacy. His contributions have helped bring LNCP’s research to a wider audience, including a featured segment on WUSA9 and recognition in the Congressional Record by U.S. Representative Suhas Subramanyam. Outside of LNCP, Shray spends his free time at the gym.Executive Staff
Jose R. Herrera
Webmaster
Dominion High School
University of Virginia
Jose R. Herrera
Webmaster
Jose joined LNCP in July 2026 after the organization's WUSA9 feature caught his attention and resonated with a goal of his own: putting his technical skills toward something bigger than profit. Coming from a background of freelance work for his family's businesses, he serves as webmaster - running LNCP's website, email, and Google Workspace, and keeping the organization's digital operations running smoothly. A rising fourth-year Computer Science major at UVA (class of 2027), Jose builds and maintains the digital backbone of a mission he believes in.
Jose R. Herrera, Webmaster. Dominion High School - University of Virginia. Jose joined LNCP in July 2026 after the organization's WUSA9 feature caught his attention and resonated with a goal of his own: putting his technical skills toward something bigger than profit. Coming from a background of freelance work for his family's businesses, he serves as webmaster - running LNCP's website, email, and Google Workspace, and keeping the organization's digital operations running smoothly. A rising fourth-year Computer Science major at UVA (class of 2027), Jose builds and maintains the digital backbone of a mission he believes in.
Chloe Loo
Grant Manager
Chloe Loo
Grant Manager
Bio coming soon.
Chloe Loo, Grant Manager. Bio coming soon.Branch Presidents
Each branch president leads LNCP operations at their school or college - organizing cleanups, recruiting members, and representing their community.
Potomac Falls
Alyssa Nisay
Alyssa Nisay
Branch President - Potomac Falls
Growing up in Potomac Falls alongside her brother and LNCP founder Ryan, Alyssa developed an early appreciation for the natural spaces that shaped her community. As President of LNCP's Potomac Falls Branch, she leads cleanups, club partnerships, and community engagement efforts within the school and its surrounding area, inspiring fellow students to take meaningful action for conservation.
Alyssa Nisay, Branch President of Potomac Falls. Growing up in Potomac Falls alongside her brother and LNCP founder Ryan, Alyssa developed an early appreciation for the natural spaces that shaped her community. As President of LNCP's Potomac Falls Branch, she leads cleanups, club partnerships, and community engagement efforts within the school and its surrounding area, inspiring fellow students to take meaningful action for conservation.
Independence
Evan G
Evan G
Branch President - Independence
Evan is a senior at Independence High School and the founder of the Loudoun Nature Conservation Project. Their path toward environmental advocacy began at the 2025 ACLU Advocacy Institute, and they started the branch shortly after. Evan is passionate about environmental policy and making conservation fun.
Evan G, Branch President of Independence. Evan is a senior at Independence High School and the founder of the Loudoun Nature Conservation Project. Their path toward environmental advocacy began at the 2025 ACLU Advocacy Institute, and they started the branch shortly after. Evan is passionate about environmental policy and making conservation fun.
Dominion
Jenna Hamandi
Jenna Hamandi
Branch President - Dominion
Jenna became a member and founder of LNCP’s Dominion Branch in 2026 to continue the organization’s involvement across Loudoun County. Jenna is currently a student at Dominion and serves as the president for LNCP’s Dominion Branch and leads initiatives that support sustainability, create partnerships, and increase community engagement. She helps organize environmental cleanups and volunteer events that encourage students to take an active role in improving their local environment. Jenna works with local leaders and community partners and is committed to creating a lasting impact by promoting conservation and inspiring others to take action in preserving nature.
Jenna Hamandi, Branch President of Dominion. Jenna became a member and founder of LNCP’s Dominion Branch in 2026 to continue the organization’s involvement across Loudoun County. Jenna is currently a student at Dominion and serves as the president for LNCP’s Dominion Branch and leads initiatives that support sustainability, create partnerships, and increase community engagement. She helps organize environmental cleanups and volunteer events that encourage students to take an active role in improving their local environment. Jenna works with local leaders and community partners and is committed to creating a lasting impact by promoting conservation and inspiring others to take action in preserving nature.
Rock Ridge
Karthik
Karthik
Branch President - Rock Ridge
Hi, I’m Karthik Uppalapati, a junior at Rock Ridge and AET engineering. I’m interested in the environmental impact of data center expansion in NOVA, and started the Rock Ridge LNCP branch. I’m excited to help and make the environment healthier!
Karthik, Branch President of Rock Ridge. Hi, I’m Karthik Uppalapati, a junior at Rock Ridge and AET engineering. I’m interested in the environmental impact of data center expansion in NOVA, and started the Rock Ridge LNCP branch. I’m excited to help and make the environment healthier!
Stone Bridge
Tyler
Tyler
Branch President - Stone Bridge
Bio coming soon.
Tyler, Branch President of Stone Bridge. Bio coming soon.
NOVA
NOVA Branch President
NOVA Branch President
Branch President (Tentative) - NOVA
NOVA branch president position - in progress.
NOVA Branch President, Branch President (Tentative) of NOVA. NOVA branch president position - in progress.
GMU
Joe Long
Joe Long
Branch President - GMU
Bio coming soon.
Joe Long, Branch President of GMU. Bio coming soon.