Molly Parzen, Executive Director
Molly Parzen serves as Executive Director.
Molly has worked at CVPA for over 10 years, previously serving as the Assistant Director for 3 years and Development Director for 7 years. Before working for CVPA, she worked as a campaign manager and finance director for political campaigns in the greater Philadelphia area.
A proud graduate of Bryn Mawr College, Molly enjoys spending time with her cats, learning ballet, and traveling.
Julianne Simitz, Director of Development
As Director of Development, Julianne brings more than fifteen years experience in fundraising, communications, organizing, and consulting to Conservation Voters of PA. Before joining our team, Julianne dedicated her career to advocacy on pressing issues like the climate crisis, voting rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and the separation of religion and government.
She’s had the pleasure of working with a range of progressive organizations including The Real News Network, Interfaith Alliance, California League of Conservation Voters, People for the American Way, and Human Rights Campaign. She also served on the Board of Directors for National Women’s Political Caucus Westside LA’s PAC as Vice President of Fundraising. In addition to her work in the nonprofit and political sectors, Julianne was a staff writer on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live and CBS Diversity Showcase, and is a proud union member of the Writers Guild of America, West. Julianne holds an Executive Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., and Bachelors of Arts in Political Science and Religious Studies from Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
Julianne was born and raised in the Lehigh Valley, which she once again calls home. Reach out and say hello at julianne@conservationpa.org.
Hillary Mohaupt, Director of Operations
Hillary Mohaupt is the Director of Operations for Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania. She’s spent over a decade helping small non-profit and cultural organizations tell their stories in print and online, developing effective operational processes, and sustaining inclusive organizational cultures.
Originally from the Midwest, she now enjoys exploring nature in the Mid-Atlantic with her family. Hillary studied public history, American studies, and French at Macalester College and the University of Delaware, and she holds an MFA in writing from Pacific University in Oregon.
Katie Blume, Political & Legislative Director
Katie is the Political & Legislative Director of Conservation Voters of PA. From her childhood spending time in Penn’s Woods with her dad to enjoying watching wildlife on Elk Creek during a good “crick sit” on a hot day, Katie has always been passionate about Pennsylvania’s constitutionally protected environment. In her professional life, she has played an integral role in CVPA’s tenacious accountability, successful advocacy, and winning electoral programming; Katie is the Chair of the PA Clean Power Coalition, serves on the Climate Power PA Advisory Board, and honorably served on the transition for Governor Shapiro.
Timothy Hayes, State Policy Manager
Tim is the State Policy Manager for Conservation Voters of PA. He has a Bachelor's in History with a minor in Criminal Justice from Temple University, and a Master's in Public Administration from West Chester University. He previously served in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard for six years as a Fire Control Specialist, and currently serves as President of his community's Borough Council. Tim is the youngest person elected in his Borough's history, as well as the first openly queer person to serve.
Tim is passionate about advocating for social equity and sustainable economic development for people across the Commonwealth. He helped author legislation that would create a workforce development program for Veterans to work in jobs pertaining to conservation and clean energy, and continues to advocate for increased funding and resources for state parks and public lands restoration.
Tim was born and raised in Bucks County, and likes to visit its various parks and hiking trails, as well as exercising, watching the Eagles, and going on adventures with his spouse-to-be.
Kristin Zilcosky, Director of Digital Engagement
Kristin Zilcosky is the Director of Digital Engagement for Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania and New Jersey League of Conservation Voters. Kristin is spearheading an exciting program to protect the Delaware River Watershed, building a digital “megaphone,” a list of more than 90,000 email activists who will be educated and mobilized to support the work of the Watershed partner organizations.
Before launching this project, Kristin served as the Digital Director for NARAL Pro-Choice America in Washington, D.C. Kristin joined NARAL Pro-Choice America in 1999 and led the organization’s online campaigns, including email marketing, mobile advocacy, and social media. Before joining the world of progressive politics, Kristin did historical research. Kristin hails from upstate New York and graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Trinity College in Hartford, CT with a degree in American Studies.
Solstice Leed, Digital Communications Coordinator
Solstice Leed is delighted to serve as CVPA’s Digital Communications Coordinator! She holds a Bachelor’s in History, Political Science, and Theology from Duquesne University.
Prior to joining CVPA, she conducted graduate research in counterterrorism at Queen’s University Belfast and worked with Clean Water Action and Swing Left as an undergraduate intern. Solstice is an avid traveler and is passionate about preserving the environment both at home in Pennsylvania and abroad.
Jess Cadorette, Director of Civic Engagement
Jess Cadorette is the Director of Civic Engagement for Conservation Voters of PA; she leads our Civic Engagement Team to mobilize volunteers and help build a pro-environment movement across Pennsylvania. Jess grew up right here in Pennsylvania, receiving her bachelor's degree in Communications from Neumann University. Her undergraduate research focused on environmental communications.
Prior to joining CVPA, she organized volunteers with PennEnvironment on their climate and clean energy team to build support for clean, renewable energy across the state of Pennsylvania. She also worked with and continues to stand alongside community activists as they work to prevent a dangerous pipeline from going through her local community in Chester County.
When she's not working to protect our environment, she's out enjoying it through hiking, kayaking, and walks with her dog.
Ibrahim Buyukcelebi, Lehigh Valley Civic Engagement Coordinator
Ibrahim Buyukcelebi serves as the Lehigh Valley Civic Engagement Coordinator.
He is a joint staff member of PennFuture and CVPA, responsible for building a sustainable volunteer advocacy program and managing local partnerships in Lehigh and Northampton Counties.
Prior to joining PennFuture, he has worked at several nonprofits, focusing on interfaith dialogue and serving underprivileged communities in the US and abroad. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from NYU and a Masters from Columbia University.
While born in the Aegean region of Turkey, he grew up in the Lehigh Valley. His passion for conservation work stems from his deep appreciation of nature.
Katriana (Kat) Marquez, Allegheny County Civic Engagement Mobilizer
Katriana Marquez (they/them), or Kat, is Conservation Voters of PA's Allegheny County Civic Engagement Mobilizer.
Based in Pittsburgh (Osage and Shawnee lands), Kat is responsible for recruiting and mobilizing a sustainable base of environmental advocates in Allegheny County.
Through their experiences in social organizing over the last six years, Kat has engaged in a multitude of spaces regarding climate, gender, and race/ethnicity, working alongside groups like Sunrise Movement Pittsburgh, Feminist Frequency, and the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance.
Originally from Fresno, California (Yokuts land), they graduated from Westmont College, located in the foothills of Santa Barbara, California (Chumash lands), in May 2021 with a Bachelor's Degree in Communication Studies and served as the Co-President of the Multiethnic Student Association.
In their free time, Kat can be found playing games like Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition and Pokémon with their friends, experimenting with different art mediums, or volunteering at a local bookstore.
Natalie Davidson, Allegheny County Civic Engagement Coordinator
Natalie Davidson is Allegheny County Civic Engagement Coordinator.
Based in Pittsburgh, Natalie serves as the principal point of contact for local activists, volunteers, partner organizations, and elected officials in Allegheny County. Her work includes coordinating volunteer efforts to support local policy changes, building and strengthening partnerships, recruiting and training environmental advocates, and being a reliable environmental resource in the region.
Born in Jamaica, one of the many small island nations at the forefront of our climate crisis, climate resilience and environmental protection have always been important to her.
She has worked in numerous nonprofits focused on assisting communities in need, engaging disenfranchised communities in local elections, and advocating for the conservation of our environment.
Natalie has a bachelor of science degree in Environmental Science and Sustainability and Political Science from Allegheny College. There, she studied the intersection of environment and policy, trying to find ways to bridge the gap in adequate protection for people in her communities.
Outside of work, Natalie enjoys learning languages, traveling, going on walks, and reading.