Who We Are

Heather Nowicki joined the Board of the Washington Park Conservancy in 2023. She has been a long-time volunteer and past Board member of Historic Albany Foundation. Professionally, she has served as an attorney for New York State and local government for over 30 years, working with various economic development and tax-advantaged programs. As an old house buff, she has renovated her childhood home near the Adirondack Foothills and restored an American Foursquare home in the Pine Hills Neighborhood, where she currently resides.

Sarah Read joined the board of directors in 2018 after working with Conservancy to organize the 2nd Albany Lantern Parade in 2017. Professionally a special education teacher, she currently stays home with her two children, ages 2 and 4- they spend a lot of time enjoying all the Capital Region has to offer, including Washington Park. She is enthusiastic about building community partnerships to create opportunities that celebrate the diversity of Albany’s residents. Sarah grew up in Albany, and returned in 2016 after living in the Boston area for many years.  She and her family now live in the Buckingham Pond neighborhood.

Stacey Stump is an attorney for the State Department of Health. Originally from Westchester County she moved to Albany 16 years ago and has lived in walking distance to Washington Park ever since. Stacey lives with her husband, Rob, and two sons, Benjamin (5) and Ethan (3). Her family loves playing together in the park and attending community events. She enjoys reading fiction novels and crossword puzzles.

Naishaly is originally from Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico, and migrated as a young child with her family to Albany, NY in 2005. She is a proud graduate of the University at Albany, having received their degrees in theatre and sociology. Naishaly is a charter member of the Adirondack Land Trust Next Generation Council, a group of people in their 20s and 30s, who value the Adirondacks as a place that is welcoming to all and that should be protected for future generations. She is excited to continue these efforts closer to home with the Washington Park Conservancy, as the park will forever hold a place in her heart given her service as the 2024 City of Albany Tulip Queen.