Staff

Robert L. Balthaser
Vice President, Development

B.A., Alvernia University
M.S., Education, University of Pennsylvania
Certified Fundraising Professional (CFRE) 

In his role with the Trust, Robert leads the development of and fundraising for a countrywide fundraising campaign to restore and improve our National Mall.

Robert came to the Trust in July of 2009 having served as the Director of the Campaign for Scholarships at the University of Maryland.  He previously served as the Director of Major Gifts at the American Foundation for AIDS Research (amFAR), the Director of External Affairs at New York University, and the Assistant Vice President for Philanthropy at Pace University.

Fun Fact: Robert grew up working in his family’s fourth-generation meat business.

Michael Cammon
Vice President, Marketing & Communications

B.A., Northwestern University
M.B.A, The Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University

In his role with the Trust, Mike leads marketing and communications efforts for the Trust's national campaign to restore the National Mall.

Mike is a leader among his peers when it comes to developing nationally recognized brands. His proven ability to establish strong market positions will be invaluable to our organization. Throughout his 25-year professional career, Mike has lead web and e-commerce efforts at AARP Services, AOL, and Citigroup. He also has headed marketing and branding efforts for Procter & Gamble, Inc., Clairol, and Haagen-Dazs.

Fun fact: Mike is a member in good standing of the New Caladonia Scottish Club in London.

Kate Disinger
Development Associate

B.A., Political Science, University of Kansas

In her role with the Trust, Kate provides support to the Director of Corporate Relations in coordinating sponsorship opportunities and benefits, corporate partnerships and outreach, and assists with the Corporate Committee and Trust events.

Prior to joining the Trust, Kate worked at the Institute of International Finance in the Global Events Department as the Sponsorship and Program Development Assistant concentrating on working with sponsors and speakers for international events. She has also worked as a Deputy Finance Director for Paula Brooks for Congress and as a Staff Assistant for Congresswoman Nancy E. Boyda.

Fun Fact: Kate’s grandfather is a WWII veteran who served on the U.S.S. Lexington. In 2008, her grandfather participated in the Honor Flight program visiting the WWII Memorial on the National Mall. One of Kate’s favorite memories is joining his group at the memorial.

Meghan Coward Gaines
Director of Operations and Executive Assistant to the President

B.A., Art History and Journalism, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Certification, Non-Profit Management, Duke University

In her role with the Trust, Meghan provides support to the Trust President and manages daily operations within the Trust offices.

Before joining the Trust in the summer of 2009, Meghan worked in programming and education with the North Carolina Museum of Art, the Contemporary Art Museum, and the Reynolda House of Wake Forest University.  Most recently, Meghan worked with the North Carolina Pediatric Society Foundation in program management and Universal Meeting Management in conference planning.

Fun Fact: Meghan loves old movies – she volunteered at the Ava Gardner Museum in North Carolina before coming to DC.

Katherine Gordon
Development Associate

A.B., Politics, Mount Holyoke College

In her role with the Trust, Kate manages the Women’s Committee and works with the L’Enfant Society.
 
Kate Gordon brings to the Trust donor development experience, having worked as Head Development Volunteer for Mount Holyoke College (her alma mater), as well as the Young Alumnae Development Committee. Just as important, Kate has entrepreneurial and corporate management experience, having owned and operated the Ice Cream Castle (Ocean City, Maryland), and serving as Associate Director of Mid-Atlantic Foods, Inc. Kate also brings a solid legislative experience, having  served as Staff Assistant for the House Armed Services Committee.  
 
Fun Fact: Kate is a Master Gardener for the District of Columbia and once had a summer job as an “interpretive weaver” at Furnace Town Historical Site.
 

Jenny Jones
Development Associate - Database and Contributions Manager

B.A., Anthropology and Sociology, Centre College

In her role at the Trust, Jenny supports all development initiatives through management of the donor database, tracking all donations, pledges, gifts, in-kind support and cultivation activities.

After graduation in May 2010, Jenny interned at the Trust the following fall. As an intern, she worked with the development team on facilitating research and assisting with the Corporate Committee. After successfully completing her internship in spring 2011, she was offered a full-time position with the Trust. While in college, she worked as a substitute teacher and spent a semester in Mexico teaching English.

Fun Fact:  Jenny grew up on a farm in small-town Kentucky, and spent her summers setting up a farmers market to sell her family’s produce and, of course, chat with the locals about the weather.

Melinda Milby
Development Associate

B.A., Communication Arts, Allegheny College

In her role with the Trust, Mindy provides support to the Vice President for Development in establishing a countrywide campaign to restore and improve the National Mall.

Before joining the Trust in the winter of 2011, Mindy worked in development at National Wildlife Federation focusing on corporate relations and special events in launch their annual special events campaign. Previously Mindy has worked in Conference and Event Services at Allegheny College overseeing the execution of conferences, events and youth summer athletic programs.

Fun Fact: Mindy grew up less than a mile away from Abraham Lincoln's birthplace in Kentucky. She has many fond memories walking along the same paths a young Abraham Lincoln may have traveled.

Lindsay Shulman Pugh
Director, Corporate Relations

B.A., International Affairs and Spanish, Lafayette College

In her role with the Trust, Lindsay manages the Trust corporate philanthropy program, including the Trust Corporate Committee, corporate sponsorships and partnerships.

Lindsay joined the Trust after serving as an Executive Assistant to the President at the ONE Campaign and a Finance Assistant at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. She also served as a Executive Assistant & Officer Manager to Congressman William Delahunt. 

Fun Fact:  Lindsay is an avid runner, having completed the Marine Corps Marathon, Boston Marathon and a few half marathons. Her favorite place to train is the National Mall.

Katherine Schramm-Strosser
Director of Events

B.A., English Language and Literature, Smith College

In her roll with the Trust, Katherine oversees the programming and events calendar that supports and facilitates the Trust’s campaign to restore the National Mall.

Prior to joining the Trust, Katherine served as the head of events at two event production firms, planning and executing both large- and small-scale events for a variety of clients across the country, including American Eagle Outfitters, Polo Ralph Lauren, and Pfizer Philanthropy. Previously, Katherine served as a policy analyst at a Washington, DC non-profit.

Fun fact: Katherine’s love of sailing can be traced back to her teens when, at the age of fourteen, she volunteered to be a crew member aboard an historic ship sailing the Atlantic coast line and making port at a maritime museum.

Garet Turner
Associate Director, Regional Programs

B.A., Political Science, Purdue University
Certification, Entrepreneurship, Purdue University

In his role with the Trust, Garet manages the Patriot Society and the L’Enfant Society.

After graduating Purdue University, Garet worked in development for several different academic institutions. He began his career with Purdue’s office of Development as a Regional Director of Annual Giving. He later worked for George Mason University’s School of Management as an Assistant Director of Development. He has had experience working with a diverse group of constituents and brings a variety of experiences with him.

Fun Fact: Garet was Director of Homecoming for Purdue Student Union Board and still visits every year to celebrate with his fellow alumni.

Molly P. Wade
Manager, Marketing & Communications

B.A., Journalism, The George Washington University

In her role with the Trust, Molly supports the Vice President's marketing and communications initiatives for the national campaign, manages special programs, oversees internal communications, and is the point of contact for the Trust's media and web consultants.
 
Molly spent three semesters interning for the Trust beginning in 2007.  She took a brief one-semester break for a production internship with the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN) before returning to the Trust as a full-time staff member after graduating in May of 2009. 

Fun Fact:  Molly is a classically trained singer but her favorite song to perform is the National Anthem – she has performed for the New England Revolution, the Harlem Globe Trotters and the Staten Island Yankees, among others.