Heather Gallant
Executive Director
Heather leads The 577 Foundation in terms of mission, strategic direction, overall vision and management, fundraising, community connections, partnerships, board governance, and special opportunities.
Contact Heather if you’d like to make a gift to 577 or if you have any questions about community partnerships.
Kelly Rose Hirsh
Assistant Director – Administrative Operations
Kelly manages 577’s Administrative Department, including resource development (donations and grants), process improvement across the organization, board committee tracking, human resources tracking, and volunteer management across the organization.
Contact Kelly for inquiries about working at 577 (including jobs, fellowships, internships, seasonal work, and volunteering) as well as donations.
Danielle Marino
Assistant Director – Education and Outreach
Danielle manages 577’s Education Department, including classes, meeting reservations, field trips and tours, photography sessions, special events, communications, and the Welcome Center and Curiosity Shop.
Contact Danielle with inquiries about media/marketing, scheduling a field trip or tour, reserving a meeting space, scheduling a photography session, Curiosity Shop inquires, and general programing questions.
Mike Mummert
Assistant Director – Buildings, Grounds, Technology
Mike manages 577’s Properties Department, including horticulture, landscaping, groundskeeping, building maintenance and cleaning, equipment repairs and acquisitions, basic IT, building automation, construction projects, and safety and security.
Contact Mike if you notice a repair that needs to be made at 577 – although, with his keen eye, there’s a good chance he already knows about it.
Samantha Day
Organic Garden Horticulturist
Samantha is a member of the Properties team and is responsible for leading 577’s Community Garden program and food bank donation process, as well as managing our greenhouses, biodome, and potting shed. She has an extensive knowledge of soil science, plant propagation, and plant care, and you may find her teaching a class at 577 on heirloom vegetables or environmental conservation.
Contact Samantha if you have gardening questions, or if you’re interested in participating in 577’s Community Garden program.
Bennett Dowling
Organic Landscape Horticulturist
As a member of the Properties team, Bennett envisions and executes the beautiful landscapes at 577. Using flower beds as his canvas, you never know what Bennett will have popping out of the ground next. He is also responsible for our compost operations and lawn and tree care.
Contact Bennett to answer your questions about organic landscaping, compost, and garden bed design.
Julie Beutler
Pottery Studio Manager and Ceramic Artist
Julie is a member of the Education team at 577. A gifted artist and teacher, she leads all things related to pottery and ceramics: classes, kilns (electric, wood, and raku), glazes, and clay recycling. Her creativity in the studio knows no boundaries and has students trying new techniques and projects every day, giving everyone the chance to play with clay.
Contact Julie if you have questions about pottery: clay, classes, firings, and more.
Alison Buchanan
Pottery Coordinator
Alison is a BGSU graduate with a K-12 art education degree and Bachelor of Fine Arts. As a creative ceramicist and member of the Education and Programs team, Alison works as a pottery class instructor and assists in the responsibilities of the operation, development, care, and maintenance of the pottery studio.
Connie Stose
Program Manager
A member of the Education team, Connie coordinates the community instructor classes and StoryWalk® project. She also assists with the registration of classes for community members. A gifted artist and instructor, she also teaches a variety of painting classes at 577.
Contact Connie with inquiries about registering or teaching classes at 577.
Avery Bohman
Program Coordinator
Avery is a member of the Education department and is responsible for managing and installing our StoryWalk® series, coordinating special events like field trips and Music in the Gardens, and assisting in the Welcome Center & Curiosity Shop. Avery also teaches a variety of adult and children’s classes at 577 that focus on the arts, sustainability and upcycling, and skill-building.
Contact Avery for more information about 577’s StoryWalk®, scheduling a field trip, or one of her upcoming classes.
Kiana Haney
Program Assistant
Kiana is a member of the Education and Programs department and responsible for facilitating the efficient operation of 577’s special programs and educational classes. Kiana provides community outreach and engagement, customer service, and community instructor support, as well as class instruction. Kiana earned a bachelor’s degree from Bowling Green State University with a focus on special education, has teaching experience in grades K-8, and is a graduate of Toledo School for the Arts.
Julie Winder
Program Assistant
Julie is a member of the Education and Programs department and responsible for facilitating the efficient operation of 577’s special programs and educational classes. Julie provides community outreach and engagement, customer service, and community instructor support, as well as administrative support. Julie has professional experience in both higher education and nonprofit work, as well as a master’s degree in social work and a bachelor’s degree in philosophy. Julie’s love of writing, food, the arts, and gardening brings a vibrant sense of curiosity to the team.
Olivia Bellfy
Program Intern
Olivia is a member of the Education team where she provides support to 577 community instructors and class participants and assists with creative design work for marketing and communications projects. Olivia is currently working towards a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in graphic design at Bowling Green State University with an expected graduation date in 2026.
Lindsay Grider
Curiosity Shop Clerk
Lindsay is a member of the Education and Programs team, providing excellent customer service to all guests as a clerk in the Welcome Center & Curiosity Shop. She assists donors and customers, directs visitors, and answers questions about classes and programs. Lindsay is also a skilled fiber artist and instructor, sharing her talents for knitting and crocheting with class participants, and creating beautiful, crocheted pieces that are occasionally on sale in the Shop.
Jennie Hoffmann
Curiosity Shop Clerk
Jennie is a member of the Education and Programs team, providing excellent customer service to all guests as a clerk in the Welcome Center & Curiosity Shop. She assists donors and customers, directs visitors, and answers questions about classes and programs. Jennie holds a bachelor’s degree in English and English education, as well as a master’s degree in internationals studies. Her professional experience in both education and retail, as well as her curiosity, love of learning, and community focus provide her team with valuable insight and support.
Beth Phlegar
Curiosity Shop Clerk
Beth is a member of the Education and Programs team, providing excellent customer service to all guests as a clerk in the Welcome Center & Curiosity Shop. She assists donors and customers, directs visitors, and answers questions about classes and programs. Beth also shares her lifelong love of baking with others in cooking classes at 577, where she gives participants the confidence to master unique baked goods like a classic Italian biscotti.
Mike Welling
Maintenance/Custodian
If there’s anything that Mike Welling can’t fix, we haven’t found it yet. A member of the Properties team, Mike regularly saves the day with repairs and preventative maintenance to keep 577 safe, working, and ready for you to enjoy.
Cara Morrow
Summer Staff
Cara is a seasonal member of the Properties team, providing much needed support to 577 horticulturists with the maintenance of the grounds and gardens. Cara has a wealth of plant and tree knowledge, including native species, and is dedicated to sustainable gardening practices, community engagement, and environmental stewardship.