Our Team
Directors
Nadav Sprague, M.P.H.
Founding CEO & President
Nadav Sprague holds a Masters in Public Heath and a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Earth Science from Washington University in St. Louis. Nadav is pursuing his Ph.D. in Epidemiology at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. He has previously worked as a researcher at the National Cancer Institute, a canoe trip guide at Camp Tamakwa, and in the educational department of Missouri Botanical Garden. Nadav loves going on canoe trips, hiking, boxing, and walking his dog (Tova).
Lucca Ammann (Right)
Chicago City Director
Lucca recently graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a degree in Environmental Sustainability and Urban Planning. She has previously worked in a vector disease lab for mosquito abatement and as a personal assistant for disability needs. She loves working with kids and has a long career of babysitting. Her focus on environmental education stems from her passion for climate sustainability. While working with GGO, she is most excited about urban farming and exploring nature with the Chicago students. In her free time she enjoys playing with her dogs, walking along the Lake Michigan lakefront (and swimming in the summer), and enjoying good food with friends.
Daryl Rosen-Huitt
Director of Operations
Daryl holds a degree in psychology from Maryville University and has an extensive background working with profit and non-profit organizations. Specializing in development and marketing, Daryl brings over 30 years of experience to GGO with event planning, promotions, PR, community relations, fundraising, sales and professional development. Originally from New York and raised in St. Louis she attributes her love for the city and passion for equality to her parents. She, her husband Robert, and her son Shayfer reside in Dog Town and enjoy spending time hiking in the woods and jumping the waves in any ocean.
AmeriCorps Members
Jayden Shinsky - 2025 AmeriCorps member
Jayden Shinsky is from Erie, Pennsylvania. He has 5 older siblings, him being the youngest of 6, with three sisters and two brothers. He likes to read, crochet, knit, and play video games. He loves to take walks through nature, take hikes, go biking, and play volleyball, in the sand and on indoor courts. Jayden decided to serve as an AmeriCorps member because the mission to connect individuals to great organizations spoke to him. Being from a community where the education department is deteriorating, organizations like GGO specifically call to him and he thinks his elementary and middle school would have loved Gateway to the Great Outdoors.
Isabel Blumenhorst - 2025 AmeriCorps member
Isabel is from St. Louis and graduated in 2024 from DePaul University in Chicago with a degree in Film and Television. She has previously worked as a camp counselor in the Lake of the Ozarks, as well as a programming assistant at a film non profit in Chicago. She is super excited to take students on field trips and help them learn more about the outdoors. In her free time she enjoys camping, crocheting, embroidery, and spending time with family and friends.
Kailyn Alani - 2025 AmeriCorps member
Kailyn Alani graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in environmental science and a focus in ecology. She began her post-graduate career as an environmental scientist at an engineering firm, but soon discovered that her true passion lies in inspiring children to feel connected to the Earth. In her free time, she enjoys creating art, practicing yoga, hiking, and spending time with her family. She also takes pride in being a professional at playing outside. Kailyn is excited to see where her journey with GGO will lead!
Sudharshana Ganeshkumar - 2025 AmeriCorps member
Shana graduated from Illinois Institute of Technology with a degree in Computer Engineering. After a brief stint as a Software Engineer, she is now looking to learn more about the non-profit space and give back to the community of the city she has called home for the past four years. In her free time, she loves to read, write and go to concerts. Working with GGO is a chance for her to engage with her love of nature and learn more about grant writing!
Vicki Johnson - 2025 AmeriCorps member
Vicki is a forager and a birder from the South Side of Chicago. In her free time, she likes to collect comic books, as well as cosplay her favorite characters.
Aissa Avila - 2025 AmeriCorps member
Aissa graduated from DePaul University in 2023 with a degree in Environmental Studies with a concentration in Sustainability. With a background working for various non profits across Chicago, she deeply understands the power of non profit work, and cannot wait to make an impact with GGO. In her free time, she enjoys playing with her dogs, biking, reading, playing video games, and watching the latest film.
Special Program Staff
Alex Martyn - Grant Writer and Development VISTA
Alex recently graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a degree in political science. He is passionate about environmental issues, expanding educational opportunities, and helping to facilitate outdoor experiences for youth. As a native of St. Louis, he enjoys living in his hometown while seeing a new side of the city every week. He enjoys regularly accessing nature and walking outdoors, and his other hobbies include music, reading, traveling, and following the news. He is excited to be part of the GGO team and looks forward to continuing his work through the remainder of this year.
Angie Paden - Graphics Coordinator
Angie holds an associate degree in Graphic Design and a Certificate of Graphic Arts. Originally from Ohio and calls South Carolina home for the last 30 years. She previously worked as an Art Director at one of the largest agencies in the southeast before becoming a full-time freelance graphic designer in 2014. She has worked on several local non-profits over her career and holds a special place for any company involving children and looks forward to helping GGO reach as many people as possible through marketing campaigns. In her free time, Angie is a total boy mom of her 3 sons. She’s a little league professional parent, keeps a small sports store in the trunk of her car, and participates in the local competitive adult volleyball leagues.