Leanna Bird – Executive Director
Leanna began her career with the Student Conservation Association—a national nonprofit dedicated to building the next generation of conservation leaders—coordinating youth conservation and trail restoration programs in city and county parks in underserved communities in Pennsylvania and Alaska. She later served as program and communications coordinator for the Cambria County Conservation and Recreation Authority, where she developed recreation and volunteer programs, managed community partnerships, and led the organization’s marketing and outreach. She holds a Master of Public Policy and Management and Master of Arts in Teaching, both from the University of Pittsburgh.
Directly prior to joining the Land Trust, Leanna worked at Allegheny Health Network Center for Inclusion Health, securing funding support for initiatives that provide low-barrier healthcare to underserved communities and populations, such as people living with substance use disorder, mental illness, and individuals experiencing homelessness. Leanna currently serves on the Board of Directors for Women for a Healthy Environment and has previously served on boards for the Conemaugh Valley Conservancy, Cambria County Library System, and Cambria County Conservation and Recreation Authority. She has also supported youth wellness as a community coordinator for the Healthy Kids Running Series – Johnstown. Leanna lives in the Laurel Highlands with her husband and two young sons – they enjoy hiking both along the ridges and along Mill Creek, searching for salamanders, crayfish, and little brook trout.
Karen Rose Cercone – Operations Assistant
Karen Rose joined the Westmoreland Land Trust after teaching geology for many years at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She is a native of Westmoreland County and a graduate of Penn-Trafford High School. Karen Rose received her AB from Bryn Mawr College and her PhD from the University of Michigan, and later went on to earn an MFA in Fiction from the University of Pittsburgh. She brings experience in citizen science, volunteer tracking, relational databases, and accreditation to the land trust along with a life-long zeal for organization.
Karen Rose is a certified Penn State Master Watershed Steward. She is a board member of the Westmoreland Heritage Trail and the Turtle Creek Watershed Association, and an Honorary Member of the Pittsburgh Geological Society. When she is not doing citizen science projects such as Stream Team, Salt Watch, Firefly Watch, and the Christmas Bird Count, Karen Rose spends her time training her border collie Lena for obedience and agility trials.
Paula Purnell – Coordinator of Educational Programming
Paula Purnell, D. Ed., brings years of experience in educational research, project development and assessment, environmental education, and arts integration to the Westmoreland Land Trust. Dr. Purnell maintains Sense of Place Learning, LLC to raise awareness, knowledge, and appreciation of the unique ecology, history, heritage and artistic works of the places in which we live. Paula served as an Assistant Professor in the Professional Studies in Education Department at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
Paula is also an accomplished musician who has released eight albums of original music, including three Parent’s Choice award-winning children’s albums. With her band The NewLanders, Paula researches, records, and performs roots music of western Pennsylvania. She lives in Greensburg with her husband Bruce Adamson.
Dominic Demangone – AmeriCorps Service Member
Dominic Demangone joined the WLT in December 2023, as an AmeriCorps Service Member. Dominic retired in 2021 after serving 50 years in education as a teacher/principal in the Diocese of Greensburg and a Special Education Supervisor with the Westmoreland Intermediate Unit. Dominic is based at Bellbrook in the St. Xavier Nature Preserve. He will assist with environmental stewardship, building and maintaining trails, and conducting research into the rich history of St. Xavier Academy and Convent. Dominic attended St. Vincent College and Duquesne University, and earned Superintendent’s Papers at Westminster College. Dominic lives in Unity Township.