Ryerson Woods - Ryerson Reads

Seren Orgel joined FRW as Program Manager in spring of 2011. He works on the development and execution of FRW’s public programs, and on bringing these programs to new audiences. Seren previously worked as a legislative aide to U.S. Representative Peter J. Visclosky and as Deputy Campaign Manager to New Hampshire State Senator Molly Kelly. He graduated from the University of Chicago in 2006 with honors in Political Science, and returned to the University of Chicago to earn a master’s degree in the Social Sciences in 2010. Seren’s graduate research studied ways that experiences of art and natural beauty can help citizens to become wiser and more capable participants in democracy. He is excited by the opportunity to make these theories a reality through the programs at Ryerson Woods—as well as to share the fun of his own experiences tramping around the wooded areas of Illinois and Indiana with a family of ardent bird-watchers, tree-identifiers, herbal soap-makers, and amateur home prairie-growers.

Meet the Staff
Executive Director
	Sophia Twichell joined FRW as its executive director in 2004. Sophie has developed a rich array of programs at FRW focused on environmental education for adults and older youth, with particular emphasis on science, art and nature and outreach to traditionally underserved communities. Prior to joining FRW, Sophie managed international conservation programs for The Field Museum and served as assistant director for the Lake Michigan Federation, now known as the Alliance for the Great Lakes. Sophie graduated summa cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania in 1989 with degrees in Cultural Anthropology and Latin American Studies. She received her J.D. with honors and a certificate in Environmental & Energy Law from the Chicago-Kent College of Law in 1996. She serves on the boards of the Lake Forest Garden Club, Lake Forest Open Lands and Nature’s Edge. An enthusiastic birder and gardener, Sophie lives in Lake Bluff with her husband and three children. Her two boys enjoy hiking the woods at night during Ryerson’s Halloween Hikes, and her young daughter adores visiting Ryerson’s farm animals.
Program Manager
	Seren Orgel joined FRW as Program Manager in spring of 2011. He works on the development and execution of FRW’s public programs, and on bringing these programs to new audiences. Seren previously worked as a legislative aide to U.S. Representative Peter J. Visclosky and as Deputy Campaign Manager to New Hampshire State Senator Molly Kelly. He graduated from the University of Chicago in 2006 with honors in Political Science, and returned to the University of Chicago to earn a master’s degree in the Social Sciences in 2010. Seren’s graduate research studied ways that experiences of art and natural beauty can help citizens to become wiser and more capable participants in democracy. He is excited by the opportunity to make these theories a reality through the programs at Ryerson Woods—as well as to share the fun of his own experiences tramping around the wooded areas of Illinois and Indiana with a family of ardent bird-watchers, tree-identifiers, herbal soap-makers, and amateur home prairie-growers.
Administrative Coordinator
	Julia Kemerer is FRW’s Administrative Coordinator. She joined the staff of FRW in 2006 and oversees the administrative elements of our programs, including bookkeeping, database management and more. Julia also brings to FRW a wealth of art management skills including past curatorial and artifact collection management experience and a passion for the creation process. Also a mixed media artist, Julia sculpts with found objects, fabric, wood, and clay and paints in oil and watercolor. Julia attended the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and holds a degree in Art History from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Her artwork has been shown in several area galleries and can also be found online. Julia lives in Gages Lake with her husband, Mark, and their daughter, Zoe.