Executive Director
Anne Gravel Sullivan
Anne is a lifelong educator and conservation advocate. With degrees in speech communication, media studies, and cultural anthropology, Anne has a unique background in the art of persuasion, storytelling, and making complex ideas accessible and engaging. Her podcasts, curriculum, and documentaries span the classroom, clinic, and trail, often blending ethnography, history, and creative writing into dynamic learning experiences.
Anne currently serves as Vice President of the Friends of the Badger and Sugar River State Trails and has served on several not-for-profit boards. At the intersection of human and environmental health, Anne finds purpose in connecting people to land, history, and one another—whether developing curriculum, leading workshops, or exploring the Driftless Area’s unique landscapes.
President
Dan Sullivan
Since engineering his first pond at the age of six on his mom’s backyard in his hometown of Waterloo, Wisconsin, Dan has been learning from and leaving his mark on the land. An astute observer of hydrology, wildlife, and climate — and their interactions with local environments — Dan’s dedicated stewardship of Southern Wisconsin’s natural resources is surpassed only by his creative approach to land management.
Owner of his own landscape design and contracting business, Dan has acquired a well-earned reputation for his ecologically sound practices and advice to a loyal customer base over the 40-plus years he has been in the business.
Board Members
Christine Belle
Christine’s love of nature began in childhood on camping, hiking, and canoeing trips with her parents through national, state, and county parks. That sense of wonder has stayed with her and now extends to her children and grandchildren who share her enjoyment of exploring prairies, forests, and waterways together. Over the years, Christine has built a diverse career in marketing, accounting, customer service management, and operations. Now semi-retired, Christine works part time as an accounting specialist and devotes her time to conservation and community service. She serves on the board of DENC, as President of the Belleville Public Library Board of Trustees, and as Secretary for the Friends of the Badger and Sugar River State Trails.
Kenner Gravel
Wanting to bridge the gap between the natural world and human society, Kenner graduated from the University of Toronto in December 2024 with an Honours Bachelor of Science in environmental science, political science, and geoscience. Her professional and academic experiences in the Midwest, Ontario, and Australia give Kenner’s approach to conservation a unique multicultural and multidisciplinary focus. In addition to being a board member and the Webmaster at DENC, Kenner is also working for the Southern Wisconsin Land Conservancy, assisting with baseline data collection and conservation easement creation for the DENC property.
Adam Sonnenburg
A lifelong Belleville resident, Adam brings a strong background in agriculture, policy, and business analysis to DENC. As a milk marketer for a national dairy cooperative, Adam works with producers, processors, and buyers to support sustainable growth and fair market access, giving him firsthand insight into the challenges facing rural communities and agricultural supply chains. An avid outdoorsman who enjoys hunting, fishing, hiking, and birding in the Driftless Area, Adam’s connection to the land and wildlife of southern Wisconsin fuels his passion for conservation. He brings his agricultural experience, cooperative leadership, and love of the outdoors to the DENC board, along with experience forging practical, community-based solutions that protect natural resources while sustaining rural livelihoods.
Lori Strelow
Lori Strelow is a healthcare communications leader with more than twenty years of experience directing marketing, fundraising, and community engagement initiatives for major academic health systems and universities, including UW Health and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Throughout her career, Lori developed and implemented strategic campaigns that strengthened patient outreach and elevated research visibility. Now retired, Lori devotes her time to conservation and outdoor stewardship. She volunteers with the Ice Age Trail Alliance, participating in trail maintenance and cleanup efforts, and is an avid hiker and kayaker who enjoys exploring Wisconsin’s rivers and natural landscapes. Lori’s professional background in communications and her personal passion for preserving the environment guide her contributions as a board member for DENC.