The Brandywine Conservancy is excited to announce new leadership changes with the promotions of Stephanie Armpriester and Grant DeCosta, both previously Acting Co-Directors of the organization. Armpriester will now serve as the Conservancy’s Director of Conservation and Stewardship, and DeCosta will act as the Director of Community Services. In these expanded roles, Armpriester will lead the Conservancy’s work in easement stewardship and land conservation, while DeCosta will direct efforts in municipal assistance and land restoration with a focus on climate resiliency. Both will report directly to the Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art’s Executive Director & CEO.
“During their term as Acting Co-Directors of the Brandywine Conservancy, Stephanie and Grant have demonstrated their exceptional leadership and have shared their inspiring plans for the future,” said Virginia Logan, The Frolic Weymouth Executive Director & CEO of the Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art. “Over the past few years, their collaborative style and effective communication has enabled the work of the Conservancy to grow and realize new achievements. With this well-deserved promotion, their focus and leadership will enable the Conservancy’s staff to be even more effective in fulfilling our mission.”
“The Conservancy has continually been a leader in the land trust field,” noted Stephanie Armpriester, Director of Conservation and Stewardship. “We are thrilled to build upon that storied history to re-envision the work that addresses emerging environmental challenges. Our mission has never been more relevant as we strive to protect the land and water of the region for generations to come.”
Grant DeCosta, Director of Community Services, added, “I am honored to have the opportunity to help lead the Brandywine Conservancy in its 55th year as we adopt a leadership strategy that enables both of our voices to amplify the organization’s mission, connect with landowners, and help our communities preserve and protect cherished natural, scenic and cultural resources.”
Stephanie Armpriester has been with the Conservancy since 2017. Prior to her new role as Director of Conservation and Stewardship, she most recently was the Assistant Director for Conservation, before transitioning to the Acting Co-Director with DeCosta. She has over 13 years’ experience in the non-profit, private and public sectors in Pennsylvania, Delaware, New York and New Jersey. Armpriester specializes in agricultural and conservation easement preparation, historic preservation, and land use planning. In her role at the Conservancy, she works with landowners to preserve their land in perpetuity. She also provides technical assistance to municipalities and other stakeholders to connect conservation to water quality improvement and assists them in creating innovative solutions to meet local and regional water quality goals. Armpriester holds a master’s degree in historic preservation planning from Cornell University.
Grant DeCosta joined the Conservancy’s staff in 2013. He has served in a variety of roles during his tenure at the Brandywine, most recently as the Assistant Director for Community Services, before he was promoted to Acting Co-Director, and now the Director of Community Services. He has over 16 years’ experience in conservation and environmental policy work in the non-profit, private and public sectors in Pennsylvania, Delaware and Washington, D.C. DeCosta specializes in land use planning, conservation and implementation of land restoration projects for water quality improvement. In his role at the Conservancy, he works with landowners, municipalities, regulators and policymakers to provide a holistic approach to natural resource conservation and protection. DeCosta holds a B.S. in forestry and wildlife science from Virginia Tech.
