Ellen Hanson
Ellen Hanson and her husband Richard Perlman settled in Washington in 2020 enticed by the natural beauty of the hills and the caring and engaged community. Founded in 1991 Ellen’s eponymous interiors firm aims to create “Interior design that is luxurious, sustainable, local, essential, and durable.” Her projects embrace their environment, use virgin resources sparingly and responsibly while also creating lasting value and enhancing the lives of the people inhabiting them. With a BFA from Cornell in Art History, Ellen’s course work also included organic gardening and biology reflecting a wide yet connected well of resources that have informed her career and life pursuits. When not collaborating with her design team or practicing Iyengar Yoga, Ellen is an avid hiker, cross-country skier and lifelong learner. Ellen serves as a trustee on the Board of the Foundation for National Public Radio and lives part time in Boca Grande FL.
Chris Koppel
Christopher Koppel, a Connecticut native, brings a deep passion and extensive knowledge of plants to the Steep Rock Association Board. Growing up amidst the marshes and beaches of Connecticut, Chris developed a lifelong appreciation for the natural world. Currently an estate manager in Washington, he focuses on agriculture while maintaining native ecologies in woodland and grassland buffers. Chris's past roles include managing the woodlands of the Skylands and Iroki estates. He also serves on the Inland Wetlands Commission, demonstrating his commitment to environmental conservation. Chris and his partner, Julie, have been active members of the Washington community for over six years.
Roxanne Kraft
Roxanne Kraft resides in Washington CT, with her husband Greg and their two very active Weimaraners, Otto and Fritz. Roxanne has had a lifelong love for the outdoors. She is an avid hiker, gardener, and kayaker. Roxanne has dedicated her professional life to education. As a 37-year veteran special education teacher, she currently works at the Litchfield Hills Transition Center (LHTC) in New Milford. At LHTC she collaborates her love for the outdoors and education to teach young adults how to develop healthy living skills, job skills, and social skills. Roxanne also has extensive training in Mindfulness, completing the Mindful Schools Teacher Certification Program. She uses her training in this field to embed Mindfulness in her lessons at LHTC and guided hikes promoted by the Steep Rock Association.
Shannon Waldron
Shannon Waldron started walking Steep Rock’s trails upon moving to Washington in 2015, becoming a Trail Monitor soon thereafter. For the past twenty years she’s practiced as a land use attorney with a firm in Annapolis, Maryland (starting the remote work journey in 2013, before Covid made it cool). Shannon lives on The Frederick Gunn School campus with her spouse, Brian Konik, and her four kids, who all attend Shepaug Valley School.