Our board
Meet our generous, dedicated board of directors
FOUNDING MEMBERS
Sheila Harris-Schutz, President
Sheila became deeply involved in Naples' civic and social causes after moving to the area, driven by her passion for making a difference. Her love for the Everglades and Big Cypress Preserve began after reading several books on the subject. She holds degrees from Indiana University and Stroudsburg State University. Sheila spent a decade in Europe teaching interpersonal communication in English and German, later focusing on natural healing in Switzerland. Since 1987, she has called Naples home, co-founding a public speaking firm with her husband. Sheila has served on numerous nonprofit boards, including Fresh Start for Abused Women, AMI Kids Big Cypress, and GLSEN. She enjoys travel and exploring the swamp.
Jackie Butcher Obendorf, Secretary
Jackie is the daughter of renowned photographers Clyde and Niki Butcher. Raised in a creative, nature-centered household, she developed a lifelong passion for art and the environment. In 1986, Jackie founded a successful wholesale business representing artists nationwide. After selling the business in 2000, she began managing her parents’ galleries, allowing them to focus on their photography. Under her leadership, the Venice and Big Cypress galleries have become destinations for collectors and conservationists. Jackie is dedicated to preserving her family’s legacy—using art to inspire appreciation and protection of the natural world. She enjoys boating, hiking, and time with her family.
Susan S. Jones, Vice President & Treasurer
Susan is passionate about conservation, water quality, and the outdoors. She holds a B.A. in Environmental Science from the University of Virginia and a Master’s in Taxation from Virginia Commonwealth University. A retired CPA, she now manages a real estate property management company. Susan has served as Chair of the Naples Commission on Ethics, President of The Forum Club of Southwest Florida, and on numerous nonprofit boards including The Alliance for Florida’s National Parks and The Immokalee Foundation. She enjoys golf, pickleball, bridge, and travel. A Naples resident for nearly 30 years, she has three daughters and three grandchildren. Favorite quote: “We borrow the earth from our children.”
Clyde Butcher, Advisor
Clyde is a world-renowned landscape photographer best known for his striking black-and-white images of the Everglades and other wild places. Using large-format film cameras, Clyde captures intricate detail and grandeur in untouched natural environments. His work has been exhibited globally and honored with numerous prestigious awards, including the National Medal of Arts in 2024, the Ansel Adams Conservation Award from the Sierra Club, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the North American Nature Photography Association. After the loss of their son, Ted, Clyde and his wife Niki found healing in Big Cypress, where they live surrounded by the swamp’s quiet beauty. This sanctuary fuels Clyde’s commitment to conservation and inspires his ongoing mission to protect wild places.
BOARD MEMBERS
Brett Baldwin
Brett moved to Naples from Indiana in 1972 and has loved the outdoors all his life—fishing, camping, hiking, and hunting. He’s been a member of environmental groups like the Sierra Club, Audubon, Florida Wildlife Federation, and Greenpeace. During his 36-year career with UPS, he delivered throughout Big Cypress, Everglades City, and Shark Valley, deepening his appreciation for the area. Two years ago, he purchased a camp within the Preserve. Brett is passionate about introducing others to its beauty and inspiring the next generation to protect it, especially through the S.W.A.M.P. program for sixth graders, which he sees as vital to land stewardship.
Junée F. Gardy D.D.S.
Junée fell in love with Southwest Florida’s natural beauty when her parents moved there in 1984. A nature lover at heart, she joined Friends of Big Cypress to help preserve its unique ecosystem. She holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and earned her D.D.S. from the University of Missouri, Kansas City. She owns and operates a cosmetic dentistry practice and med spa in Naples. Junée has served on several boards and supports numerous nonprofits. Her business experience and passion for nature make her a strong advocate for Big Cypress. In her free time, she enjoys family, the outdoors, and time on the water.
Sally Wilson
Sally began her conservation journey after meeting Fran Mainella, 16th Director of the National Park Service. She was hired as West Coast Coordinator for the South Florida National Parks Trust and later served as Director of Development for the Alliance for Florida’s National Parks. Sally helped raise over $420,000 for the S.W.A.M.P. program, giving Collier County sixth graders the chance to become scientists for a day. She holds a B.S. in Family & Child Development and Mass Communications from Kansas State University and runs her PR agency, Highheels & Sneakers. A published author, she’s also helped raise funds for children’s causes and local nonprofits.
ADVISOR
Dr. Fran P. Mainella
Dr. Fran Mainella served as the first woman Director of the National Park Service and spent 12 years as Director of Florida’s State Parks, earning a Gold Medal for best state park system. She has also led national organizations like the NRPA and NASPD. Fran holds degrees from the University of Connecticut and Central Connecticut State College, where she also received an honorary doctorate. Currently a Visiting Scholar at Clemson University and President of her consulting firm, Fran is committed to mentoring future conservation leaders. Named a Top 100 Influential Business Leader in Collier County, she remains a passionate voice for parks and nature.
