Staff
Gregory D. Stevens
Executive Director
Gregory D. Stevens grew up in Buffalo and enjoyed the Wyoming County hillsides, and the Canadian beaches of Lake Erie. As a young student, in the age of “Silent Spring” and Love Canal, he was very concerned about the deterioration of ecological health in our Great Lakes. Since returning from overseas in 2005, he has dedicated most of his volunteer time to building organizational capacity to restore water quality and promoting public enthusiasm for our waterfront.
His career spans chemical, environmental, energy, specialty materials, and other technology driven businesses, both in very large corporate and small entrepreneurial settings. As an entrepreneur Greg has been involved with numerous green technology start-ups on business and funding opportunities. Currently he owns and operates Windsor Private Strategic Advisory Services, which advises tech companies on business growth strategies, and assists in the sale or acquisition of businesses. He has a well proven core competency in organizational leadership, growing businesses and bringing new technologies to market.
Greg graduated from Harvard University with a BS in Biochemistry, and a minor concentration in East Asian Economics. He also completed International Business and Economics course work at the London School of Economics and Washington University. He has been active in the WNY community where he was Chairman of the Board of Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper, 2008-2013; Chairman of the Board of Goodwill Industries, Chair Niagara River Greenway Commission, and a member of the Harvard Club of Western New York. In March 2018, Greg resigned as chairman and became the Executive Director of the Niagara River Greenway Commission.
Michelle Lockett
Community Engagement Director
Michelle was born in Niagara Falls and moved to Grand Island as a young child, where she still resides with her husband and two children. Growing up on Grand Island, she spent many hours playing in the fields and bringing home pollywogs every spring. Michelle is happiest when she is partaking in an outdoor activity, whether it be camping, hiking, biking, skiing, ice skating, practicing yoga or kayaking. She passionately believes that everyone should be outside as much as possible, enjoying their favorite activity. She is proud to be working with Niagara River Greenway, ensuring the WNY community and visitors have a beautiful and clean space to share.
Michelle is working as the Community Engagement Manager at NRG, encouraging and motivating community members to take pride in our greenspaces by not only using them but also helping to maintain them. She works with many local non-profit organizations, schools, businesses and municipalities to mobilize volunteers to come together and rehabilitate our greenspaces.
The majority of her professional career has focused on market research, data analysis and knowledge translation within the food industry (Tops Markets) and assistive technology field for people with disabilities (WNY Independent Living). Most recently, she has worked on spreading healthy messages and supporting local non-profits with healthy eating and physical activity programs at the Institute for Community Health Promotion within Buffalo State College.
Lisa Vitello
Administrative Director
Lisa was born and raised in Niagara Falls. Growing up in the Niagara region provided wonderful opportunities for outdoor activities. As a child, her family spent every Sunday at Fort Niagara; picnicking, swimming, hiking and enjoying countless hours near the lake. For the past 26 years, Lisa has lived adjacent to Devil's Hole, residing in the Deveaux of area of Niagara Falls.
"The ability to walk across the road and hike down into the gorge is something I cherish and try to do almost every day. It is the mission of the Niagara River Greenway to provide that opportunity to every resident and visitor through a series of easily accessible connected parks and trails, and I am honored to be a part of that effort".
Lisa is the Administrative Director of the Niagara River Greenway. In this capacity she assists organizations and individuals with project proposals, provides administrative support, manages daily operations and logistics, and assists in developing and maintaining objectives, policies and procedures to provide for efficient operations. She establishes and maintains effective working relationships with all partners to ensure the Niagara River Greenway meets the goal of providing the Niagara region with Greenway projects. These are the projects that give our residents and visitors amazing opportunities to enjoy our beautiful landscapes.
Lisa comes to us with an experienced background in public service. She was a history teacher for 22 years before moving into city government as the Niagara Falls City Clerk. She has volunteered thousands of hours over many years as a member of the Niagara Falls Tourism Advisory Board, the Bi-National Illumination Board, Niagara Heritage Partnership and the Niagara Waterfront Task Force. The Niagara Heritage Partnership and the Waterfront Task Force were two of the original groups that advocated for removal of the Robert Moses Parkway and restoration of Niagara River Gorge Rim corridor.
