Our Team

Aliza Krevolin
Program Associate

Aliza Krevolin was the former Director of Special Projects at the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley, where she managed scholarship and grants processes, co-founded the Hudson Valley Food Systems Coalition and administered FeedHV, a food recovery and gleaning app. Aliza previously worked as the Active Aging Program Manager at Generations Incorporated and in strategic planning and leadership development at Combined Jewish Philanthropies. She loves to share her passion for growing, cooking, making and sharing good food. Aliza feels lucky to live in the Hudson Valley where she can explore the outdoors via hiking and kayaking with her partner and two rescue dogs.

Kate Heidecker
Communications Coordinator

Kate Heidecker was the former Deputy Director of Ulster County Economic Development, a position she held for two years during the COVID-19 pandemic. Kate previously worked as the Director of Communications for the Kingston City School District, and as a Community Relations Specialist at Ulster County BOCES. She began her career in Kingston as an education and political reporter for The Daily Freeman. A fourth generation Kingston resident, Kate and her husband John have two elementary-aged children who attend the Kingston City School District. When not working, Kate enjoys traveling with her family.

Martin Kirk
Program Director, NoVo Foundation

Martin works to support organizations and communities to envision and transition to sustainability and help them thrive through the challenges of the 21st century. In Kingston, Martin works with a variety of local organizations dedicated to supporting Kingston to become a more self-reliant, ecologically regenerative, and resilient community. Before coming to NoVo, Martin was Director of Strategy for The Rules, a global collective of activists dedicated to challenging the root causes of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Prior to The Rules, he was Head of Campaigns at Oxfam Great Britain, and Head of Global Advocacy for Save the Children. Throughout his career he has focused on integrating economics with systems and complexity science to develop new ways of thinking about how we can manage resources in more equitable ways, as well as how that can help bring communities into balance with their local ecology and environment. When not working, Martin likes to kayak, hike and sing, but mostly spends time looking after his mini-homestead with his six ducks and two dogs.

Megan Weiss-Rowe
Director

Megan Weiss-Rowe is a lifelong resident of the Kingston area. Previously, Megan worked in the non-profit sector for over 15 years, serving as a grant writer with Family of Woodstock, Inc. and Program Director at the Everette Hodge Community Center. Megan also previously served as the Director of Communications and Community Engagement at the City of Kingston, where she established new interactive communications tools, assisted with policy research and development, and expanded the City’s outreach efforts. Throughout her career, Megan has focused her efforts in Midtown Kingston, where she resides, with an emphasis on children’s health and well-being. She has extensive experience working collaboratively with community members and partners to build upon and expand access to essential neighborhood resources, including safe and affordable housing, nutritious local food, educational and career opportunities, youth development programming, and individual and family support services. When not working, Megan enjoys attending local concerts with her husband and taking their two dogs on walks in the neighborhood.

Melani Taylor
Operations Associate

Melani has a long history of public service, and an even deeper history as a community member in Kingston. Prior to joining the team at NoVo in Kingston, Melani worked in administration in the Kingston City School District, where she supported the Assistant Superintendents for Teaching & Learning in both elementary and secondary education. Before her time in public education, Melani served in Kingston’s City Hall, and also worked in the healthcare field. The youngest of nine siblings, Melani has fond memories of attending Kindergarten in what is the present-day Kingston Library building. When not working, Melani and her husband Gary enjoy spending time with their two middle school-aged children and two young adult children.

Additional team member biographies are forthcoming.

Oversight Committee

NoVo in Kingston is guided by an Oversight Committee composed of leadership members from the NoVo Foundation, including: Peter Buffett, co-President of the NoVo Foundation and Managing Director of NoVo in Kingston; Kimberly McLain, Chief Financial Officer; Matthew Tye, Vice President of Organizational Development; and Sangeeta Budhiraja, Vice President of Programs.