Meet the Team

Jon Mobeck

Executive Director

Jon Mobeck is a conservation leader with more than two decades of experience bringing together scientists, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, private landowners, and communities to advance wildlife conservation across the Midwest, Mountain West, and beyond.

Since joining the National Loon Center as Executive Director in January 2021, Jon has guided the organization from an ambitious vision toward one of North America’s most significant emerging conservation and education initiatives. He is leading development of the National Loon Center’s $25 million campus in Crosslake, Minnesota, scheduled to open to the public in 2027, while overseeing the organization’s growth and its research, education, and conservation programs.

Under Jon’s leadership, the National Loon Center has secured a multi-year commitment to support loon research, enabling more than a dozen significant research projects across North America and strengthening scientific understanding of one of the continent’s most iconic birds.

Previously, Jon served as Executive Director of the Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation, where he led collaborative conservation efforts throughout the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. His work included partnerships to develop wildlife crossings that reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions and improve habitat connectivity, as well as hands-on efforts with volunteers to remove or modify dozens of miles of barbed-wire fencing that impeded wildlife migration.

Jon also served as Director of Partnerships for the WILD Foundation, advancing international conservation partnerships focused on urban nature, ecological connectivity, and public access to the outdoors. Earlier, as Executive Director of the historic Murie Ranch in Grand Teton National Park, he helped launch CoalitionWILD, a global mentorship initiative that has supported more than 1,500 emerging conservation leaders in 120 countries.

Throughout his career, Jon has been recognized for bringing diverse partners together to solve complex conservation challenges. His leadership blends strategic vision, collaborative problem-solving, and a deep commitment to science-based conservation, creating lasting benefits for wildlife, ecosystems, and the communities that depend on them.

David Nielsen

Chief Operating Officer

David spent 35 years at the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s College of Business Administration, with his last role as Assistant Dean. Throughout his career, he played a key role in managing multi-million-dollar budgets, overseeing technology infrastructure and facility operations, and leading administrative and Operations staff for Mammel Hall. He also initiated efforts to enhance the student experience and increase the college’s community impact. Additionally, he served as project manager for several major construction projects, helping to turn new academic and research spaces from concept to completion.

Nisswa has been a part of David’s life for over four decades. Since 1981, he and his family have spent their summers at their cabin on the lake, creating countless memories and strengthening their love for the natural beauty of northern Minnesota. That lifelong bond made the move to the Brainerd Lakes area a natural next chapter.

David and his wife, Beanie, are now proud to call this community home. Beanie shares his passion for the outdoors and is an accomplished nature photographer. Together, they spend much of their free time exploring the lakes, capturing wildlife through the lens, and connecting with others who share their appreciation for Minnesota’s landscapes and wildlife. Their son, Steven, also loves spending time in the Lakes Area, where the family enjoys discovering the region’s unique restaurants, stores, craft breweries, and spending time on the water. In every season, David enjoys exploring nature year-round—running local trails, snowshoeing through winter landscapes, and ending many evenings with a paddle at sunset.

Natasha Bartolotta

Science & Stewardship Manager

Natasha joined the National Loon Center in the fall of 2021. Prior to her role with the NLC she worked in various wildlife research and conservation roles. Natasha has a degree in Biological Sciences, graduating with Distinction in Research from Cornell University. As the Science & Stewardship Manager, Natasha coordinates community science and on-water programs like the Loon Research Tours. Natasha also manages research partnerships and engages with the NLC’s Scientific Advisory Council. In the summer, you’re likely to find Natasha on the water, whether she’s out loon-watching or kayaking for fun! Natasha also enjoys hiking, reading, and going on road trips with her husband across the Midwest and beyond.

Mike Pluimer

Content & Design Specialist

Mike is a Minnesota native with strong roots in the Brainerd Lakes Area, joining the National Loon Center shortly after graduating from the University of St. Thomas in 2021. With a creative background in writing and graphic design, he works with the National Loon Center to write content and design materials that share a conservation centered message on behalf of our treasured and vulnerable loons and lakes. Outside of work, Mike is a triathlete, musician, outdoorsman, and disappointed Minnesota sports fan.

Maddi Nistler

Education & Outreach Manager

Maddi is originally from Loveland, Colorado and moved to Minnesota in 2019 to attend Bemidji State University. Having lived in Northern Minnesota for several years, her love and appreciation for nature and wildlife, including loons, has grown substantially. During her time in the North Woods, she has come to understand the ecological and cultural importance of loons and she is excited to become a part of an organization that emphasizes this importance. 

Maddi’s educational background in Environmental Studies has prepared her for the challenge of reaching out to the Crosslake community and beyond to advocate for the protection of local wildlife. Since joining the team in 2023 as a MN GreenCorps member, she has continued to share her passion for wildlife and the outdoors with the Crosslake area and beyond through outreach and NLC programs. Aside from loon-watching, Maddi can often be found off the grid with a canoe and fishing rod, or talking to trees and local squirrels.

Olivia Guenzel

Visitor Services & Operations Coordinator

Olivia grew up in the Twin Cities with a cabin up north that she would return to every summer with fond memories and a love for the ample nature and wildlife found in the northwoods. 

Olivia graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University in 2023 with a degree in Environmental Studies and Spanish. Her experience and love for working with animals grew even further through internships and a manager position at the Minnesota Wildlife Rehabilitation Center during her college years and after graduation. Olivia joined the National Loon Center in the spring of 2024 as a programs intern and in the fall became a part of the team full-time as the Visitor Services and Operations Coordinator.

In her free time she loves spending time with her 4 cats, gardening, hiking, exploring Minnesota state parks, birdwatching, and taking photos.

Baylee Bessingpas

Research & Outreach Specialist

Baylee grew up in the Brainerd Lakes area listening to loon songs, catching minnows and frogs, climbing trees, and devouring every book about animals she could get her hands on! A lifelong fascination with nature and desire to protect and share its wonders led to her pursuing a B.S degree in Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, where she graduated in 2019. She discovered her passion for education while teaching a zoology lab in college and interning at the International Wolf Center, and has developed a strong scientific background working on wildlife research projects around the country. Most recently, she was a technician for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife working on a study of fisher and gray fox interactions. She is very interested in community ecology and bridging the gaps between science, management, and how the public perceives and interacts with nature. 

Baylee spent the summer of 2025 volunteering with the National Loon Center as a StewardShip guide, and had an absolute hoot sharing the joy of loons and freshwater ecology with the public! She is thrilled to join the NLC team as a GreenCorps member for the 2025-2026 term and continue to connect with the greater Crosslake community and advocate for the stewardship and conservation of loons and lakes. In her free time, you can usually find Baylee with binoculars in one hand and a camera in the other, observing wildlife and enjoying the fresh air! She loves reading fantasy novels, swimming and paddling, and learning new things.

Lucy Bock

Partnerships & Development Manager

Lucy graduated from St. Olaf College with a Bachelor of Arts in English, where she developed a passion for storytelling, communication, and connecting people through shared experiences. She brings those skills to her work every day, helping cultivate partnerships that inspire support for loon conservation, education, and research.

The Brainerd Lakes Area has held a special place in Lucy’s heart since childhood. She spent her summers at her grandparents’ cabin on the Whitefish Chain, creating lasting memories on the water and developing a deep appreciation for Minnesota’s lakes and natural landscapes. Those experiences fostered a lifelong connection to the area and a commitment to preserving its unique beauty for future generations.

Outside of work, Lucy enjoys spending as much time outdoors as possible. Whether hiking, exploring the lakes by boat, or simply taking in the natural beauty of northern Minnesota, she is happiest when immersed in nature. She also loves cooking, gathering with friends and family, and creating opportunities to connect with the people she cares about. Her love for the region, its wildlife, and its communities makes her especially proud to support the National Loon Center and its vision for the future.

Blake Evers

Loons & Lakes Research Intern

Blake is a student at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities studying Biology, Human Physiology, and Spanish & Portuguese Studies. He is originally from the Twin Cities area, but growing up, he spent his summers in Crosslake. From a young age, he has been interested in the outdoors, with some of his hobbies including fishing, hiking, and paddleboarding. He credits his experiences with nature in the Crosslake area for sparking his interest in biology and inspiring him to pursue a scientific career. As a research intern, Blake will primarily be working to survey and monitor the loons and lakes of the Brainerd Lakes Area, as well as assisting with community outreach events. He is excited to be a new member of the National Loon Center team, and to have the opportunity to learn more about our majestic state bird!

Cedrik Von Briel

Loons & Lakes Outreach Intern

Cedrik is a California boy who is first and foremost a bird guy, and loves watching the wintering loons of his local Pacific coast harbors. He started his love for birds and bird science in high school, and has not looked back since. Cedrik is in his fourth year studying Wildlife Management and Communications at Cal Poly Humboldt in Arcata, California where he is a board member and trip leader for the local Godwit Days bird festival. He has also been a two-time camp counselor, a Snowy Plover nest surveyor, and an expert in the art of bird-feeding. This is his first year with the National Loon Center, and he is excited to spend the summer spitting loon facts and entertaining the masses with great loon views and the occasional loon pun.

Cedrik mostly spends his free time out in the field looking for birds, but also loves kayaking, photographing local wildlife, playing baseball, keeping up with Bay Area sports, and exploring the world.