Vicki Kauffman, Executive Director
Vicki Kauffman was hired as Owl Creek Conservancy's first Executive Director in 2022 after serving as a consultant to the board for the previous nineteen years. In her 4 years as director, she has spearheaded efforts to protect 10 properties, totaling over 750 acres. A graduate of Central Ohio Technical College, she is a life-long resident of Knox County and she and her husband of 31 years raised their two children here in Knox County. In her spare time is she is an avid non-fiction reader, enjoys gardening, and relaxing on their pontoon boat, while she also delights in the care of their chickens and dogs. She loves a good home- improvement project, as well as refinishing old furniture.
Emily Heithaus, Project Manager
Emily Heithaus was hired in November 2025 as Project Manager at Owl Creek Conservancy. Her role includes coordinating new easement projects, management of current easements, outreach and collaboration with community partners, fundraising, and management of other processes that lead to the permanent protection of land in Knox County. A graduate of Muskingum University and The Ohio State University, her educational background is in the natural sciences, with professional experience in outdoor education and systems thinking theory. A resident of Knox County for over 25 years, Heithaus lives in Harrison Township with her husband David, son Calvin, and their four (yes, four) dogs. When not in the office, you can find her- or more likely not find her- trail running, hiking, backpacking, or generally roaming around the outdoors.
