Our Staff
Executive Director
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Bec began her outdoor career 20 years ago as an educator and naturalist. During her career, she has led backpacking trips in Yosemite, marine science adventures in Catalina, ecology lessons in Maine, and has worked in four different National Parks. Bec oversaw field science programs in Golden Gate National Recreation Area, served as Chair for the Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary advisory council, and was Executive Director for Trips for Kids Bay Area. Bec holds a BA in Environmental Science from Willamette University, an MA in Biology from Miami University’s Global Field Program, and an MBA from Sonoma State University. In her free time, Bec loves to adventure locally with her big dog Miga as well as travel solo both near and far. However, even after exploring over 60 countries, she can’t think of a more exceptional place to live and work than the North Cascades. Learn more about Bec in this story from Whatcom Talk!
Mountain School Program Coordinator
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Victoria was born and raised in Monterrey, Mexico. She developed a love for nature while growing up surrounded by mountains and deserts. With a degree in Biological Science, she focuses on wildlife ecology and management, scientific collections, and environmental education. She is excited to start her new role, using her experience with nature centers to inspire and educate people about the wonders of nature. She hopes to continue learning from conservation programs to bring back to her community back in Mexico. In her free time, Victoria loves outdoor activities like hiking, nature photography, and camping, as well as spending time with friends, watching movies, and playing board games.
Youth Leadership Specialist
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Eva grew up hiking and exploring near Snoqualmie Pass, which sparked an interest in the environment and conservation work. Sharing learning outdoors has been a passion for her since she first got to dive into it in an equestrian environment. At Western Washington University, while studying Environmental Science and Spanish, she further developed her love for environmental work with local communities in WWU's LEAD program. She joined the Institute in 2024 and is excited to be involved in the Youth Leadership Adventures program, since she passionately believes in the transformative nature of environmental education.
Adult and Family Programs Coordinator
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Hannah Black grew up in Seattle and credits the region with her curiosity and love of crafting and natural history. She pursued a B.S. in environmental science and an M.A. in environmental communication at Stanford University. Over the last decade, Hannah's passion for experiential education brought her to jobs across the American West including peering into the depths of the Grand Canyon and tromping through snow in the Tetons. The regional scope, integration of science and art, strong community, and prolific quantities of moss, lichen, and fungus are what drew Hannah to the North Cascades Institute. In her free time Hannah enjoys cooking, writing letters, trail running and all types of skiing. Her guilty pleasure is glitter.
Administrative Coordinator
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Kayla is a Washington native who spent most of her childhood outdoors with the kids on her cul-de-sac, or inside practicing different instruments. After toying with the idea of becoming a music teacher, she eventually graduated with her BS in Geology from Western Washington University, and has made Bellingham her home ever since. She brings her love for the outdoors, youth education and data entry to the North Cascades Institute as the Administrative Coordinator. Living in such a beautiful place has given her endless opportunities to try every type of outdoor activity possible. Her free time is currently spent rock climbing, hiking, snowboarding, mountain biking, playing music, cross-stitching and working out in her garden.
Systems Administrator
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Raised in Southern California by a family of unabashed geeks, Mark’s fascination with technology developed early on. Road trips took him exploring landscapes across the West: from the Joshua trees near his home to Half Dome, Utah’s Arches, towering Sequoia trees and the Mendenhall Glacier. These encounters contributed to Mark’s love of nature and respect for its fragility. Honing his skills in his college’s IT department, he also operated his own computer repair business for six years. Mark brings eight years of volunteer experience at a nonprofit, combined with thirteen years professionally as its Technical Director. He is passionate about empowering others to feel comfortable using technology. In moving to the Pacific Northwest, Mark is thrilled to use his knowledge to support the work of North Cascades Institute. Mark is an avid PC gamer, and enjoys dog agility training with his Shepherd mix rescue, cuddling his kitties, dabbling with drones and hiking with his wife.
Program Director
Eric grew up in Skagit County, and first encountered the Institute as a Mountain School student in the late 90’s. He received a B.S. from WWU, and taught high school mathematics for 10 years. Seeking to pursue teaching beyond the classroom, Eric returned to North Cascades Institute to complete a M.Ed in Environmental Education as a part of our 17th graduate student cohort. He spent several years working as a Program & Camp Director for the local Boy Scout council before returning once more to the Institute to lead the Mountain School program. Now our Program Director, Eric is excited to lend his energy and enthusiasm to the pursuit of providing transformative learning experiences in the place he calls home. In his free time, Eric has recently started kayaking and he enjoys swimming, hiking, and reading a good book.
Welcome & Belonging Advisor (Contractor)
Alma grew up in Oakland, California. She received an undergraduate degree from Auburn, and a Juris Doctor from New College of California School of Law. She has facilitated Cultural Humility Trainings for over 12 years, and believes her most important role is facilitating difficult—but vital—discussions. Alma has also been an Outdoor Afro Leader since 2018. Early vacations were spent traveling up the California coast in her family’s motorhome in awe of redwood trees, and her first visit to a national park in Washington occurred when her son began his Graduate M.Ed. Residency at North Cascades Institute. After spending a few days at the Environmental Learning Center, she knew how important it was for marginalized groups to experience the Institute’s transformative programs. Their mission to “inspire environmental stewardship through transformative learning experiences in nature” aligns with her own. When she’s not organizing events to get people outdoors, you can find her hiking, kayaking, putting loads of bird feed into her six bird feeders and bragging about her author-daughter and her park ranger-son!
Mountain School Manager
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Megan Carter grew up in the Cascade foothills and spent summers on the Olympic Peninsula, cultivating a lifelong love for the outdoors. After studying outdoor recreation and environmental education at Western Washington University, Megan spent 8 years in Colorado, working in all kinds of outdoor leadership roles and being recognized as a 2022 NRPA “30 Under 30” award recipient for their work in outdoor recreation. Megan’s journey to the Institute began during a visit to our Environmental Learning Center in college, when she knew she wanted to contribute to the organization someday. Now, as Mountain School Manager, she oversees the program with a hands-on approach to logistics, leadership, and creating impactful experiences for all involved. Outside of work, Megan’s a backcountry skier, mountain biker, stand-up paddle boarder, ice cream lover, an avid trail runner and dog parent to Corduroy.
Outreach & Events Coordinator
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Britt grew up in Northern California, spending all her free time outside, riding horses and climbing rocks. As a teenager, she learned the power of community service and collective action volunteering for Special Olympics, Cornerstone Assisted Riding & Equitherapy and other local organizations. Studying Economics at Saint Mary’s College of California and London School of Economics, Britt focused on Development and Natural Resources Economics, hoping to help both human and ecological communities thrive. In 2015, she and her family moved to Washington State to spend as much time as possible outdoors, exploring the Pacific Northwest. After a 15-year career in the California wine industry, Britt leaned into her passion for environmental conservation and community connection, and joined the Institute in 2023. She is excited to use her energy and skills to help others get outside and learn how to protect our precious wild spaces. Britt lives in Bellingham, and spends her free time wandering mountain trails or diving into a latte and good book.
Environmental Learning Center Mascot
Elvis (Corvus corax) lives in the Diablo Lake neighborhood and is a frequent visitor to the ELC. He is known for his size, intense curiosity and ability to learn new tricks, like unzipping Mountain School students unattended backpacks to get at their sack lunches. Elvis has been captured and banded by corvid expert John Marzluff so we can learn more about his range and behavior. Give him a friendly CRAWWWWKK! if you see him on your next visit (but keep your personal items under watch as he loves to search for snacks!)
Marketing and Design Coordinator
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Growing up near Snohomish, Washington, Stephanie’s love for nature was cultivated by parents whose work as school teachers allowed for summers spent outside. Gardening and canning, camping, hiking, and snapping photos of mossy things endure as her favorite ways to spend time. Stephanie is a graduate of WWU with a Bachelors of Fine Art. With a career path guided by her passion for editorial and marketing design, she enjoys blending messaging and visuals to create meaningful connections.
Associate Director
Jeff was hired as a nine-month seasonal Program Assistant in 1998 and spent the first day of his employment building his own desk. Since then he has had eight different job titles before becoming the Institute's Associate Director in 2012. Jeff oversees the internal operations including programs, finance, human resources and Learning Center operations. Jeff has a Bachelor's degree in environmental education from Western Washington University, a Master's Degree in Science and 25 years of experience, including positions at residential centers in Ohio and Georgia. He lives in Bellingham with his wife Janet.
Bookkeeper
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Orawan was born and raised in Thailand. She has a BA in Accounting from Ramkhamhang University, Bangkok. She moved to the US in 1988. Since moving to the US, she has been living along I-5 from the South to the North: San Diego, CA, Eugene, OR, and now Bellingham, WA. She was a YMCA certified aerobics instructor and has taught Step and Kickboxing classes since 1996. Now she gets up at 5 am and uses an elliptical machine at home before she comes to work. She likes gardening, running, and hiking.
Grants Manager
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Althea is a born-and-raised Bellinghamster with a passion for being outside. After receiving a BA in Business Administration from the University of Washington and beginning her career with a focus on marketing, Althea joined the nonprofit world and spent seven years fundraising for the arts, history and education. In 2022, she was thrilled to join the team at North Cascades Institute and use her skills in grant management in support of connecting people with nature. Inspired by a childhood spent on the trails of the North Cascades, Althea has a deep connection to the outdoors and spends her free time running, hiking and skiing.
Human Resources Manager
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Cindy was born and raised in Juneau, Alaska and spent most of her life there. She lived in Bellingham for 5 years from 2000-05 before returning home to Alaska. She later returned to this area in 2012 because of its natural beauty, friendly people and outdoor activities. Cindy has an extensive background in Human Resources with North Cascades Institute, the State of Alaska, the National Park Service (Glacier Bay NP and North Cascades NP) and Goldbelt, Inc. an Alaska Native Corporation. She is a member of the Tlingit and Haida Tribes of Alaska. Cindy enjoys spending time with her family, taking her dog Rocket for walks, reading and doing yard work.
Housekeeper
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Sydney is from Sedro Woolley and currently lives in Concrete. She keeps the Learning Center clean and welcoming as a housekeeper, and previously worked for the Institute in the Visitor Info Center. She has a passion for the outdoors and fieldwork and is pursuing a degree in G.I.S and working towards a career in forestry. Outside of work, Sydney enjoys spending time with her two dogs Senna and Bayleigh Mae, crocheting, making sourdough and longboarding!
Youth Leadership Coordinator
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Kate grew up on the Kitsap Peninsula before heading east to earn degrees in Environmental Studies and English at Oberlin College in Ohio. After graduation, Kate accepted a two-year Shansi Fellowship and moved to Madurai, India. There she worked with college students in an International Studies center, worked on her conversational Tamil and hiked in the Nilgiris. One pandemic evacuation and several seasonal jobs later, Kate made the move back to Washington in 2021 and enjoyed getting to know the Skagit Valley in all its seasons as Learning Center Manager. In 2023, Kate transitioned to a role in one of her favorite Institute programs: Youth Leadership Adventures! In her free time you can usually find her biking around upriver, knitting up a sweater or swimming in the Skagit.
Administrative Assistant
Darcie joined the Institute in Spring 2012 as a seasonal to support Skagit Tours registration and has continued on doing everything from administrative work to housekeeping to program support. As a native Washingtonian, she has spent much time camping and exploring the state with her family, and feels blessed to have such a wonderful area to explore and play in in the North Cascades. She enjoy being outside with her husband and son camping, hiking, biking and just enjoying what nature has to offer.
Christian Martin
Communications and Marketing Manager
Since 2006, Christian has served as the lead writer and editor for Institute print and online media, the contact for media inquiries and organizer of many of the Institute's community events. In the past, he has been the features editor for the Bellingham Weekly, an English instructor at Whatcom Community College, backcountry host on the Snake River in Jackson Hole and a field educator in Alaska. Christian's freelance writing work can be found in publications throughout the Pacific Northwest and he is a contributing author to The North Cascades: Finding Beauty and Renewal in the Wild Nearby. He loves to take road trips, make soup, hike, read, observe birds, paddle the Salish Sea, practice yoga, serve traditional oolong tea and explore the lands and history of the Vikings.
Adult and Family Programs Manager
Lindsey comes from Utah, where she had the access to some of the best outdoor playgrounds: slot canyons, red rock deserts and mountains instilled in her a love of exploring and passion for stewardship. As the Adult and Family Programs Manager she hopes to encourage others to value and embrace the natural world. Lindsey’s interest in biology has increased with every job she’s held, from education at natural history and science museums to programs at botanical gardens to volunteer coordinator and animal keeping at an AZA-accredited zoo. Lindsey loves traveling and exploring new places, spending time with family, art and reading.
Mountain School Program Coordinator
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Cate is from Oakland, California. As program coordinator for Mountain School, she supports the instructor team, works on developing our mountain school curriculum, and oversees weekly programming. Before the Institute, she worked in various educator and guiding roles up and down the west coast. She studied Sociology at Lewis & Clark College, with an academic focus on accessibility to outdoor recreation spaces. Cate found a profound love for the PNW during her undergraduate studies and was drawn to return and explore more of Washington!
Development and Executive Coordinator
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Kim grew up exploring the pine forests, lakes, and ravines of northern Florida. Her early love of nature led her to work in conservation and environmental education. She has a BS in Biology from UC San Diego and a MA in Biology from Miami University’s Global Field Program. Kim is incredibly passionate about the outdoors and strongly believes in the Institute's mission. In her free time, she enjoys birding, hiking, traveling, foraging, and hanging out with her pets.
Salesforce Administrator
Pinal has been fortunate to call beautiful Washington State home since 2011. With a passion for simplifying business processes, she strives to drive growth in her family business and professional endeavors. She deeply believes in the importance of preserving nature to ensure a thriving future for generations to come. Pinal finds joy and balance through yoga and meditation. My free time is enriched by exploring new cultures, crafting healthy recipes, and savoring a hot cup of coffee while venturing into Washington’s stunning hiking trails and majestic mountains.
Retail Manager
Born in Charleston, S.C., raised in British Columbia and Florida, Pat found his way back to the Pacific Northwest 20 years ago after accepting a position in retail operations with Mt. Baker Ski Area. Bringing that experience to the Institute has allowed him to reacquaint with his true passions: the physical environment, the wonders of wild animals and the human interaction with both. Pat acquired a Masters in Earth Science from Georgia State University and Bachelors in Business from Berry College, Ga. He has undertaken expeditions to Alaska, Yukon and Northwest Territories, circumnavigated Iceland and explored the Lofoten Islands off the coast of Norway. His interest include photography, music, sports and German Shepherds. Pat and his wife maintain a self-built hobby farm / bed and breakfast near Glacier with sheep, ducks and chickens.
Donor Relations Manager
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Erin Rohan serves as our Donor Relations Manager, nurturing connections between the Institute’s work and the people who support it. She brings expertise from years in nonprofit development and leadership, primarily in areas of human services and land stewardship, and holds a Masters degree in Philanthropic Studies. Erin knows firsthand how transformative experiences in nature can be for people! Her best learning comes when others are present to teach and guide, which is what makes the Institute so vital. Erin hails from Chicago and made her home in Seattle in 2015. Erin is a proud AmeriCorps alum, hiker, gardener, and active member of a big wonderful family.
Finance Director
Jason has diverse background experience including strategic planning, auditing, financial analysis, market research and developing business plans. He has received a M.B.A. from Western Washington University, a M.A. in Contemplative Psychotherapy from The Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado and a Bachelor of Arts in Transpersonal Ecology from Fairhaven College. Jason has a deep connection to the Pacific Northwest, having lived in the region for over 30 years. He has spent significant time sailing, kayaking, scuba diving, hiking and camping throughout our region. Currently living in Sudden Valley, Jason loves to play percussion and is also involved in the study, education and practice of Tibetan Buddhist meditation, including serving on the council at the Bellingham Shambhala Center.
Risk Management and Operations Specialist
Maria grew up exploring the Green Mountains of Vermont, before setting her sights west after graduating with a BA in Studio Art from St. Lawrence University. Her pursuit of immersive, rural and community-based experiences have led to opportunities such as volunteering at farms in Ecuador to working in Yellowstone National Park as a Resident Coordinator in the Human Resources Department. Eventually Maria’s travels brought her to Mt. Baker Ski Area, where she lived in the alpine and learned the ropes of mountain operations as the Employee Lodge Supervisor and Caretaker for 9 years. Along with a passion for the outdoors, she brings a background of remote facility operations, managing teams and working in dynamic environments.
Group Program Specialist
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Meg grew up in sunny Las Vegas where she developed a love of red rocks and an appreciation for sunscreen! After earning her degree in Natural Resource Conservation from the University of British Columbia, she dove into seasonal outdoor work which has taken her from the Sierra Nevada to the US Virgin Islands to a glacier in Alaska and beyond! With her enthusiasm for the outdoors and a knack for organization and logistics, Meg now brings those skills to the North Cascades in her role as Group Program Specialist. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking in beautiful mountains, reading good books and playing lots of roller derby!
Youth Leadership Manager
Born in Vermont, Neal grew up with a love for wandering around the local woods, lakes and mountains. Through involvement in a college outing club, he realized his love for education. Combining these passions, Neal worked for a number of nonprofits and completed a master’s degree in Outdoor Education at the University of Edinburgh. Prior to arriving in the North Cascades, he instructed dogsledding expeditions for Outward Bound across the frozen lakes of northern Minnesota. Neal currently enjoys salmon-watching on the Skagit River, foraging for local mushrooms, crocheting winter clothing, and exploring any new area he can find on a map. Through this work, he is committed to promoting equity and justice as they relate to outdoor places.