Program Staff
Youth Leadership Manager
he/him
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.
Youth Leadership Coordinator
she/her
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.
Youth Leadership Specialist
she/her
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.
2025 YLA Instructors
She/Her
Catherine is thrilled to return for her second summer with Youth Leadership Adventures! Originally from the Midwest, she has spent the past few years guiding and working as an outdoor educator across the Northeast, Colorado, and California. For Catherine, the outdoors has always been a source of meaningful connection and unforgettable experiences, and she’s grateful for the opportunity to continue building community through her work with YLA. She’s especially fond of backpacking, canoeing, and lounging in sunny patches of grass—and when she’s not outside, you might find her rollerblading or baking a fresh batch of chocolate chip cookies or cinnamon rolls.
She/Her
Jenny was born and raised in King County, where she spent much of her childhood exploring Lake Washington and Cougar Mountain. She moved up to Bellingham in 2021 to pursue her degree at Western Washington University. Jenny has experience working with students in various settings, including as a swim instructor, college mentor, graduate assistant with Compass 2 Campus and with GEAR UP in the Burlington Edison School District. She holds a degree in Human Services from Western Washington University and will graduate with her Master's in Education this summer. Jenny has always appreciated our state’s natural beauty and believes in making outdoor spaces accessible to all communities. In her free time, Jenny enjoys paddleboarding, swimming, hiking, and crafting!
He/They
Seth grew up in Madison, Wisconsin, where they found a love for the lakes and rivers of the Upper Great Lakes region. After a few seasons as an outdoor educator in Minnesota and Montana, Seth attended Brown University where he studied Environmental Science with a focus on water and climate policy. Post-graduation, they moved to Seattle and immediately fell in love with the forests, mountains, and waterways of the Pacific Northwest. Seth previously worked as a facilitator for local, state, and federal environmental policy processes, focusing on water policy and Tribal relations. He is excited to return to outdoor education and join young leaders on canoeing and backpacking trips. In their free time, Seth loves to run, ski, cook and bake, dance, and listen to live music with friends.
He/Him
Kean is originally from the Big Island of Hawaiʻi, where he grew up immersed in the ocean—surfing, diving, cliff jumping, and fishing. While his love for the sea runs deep, the past four years have drawn him into the mountains and deserts, where he’s found a new sense of purpose and connection. Whether steering a canoe, hiking a trail, climbing rock, playing guitar, or whipping up something delicious in the kitchen (ideally followed by too much vanilla ice cream), Kéan brings joy and enthusiasm to everything he does. Inspired by the places he’s explored and the people he’s met, he has spent the last three years growing as an outdoor educator, guide, and leader—and looks forward to continuing that journey with YLA!