Staff

With the Greenway Trust since: 2015

Jon leads the Greenway as Executive Director, working with the Board of Directors, staff, and partners to collaboratively conserve the Mountains to Sound Greenway landscape. Jon brings to the Greenway a unique blend of scientific understanding, strategic problem solving and communication skills. Before joining the Greenway Trust, he served as Chief Scientist for the World Wildlife Fund, and led a variety of strategy and conservation initiatives at The Nature Conservancy. While Jon enjoys traveling around the world to explore wild places, he always loves coming back home to Seattle and the Greenway landscape that he and his wife have called home for 20 years.

With the Greenway Trust since: 1995

Amy is the ace “catalyst convener” at the heart of the Greenway Trust’s collective-impact model. A single week may find her at a land use or transportation meeting in any of the communities in the Greenway, leading a tour for partners in the Middle Fork Valley, and coordinating board committees. Working closely with public officials, partner organizations, board members, and the entire staff, Amy operates at the hub of the Greenway coalition and brings more than two decades of experience working across the Greenway landscape. While her role requires her to spend a lot of time in conference rooms and city halls, Amy is happiest out in the Greenway, up a mountain or on a trail, way outside of cell phone range. She and her family enjoy hiking, biking, skiing, snowshoeing, and Amy is always looking for her next chance to grab a backpack and explore.

With the Greenway Trust since: 2002

Tor is responsible for organizational operations (finance and human resources) as well as management of the Greenway Trust’s field programs (education, recreation, restoration, and volunteer programs). Tor grew up in Port Orchard, hiking and scrambling over the Kitsap and Olympic peninsulas and got to know the Mountains to Sound Greenway through his role as Volunteer Coordinator for the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks. Tor began his career working in the communications arena before taking an interest in ecological restoration while with King County. Tor is an avid outdoorsman, who likes to hike, kayak, and ski, and loves to woodwork (hand-building several kayaks).

With the Greenway Trust since: 2026

Ari Brown (he/him) is a Restoration Crew Member for the 2026 season. He graduated from the University of Oregon with a B.S. in Biology in 2022, and since then has been working across the landscapes of Washington and Oregon. This has included work with habitat restoration, agroecology studies, and pollinator surveying. Working outdoors in the Pacific Northwest has remained an important and positive throughline in his life, and he is excited to spend this season working with the Greenway! His other interests include foraging for edible plants, watching movies, and looking at bugs.

With the Greenway Trust since: 2022

Jamie (she/they) works at the intersection of organizational grant management, administration, as well as event logistics. Born and raised in California, they spent most of their time exploring different beaches, where they developed a deep love for the ocean and marine ecosystems. Since moving to Washington, she has been excited to explore the lush landscapes in the PNW. Jamie received a B.A. in Environmental Studies and Art from UC Santa Barbara while working in marine research, education, and BIPOC community resilience. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, going to concerts, trying new cuisines or lounging by a body of water.

With the Greenway Trust since: 2010; staff member since 2012

Mackenzie is responsible for all of the behind-the-scenes action in the Stewardship Program – grant writing and reporting, budget management, tracking projects, and providing assistance and support to the rest of the staff. Mackenzie started with the Greenway Trust as an intern on the Heritage Study project (the precursor to the National Heritage Area campaign), then served for a year as an AmeriCorps all-purpose Individual Placement with the Greenway Trust through the Washington Conservation Corps. When he’s not analyzing a spreadsheet, Mackenzie can be found biking, hiking, and pursuing other outdoor activities.

With the Greenway Trust since: 2026

Asia (she/her) is thrilled to be joining the Greenway Trust as a Volunteer Specialist for the 2026 season! In this role, she engages diverse groups of volunteers in stewardship activities throughout the Greenway, deepening connections with natural spaces while simultaneously restoring critical habitat. Growing up in the Puget Sound, Asia is passionate about preserving access to the beautiful green spaces Washington is so lucky to have. In 2025, Asia graduated from the University of Washington with a B.S. in Environmental Science and Terrestrial Resource Management, deepening her enthusiasm for ecology and conservation. In her free time, she loves spending time with family and friends, enjoying good food, and adventuring outdoors! 

With the Greenway Trust since: 2023

After completing her Communications Internship with the Greenway Trust, Emma (she/her) is excited to be starting her new role on the team as the Development Coordinator. As a recent graduate of the University of Washington with a degree in Marine Biology and Environmental Studies, she is eager to use her background in communications and passion for the Greenway Trust’s mission in her new role. In her free time, Emma enjoys spending time outdoors and trying out new coffee shops!  

With the Greenway Trust since: 2025

Grace (she/her) is excited to return to the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust trail crew this season! She grew up in Massachusetts and has a degree in Molecular Environmental Biology and Ecology from UC Berkeley. Before moving to Seattle in 2025, she did two AmeriCorps terms focusing on school sustainability and ecological restoration in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. This season, Grace is excited to better know the trails, along with the people, plants, and animals of Washington! Outside of work, Grace likes to spend her time running, biking, sewing, wandering farmers’ markets, and drawing outside.

With the Greenway Trust since: 2019

As the Greenway Trust’s Senior Communications Manager, Katie crafts and curates stories to engage with the public and our partners. With a degree in Strategic Communications and minors in Graphic Design and Professional Writing, she drives the strategy behind our messaging and tackles a wide variety of projects. Katie was born and raised in Northeast Ohio and attended college at The Ohio State University. She brings past experience working in the destination marketing industry and is especially excited to build momentum around the Greenway’s National Heritage Area designation. Katie enjoys traveling as often as possible and spending time outdoors with her husband Shane, whether that be hiking, camping, kayaking, biking, snowshoeing, or snowboarding.

With the Greenway Trust since: 2026

Jyanna (she/they) is excited to join the restoration team as a Restoration Crew Member for the 2026 season. She is from St. Louis, Missouri, and is working towards their degree online at the University of Arizona for Sustainable Built Environments, where she is also participating in the school’s Climate Action Campaign group. They moved from Toronto as a hair salon receptionist at the time to Bellingham back in 2023 to serve with the Washington Conservation Corps. She served for two years on a spike/trail crew. From there, they have transitioned to the Greenway to soak up as much knowledge as they can from all corners of conservation! Outside of work and school, Jyanna is currently obsessed with: reading and writing poetry, foraging, learning more about herbal medicine, listening to The Internet or Violent Vira, watching One Piece, and Facebook Marketplace.

With the Greenway Trust since: 2018

Kate began her role as the Restoration Projects Manager with the Greenway Trust after working multiple seasons on the Restoration Crew and over a year as a Restoration Coordinator. She was born and raised in Seattle where she fell in love with learning about the plants and animals throughout the Pacific Northwest. She graduated from the University of Washington in 2018 with a degree in Environmental Science and Terrestrial Resource Management with a focus in Restoration Ecology and Environmental Horticulture and completed the Wetland Science and Management Program in 2020. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, listening to music or going to shows, camping, and admiring cute plants and animals.

With the Greenway Trust since: 2026

Jade Gonzalez (she/her) was born and raised in El Paso, TX. Growing up in the Chihuahuan desert, she learned to appreciate nature at an early age. She received her bachelor’s degree in Horticulture from New Mexico State University. She has gained a broad range of experience in sustainable agriculture, phytonutrient research, ecological monitoring, and restoration. Jade completed a Crew Lead year with Earth Corps in 2025, and she is excited to join the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust to continue restoration projects in the Pacific Northwest. During her free time, you can find Jade crocheting, knitting, birding, and spoiling her two cats, Mishko and Aoki!  

With the Greenway Trust since: 2026

Davis (she/her) is joining the Greenway as a Restoration Crew Member for the 2026 season! She grew up in Seattle, constantly out in nature, and found a passion for studying the environment on many levels—scientific, political, and social. Davis earned a Bachelor of Arts from Western Washington University in multidisciplinary studies, focusing on environmental science within societies. During school, she volunteered with her biology department’s marine mammal ecology lab, where she researched harbor seals and found a passion for working outdoors. She then did an AmeriCorps term with EarthCorps, where she loved the hard and rewarding work of ecological restoration! She’s excited to continue restoring with the Mountains to Sound Greenways team! In her free time, Davis can be found collaging with old magazines or hanging out with her friend’s cats and puzzling. 

With the Greenway Trust since: 2025

Leah Grimmer-Gonzalez (she/her) is excited to return to the Mountains to Sound Greenway Restoration Crew for the 2026 season. Originally from Michigan, Leah spent several years working in trail maintenance and program coordination with various organizations across the country before joining the Restoration Crew for the 2024 season. She liked it so much, she keeps coming back! She is currently working on her Environmental Studies and Ecological Restoration degree at the University of Washington Bothell. In her limited free time, Leah likes to go to the farmers market, read, hang out with friends, and travel the PNW with her partner.

With the Greenway Trust since: 2016

Stephanie (she/her) manages Greenway Trust day-to-day business and people operations, with a focus on finance, benefits and human resources, and assists with board management and resources. A childhood of poking around creeks and tidepools inspired her to connect people with nature for years to come, earning a Bachelors in Environmental Education from Western Washington University in 2009. Stephanie began her conservation career on a Washington Conservation Corps crew, restoring salmon habitat in Whatcom County, and continued on with conservation work and outdoor education programs in the Puget Sound region until stepping into an administrative role with the Greenway Trust. In her spare time, Stephanie likes to travel, chase orcas by land, and throw the frisbee around with her dog.

With the Greenway Trust since: 2013

Becca (she/her) leads the Greenway Trust’s environmental education and volunteer programs, which together connect thousands of people each year to hands-on learning, stewardship, and community-building experiences. The education program engages 4th–12th grade students through classroom lessons, field investigations, restoration projects, and paid summer internships. The volunteer program mobilizes youth and adults alike to care for the landscape through restoration and recreation events. Becca holds B.A. degrees in Environmental Education and Spanish from Western Washington University. In her free time, she enjoys reading, building Lego sets, and visiting new-to-her playgrounds and parks with her son, partner, and golden retriever.

With the Greenway Trust since: 2025

Tessa (she/her) is excited to return to the Greenway as an Educator for the 2026 season. Originally from New York, Tessa has a degree in Wildlife Biology from the University of Vermont. She is passionate about inquiry-based education and connecting people with the outdoors. Her previous experience includes leading educational programs in Grand Teton National Park and fostering empathy and community as a ranger for the National Wildlife Refuge System. Working with the Greenway Trust, she will engage 4th-12th grade students in King County with high-quality, science-based outdoor learning opportunities. In her free time, you can find Tessa exploring the Greenway, reading, or starting a craft she probably won’t finish.

With the Greenway Trust since: 2026

Ben Kim (he/him) is a member of the Restoration Crew for the 2026 season. Originally from Baltimore and raised in New York, he moved to Seattle in 2019 and joined the Clean Water Ambassador program, where he was first introduced to the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust. He graduated from the University of Washington with a B.S. in Environmental Public Health and is excited to return to the Greenway in this new role. In his free time, Ben organizes events within Seattle’s street dance community and enjoys birdwatching.

With the Greenway Trust since: 2025

Frances Kretschmer (she/her) is returning to the Greenway as a Restoration Crew Co-Lead for the 2026 season. She grew up in Southern California and has a degree in Environmental Science from Smith College. After moving to Seattle in 2021, she served for two years in the Washington Conservation Corps, where she fell in love with the Pacific Northwest ecosystem and restoration work. Most recently, she worked for a private habitat restoration company. In her free time, she enjoys drawing, reading, camping, and going to the movies.

With the Greenway Trust since: 2023

As the Greenway’s Community Partnerships & Projects Manager, Chris (he/him) works primarily in the urban centers west of the Cascades connecting communities to the Greenway. He spends most of his time building and maintaining relationships with community-based organizations and finding opportunities for collaboration. Chris was born and raised in Houston and went to The University of Texas at Austin, but he now calls the Pacific Northwest home. In his free time, Chris enjoys tide-pooling, stargazing, hammocking along Lake Washington, and playing board games with friends.

With the Greenway Trust since: 2023

Rosie Llewellyn (she/her) is thrilled to be at the Greenway as a Restoration Coordinator! Born in Haiti and raised in the Pacific Northwest, her love for the outdoors was sparked by her natural curiosity about the environment. Following her AA degree at Olympic College, she pursued the practice of yoga, completing a 500 Hour RYT with a focus on the mind-body connection to the earth. After nearly a decade of entrepreneurial charisma, she relocated to Haiti to participate in Agroforestry & Syntropic Agriculture efforts, where she worked with local communities to enhance land and food security through sustainable practices. Upon her return to the States, she joined the Washington Service Corps on the Stewardship Associate team, supporting ecological restoration and land management initiatives across the Puget Sound region. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, hiking, backpacking, skiing, fishing, and being a proud plant mama.

With the Greenway Trust since: 2026

Karissa Maeda (she/her) is excited to join the Greenway Trust as a Communications Coordinator. Karissa grew up appreciating the coastal landscapes of Southern California, which shaped her own connection to nature and passion for bringing communities together to protect it. She received a B.S. in Public Health from Baylor University and a Master of Science in Public Health from Johns Hopkins, while gaining experience in health communication, nonprofit marketing, and outreach. Karissa is especially excited to connect volunteers, donors, and community members with the Greenway Trust and its mission. In her free time, she enjoys creating multimedia art, reading, running, hiking, and embracing new outdoor adventures.

With the Greenway Trust since: 2024

Madeleine Nawrocki (she/her) is returning to the Greenway for her third season as the Restoration Crew Co- Lead. She grew up in Erie, Pennsylvania, and got a degree in Environmental Science from the University of Pittsburgh before moving to the Pacific Northwest. She has been working in this field for the past five years and still hasn’t grown tired of it. (She loves it, actually). In her spare time, she likes to sew, hike, camp, take thousands of pictures of cool bugs/plants/rocks/etc, support her community, and spend time with her loved ones. She’s excited for another great season!

With the Greenway Trust since: 2017

As the Kittitas Programs Senior Manager in upper Kittitas County, Nicky collaborates with organizations, individuals, and agencies to improve recreational access and engage communities in stewardship of their lands and waters. She facilitates projects like Towns to Teanaway, the East Cascades Recreation Partnership, and the Teanaway Community Forest Goal 5 Group. Nicky’s past experience includes leading community outreach and advocacy for the Yakima Basin Integrated Plan, working as a naturalist and environmental educator in Miami, Florida, and coordinating volunteer efforts for animal services organizations.

With the Greenway Trust since: 2022

As the Greenway Trust’s Volunteer Coordinator, Sornesarwanh (Swan) is responsible for engaging with the public and coordinating volunteer projects at ecological restoration sites throughout the Greenway. Sornesarwanh first joined the Greenway Trust as a Restoration Crew member in 2020 after moving from Maryland. She received a degree in Biology and a minor in Geography from the University of South Carolina, and has spent the last few years in Washington exploring its natural and diverse landscapes. When not working, Sornesarwanh is probably increasing her Spotify minute count, getting into new hobbies, or basking in the sun.

With the Greenway Trust since: 2021

As the Teanaway Community Forest’s engagement coordinator, Vince (ze/zir) collaborates with land managers, organizations, and individuals to build greater community involvement in the Teanaway. Ze organizes volunteer opportunities, educational events, and outreach efforts, and zir work includes facilitating the Teanaway Advisory Committee Goal 5 Group. If you’d like to learn more about the Teanaway Community Forest’s history, current management, and ongoing restoration projects, please reach out! Vince’s past experience includes facilitating art workshops for incarcerated individuals; supporting the digital humanities publication Feral Atlas, a virtual un-mapping project about the intersections of human structures and the environment; and conducting semi-structured interviews with Americans about their experiences during the early COVID-19 lockdowns. Ze also writes mediocre poetry about zir favorite area, which, by the happiest of circumstances, just happens to be the Teanaway.

With the Greenway Trust since: 2022

Shenise Ramirez weaves stories out of the symbiotic relationships the Greenway NHA welds between humans, animals, and plant life. Before landing at the Greenway Trust, she spent seven years backpacking from newsrooms to mountains on the East Coast, looking for inspiration outside the range of a Slack ping. Shenise relocated to the Seattle area after falling in love with Washington’s rich natural history and its residents’ commitment to preserving it. With a BA in Journalism from SUNY Purchase, she uses multimedia storytelling to translate research into stories that bring communities behind the scenes of solutions-based environmental science. She believes intersectional storytelling creates fertile ground for an environmentally just future.

With the Greenway Trust since: 2026

Netania Rivera (she/her or they/them) is excited to join the Restoration Crew as a crew member for the 2026 season. They grew up in Seattle, earned their BS in Environmental Science from Western Washington University in 2020, and completed the University of Washington’s Certificate in Wetland Science and Management program in 2025. Netania has worked on many restoration projects in the Snoqualmie and Cedar River watersheds, most recently with King County Noxious Weeds and Sound Salmon Solutions. Through working with the Greenway Trust, Netania is excited about planting, creating healthy riparian habitat for salmon, and restoring wetlands. In their free time, Netania enjoys sewing, writing, playing tabletop-roleplaying games with their friends, and cuddling with their cat.

With the Greenway Trust since: 2025

Darla Seehusen-Besky (she/her) is excited to rejoin the Restoration Crew for the 2026 season. Darla grew up in cold and snowy Minnesota and received her B.A. in Russian Area Studies and Religion at St. Olaf College. After graduating college, she moved to the Seattle area, pursued her passion for botany and ecology, and joined the Washington Conservation Corps to do restoration fieldwork. Now she works with the Greenway Trust to control invasive weeds and install native plants for restoration projects. In her free time, Darla is busy learning more about PNW ecology, spending too much time on the trail identifying plants, rollerblading around her neighborhood, and slowly working on reading through her loan shelf at the library.

With the Greenway Trust since: 2026

Zenwa Shimabukuro (he/him/they/them) is excited to join the Greenway Trust as a Volunteer Specialist for the 2026 season. They are passionate about equity in the outdoors. Zenwa grew up in Seattle and received their Bachelor of Visual Arts at the University of Washington. Working with the Greenway Trust, they will support volunteer events and are eager to get involved with building connections throughout the outdoor community. In their free time, Zenwa enjoys painting, making music, running, reading, and lazing about. 

With the Greenway Trust since: 2022

Kasey worked as the Greenway Trust Trail Crew Lead in 2022 and 2023, and is returning in 2024 as the Recreation Coordinator. She comes to this work with an eclectic collection of past jobs including farm hand, paralegal, restoration crew leader, weaving instructor, and barista. She has a B.A. in Sociocultural Anthropology from Boston University with minors in African Studies and Spanish. Kasey is always looking for opportunities to play music, learn languages, read all books, and share her opinions about apple varieties.

With the Greenway Trust since: 2018

As the Education Coordinator, Lindsay (she/her) coordinates 4^th-12^th grade environmental education programs and the YESS high school internship. Lindsay grew up in rural Virginia where she spent a lot of time running around barefoot outside. She earned a B.S. Degree in Environmental Resources Management from Virginia Tech in 2012 and a Master of Natural Resources Degree through Virginia Tech’s Center for Leadership in Global Sustainability in 2022. She brings experience in both formal and informal education – from teaching science and English in Thailand, working as a science educator at a micro-school focused on experiential learning, to serving an AmeriCorps term with the Greenway Trust and returning as an educator. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, birding, being an amateur ceramicist, petting dogs, and exploring new places.

With the Greenway Trust since: 2024

August Spires (they/them) is excited to join the Greenway team as the Kittitas Volunteer Stewardship Coordinator. August grew up in Snoqualmie and received their degree in Environmental Studies at the University of Washington. Their previous experience with the USFS as a park ranger ignited a passion for public land accessibility and inclusion. In their new role with the Greenway Trust, August will focus on volunteer outreach and engagement in Kittitas County, and they are particularly excited to head the Trailhead Ambassador Program. In their free time, August enjoys climbing, fishing, and stained glass.

Mike manages the Greenway Trust’s capital recreation projects, working with partnering nonprofits, government agencies, crews and volunteers on building and maintaining trails, trailheads and other recreation facilities. Mike has over two decades of experience in trail project design and implementation in the region. Before joining the Greenway Trust he worked as a teacher in the public schools and with other environmental non-profits. When not hiking, building, skiing or biking on trails, Mike enjoys teaching young people about the outdoors, and the occasional carpentry project.

With the Greenway Trust since: 2026

Khan (he/they) is joining the Greenway Trust for the 2026 season as a member of the Restoration Crew, where he is working to protect and preserve the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest. He brings with him a background in game development, where he coded for titles such as Neo Monsters, Guild Wars 2, and The Last of Us: Part I. He has a Bachelor’s in Computer Science and Game Design, and is currently enrolled in Washington’s Master Gardener program. In his free time, he likes to take naps in the sun, ride his motorcycle, and chat about advances in botanical science with his beloved cat, Holden.

With the Greenway Trust since: 2026

Des (she/her) is a Volunteer Specialist with the Greenway Trust, supporting community engagement and volunteer opportunities. She is originally from Ventura, California, where she developed a passion for wildlife, nature, and conservation work. She has her B.S. in Biology from the University of Washington and a M.S. in Spatial Ecology from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. When not at work, she enjoys long walks with her dogs and husband, reading, gardening, and volleyball. 

With the Greenway Trust since: 2011

Mike Woodsum is the Director of Development at the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust. He has spent fifteen years fundraising for nonprofits in the Seattle area, and identifies the Greenway’s balanced mission and pragmatic approach as the perfect fit for his personal priorities. Mike works closely with staff leadership and board members to oversee all fundraising efforts by the Greenway Trust. When he isn’t raising money for the Greenway, Mike is often out exploring its rivers, trails, and alpine lakes as an avid fly fisherman. Mike lives in Edmonds and has a young daughter.

With the Greenway Trust since: 2026

Suzannah Yu (she/her) is an educator who believes that when young people have the space to explore and nurture connections with the natural world, care can bloom into action. A Seattle-area local, she is rooted in nonprofit environmental education and community engagement. Whether deepening ecological understanding with youth while meandering through watersheds or hands-on stewardship projects, she is passionate about place-based learning that sparks wonder and joy. She approaches education as a shared journey, nurturing young people’s ideas, co-creating experiences rooted in their voices and communities, and supporting youth in seeing themselves as capable stewards of our shared home. With nature as her guide, she can often be found frolicking through the mountains to the tune of birdsong, paddling rivers while alongside salmon, or delighting in the extraordinary creatures found in our tidepools.