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: 2022

As the Development & Operations Associate, Jamie works at the intersection of both teams to aid in fundraising, management, and administration. Born and raised in California, she spent most of her time exploring different beaches, where she 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: 2019

As 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 recent 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 2023

Kay (she/her) works with Greenway partners to identify, create, and lead opportunities for volunteer stewardship events in Kittitas County. Several years working as both a member and leader for different trail crews and conservation crews helped Kay foster a love for the outdoors and connecting folks to natural spaces. She graduated from the University of Vermont in 2019 with degrees in Research Psychology and Art History and is currently pursuing a Masters of Environmental Policy & Management with the University of Denver. She joined the Greenway Trust after working for a small National Historical Park in her home state of New Hampshire and is excited to explore the Pacific Northwest. In her free time, you’ll find Kay hiking, backpacking, xc skiing, biking, kayaking, reading, and frequently stopping to admire cool moss.

With the Greenway Trust since 2022

Kate joined the Greenway Trust as a Restoration Coordinator after multiple seasons with the Restoration Crew. 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 catching up on her favorite tv shows, reading, seeing live music, and camping.

With the Greenway Trust since 2023

Peter (he/him) joined the Greenway Trust as Crew Lead after working this past year as a Crew Member with the non-profit EarthCorps on one of their restoration crews. Born and raised in the East San Francisco Bay Area, Peter attended Sonoma State University culminating with a degree in Environmental Science and Planning. In his free time, Peter likes to raise, cook and eat food, getting out to live music, hiking/ camping, and many recreational sports

Claire (she/her) joined the trail crew as an assistant lead in 2023 to continue her path in the environmental field. She graduated from Northern Arizona University with a B.S in Environmental Sustainability in 2022 and found herself back in the PNW. She grew up in Snohomish, WA and always had a passion for exploring everything this region has to offer. With this position she’s excited to simultaneously explore the greenway whilst build on technical and leadership skills. Outside of work she loves spending time with her partner, Justin, and their two cats, Eddie and ZuZu.

With the Greenway Trust since: 2019

Robyn manages fundraising operations, signature events, and a wide range of giving campaigns for the Greenway. She’s worked in a range of development roles for science and conservation-focused organizations like the Forest Stewardship Council, The Nature Conservancy in Massachusetts, Thompson Island Outward Bound in the Boston Harbor Islands, and the Harvard Museums of Science & Culture. She has a B.A. in History from William Jewell College and a Master of Theological Studies from Harvard Divinity School, with a background in Ancient Near Eastern religions and languages. Robyn’s love for nature grew from a childhood spent in Joshua Tree National Park, exploring the rolling hills of Missouri, and hiking the trails of New England. In her free time she enjoys trying new recipes, playing the flute, explaining how her degree relates to conservation, and discovering all that Washington has to offer with her family.

With the Greenway Trust since: 2016

Dan is responsible for developing and implementing restoration projects throughout the Mountains to Sound Greenway National Heritage Area. These projects focus primarily on riparian and instream habitat restoration, following regional salmon recovery goals and initiatives. Dan also supervises the Greenway’s seasonal restoration crew, who implement the bulk of the Greenway’s ecological restoration work. Dan grew up outside of Chicago and attended the University of Wisconsin where he studied economics and environmental sciences before moving to Seattle to serve as an AmeriCorps member with EarthCorps. Since then, Dan has lived in Washington and worked restoration jobs for local government, non-profits, and a private contractor. Dan finished his Master of Environmental Horticulture degree at the University of Washington just after joining the Greenway Trust in the spring of 2016. In his spare time, Dan enjoys hiking, searching for old growth trees, playing guitar, and watching Cubs baseball.

Natalie (she/her) executes habitat management plans and conducts wetland monitoring activities as the Assistant Lead for the Mountains to Sound Greenway Restoration Crew. Originally from Pasadena, CA she moved to Walla Walla to attend Whitman College. While studying to earn her BA in Biology with minors in Chemistry and Art History, she worked in the college greenhouse and studied insect behavior in relation to sunflower plants. After graduating she worked at an urban hydroponic microgreens farm in Seattle leading research and development projects and then joined EarthCorps as a Crew Member last year. She is excited to collaborate with the restoration team and build resilient riparian habitat that promotes salmon recovery and landscape connectivity. In her free time, she enjoys reading, hiking, knitting, running, contra dancing, and volunteering with local farming organizations. 

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: 2023

Sarah (she/they) is excited to join the Greenway Trust as one of two seasonal educators for 2023! As a seasonal educator, Sarah provides an outstanding in-class and outdoor education experience to students of all ages. Sarah grew up in Idaho where she gained a love for the outdoors playing in the Boise river or hiking and camping in the Boise National Forest. Having these safe, outdoor places to learn and grow inspired Sarah to help create and share that experience for other kids! While seeking her B.A. in Environmental Studies, Sarah interned as an educator for Boise Snow School and at the World Center for Birds of Prey where she taught students winter ecology and raptor conservation. After graduating, Sarah worked for the USDA-ARS as a biological science technician where she assisted with several projects involving post-fire grassland restoration. She moved to Washington in 2017 to work for AmeriCorps, where she worked with the Slater Museum in Tacoma to provide their Nature in the Classroom lessons to students around Pierce County. Sarah is excited to bring her experience to the Greenway Trust in order to help inspire the next generation of environmental stewards! When she’s not educating others, Sarah enjoys hiking, nature walks, climbing, dancing, listening to music or going to concerts, cooking, foraging, and continuing to build her plant knowledge.

With the Greenway Trust since: 2013

Becca (she/her) leads the Greenway Trust’s environmental education program, which engages 4^th-12^th graders in classroom lessons, field investigations, restoration projects, and paid summer internships. She earned B.A. degrees from Western Washington University in Environmental Education and Spanish. Spending her childhood exploring the Pacific Northwest’s mossy trails, rocky beaches, and forested mountains inspired in Becca a deep-rooted incentive to inspect environmental systems and share that knowledge. She hopes to help equip and inspire young people to be caring, compassionate stewards of the environment.

With the Greenway Trust since: 2021

Victoria Love (she/they) is an Educator on the Education team at Mountains to Sound Greenway. She began her journey at the Greenway in 2021 on the Trail Crew and continued her time here the following year on the Restoration Crew. They spent 3 years working in organic/regenerative agriculture and still finds ways to integrate it in her life. She is passionate about land stewardship and fostering a connection with people to landscapes in a reciprocal way. Victoria enjoys spending their time daydreaming about living on a cooperative ranch and learning how to use a lasso, finding delicious eats, and working on finding ways to be a more loving person to the people in and around their life.

Shaheen is a member of the Restoration Crew for the 2023 season, conducting ecological restoration work across the Greenway. He was born and raised in San Jose, California. He initially went to school to pursue a Computer Science degree at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. After two years, he took a break from school to serve a year with AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) in the Midwest where he was introduced to the world of plants and restoration and never looked back. Shaheen moved to Seattle in 2018 where he has since earned an Environmental Science & Resource Management degree from the University of Washington and served a year on a Washington Conservation Corps restoration crew. He is stoked for the continued opportunity to work alongside plants with Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust. Away from work, he tends to spend his time getting a restful night of sleep, walking, running, cooking, reading, and talking to plants, animals & mountains.

With the Greenway Trust since 2017

As the Community Coordinator 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.

The 2023 season is Geneva’s first with the Greenway Trust. She joins as a member of the trail crew and is looking forward to helping maintain and improve access to the natural areas she loves. Geneva holds both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from the University of Washington. She has worked in a variety of fields and most recently as a wildland firefighter. She enjoys hands-on activities, spending time in the woods, and going on adventures with her husband, Tommy. 

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 (they/them) weaves stories out of the symbiotic relationships the Greenway welds between humans, animals, and plant life. Before landing at the Greenway Trust, they 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, they use multimedia storytelling to translate research into stories that bring communities behind the scenes of solutions-based environmental science. They believe intersectional storytelling creates fertile ground for past transgressions to grow into an environmentally just future.

With the Greenway Trust since 2022

Michael joined the Greenway Trust as Restoration Coordinator in 2022. He moved from Yakima to Seattle to obtain his B.S. degree in Environmental Science and Resource Management from the University of Washington. Michael brings experience leading restoration crews on private and public lands in Washington, academic knowledge in the environmental and forestry fields, and community engagement expertise through his internship at Trees for Seattle. His first experience with the Greenway Trust came as an AmeriCorps Member in 2019, assisting with restoration projects and volunteer events. In his spare time, Michael loves camping and hiking in national parks, biking on urban trails in Seattle, playing sports with friends, and rooting for the Seattle Seahawks.

Kasey joined the Greenway Trust as Trail Crew Lead in 2022 and is returning for the 2023 season. 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.

Ellise is a part of the new Trail Crew for this 2023 season! Raised in Nashville, TN, Ellise had worked in the restaurant industry, but always made time to go outdoors. She grew up camping, hiking, and traveling. Always knowing she was passionate about taking care of nature and wildlife, she finally took action. She joined the American Conservation Experience based out of Asheville, North Carolina in 2021. Shortly after finishing her term there, she found her way to the Greenway! While loving to work and enjoy exploring the outdoors, she also indulges in reading, writing, going to concerts, Joe Pera, herbalism, and wildlife/landscape photography.

With the Greenway Trust since 2018

Lindsay is excited to be back at the Greenway as the Education Coordinator! Born and raised in Virginia, she moved out to Seattle in 2018 to serve an AmeriCorps term with the Greenway as an Education Associate. Inevitably, she fell in love with the Pacific Northwest and decided to stick around, working as a science educator at a micro-school focused on experiential learning, and later returning to the Greenway as a seasonal Educator. 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. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening and growing her own food, birding, hiking, biking, kayaking, and exploring new places.

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.

Tristan (He/Him) returns to the Mountains to Sound Greenway as a Crew Member for the Restoration Team. Based out of Renton with strong family roots in Western Washington, he takes pride in being able to give back to the state that has brought many joys and passions to his life. Tristan worked as a Crew Member for EarthCorps in 2021 and for the Greenway Trust in 2022. He brings experience and patience to the work being done in the field. He thoroughly enjoys getting the opportunity to work outside, as well as working with others who are just as passionate. Other interests include homebrewing, reading, hiking, and spending time with his dogs.

With the Greenway Trust since 2017

Caroline joined the Greenway Trust team after a year on a Washington Conservation Corps restoration crew for Snohomish County Surface Water Management. She received a degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Vermont, and has spent the past two years learning all there is to learn about the Pacific Northwest flora and fauna. While Caroline loves connecting with volunteers, she also loves spending time hiking, biking, cooking (and eating) delicious food with friends, knitting, and wood burning designs into reclaimed wood.

Kate joined the trail crew for the 2023 season. she has pursued a degree in Computer Science from the University of Washington and is graduating in 2023. She has a background in ski instructing and is incredibly excited to expand her work to the other seasons. She is from Issaquah and has a deep connection to the Greenway and is so glad to have the opportunity to work in the area and give back to the land. In her free time, she enjoys skiing & snowboarding, climbing, reading, and learning how to tattoo.

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 2018

Katy is responsible for coordinating projects at ecological restoration sites throughout the Greenway. She first experienced the wonders of the Pacific Northwest ecology backpacking on the Olympic Peninsula in high school. In college, she studied Biology & Environmental Studies at Lewis & Clark College. She brings experience in ecological restoration with the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy in San Francisco, the SDSU Research Foundation in San Diego, and most recently as an AmeriCorps Crew Lead for EarthCorps. In her spare time, she enjoys exploring the Puget Sound and learning more about the flora of the Pacific Northwest.