E3 Washington Board Members
Courtney Sullivan - Board Co-Chair (she/her)
Courtney is the Director of Regional Education Programs with the National Wildlife Federation. She has been developing and managing programs that offer sustainable educational opportunities for communities for twenty five years. She earned her BS/BA in Environmental Science and Education from Alaska Pacific University and also holds a MS in Management of Non-Profit Agencies from Capella University. Courtney joined the National Wildlife Federation in April 2008 and returned to Washington, where she engages and develops community stewards and formal and non-formal educators, advocates for educational policies, and supports coalitions for sustainable environmental education and stewardship.
Elizabeth Schmitz - Board Co-Chair (she/her)
Elizabeth Schmitz is the Environmental and Sustainability Education Program Manager in Science, Environment, and Sustainability/Learning and Teaching at the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. In this role, she supports administration of Washington’s $10 million climate science professional development Proviso, ClimeTime. She also oversees implementation of the Washington Green Ribbon Schools program, Washington state’s Environmental and Sustainability K-12 Learning Standards, and the state’s Environmental and Sustainability Literacy Plan. Elizabeth is thrilled to offer her support to teachers, schools, and school districts as they implement environmental and sustainability education efforts!
Previously, Elizabeth taught at outdoor schools, worked as a statewide environmental education specialist and policy analyst for the Kentucky Division for Air Quality, and served as the executive director for the Kentucky Environmental Education Council. Most recently, she reconnected with elementary school kiddos as a Reading/LAP para-educator at Olympic View Elementary School. Elizabeth is thrilled to offer her support to teachers, schools, and school districts as they implement environmental and sustainability education efforts!
Chase Buffington (he/him)
Chase is the Director of Cispus Outdoor Learning Center, a partnership among the Association of Washington School Principals, Washington School Principals Education Foundation, and the Association of Washington Student Leaders. Chase has worked in the outdoor procession for over fifteen years with a focus on outdoor recreation and education and has been with Cispus since 2009. Chase is an active member of E3's Catalyst Committee and a strong supporter of advancing the Outdoor Schools for All initiative in the Washington State legislature
Roberta McFarland (she/her)
Roberta McFarland (Ph.D) serves as a member of Outdoor Schools Washington.
She proudly admits to being a naturalized North Westerner as a coffee aficionado and hiking enthusiast. While her career started with the Houston, Texas Outdoor Education Center programs in 1979; some argue she started year one as the youngest staff at the Boy Scout Camp Mohican where her father served as Camp Director.
In 2016 she joined the board of E3 Washington and currently serves as Treasurer. She also volunteers her time for Outdoor School for All an effort of the Washington Outdoor School Coalition (WOSC) to obtain state funds for EVERY student in Washington to have a week in residence exploring nature and community.
Becca Kedenburg (she/her)
Becca leads the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust’s environmental education program, which engages 4th-12th graders in classroom lessons, field investigations, restoration projects, and paid summer internships. She has worked in environmental education for more than ten years. She is passionate about equipping young people with knowledge and skills they need to be compassionate and effective stewards of the environment. Becca Co-Chairs E3 Washington’s Convenings Committee, including the Pacific Northwest Allied Networks (PNW-AN) initiative, since 2022.
Molly Griffiths (she/her)
Molly Griffiths is the Associate Director of Puget Sound at the Pacific Education Institute, where she has been a dedicated member since 2020. With a firm belief in the transformative power of nature to enhance human health, foster meaningful connections with the environment, and create equitable learning spaces, Molly is deeply passionate about outdoor education. She has witnessed firsthand how robust community partnerships can unlock opportunities for students. Bringing over twelve years of experience as a formal educator, Molly continues to advocate for and implement educational initiatives that emphasize the importance of nature and community involvement.
Crystal Lloyd (she/her)
Crystal Lloyd has been an advocate for environmental education since her first internship with Trees Matter, a non-profit providing shade trees to intercity communities. While serving in Americorps, she educated youth ages K-8 in water conservation for Project WET, and later guided adults in habitat restoration for the National Wildlife Federation. Crystal holds a Bachelor's in Public Policy/Sustainability. In her free time, she maintains a certified wildlife habitat, preserving native plants, trees, and a refuge for bees, pollinators and local wildlife. Crystal is a Transportation Planning Specialist with WSDOT (Washington State Department of Transportation), where she oversees EV ride-shares, alternative fuel and electric bus grants for public transit agencies across Washington.Crystal combines her knowledge of the environment with a focus on increasing green career opportunities throughout Washington. She also serves on the WITI (Women in Transportation Initiative) committee and is a member of the Washington State EV Council.
Jacqueline Reyes (she/her/ella)
Jacqueline is a program manager for the Urban to Wild Program, which supports The Wilderness Society’s efforts to advance equitable access to nature in urban communities across Washington State by addressing barriers and fostering connections to the outdoors and public lands. Jacqueline grew up in the Pacific Northwest and moved to Seattle for college. She has a B.S. in Ecology from Seattle Pacific University, an M.A. in International Studies, and a certificate in International Development and Policy Management from the University of Washington. She spent three and a half years serving with the Peace Corps as an Environmental Conservation volunteer in rural Paraguay, where she developed a passion for community-led conversation and social justice work. In her downtime, Jacqueline enjoys curling up with her cats and a good book, attempting to keep her house plants alive, and spending time outside with her two dogs.
Cortney Suderman (she/her)
Cortney Suderman is the Administrative Coordinator for Outdoor Schools Washington. OSWA is a non-profit working to get every 5th or 6th-grade student an opportunity to spend a week at a high-quality outdoor school. Cortney has a background in finance, project planning, and strategic planning, as well as strong ties to the outdoors. She is a volunteer ski instructor for the White Pass Foundation and enjoys time in the mountains.
Meredith von Trapp (she/her/hers)
Meredith von Trapp grew up in Fargo, North Dakota, where a summer spent working in Yellowstone sparked a deep connection and appreciation for the land. That summer, combined with her lifelong desire to become a teacher, guided her toward a career in environmental education. With a career spanning Alaska, Oregon, Colorado, and Washington in environmental education, she transitioned to teaching 5th graders for 10 years. Meredith von Trapp holds a BA in Environmental Education from Western Washington University, a Teacher Certification from City University, and a Principal Certification from Eastern Washington University. Currently, she serves as the Director at Waskowitz, combining her love for both environmental education and classroom teaching. Outside of work, Meredith enjoys adventuring with her family, traveling, baking, and painting.
E3 Washington Committee Members
Equity committee:
Equity Committee
Sylvia Hadnot (chair)
Derek Hoshiko
Khavin Debbs
Amy Wilson
Rae Han
Leia Althauser
Katie Hatam
Nicole Avendaño
Brad Street
Communications Committee:
Communications Committee
Rochelle Gandour-Rood (chair)
Derek Hoshiko
Chase Buffington
Torrey Green
Aliza Yair
Aspen Dobbins
Finance Committee:
Conference Committee
Courtney Sullivan (chair)
Roberta McFarland
Convening Committee:
Convenings Committee
Becca Kedenburg (co-chair)
Elizabeth Schmitz (co-chair)
Amy Wilson
Ben Greené
Courtney Sullivan
Crystal Lloyd
Janice Elvidge
Leia Althauser
Stacey Selcho
Sylvia Hadnot
Catalyst Committee:
Catalyst Committee
Megan Karch
Kathryn Kurtz
Stephanie Bishop
Aliza Yair
Elizabeth Schmitz
Nicole Corbo
Board Development Committee:
Development Committee
Sylvia Hadnot (chair)
Susan Carlson
Courtney Sullivan