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.
Aspen Dobbins (she/her)
Aspen is the Education Coordinator for NatureBridge Olympic on beautiful Lake Crescent where she mentors educators, develops engaging science curricula, and facilitates transformative outdoor learning experiences. A college backpacking trip and eventual job with campus recreation led her to pursue a career in environmental education. On this journey she has been a naturalist, aquatic crew technician, after school supervisor, environmental science educator and now education coordinator. Through these roles, she has called Georgia, Wyoming, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Alaska, and now Washington home. Aspen is passionate about strengthening career pathways and increasing professional opportunities to bring greater visibility and legitimacy to this field, demonstrating that environmental education is not just a passion but a viable and impactful career. She is committed to expanding equitable access to outdoor education, ensuring that all students in Washington have opportunities to learn, grow, and connect with the natural world. Aspen is also a member of the E3 Communications Committee and Outdoor Schools Washington Leadership Institute. When not sterning a Salish-Style Canoe full of NatureBridge students or caring for 150 Coho Salmon, Aspen can be found swimming, crafting, and searching for the best breakfast burrito in Port Angeles.
Beth Auerbach (she/her)
Beth has worked in a variety of roles within the outdoor education sphere– from preschool teacher to rock climbing instructor, environmental educator to backcountry guide, green schoolyard designer to her current role as an Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) grant manager. Her diverse background aligns well with RCO’s mission and she gets to collaborate with people across the state who inspire her daily with their dedication to providing awesome programming for WA’s youth. Experiential, field-based education has been influential in Beth’s life, leading her to non-traditional high school, college, and graduate school programs. When she isn’t working, Beth can usually be found on a trail with her pup, in the mountains with her family, in the garden deep in thought, or in the kitchen loosely following a recipe.
Caity Pietsch (she/her)
Caity is a 5th and 6th grade science teacher at Naches Valley Middle School. She has been in education for 20-ish years, mostly in 5th grade and with an emphasis in math and science. She is a leader in science education as her district’s Science Coordinator, a science Fellow, and a master science kit trainer for ESD 105, helping 5th grade teachers in central Washington implement their science curriculum. Always a nature and outdoor enthusiast, she has recently discovered the wonderful world of outdoor education and has loved becoming more involved in leadership in this area. She started her district’s Outdoor School program, taking all the 5th and 7th graders in the district on a 4-day outdoor learning experience for the first time in 2024, and is also part of a leadership cohort that works with Outdoor Schools Washington, a leader in outdoor education in the state.
Kelly Steffen (she/her)
Kelly is the Grants & Programs Director for the Environmental Science Center working to increase access to free outdoor environmental education within the south King County community. She has a background in biology and marine science and has worked in outdoor and informal education in Oregon, Texas, Florida, and Utah. Home, however, has always been the Pacific Northwest and Kelly is excited to be sharing the wonders of this area to local youth and adults.
Stephen Allen (he/him)
A dedicated education professional with a local academic background and a passion for public service. I earned a Bachelor's degree in U.S. History and Environmental Policy and later a Master’s in Education both from Gonzaga University, I have continued my passion for education by demonstrating a commitment to academic excellence and a multidisciplinary approach to education throughout the community. My focus is developing and promoting outdoor learning, conservation education and career/technical educational programs. By fostering a connection between students and nature, we can contribute to the holistic development of young individuals and instill a sense of local natural resource stewardship and career development. I envision a future where education goes beyond traditional boundaries, embracing innovative and accessible practices that equip students with the knowledge and tools to thrive in a future filled with unforeseen challenges and uncertainty.
E3 Washington Committee Members
Equity committee:
Equity Committee
Derek Hoshiko
Khavin Debbs
Amy Wilson
Rae Han
Leia Althauser
Katie Hatam
Nicole Avendaño
Brad Street
Communications Committee:
Communications Committee
Rochelle Gandour-Rood (co-chair)
Chase Buffington (co-chair)
Joan Green
Derek Hoshiko
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
Greg Barker (co-chair)
Jacqueline Reyes (co-chair)
Megan Karch
Kathryn Kurtz
Stephanie Bishop
Aliza Yair
Elizabeth Schmitz
Nicole Corbo
Board Development Committee:
Development Committee
Susan Carlson
Courtney Sullivan