Board of Directors & Executive Director	“Dedicated to providing solutions that empower individuals and groups within the Puget Sound bioregion through intellectual exchange, research, networking, and publication."
Sheri Gietzen, Chair & Co-Founder	Sheri Gietzen, a social ecologist, educator, poet, and co-founding board member, believes that deep within each of us is a desire to belong to something greater than ourselves; we can live authentic and unique lives that are personally empowered, meaningful, and interconnected; together we discover sustainable solutions, both socially and environmentally. Moreover, Sheri sees higher education as an investment in our future; she teaches classes at Tacoma Community College and the University of Washington, Seattle and Tacoma campuses. Sheri has an MA in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Washington.  She also has a BA in Humanities with a minor in Environmental Studies (Cum Laude) and an Associates Degree in Arts and Sciences (High Honors).
Liesl Santkuyl, Board Member	Liesl Santkuyl is a strong community advocate, who is well known for her untiring work in the community.  Liesl has a wealth of experience supporting and promoting grass-roots efforts, and has a clear voice that speaks on behalf of under served populations  Simply stated, Liesl is a "voice of reason," well able to navigate challenging situations.  In addition, Liesl has a strong background in public health, and understands the import of including community in policy making processes. Liesl has a Master's in Public Health and works as a Community Liaison.
Richard Nathanael Olszewski, Board Member	Richard Nathanael Olszewski believes that communities and our environment are interconnected; as social and natural systems interact, if people work together, we can find approaches to problem solving that will benefit everyone. Olszewski served as information services manager/data processing manager for Peninsula Light Company for 35 years. He also served as a commissioned officer in the United States Navy and is a retired Commander in the Naval Reserves. He has been teaching the math portion of the GRE and GMAT test prep classes at UW Tacoma since 2005 and tutors students in math from Middle School through College. Olszewski holds a B.S. in mathematics/statistics from the University of Washington.
Christina Johnson-Conley, Board Member	"I have worked for over a decade in public health, most recently as a nurse consultant to health departments, hospitals, health centers, community agencies, faith-based organizations, juvenile justice, and education. I have extensive experience offering consultation, support, and training to staff, volunteers, students, agencies, and organizations regarding collection, analysis and interpretation of data, program evaluation, community-based participatory research methodologies, cultural competency, and facilitating dialogues regarding our imperative to address the underlying causes of health disparities and inequities. I have collected data for and provided technical support to various child health, community health, and public health programs, including, Children’s Environmental Health, Tobacco, Obesity Prevention, Cultural Competency measures, and the Pierce County Environmental Health Indicator Project. My employment history, advocacy, activism, and volunteerism all demonstrate my commitment to health, diversity, and social justice, as well as my ability to develop partnerships to reduce health disparities and inequities.  I serve or have served on several boards and committees, including but not limited to, the Pierce County Cross Cultural Collaborative, Governor’s Juvenile Justice Committee [Co-Chair Disproportionate Minority Contact (DMC)], Governor’s Interagency Council on Health Disparities Workforce Diversity Committee, Former Chair of the Thurston County Community Health and Safety Network, Washington State Public Health Association board (Vice President for Region 6), the Prevention Policy Board of the Thurston County Health Department, the African American Mentoring Program, and the Thurston County Hispanic Roundtable." Christina received a PhD in Nursing from the University of Washington, Seattle in 2009, a Master of Social Science and a BS in nursing both from Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, WA and a BA in biological science in 1990 from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL.
Amy Bates, Co-Founder & Executive Director	Amy Bates, an Environmental Ethicist, Advisor, Human Rights Advocate, and founding board member, envisioned the development of a group dedicated towards finding sustainable solutions for environmental and social challenges. Amy believes that the best solutions are developed through open and collective communication, sound research, and hard work. Amy has a Master's degree in Public Action from the University of Washington, she earned a Bachelor's degree (Cum Laude) in Environmental Studies, and an Associates Degree in Arts and Sciences, during which time she was awarded the 1997 Outstanding Student in the Social Science Division.  Amy is also licensed as a Registered Sanitarian through the WSBRS. Further, Amy has served her community by as a Human Rights Commissioner for the City of Tacoma, the Chair (past) of the Black Policy Foundation, and as a member of the Health Coalition for Communities of Color.  In addition, she served on the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency's Advisory Council, and as a Citizen's Advisory Board member in Pierce County.  Amy has a wealth of experience and expertise gained from years of work in the community, government (including military), public health, education, business, and environmental realms.