Administration
Jeff Parker
Executive Director
Jeff Parker
Jeff Parker is our Executive Director. Jeff brings significant experience in strategic development, coordination, and execution of complex public and private projects to his position. He first worked for NYC in 1994 as Project Manager at a residential AmeriCorps camp on the Olympic peninsula. Jeff has also worked as NYC’s Youth Corps Program Director, and Deputy Director. Jeff holds a Bachelor of Art Degree in Political Science from the University of Washington, and a Master of Science Degree in Environmental Science, with an emphasis on Public Policy, from Evergreen State College. A north Eugene resident, Jeff is the proud father of two boys, and an avid outdoor enthusiast.
KEITH BROWN
SENIOR DIRECTOR, ADMINISTRATION
Keith Brown
Keith previously served as the Youth Corps Program Director, Operations Director, and head of the Marketing and Community Relations Department. Keith began his career with NYC in 1992 as a crewleader and spent his first few winters supervising NYC’s YouthBuild home construction program. When Keith is not working, he enjoys spending time exploring the northwest forests and coastal areas with Ann, his wife and best friend.
KATE OBORSKI
DEPUTY DIRECTOR
Kate Oborski
Kate (she/her/hers) grew up in Pennsylvania but has called the PNW home for the last 19 years. Before having the opportunity to join the NYC team, Kate spent almost two decades in the non-profit world supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live happy and healthy lives. Her passions are art, music, gardening, cooking and spending time with her dog Rosie.
JAY A. SATZ
Senior Director, External Affairs
Jay A. Satz
Jay (he/him/his) is responsible for developing new conservation service program models, managing relationships with NYC’s key partners and supporting programs in the field. Jay is an award winning conservationist with a 30+ year career of connecting youth to conservation, creating and running effective backcountry conservation service programs, and developing and promulgating effective risk management practices for NYC, SCA, National Park Service, YMCA and other organizations and programs. In addition to his work with NYC, Jay serves on the boards for Aerie Backcountry Medicine and the YMCA of Greater Seattle’s Camping and Outdoor Leadership Branch, was a standing member of the Wilderness Risk Managers steering committee 1995-2019, and is an Associate with Experiential Consulting, LLC.
Hap Clemons
Philanthropy Director
Hap Clemons
Hap (he/him/his) was born and raised in Indiana and, in 2016, traded those rolling hills for the mountains of the Pacific Northwest. His 30+ year career in the nonprofit sector allowed him to work with Indiana nonprofit organizations spanning the fields of medicine, history, research, education, and fine arts. Now, at Northwest Youth Corps, Hap is excited to further its mission to enrich the lives of youth and young adults by teaching them transferrable life skills during their conservation journey. Hap serves on the board of Olympia Lamplighters and volunteers as an online tutor with Upchieve. When not working, Hap enjoys spending time with his rowdy Weimaraner, Bach, taking day trips on the weekend, and reading.
NATALIE WHITSON
DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
Natalie Whitson
Since 1998, Natalie has worked to fund new programs through grant-writing and alumni and community solicitation. Her other responsibilities include donor and volunteer development, facility rentals, representing NYC on the Laurel Hill Valley Executive Committee, and chairing NYC’s Safety Committee. Prior to NYC, Natalie lived in The Hague, The Netherlands, where she operated a small cleaning business. She has also worked at a foundation supporting public schools, and as a Volunteer In Service To America (VISTA) where she developed youth activities. Natalie earned her Master of Fine Art Degree in Painting from the University of Oregon. She and her husband have a daughter who is a proud graduate of NYC’s high school, now called the Twin Rivers Charter School. When not working, Natalie studies and competes in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
ELENA GALIK
Chief Financial Officer
Elena Galik
Elena (she/her/hers) was born and raised in St. Petersburg, Russia, and relocated to Lane County Oregon in 2005. She earned her MBA in Finance in 2014. After working in finance for a variety of other companies, Elena found her home as Finance Director at Northwest Youth Corps in 2019 and became Chief Financial Officer in 2022. Elena harmonizes financial operations, develops effective financial strategies, guide efforts towards financial stability, monitor all financial activities, promote revenue growth, and ensure compliance with accounting regulations. In her spare time, Elena love to spend time with her family. She also enjoys baking, gardening, and her sphynx cats.
TRACY DENSON
BOOKKEEPER
Tracy Denson
Tracy has been NYC’s bookkeeper since 2010. Considering herself a Jane of all trades, before NYC, Tracy worked in a variety of jobs including silk screener, adult foster home assistant, and tile worker. A lifelong Oregonian, Tracy was born in Florence and moved to Eugene when she was five, where she’s lived ever since. She enjoys camping, waterskiing, bowling, and spending time with her husband and two children.
ERICA MINSON
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
Erica Minson
Erica is our Accounts Payable person. She was born in Denver, Colorado and has also lived in Arizona and Montana. She relocated to Eugene Oregon to be near family. She brings to NYC more than 20 years of financial background, with 5 years AP experience. Erica’s hobbies are making jewelry, gardening, and reading. She is passionate about animals, feral cats, and fostering kittens and cats in need. One item on Erica’s bucket list is to visit Scotland and Ireland.
JESSIE JOHNSON
HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER
Jessie Johnson
Jessie joins NYC as the HR Officer. Born in Florida and was transplanted to the tiny town of Cove Oregon. She feels that this upbringing gave her the best of both worlds. Surrounded by forests and fields she developed a true appreciation for nature and its’ lasting impact on youth. In 2012 Jessie attained her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Oregon. Over the course of her career she has provided management, leadership, and human resources in both the non-profit and private sector. Additionally, she is a SHRM-CP certified HR Professional who is passionate about organizational development and employee engagement. Outside of work you can find Jessie enjoying time with her daughter or getting out and exploring the community.
Peter Chesser
Communications Officer
Peter Chesser
Peter grew up in New York and attended the University at Albany and the College of Saint Rose, where he earned both a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Business Administration. After college, he worked for conservation corps in Alaska and Montana before joining Northwest Youth Corps in 2011. When not in the office Peter spends his time raising his kids and exploring Pacific Northwest public lands.
CASSIDY CONNOLLY
AMERICORPS MANAGER
CASSIDY CONNOLLY
Cassidy was born and raised in the Boise area. She has always been an avid animal lover and enjoyed the outdoors. She attended Boise State University and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies. Her journey with nonprofits started while serving as a coordinating team member for the Boise River Enhancement Network. With her passion for environmental conservation and nonprofit work, she joined the Idaho Conservation Corps. In her free time, she loves to be outside on the water kayaking and fishing, but most importantly, spending time with her beloved cats.
Member Services
ANDREW TAGGE
MEMBER SERVICES DIRECTOR
Andrew Tagge
Andrew (he/him/his) grew up in the cornfields of Central Illinois before escaping to Minnesota and all its many lakes in 2010. In Minnesota, he started his work with the Corps world, serving three terms with Conservation Corps Minnesota and Iowa, happily wielding a chainsaw almost every day. After completing his terms of service, Andrew returned to the University of Minnesota to gain his Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management. Anxious to see just how big a lake he can find, Andrew found himself drawn to Oregon and its coast, and his next foray into the Corps world began with NYC. When not with NYC, you can find Andrew hiking along the coast, soaking in hot springs, biking, reading, or woodworking.
Zeke Zeff
Member Services Coordinator
Zeke Zeff
Zeke was born and raised in west Philadelphia before discovering trail crew and the benefits of work in the mountains. He graduated from Hampshire College in 2019 with a BA in photography and environmental science, and worked on recreation and research projects in Puerto Rico, Arizona, and Montana before joining NYC in 2021. Outside the office, he enjoys climbing mountains, cooking impossibly spicy food, and exploring the Pacific Northwest.
Taylor Mailly
Member Services Coordinator
Taylor Mailly
Taylor (she/her/hers) was born and raised in Topsham, Maine. She attended Arcadia University and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree in International Studies and a minor in French. Following graduation, she accepted a crew member position in North Fork, Idaho, where she fell in love with corps life and the beauty of the state. After two years of crew leading across the west coast, she moved back to Idaho to obtain her W-EMT and work for ICC as a Member Services Coordinator. In her free time, she enjoys climbing, backpacking, lifting, and wilderness medicine.
Conservation Programs
Oregon
JEFF OLSON
RISK MANAGEMENT AND FIELD TRAINING OFFICER
Jeff Olson
Jeff spent his teenage salad days working with NYC in the mid- 90’s, participating in a variety of programs. He returned to the NYC family in 2007 as a crew leader, previous to his current position he served as a program manager in WA and Field Director for the organization. Jeff grew up in Tacoma, WA and studied Studio Art at Evergreen State College. He has held a Wilderness EMT Certification since 2008 and teaches Wilderness Medicine courses with Aerie Backcountry Medicine. Outside of work, Jeff can be found building furniture, in the uplands with pointing dogs and on the river swinging flies for unsuspecting fish.
HANNIA CANDELARIO
Conservation Corps Director
HANNIA CANDELARIO
Hannia grew up with one foot on the mountains of Costa Rica and the other one on the beaches of Miami. She initiated her AmeriCorps journey in 2012 leading summer crews in back and front country settings. Since then, she’s been part of other AmeriCorps programs as well as programs in Latin America that facilitate environmental justice and social engagement spaces for communities. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Parks, Recreation and Ecotourism from Unity College in Maine and recently received her master’s degree in Environment, Development and Peace with specialization in Sustainable Natural Resource Management from the United Nations Mandated University for Peace in Costa Rica. She focused her research on how environmental education and youth engagement in outdoor recreation can be used as a framework for social justice and civic engagement in areas of high social vulnerability in Latin America. With her grad school journey, she also began running trails and mountains. So far, she has completed two ultra-trail marathons and several mountain half marathons. She received two pounds of cheese once as a first-place prize on a 25K. Hannia is part of the Program Coordinator team in Oregon and comes to NYC with a high interest and passion in youth development, outdoor recreation, experiential education and community outreach.
Nick HARVEY
OREGON PROGRAM COORDINATOR
NICK HARVEY
Harvey (he/him) grew up in Ridgefield, Washington, where his high school mascot was a potato wearing a crown (go spudders). Harvey received his bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Washington in 2015, and had the opportunity to contribute to several projects ranging from fundamental physics research, satellite GNC and launch procedure. While on hiatus from the engineering-sphere and excited to explore new spaces, Harvey completed a season as a member on a 2020 NYC winter crew. The intention put into community-building, mindfulness, and communication had him hooked, and he has since served as crew leader, woodsboss, and now program coordinator. Outside of work, Harvey can be found on a blanket in Westmoreland Park or lounging alongside his cats, Sammy and Clyde.
ANNA MCCORMICK
OREGON PROGRAM COORDINATOR
ANNA MCCORMICK
Anna (she/her) grew up in central Pennsylvania and developed a passion for the outdoors while studying environmental science at a small college in Tampa Bay Florida. While pursuing her degree Anna began doing field work for NYC starting as a member in 2021. One season was not enough, and she returned as a leader in 2022 to then continue field work as a woodsboss for the Community Wildfire Protection Corp in 2023. Outside of the office, you can find her somewhere down a forest road, lifting weights, or spending time with her cat Monty.
LEE DUDEK
oregon PROGRAM Manager
LEE DUDEK
Lee (he, him, his) was born and raised in upstate New York, where he graduated from SUNY Plattsburgh with a bachelor’s in Communications. Despite being surrounded by nature his whole life, Lee did not consider a career in the outdoors until a rafting trip through the Grand Canyon opened his eyes to a whole different world. He got a job on a trail crew the next summer and has spent 5 seasons as a crew member, crew leader and environmental educator. Lee comes to Northwest Youth Corps with a wide range of skills and experience, including two years as a residential carpenter, and is eager to use his experiences to help others discover their own passions. When he isn’t working, Lee enjoys hiking, bouldering, playing soccer, learning new things and exploring with his dog, Penny.
AMANDA WALLACE
OREGON PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Amanda Wallace
Amanda (she/her) was born and raised in east Texas. She moved to Austin in 2011 and received a BS in Biology from the University of Texas in 2015. She joined the Texas Conservation Corps after graduation as a member on the Trails Across Texas crew and realized that the conservation corps world was where she wanted to be. She served another term as a leader with TXCC and a leader term with the Montana Conservation Corps, then worked with the Excelsior Conservation Corps in upstate New York. Amanda returned to TXCC in May of 2020 as a staff member. She has now moved to the program coordinator position in Eugene, OR with NYC and is excited to explore the Pacific Northwest with her fiancé and dog.
Jude Wages
OREGON Affinity PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Jude Wages
Jude (they/them) is from Orlando, Florida. They studied Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Central Florida. While in college Jude worked for UCF’s Arboretum as a coordinator for the Land Management team where they managed 850 acres of beautiful natural space. In tandem, Jude also worked for UCF’s outdoor recreation program as an Adventure Trip lead and a Challenge Course Supervisor. Jude is interested in creating equitable and accessible spaces in conservation for folks who are often marginalized. They are a certified Type II Firefighter and a Wilderness First Responder; they hope to one day create a fire crew aimed to empower queer folks. Jude worked as a crew lead and intern for NYC before coming into this current position. In their free time they can be found crafting in the form of painting, crocheting, or pottery.
Brian Thompson
OREGON PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Brian Thompson
Brian (he/him) was born and raised in Oakland, California. After studying Natural Resource Management at the University of Vermont, he worked on organic farms throughout New England, growing produce and raising a variety of livestock. He eventually moved back to his native west coast and landed in Eugene. After many years in agriculture, he decided it was time for a change and is excited to be at NYC serving others and improving the natural world throughout our beautiful region! When he’s not working you can find him cooking up delicious food, riding his bike around town, or hiking in the woods with his dog Willie.
Washington
EDISON VELEZ
WAshington PROGRAM MANAGER
Edison Velez
Edison (he/him/his) comes from Disney World, Florida and was quick to escape west after completing his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at the University of Florida. Edison spent most of his youth and young adult summers working and recreating in the outdoors, often travelling far from Florida to find more than just swamps and pine forests. After a handful of summers in New Mexico and a quick jaunt to California, Edison landed in the Northwest for a summer and became enchanted with staying. Since his start with Northwest Youth Corps, Edison has led crews, coordinated programs in the field, and now is responsible for overseeing Northwest Youth Corps Camping program in the state of Washington. When he is not enjoying the outdoors professionally, he can be found cycling to coffee shops and trying to organize a sea of photos from the last couple years of work and travel.
Clay Rush
Washington Program Coordinator
Clayton Rush
Clay (he/him/his) grew up in the suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio, and attended Ohio State University where he studied economics and environmental science. After graduation, Clay moved out west to Colorado and joined a trail crew with Rocky Mountain Youth Corps for what he thought would just be a fun seasonal job. However, one season was not enough, and he found himself returning to the trails for the following three years. He served various roles within Rocky Mountain Youth Corps, including as a crew leader, an intern with the USFS Aspen-Sopris Ranger District, and as a field coordinator. In between trail seasons, Clay enjoyed living a nomadic lifestyle and traveling as much as he could. Some favorite off-season adventures included bartending in Ireland, professionally climbing trees in Boise, Idaho, and practicing Spanish while on a backpacking trip across Latin America. Clay is now a part of the team at Northwest Youth Corps where he is excited to serve and explore the public lands of the PNW.
Hannah Pauly
Outdoor Affinity Program Coordinator
Hannah Pauly
Hannah (she/her/hers) is from Houston, TX, and Chicago, IL. She attended the University of Wisconsin- Madison and completed her studies in Community & Environmental Sociology. It wasn’t until she left the big city that she found her passion for the outdoors and increasing its accessibility. After graduating, Hannah worked for US Fish & Wildlife and the National Park Service in their education and interpretation departments. Most recently, she lived and worked in Yellowstone NP as a crew leader for their Youth Conservation Corps. Outside of work, Hannah likes to spend her time hiking, bouldering, reading, and cooking new recipes.
Idaho
LISA O'FLAHERTY
IDAHO PROGRAM MANAGER
LISA O'FLAHERTY
Lisa (she/her/hers)joined the Northwest Youth Corps as the Idaho State Program Manager in 2021. She spent her formative years as a world traveler, living in Texas, Minnesota, Indonesia, and England. After earning a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Notre Dame in 2010, she ran off to the mountains of Northern California to serve on a Backcountry Trail Crew with the California Conservation Corps. She fell in love with working to protect and promote access to our natural spaces and hasn’t looked back since. She spent the next few years leading conservation crews in Texas and Washington, responding to natural disasters across the country, working trails for the Forest Service in California, and most recently working as a municipal Arborist in Boise, the City of Trees. When not at work, Lisa is most often hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, or relaxing with her husband and dog.
CLAYTON LENZ
IDAHO PROGRAM COORDINATOR
CLAYTON LENZ
Clayton (he,him,his) was born and raised In Stockton, California. Growing up he enjoyed climbing, snowboarding, surfing, and hiking. His love for these activities has created a passion for protecting and conserving the outdoors. Clayton received his Bachelors of Science in Recreation: Parks and Natural Resource Management from Chico State. Before ICC, Clayton led a local conservation corps in California, was an outdoor educator, and snowboard coach.
Community Wildfire Protection Corps
KAI CHOTARD
CWPC DIRECTOR
KAI (KAIVALYA) CHOTARD
Kai (he/him/his) was born in Eugene, Oregon in a multicultural family, with a mother who is part Native American (United Houma Nation) and a father originally from France. Kai grew up in an eco-conscious environment while adventuring in the nature of the Pacific Northwest. Kai has travelled and worked with people from many backgrounds, all over the world. He has visited and/or lived in over 45 countries. He is fluent in English, French and Spanish. Kai received his French Baccalaureate in Biology. He then created his own University program and earned a Bachelor’s in Social Sciences (the study of “ologies”) and a Master’s in the concept of Family Management (from the family nucleus to the world human family). Kai has been working with Youth Empowerment and Education since 1998. He is an advocate for justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Kai has also trained and taught as a Wildland Firefighter, PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer, Emergency First Response Instructor, Operations & Logistics Manager, Safety Director, Emergency Commander, Conflict Resolution Manager and in Consent Culture, in multiple locations in the world. Kai was previously a Young Adult Lead, the Fire Prevention & Restoration Coordinator and then the Community Wildfire Protection Manager for Northwest Youth Corps, working with a multitude of local, county, state and federal agencies. Now as the Community Wildfire Protection Corps Director, Kai is passionate about creating Community resiliency in these times of need. He is very active in all kinds of outdoor adventures, from snowboarding to scuba diving to backpacking to playing in waterfalls and more!
Alicia Rabideau
CWPC Coordinator
Alicia Rabideau
Alicia (she/they) was born and raised outside of Boston, where she spent every summer in the Northeast ponds, marshes, and tidal pools. Alicia attended a small liberal arts college in Maine, where they began leading young adult backpacking trips and youth outdoor programs, and fell in love with the White Mountains. In the five years since graduating college, Alicia has been working in civil rights law to challenge inhumane prison conditions and police practices; helping to build intentional living communities; and practicing resource redistribution. Alicia is passionate about improving current approaches to education, conflict resolution, safety, and healing, so that one day our systems of prisons and policing will become irrelevant. Her belief in the natural world as an essential piece to building this individual and community-wide resiliency ultimately brought Alicia back to the field of outdoor education. Alicia moved to the Northwest for the first time in May of 2022, and served as a crew member in the Eugene/Springfield area in the second session of Community Wildfire Protection Corps, which led to their current role as the CWPC program coordinator. Outside of NYC, Alicia spends her time trail running, practicing jiu-jitsu, listening to and playing music, and getting acquainted with the biodiversity of the Northwest.
Will Wildebrandt
CWPC COORDINATOR
Will Wildebrandt
Will is from coastal Alabama and spent much of my life there. From a young age I have greatly enjoyed hunting, fishing, kayaking, and recreating on Alabama’s public forests and beaches. I attended 4 years at the University of Alabama and received a bachelor’s in history and Geography, while enrolled at Alabama I was also a 4-year member and leader of the “Million-dollar band” marching band program. Post college I decided to pursue the conservation field with the hopes of finding a job that would allow me to help support conservation efforts and land stewardship. My job search led me to Northwest Youth Corps, and I have had the opportunity to fill several roles here since. I started as a crew member in Idaho, but quickly made a transition to a young adult lead for Oregon programs. Following these experiences, I realized that I wanted to continue working in the conservation field and came back to NYC as a Crew supervisor for the Community Wildfire Protection Crew and then as a Woods boss for Youth programs. I will now be joining the Oregon office as a Program Coordinator and am very excited to start a new chapter of my life in the Pacific Northwest! Outside of work you can find me listening to local live music with my black lab Biscuit and watching Alabama football.
Internship Program
Sarah Worthington
Internship Program Director
Sarah Worthington
Sarah (she/her/hers) grew up in Boise, ID and has lived in Oregon since 2015. She has spent time working as a park Ranger on the Rogue River and has been in the nonprofit world as an Executive Director in Southern Oregon. Sarah is passionate about public land, conservation, and environmental education. You can find her biking, camping, hot springing, or out on the trail with her beloved boxer dogs.
Lev Kellendy
Internship Program Officer
OLIVIA KELLEY
Kate Sanders
Internship Program Coordinator
Kate Sanders
Kate (she/her/hers) graduated from the University of Virginia with a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science. From there she jumped around the conservation world - serving on the Palmetto Conservation Corps building trails across South Carolina, teaching outdoor education for the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry on the Oregon Coast, and working for the National Park Service at Shenandoah National Park as a trails and maintenance employee. Kate made a career transition during the COVID-19 pandemic, volunteering and working as a medical assistant with Occupy Medical to provide safe quarantine and isolation space for unhoused Eugenians. Upon the completion of that project, Kate continued working with unhoused individuals as the Vaccine Hesitancy and Education Director for Integrated Holistic Aid Collective. Since Kate parted ways with IHAC, she now works for Northwest Youth Corps as the Internship Program Coordinator, supporting interns in partnership with the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service. In her free time, Kate enjoys wandering in the woods, tending to her garden, and fiber crafts.
Operations
Tiana Last
OPERATIONS COORDINATOR
Tiana Last
Tiana Last grew up in San Diego, California. After starting her studies at UC Berkeley, she worked in an animal shelter, and then with several conservation corps in Pennsylvania, Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee. Working on these crews motivated Tiana to return school. She applied to Oregon State University’s Natural Resource Management major, where she had the opportunity to work for OSU’s Research Forests. She then connected with the Forest Service and fought fires in Eastern Oregon in 2020 and 2021. After finishing her degree, Tiana joined NYC, to be able to contribute positively to the climate crisis. In her spare time, Tiana cooks and bakes, reads, does yoga, and hikes and goes on adventures with her dog, Peru.
