Our Team

  • A woman in an orange hoodie smiling and hugging a brown horse with a red halter, both showing affection.

    Sarah Woods

    Co-Founder, Executive Director she/her(s)

    Sarah co-founded ECO to bring more science into elementary classrooms and cultivate stewardship. She has worked with regional and federal government agencies, teachers, school districts, and community organizations to bring hands-on ecology to students in Oregon. She is an expert in place-based education and is currently working to bring ECO’s curricula to communities across the Pacific Northwest.

  • A smiling team member wearing a red, white, and beige knit hat and a blue jacket standing outdoors among rocky formations with a partly cloudy sky.

    Alexandra Gordon

    Program Manager they/them/theirs

    A conservationist, environmental educator, and co-star of the ECO Adventure Series, Alexandra has an infectious excitement for nature education that students see and feel. They work to ensure we are meeting the needs of teachers and community partners while furthering the development of ECO’s curricula for both English and Spanish speakers.

  • Young woman smiling and holding onto a rope swing outdoors in a yard with trees and a red house in the background. She is wearing a black T-shirt with the text 'Science needs women' and light green pants.

    Carina Zehr

    Aves Program Manager she/her(s)

    Carina earned a BA in Environmental Science and Sociology and a Master’s in Environmental Education. Her love of nature began as a child playing in the diverse ecosystems of eastern Bolivia, central Argentina, and south-central Kansas. Her work reflects a passion for connecting children to nature - from school gardens to forest kindergartens.

  • A young man with long hair tied back, wearing a black polo shirt, standing outdoors with arms crossed, in front of a scenic mountainous landscape with trees, mountains, and cloudy sky.

    Sebastian Witherow

    Development and Outreach Manager he/him/his

    Sebastian holds degrees in Fisheries, Wildlife, & Conservation Sciences, and Sustainability. His academic, professional, and personal journeys echo his deep-rooted commitment to a holistic understanding of our planet and his passion for social, economic, and environmental sustainability. His dream is to witness a transformative shift in how the general public views and addresses environmental challenges.

  • A man with curly hair smiling widely, wearing a black riding jacket, standing outside next to a black vehicle, with a grassy area and wooden posts in the background.

    Paul Foreman

    Educator he/him/his

    Paul has worked with kids for fifteen years as a public school teacher, summer camp director, surfing instructor, music teacher, volunteer, and more. He sees education as tending the garden for future generations of human beings. Paul has taught in five countries on three continents, and he loves sharing his joy and curiosity about the outdoors with young minds at ECO.

  • Young woman with long curly hair smiling while on a boat, wearing a yellow life jacket and a denim shirt, with a marina and boats in the background.

    Lilla Fortunoff

    Educator she/her(s)

    Lilla has been learning from and teaching young people at environmental and outdoor education organizations in Vermont, Maine, Colorado, and California for the past eight years. She loves helping students build relationships with their human and more-than-human communities by inspiring curiosity, embracing imperfection, and encouraging play.

Abide Web Design
Elena Cronin
Blackbird Benefits Collective
Rational Unicorn Legal Services
Sasquatch HR
Handmade cardboard protest sign with colorful text reading 'ECO NOT EGO' and illustrations of nature and people, during an outdoor environmental rally.

Join our Board

Our board members share a passion for nature and stewardship and work to promote ecological responsibility and climate action through hands-on science in schools and communities across the Pacific Northwest.

  • A smiling couple taking a selfie outdoors with a snow-capped mountain in the background, surrounded by greenery and partially cloudy sky.

    Nick Conte

    Board Member

    Nick is a passionate sustainability advocate with a Master’s in Environmental Sustainability charged with driving the Clean Mobility, Energy, and Sustainability team with Accenture. He believes in equitable access to the outdoors and actively drives impactful solutions for a greener future. Committed to ECO’s mission, Nick inspires others to join the movement for a more environmentally conscious world.

  • Man in black outdoor clothing with sunglasses and a large backpack, standing in a snowy forest, holding trekking poles

    Naveed Bandukwala

    Board Member

    After 24 years with Intel, Naveed brings his finance, supply chain, and business development expertise to our board as treasurer. He is an outdoor enthusiast and goes where nature takes him, mountain biking, backpacking, or paddleboarding. His love of the natural world compels him to preserve its wonder for future generations.

  • A woman with black hair and a white blouse smiling with arms crossed, standing in front of a lush green foliage background.

    Shelley Peng

    Board Member

    Shelley has led Public Relations for Deloitte and PWC and Global Communications for Nike, Inc. Now, as co-founder of the Peng Field Foundation, she supports efforts to reverse climate change through regenerative agriculture, habitat conservation, and fostering meaningful connections between children and nature to instill a deep appreciation and commitment to protecting it.

  • A woman with long blonde hair sitting outdoors in a white wicker chair, smiling at the camera. She is wearing a black dress with white polka dots, and a diamond ring is visible on her left hand. In the background, there is a large tree, string lights, and a scenic vineyard or farmland under a clear sky.

    Emily Smith

    Board Member

    Emily is a lifelong outdoor enthusiast who prefers climbing mountains on the back of her horse or exploring nature with her family. She holds a master's degree in communications and is an advocate for sustainable and regenerative farming practices. Emily is enthusiastic about supporting climate-focused leadership and stewardship in her ongoing commitment to a greener future.

  • A woman with white hair, wearing sunglasses, a floral blouse, and a light cream-colored vest, standing outdoors by a river with trees and greenery in the background.

    Sue-Del McCulloch

    Board Member

    Sue-Del believes in the power of information and the necessity of ecology education to empower engaged and inspired environmental stewards. As a long-time member of the Multnomah County Steering Committee for the Oregon League of Conservation Voters, she reviewed candidates’ environmental voting records and conducted endorsement interviews. When not outdoors with her family, Sue-Del practices employment law and sings in the Portland Symphonic Choir.

  • Natalia S. Carlton, PhD

    Board Member

    Natalia is the Managing Director at Duke Corporate Education in Washington, DC with over 25 years in executive education. She tackles global growth and leadership challenges and has worked with Fortune 500 companies across industries. A former leader at GE, she has a dual Doctorate in International Business and Organizational Psychology and is a certified executive coach. (She's also a Master Black Belt in Lean and Six Sigma!)

  • Nirmala Rajesh

    Board Member

    Nirmala has over 30 years of experience in the technology sector. She specializes in crafting strategies and wrangling budgets and is passionate about promoting sustainability initiatives and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). She is an avid hiker, National Parks enthusiast, and gardener.