Rachel Lytton is a dynamic professional with a background in environmental science and biotechnology. With a degree in Environmental Science from the University of Oregon, she started her career as a Field Biologist, tracking desert tortoises in Las Vegas and protecting Snowy Plovers on the Oregon Coast. Rachel has since excelled in customer support and leadership roles in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and life sciences software industries. She is passionate about mentoring talent within the life science industries and supporting STEM programs. Rachel holds a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Boston. In her free time, she enjoys competitive running, hiking in the Pacific Northwest, gardening, and motorcycle adventures with her partner.

Meg Alley, grew up in northwest Montana, and after graduating with a degree in English Literature and Creative Writing, started her nonprofit career with an environmental organization in Cleveland, Ohio. Over the last fifteen years, Meg has worked in fundraising for arts, education, and social services organizations, writing grants, coordinating events, and working one on one with donors. Meg holds a certificate in Fundraising Management from the University of Washington and is a member of the Puget Sound Grantwriters Association and Association of Fundraising Professionals. In her free time, Meg can usually be found with her nose in a book, in the kitchen attempting a new baking challenge, or exploring Seahurst Beach, along with her husband, three-year-old son, and two dogs.

Karen Lynch, MO. She has a B.S. in Materials Engineering from Purdue University and M.S. in Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Since graduate school, she has worked for Boeing as a structural engineer and then as a testing engineer. During breaks at work, she loves walking along the Duwamish and watching the local wildlife. Outside of work, she likes gardening, volleyball, snowboarding, and going to baseball games. She also volunteers as a math tutor for the youth tutoring program (YTP) in New Holly. She currently lives in Burien and enjoys participating in community events with her husband Jim.

Shelley Hall is a Pacific Northwest native and current resident of Burien. She received a bachelor's degree in journalism from Northwestern University and spent several years working as a television news producer in Seattle. She then pivoted to law, receiving her J.D. from the University of Washington. During Shelley's legal career, she most recently worked as General Counsel for a technology startup company, handling all legal matters. She previously worked in private practice as a law firm partner, where she focused on complex litigation, intellectual property, and media law. Shelley spends as much free time as possible near water, whether she's navigating her paddleboard through the Sound or just walking a beach and marveling at the natural wonders of the Northwest. She discovered the Environmental Science Center during one of her beach walks and is honored to serve this wonderful organization on its board.

Steve Buchsbaum, passion is to harness science and technology to improve people’s lives and create long-lasting, wide-spread impact “To do the most good, for the most people, while having as much fun as possible.” Steve lives in Burien Washington with his wife Lori and son Max. Steve has worked in various sectors and organizations – academic, private, government, philanthropic – in many cases helping to launch new organizations or working in existing organizations during extraordinary times. His career has spanned roles ranging from research scientist, consultant, project manager and business development lead to funder, team leader, director and board member. Most recently, Steve retired from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation after 15 years launching and leading the Grand Challenges Program, transforming it from an initial $500M investment to an ongoing global coalition of innovation programs sponsored by governments and philanthropies around the world.

Carrie Nass brings a passion for community engagement, outdoor adventure, and environmental stewardship to the Environmental Science Center’s Board of Directors. Carrie has a Bachelor of Science from Western Washington University and a Masters in Public Health from the University of Washington. In her current role as Community Benefit Manager at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Carrie focuses on creating meaningful partnerships and programs that improve community well-being. Her work reflects a lifelong dedication to building healthier, more connected communities. In her previous role as the City of Renton's Recreation Division Director, Carrie was instrumental in expanding ESC's programs and offerings throughout Renton. When she's not collaborating on initiatives to drive positive change, you’ll find Carrie enjoying the great outdoors—whether it’s trail running, skiing, kayaking, or exploring the Pacific Northwest with her family. A proud parent to three kids, Carrie balances her professional and personal life with energy and joy. She’s also a dedicated volunteer who believes in the power of education, equity, and hands-on experiences to inspire future generations. As a fifth generation Washingtonian, Carrie is thrilled to support the Environmental Science Center’s mission to connect people with nature and foster environmental curiosity and stewardship throughout the beautiful Pacific Northwest.

Nicole Killebrew, has a B.S. in Marine Biology and an M.S. in Environmental Education, Leadership and Ecological Literacy. She has been with ESC since 2004. Nicole also holds a position as Interpretation Coordinator, Staff Diver, and Volunteer Trainer at the Seattle Aquarium since 2002. Nicole serves as Regional Leader for the National Network for Ocean and Climate Change Interpreters and is an Environmental Leadership Program Senior Fellow. At ESC, she assists with the development and facilitation of in-school and after school science curriculum, trains staff and volunteer naturalists, and teaches field programs. Nicole serves on the ESC Governance Committee. She finds inspiration in serving the communities of South King County; sharing the wonders of the Salish Sea with learners of all ages.

Orian Grant, has long felt a connection to communities and the environment coming from rural Xenia, Ohio. While studying sustainability and environmental science at Pacific Lutheran University, they assumed a position as Sustainability Coordinator in 2011. This experience emphasized the intrinsic connection between our food systems, water and our global oceans. Since then, Orian has committed 15 years working in environmental and marine science through STEM and outdoor education and 12 years of permaculture and landscaping design Applying these skills in 2020, Orian co-founded a BIPOC urban farming organization titled Black Star Farmer, with their experience providing insight into the programming and mission development. In addition, Orian serves a position on the ESC Governance Committee and Front & Centered Community Engagement Committee

Danielle (Dani) Smith is a Pacific Northwest native, MBA graduate, and entrepreneur. She pursued a community activism and social reform career in Washington DC before returning to Seattle to obtain her MBA. Amidst the pandemic, she began her food truck business, Cafe de la Loba & Dirty Dawgz to share her love for specialty coffee and gourmet hot dogs with others. Danielle uses her position to elevate the voices of non-profits, small business owners, creatives, and residents. Within all her professional responsibilities, she is dedicated to equity, diversity, inclusion, and excellence to ensure everyone has access to the resources and opportunities needed to thrive.

Doris Yepez has a passion for protecting our beautiful environment and sowing seeds of stewardship for nature with community. She especially loves working with students whom she feels are sponges, souls open to learning what they can do to protect the environment. She is known by many as the Dandelion lady. This passion arose in New Hampshire when Doris first discovered 40 years ago that every part of the dandelion was edible. From that developed a deep love of plants. And in New Hampshire she began working as a docent and naturalist with the Society for the Protection of NH Forests, and continued that work when moving to Washington State 36 years ago. She received her B.S. in Environmental Studies from Evergreen State College in 2004, then went on to do some native plant restoration with grants from King County, expanding to offering field trips and class presentations at the Black River in Renton. She also signed up to be a naturalist with ESC around the same time, and after going to the benefit dinner March 2023, she was so impressed with how much ESC's environmental programs have expanded and increased, not only for students but for people of all ages, that she decided to get re-involved with ESC as a Board Member. And as a volunteer for student field trips, she gets to do the another thing she loves, interact again with students.

Michael brings more than a decade of experience in nonprofit youth development and outdoor recreation. His interest in environmental stewardship began in 2008 as a pilot member of the youth volunteer program at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in his hometown of Tacoma, WA, where he volunteered more than 2,000 hours over four years supporting educational interpretation and day camp programs. Michael earned a bachelor’s degree in Cultural Anthropology from Linfield College, receiving the Gebauer Prize. In 2016, he studied Evolution, Ecology, and Conservation in the Galápagos through Universidad San Francisco de Quito, where he first developed his love of birding. He began his nonprofit career as seasonal staff at Camp Sealth on Vashon Island with Camp Fire Central Puget Sound and now serves year round as the Human Resources & Accounting Specialist. Michael is passionate about professional development and youth-centered outdoor education and is thrilled to be part of an organization like ESC that works towards connecting people of all ages to the outdoors and to one another.

Nancy has lived in the beautiful PNW her whole life, born in Burien and raised in rural South King County. She has a B.S. in Biology and a Masters in Library and Information Science from the University of Washington, Seattle. She currently works for a consulting firm as a research librarian in the toxicology and industrial hygiene field, but is edging closer to retirement and looking forward to devoting more time to protecting our environment through helping to educate and inspire younger generations to become caretakers of our priceless natural world. She and her husband John raised two daughters in the log home they built together. Whenever possible, she loves to get outside on the local hiking trails and also enjoys biking, gardening, watercolor painting, reading and playing name that bird/plant.

Valeria first came to Washington ten years ago for a summer internship and quickly fell in love with the region, which she now proudly calls home. She earned a degree in Chemical Engineering from Texas Tech University and currently works as a Project Engineer at Boeing in Renton. Valeria is passionate about education and has volunteered both locally and internationally, supporting programs in English, engineering, and environmental education. To complement her technical background and deepen her commitment to public service, she earned a Master of Public Administration with a focus on environmental policy from the University of Washington. Valeria is honored to serve on the board alongside others who share a commitment to education, community, and environmental stewardship.