A born-and-raised Portlander, Hannah is delighted to return to her home state to join Friends’ Philanthropy team as the membership coordinator. Before joining Friends, Hannah received her B.A. in art history from Macalester College in Minnesota and then journeyed further east to Washington, D.C., where she worked on the development teams at the National Archives Foundation and most recently, the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA). Hannah is thrilled to be back in Oregon, where she can enjoy her love of hiking, biking, and rooting for the Trail Blazers.

As Senior Staff Attorney, Nathan is responsible for managing the organization's legal efforts to protect the resources of the Columbia River Gorge. Since Nathan joined Friends in November 2000, Friends has participated in more than 150 legal cases, losing less than fifteen percent of them. Nathan is licensed to practice law in both Oregon and Washington. He has edited and written for several legal publications on environmental and land use topics. While studying at Lewis & Clark Law School, he served as student body president and worked as a law clerk for the Pacific Environmental Advocacy Center (now Earthrise Law Center) and as the Law School's alternative transportation coordinator. 

Tim joined Friends in 2022 and leads the organization’s strategic communications, omnichannel content creation, and media relations. By leveraging powerful writing and visual media to tell stories that educate, engage, and inspire, Tim’s work connects Friends’ mission and core values to our passionate community of Gorge conservation advocates with authenticity and purpose.

Tim last served as the director of communications for the conservation organization Galapagos Conservancy, and has held a variety of roles in his 10+ year career in communications and marketing, including in international human rights, higher education, and sports. Tim holds a BA in International Studies and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an MBA from the University of Oregon. In his free time, Tim can be found playing golf and basketball, and exploring Portland and the Gorge with his wife and daughter.

Frances has been working for the Land Trust since 2018 and has worked in stewardship, record keeping, and restoration on Land Trust properties. She currently works managing restoration and accessible recreation projects on land trust properties across the Gorge. 

A lifelong nature lover, Frances moved to the Gorge after earning her B.S. in Conservation Biology and Ecology with a minor in Entomology from Montana State University. In Bozeman, she worked for several ecology labs studying pollinators and climate change and in community outreach for the Montana Wilderness Association. A pollinator fanatic, Frances also serves as the organizer for the Gorge chapter of the Oregon Bee Atlas, a project of Oregon State University. In her free time, Frances enjoys gardening, herbalism, backpacking, and attempting to identify every native plant in the Columbia Gorge.

A passionate birder and certified interpretive guide, Melissa Gonzalez joined Friends in September 2020. Most recently, Melissa served as the training specialist for the District 3 of the Florida Park Service, where she assisted 33 state parks with training, interpretation, and communication needs. During her tenure with Florida State Parks she moderated all District 3 parks web content and developed Spanish language materials as part of park COVID-19 communications.

Melissa has worked and volunteered for Audubon Florida since 2014 and has conducted wildlife field research associated with several conservation projects throughout the state of Florida. In 2016, she worked as part of the Mt. Hood National Forest summer interpretive services team where she guided daily hikes, hosted campfire programs, and led tours at the historic Timberline Lodge. An alumnus of Audubon Florida's Conservation Leadership Initiative, Melissa holds a B.S. Environmental Studies from the University of Central Florida.

As executive director, Kevin oversees all the activities of Friends of the Columbia Gorge, as well as its land trust, which currently owns 1,500 acres of land. Kevin joined the organization in 1998 and during his tenure Friends has grown from eight staff and one office to 22 staff and three offices; net assets have grown from $750,000 to $22 million. Kevin helped lead the $4.5 million Cape Horn and $5.5 million Preserve the Wonder land acquisition campaigns and assisted in creating two nonprofits in the Gorge: the Klickitat Trail Conservancy and the Cape Horn Conservancy. Kevin was previously the associate director of Oregon Natural Resources Council (now Oregon Wild) and has served as board president for the Coalition of Oregon Land Trusts and EarthShare Oregon, a workplace giving organization. Prior to his non-profit adventures, Kevin was the creative director of an advertising agency in Detroit, MI.

Fernanda joined Friends in April 2022. A passionate volunteer, Fernanda has served in a variety of roles focused on raising funds and member awareness and never backs down from a challenge. She has a gift for mobilizing volunteers and was instrumental in producing the Junior League of Portland's inaugural human trafficking awareness day. She's also served as the League's first Rose Summit Chair.

Fernanda came to the United States from Brazil to obtain her Ph.D. in Restorative Dentistry at OHSU. She fell in love with the Pacific Northwest and chose to make the Vancouver area her home. Fernanda is a certified sailor and together with her husband Brandon and two sons, Zach and Noah, enjoy spending time on the Columbia River.

Originally from New York, Nathaniel has called Oregon home for nearly 15 years. He joined Friends of the Columbia Gorge in summer 2024 as the philanthropy and database coordinator, where he provides strategic support for fund development efforts and stewards Friends’ database and software programs.
 
An alumnus of Catlin Gabel, Nathaniel continued his education at Lewis & Clark College, studying History and English, graduating in 2019. Before joining Friends, he worked in both advocacy and development at the Urban League of Portland, where he developed a deep passion for supporting Oregon and its communities.
 
In his free time, Nathaniel enjoys biking around Portland, cooking, playing video games, discovering new restaurants, and (begrudgingly) supporting Manchester United.

A reptile and amphibian enthusiast and environmental educator, Kenzie Hammond joined Friends in April 2023 as Youth & Community Education Specialist to lead Friends’ outdoor youth education efforts. Kenzie is also an adjunct professor at Clark College where she teaches Environmental Science and Pacific Northwest Reptiles and Amphibians. Prior to these roles, Kenzie worked at the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife where she was a Chinook Salmon Spawning Ground Surveyor, as well as at the Oregon Zoo and OMSI where she was an educator. Kenzie received her Master’s degree from Oregon State University in Fish and Wildlife Administration.

Kenzie has also worked and volunteered with Wildlife Center of the North Coast in Astoria, Oregon, since 2021, where she has helped rehabilitate over 600 seabirds and small mammals. In Kenzie’s free time, she competes in Miss America local competitions and has held the titles of Miss Goldfinch and Miss East Cascades. Having lived in Vancouver, Washington, her entire life, she is an avid Portland pizza connoisseur and has eaten at over 75 local spots.

Madison Kenney joined Friends in June 2024 as a Conservation Organizer. Madison enjoys meeting new people and creating positive impact though building collaborative relationships. As a born and raised Portlander, Madison is excited to be back living in Portland after two years in Washington D.C. Prior to joining Friends, she worked for Stanford University's study away program in Washington D.C. and planned their student programming. Madison received her B.A. from Stanford where she studied International Relations and Economics.

Madison is passionate about protecting natural spaces, which stems from a lifelong love of the outdoors and time spent backpacking and hiking throughout the Pacific Northwest. Through her volunteer work, she leads hikes and connects people to outdoor activities. In her free time, she can be found hiking in the Gorge, backpacking, rock climbing, exploring Portland’s parks & neighborhoods, and watching the Thorns.

As Senior Planner, Nick is responsible for overseeing the planning activities of land trust lands as well as engaging in recreation planning efforts with our government partners throughout the Columbia River Gorge. Specifically, Nick works to advance the Gorge Towns to Trails (GT2T) vision and the Gorge Accessibility Project (GAP) for Friends' Land Trust. Prior to Friends, Nick spent the last 10+ years working as a land use planner for various public agencies throughout the National Scenic Area reviewing permits and managing a wide range of planning projects. Nick has a Masters in Community and Regional Planning from the University of Oregon School of Planning, Public Policy, and Management and also served as an Americorps member in the RARE (Resources Assistance for Rural Environments) program. Prior to moving to Oregon, Nick worked in the finance world and has an undergraduate degree in Economics from Macalester College in Minnesota. In his free time, Nick and his young family enjoy nature excursions and all the outdoor activities available throughout the beautiful pacific northwest. 

A native Oregonian, and passionate outdoor enthusiast, Haley started working with environmental nonprofits after the Eagle Creek fire to apply her background as a community connector to inspire others to conserve and protect places like the Gorge. Before joining Friends in 2021, Haley worked with various environmental nonprofits focusing on strategic corporate partnerships, grant management, and community engagement. She believes in creating sustainable growth by building authentic relationships with community members and funders to further mission driven work and reach mutually beneficial goals. As a grant writer for Friends, Haley manages the grant program and shares the impactful work being done daily to protect, preserve, and conserve the Gorge with current and potential funders.

Haley holds a masters of education and bachelor’s in communication from Washington State University. In her free time, you can find Haley coaching fitness classes or running and backpacking with her husband and boxer dog, Izzy.

Josiah joined Friends in 2023 as the Stewardship Coordinator for the Land Trust team. He monitors Land Trust properties, leads volunteer groups, and organizes property records. He has a passion for preserving native plants and ecosystems, and spends much of his time identifying areas in need of stewardship. After graduating from the University of Wyoming with a dual Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental and Natural Resources and Agriculture Communications, he pursued a career in civil service working for the Colorado Parks department as a Park Ranger at Garden of the Gods and various other parks around the state. As an avid hiker and water lover, he relocated to the Columbia Gorge in 2023 and knew immediately that he wanted to be part of conserving this spectacular area and joined Friends shortly after.
 

As staff attorney, Steve works to protect the scenic, recreational, cultural, and natural resources of the Columbia River Gorge by ensuring that decisions made by federal, state, and local permitting agencies follow applicable laws. Before joining Friends in 2016, Steve spent seven years as a staff attorney with 1000 Friends of Oregon, protecting Oregon’s farms and forestlands from development. When he is not helping to protect special places, he likes to hike, backpack, run, cook, and spend time with his family. 

Over the last 8 years, Heather and her family have called Parkdale home after falling for the Gorge from west to east. Heather has worked for organizations in health, technology, energy/water efficiency, education, and agriculture. In a career that spans from Seattle, Washington D.C., to Portland and now settled in the Hood River Valley, she has developed a depth of experience in human resources and operations. Heather currently volunteers on the Board of Directors for Thrive Hood River and is a member of the Parent Leadership Council of Four Rivers Early Learning & Parenting. When away from her computer, Heather is usually off adventuring with her two kids on day trips through any number of Gorge microclimates. She and her family also enjoy growing snack-ready fruits and veggies on their 1-acre homestead.  

For the past ten years, Sarah served in various roles on Tualatin Hills Park and Recreation District Nature & Trails team, managing small habitat enhancement projects, teaching nature based activities, and leading habitat and trails stewardship programs with schools, businesses, and community groups. In previous years, Sarah worked as an instructor with the Columbia Estuary Partnership, exploring Columbia Basin watersheds with youth, including Steigerwald Wildlife Refuge.

Sarah has also been an active volunteer with Friends of Trees and is a dedicated community scientist who has spent winters in ponds counting egg masses with Metro and springs in woodlands counting birds with Portland Audubon. Her favorite moments working with volunteers are all the little surprises and teachable moments nature reveals while pulling weeds, planting trees, or repairing trails. In 2020, Sarah relocated to the east Gorge, where she spends most of her free time exploring rivers and trails with her family.

Renée Tkach transitioned to the conservation director position in 2024 after serving since 2011 as the project manager for Gorge Towns to Trails, a project that supports land protection, recreation enhancements and economic development at Friends of the Columbia Gorge. Renée originally was the organization's outdoor program coordinator, but left in 2010 to serve as development outreach director for Hells Canyon Preservation Council, now known as Greater Hells Canyon Coalition. Renée is also a founding board member and chair of Columbia Gorge Tourism Alliance, as well as founding board member of Cape Horn Conservancy and Trailkeepers of Oregon. She also sits on the Oregon Trails Coalition’s advisory board, the Washington Association of Land Trusts' Government Affairs Advocacy Committee, and is a West Coast Partner Representative for the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Her enthusiasm and knowledge of the Gorge is contagious, and you will often find her on a trail, a river or lake.
 

Monique joined Friends in September 2023 as the Digital Content Producer. Having lived in seven different states and internationally, she is excited to make Oregon her ninth home. She is a proud University of Central Florida "Alum Knight," holding a B.A. in Radio-Television. Monique has worked in various organizations from sports to local government and is enthusiastic about storytelling, travel, and photography.

As a Florida transplant, she is eager to get into the outdoors to capture the magic of the Gorge. In her free time, you can find Monique checking out new restaurants, solo backpacking, volunteering, and every now and then a music festival.

Paige is responsible for financial management, human resources, and office operations, providing administrative, project management and process support to the organization. A Linfield College graduate, Paige joined Friends in August 2013 and has degrees in business administration and religious studies. She is delighted to have returned to the majestic Northwest, after living in Pennsylvania and Illinois, and making her volunteer passions and interests into a career. She is excited to collaborate with Friends staff joining in the efforts to protect the beauty and splendor of the Gorge for generations to come. Prior to entering the non-profit world Paige worked as a buyer, inventory manager, and outside sales representative in the uniform/footwear industry.

Sofia is passionate about leveraging resources, skills, and connecting people to each other and amplifying their voices. A Skamania county resident, Sofia joined Friends as a conservation organizer in January 2022. She is an ardent believer in supporting everything local and has spent the last 10 years working, living, and recreating in the Columbia Gorge.

Previously, Sofia worked with the Cascade Locks Tourism Committee and Play Frontier, an equitable play and nature school. She's also served on the board of Breweries in the Gorge, participated in the Gorge Tourism Summit, and graduated from Rural Development Initiatives' “Rural Community Leadership Program.” In her free time, she enjoys hunting mushrooms, collecting vinyl records, gardening, and exploring new areas of the Gorge with her dogs.

Before joining Friends in September 2023, Lori organized fundraising support in Oregon communities since 2006, working with various nonprofits focusing on wildlife and animal welfare, urban farming teaching and education, environmental stewardship, and sustainable food systems. Lori’s introduction to the Columbia Gorge started when Wahkeena Falls was the very first place she ever set foot in the Pacific Northwest upon arriving from the Midwest—which drew her to stay permanently.  
 
As the director of philanthropy for Friends, Lori works with the philanthropy team to develop innovative and creative strategies to effectively educate, engage, and inspire people to protect, preserve, and steward the Columbia Gorge. 
 
Lori earned a bachelor’s degree in the College of Business at Ball State University in Indiana and is a certified paralegal. In her free time, you can find her hiking or running in the woods, gardening, appreciating local coffee cafes, or engaging in countless activities with her two teenage boys, Graeme and Grayson, and naughty dog, Timber. 

Sara joined Friends of the Columbia Gorge in 2015. As stewardship manager, Sara takes a lead role on stewardship and restoration of Friends of the Columbia Gorge Land Trust properties. She has been working in the natural resource field for nearly two decades and has a diverse background in researching birds, fish, butterflies, plants, and forest carnivores. Studying in the east coast, where she grew up, she acquired degrees in ecology and environmental science; intrigued by the snow-capped mountains and never-ending beauty of the west Sara settled in the Gorge in 2003. She completed a master’s degree in environmental management at Portland State University where she researched the Oregon silverspot butterfly. In her free time, Sara loves to adventure with her family and friends—attempting to squeeze every drop out of life through rafting, skiing, camping and mushroom hunting, and enjoying the phenomenal food and drinks of the Pacific Northwest.