Bloedel Reserve Staff and Board of Trustees
Get To Know Us
Our dedicated staff works collaboratively to ensure that Bloedel Reserve is welcoming and thriving, season after season, year after year. Each day is as different as our constantly changing landscapes. And, with 140 acres of forests, meadows, groomed trails, and gardens, we have the most beautiful “office” in town!
OUR STAFF
EXECUTIVE OFFICE
Evan Meyer joined the Bloedel Reserve in 2024, bringing deep botanical roots and a passion for community building to his new home in the Pacific Northwest. From 2020 through 2024 he served as Executive Director of the Theodore Payne Foundation, a nonprofit native plant nursery and educational center in Los Angeles. Earlier in his career, Evan held positions at UCLA Botanical Garden, California Botanic Garden, Harvard University Herbaria, the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University, and the Native Plant Trust. Evan finds inspiration in the unexpected intersections between the natural and cultural worlds, seeing gardens as beautifully rich tapestries of history and identity.
Alyson joined Bloedel in April of 2021 and brought a career of Human Resources leadership in several industries most recently health care. She cares deeply about working with folks to ensure a healthy, fun, and effective workplace.
Lee is the Social Media Coordinator here at Bloedel Reserve. As a Puget Sound native having grown up between here and Taiwan, she returns from Los Angeles after a 10-year career in Social Media Marketing bringing her experiences from various fields such as music and fashion to food and production. The Reserve is nostalgic for Lee as she used to walk the grounds on “Daddy/Daughter Dates” as a child and hopes to create and share similar moments within her new role here while creating a community based on hope, connecting with nature, and deepening relationships in an everchanging world. In her personal time as an avid foodie and recipe creator, Lee enjoys learning about her surroundings through food culture and uses those experiences to create spaces for people to feel safe in and to dream big.
Amy manages and plans all Bloedel Reserve’s Creativity and Education programming, along with select horticultural education initiatives. A lifelong working artist, she previously served as Education Director at the Museum of Contemporary Craft in Houston and was a founding board member of BARN on Bainbridge Island where she fostered community engagement through the arts. Amy is passionate about encouraging creativity in others and finds endless inspiration in the natural world.
Jen leads the Reserve’s external communications, crafting and sharing stories that highlight its programs, volunteer efforts, community impact, and visitor experiences. Using her more than 25 years of marketing and communications experience, she strives to help connect audiences with opportunities to engage with nature, creativity, and well-being at Bloedel.
Erin is the Executive Assistant to Evan Meyer, President and CEO of Bloedel Reserve. Before joining Bloedel, she spent many years in Los Angeles as a casting director in film and television. She loves the creativity and collaboration at Bloedel. Erin grew up spending summers swimming at the back of Port Madison on Hidden Cove and feels fortunate to now work near where she grew up, supporting Bloedel’s mission to connect people with nature. Outside of work, she enjoys yoga, hiking, skiing, and volunteering with local nonprofits. She lives within walking distance of Frog Rock on Bainbridge Island with her husband and two children.
Tara fosters opportunities and experiences for guests to connect with nature, emphasizing the restorative, healing, and rejuvenating aspects of the garden to support overall health and well-being. With background and training as an elder law attorney and guardian, she is also a passionate community volunteer. In her free time, Tara enjoys tennis, gardening, traveling, cooking, and spending time with her family.
DEVELOPMENT
Madeline brings over 12 years of nonprofit fundraising experience to her role. She leads the small and mighty development team and advocates for all areas of contributed income, including major gifts, grants, annual giving and fundraising events. She gets to collaborate with our board of trustees, staff, and local passionate advocate, to tell stories about our mission driven work. She loves learning from those who have been inspired and impacted by the unique landscapes of Bloedel Reserve.
Rebecca connects Bloedel Reserve with local and national partners through grants and corporate philanthropy. With a background in nature writing and education, Rebecca enjoys the opportunity to advocate for the way these landscapes meet real community needs. In her spare time, you might find her writing poetry, heading to the woods, or studying for the Washington State Naturalist certification. (Or doing all three at once.)
Audrey helps lead the annual Garden Party, crafts thoughtful communications for the Development team, and keeps the donor database running smoothly. Before joining Bloedel, Audrey spent nearly a decade as a zookeeper, where she discovered her passion for connecting with people and inspiring joy in conservation. Outside of work, she enjoys baking for friends, family, and coworkers.
Julie is the Development Coordinator, supporting the team in the production of donor events and recognition. She’s delighted to connect donors with the gardens at the Reserve, a place she has loved visiting for many years. Before coming here, she designed and produced museum exhibits, and still enjoys creative projects in her free time, as well as spending time outside on the water and trails.
OPERATIONS
Dan joined Bloedel Reserve in early 2022 and brings more than 15 years of nonprofit management experience in the Greater Yellowstone region, where he worked across a range of mission-driven organizations focused on public engagement, land stewardship, and organizational strategy. At Bloedel, Dan oversees admissions, guest experience, membership, events, and volunteer programs, supporting thoughtful growth and effective day-to-day operations in service of the Reserve’s mission.
Clara works across events and guest services, contributing her warmth and attentiveness to the lasting impressions and sense of community the Reserve is known for. She enjoys creating an experience that feels meaningful, rooted in the belief that stepping outside the noise and letting nature in is essential. Clara’s favorite part is the people, and the endlessly diverse mix of faces and stories gives a constant curiosity for the unexpected that keeps her energized. Outside of work, you’d most likely find her experimenting in the kitchen or exploring the outdoors with good company.
Sally leads the planning and execution of memorable events that honor Bloedel landscapes, mission, and community. She specializes in creating thoughtful, seamless experiences that connect people to nature and to one another. With nearly two decades of experience in luxury hospitality and guest experience leadership across the U.S., Canada, and internationally, Sally brings a refined, people-centered approach to her work. Her career includes senior leadership roles with Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, where she held director-level positions overseeing large-scale banquet operations, guest experience, and business and leisure sales within iconic, high-profile properties.
GUEST SERVICES
David enjoys introducing guests to nature. After spending 33 years in big-box retail, he was ready for a change and found that Bloedel Reserve offered the perfect balance as he began the next chapter of his life. Outside of work, David enjoys concerts, theatre, and sporting events, as well as traveling and spending time with family and friends. Most importantly, he loves spending time with his husband, Ted, and their dog, Charli.
Jorby works alongside the Gatehouse team to ensure the guest experience starts off well before they begin their stroll through the grounds. With over 7 years of retail experience, Jorby found Bloedel to be a fresh, new, and relaxing space to utilize his customer service skills. In his free time, Jorby enjoys drawing, reading books and comics, and spending all of his money on his spoiled cat.
Andrea is the Retail Buyer for all the items in the gift shop.
Evelyn welcomes visitors to Bloedel Reserve and helps ensure a smooth, enjoyable experience from arrival through the gift shop.
Brynn works in the gift shop, where she enjoys helping guests and supporting daily operations. She has a strong interest in technology and often helps with troubleshooting computer issues, creating an online knowledge base, and finding ways to make processes more efficient. She began working at Bloedel Reserve after moving to the area to be closer to family and was drawn to the organization’s non-profit mission. In her free time, Brynn enjoys arts and crafts, video games, and spending time with loved ones.
Laura assists with guest relations and curates the displays in the shop. Her interest in non-profits, gardens, and connecting with people from around the world led her to Bloedel Reserve. Outside of work, she enjoys creating art and homeschooling her children.
Jane welcomes visitors to Bloedel Reserve and helps ensure a smooth, enjoyable experience from arrival through the gift shop. She’s currently a rising senior at Whitman College in Walla Walla, and as an Environmental Studies major is passionate about public gardens and accessibility to nature. In her free time, she enjoys reading, crocheting, and baking.
Ruby welcomes visitors to Bloedel Reserve and helps ensure a smooth, enjoyable experience from arrival through the gift shop.
Abner specializes in making his colleagues laugh and creating a welcoming experience for visitors. Originally from California, he first discovered Bloedel Reserve as a guest. After his visit, he thought to himself, “This wouldn’t be a bad place to work.” And now, he’s part of the team helping others enjoy the beauty and peace that first drew him in.
Steven was born and raised in the Northwest and has over 30 years of experience as a Washington State Parks recreation planner and manager of the Statewide Scenic River Conservation Program, plus six years as a Kitsap County parks planner. His attraction and loyalty to Bloedel Reserve come from his respect for its superb garden landscapes and thoughtful integration of public access and enjoyment.
Gayl welcomes visitors to Bloedel Reserve and helps ensure a smooth, enjoyable experience from arrival through the gift shop. With 40 years of experience in education as a teacher and administrator, Gayl brings a thoughtful, people-centered approach to guest interactions. A lifelong lover of the outdoors and a published poet, she finds inspiration in nature and enjoy sharing its beauty through both words and experience, believing that “breathing in the forest is like Mother Nature touching your soul”.
Audrey welcomes visitors to Bloedel Reserve and helps ensure a smooth, enjoyable experience from arrival through the gift shop.
FINANCE
Renee has been part of the organization since 2016. With over 27 years of experience in nonprofit finance and leadership, she enjoys creating structure, solving problems, and helping teams succeed. Renee is passionate about advancing Bloedel’s mission, expanding its vision, and fostering a positive workplace culture. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, hiking, and spending time with family and friends.
Sara discovered Bloedel during her first days on Bainbridge Island after relocating from Minnesota and quickly became a regular visitor, member, and volunteer. Over time, a position opened in Finance that aligned with her professional background and allowed her to bring both her experience and passion for the Reserve into her work. Outside of the office, Sara enjoys being outdoors hiking and biking, and spending time walking through Bloedel’s gardens in every season, where the beauty continues to inspire her.
Kristin has been at Bloedel since February 2012 working in several supportive administrative roles. She is responsible for the daily coordination of the various deposits created from the website, gift shop, back-office entry, event database, online shop, and mail. In her free time, she enjoys camping, adventures, and Disney trips with her husband and daughter. She values our mission here at Bloedel and loves inviting our community to this beautiful corner of Kitsap County.
HORTICULTURE & DESIGN
Kaslin works alongside the Horticulture & Design team to help guide the overall vision for the gardens at Bloedel Reserve. Her role brings together planning, daily operations, partnerships, and the visitor experience in close collaboration with the team. Her background includes work at gardens and parks around the world, including Central Park, the New York City Parks Department, Longwood Gardens, and Gardens by the Bay in Singapore. These experiences shaped her passion for ecological, community-focused horticulture and her interest in landscapes that support both people and the environment. Outside of work, Kaslin enjoys cuddling her cats and tackling challenging hikes.
Philip manages the plant collections and maintains the plant accession database, which tracks each plant’s scientific name and location within the garden. His interest in horticulture began in the 1990s after watching Canadian Gardener, a show filmed in British Columbia that inspired his desire to live in the Pacific Northwest. That passion eventually led him to work at Heronswood Nursery before joining Bloedel Reserve. Outside of work, Philip enjoys building his home in Poulsbo and caring for the land around it.
Bob cares for and maintains the Japanese Garden, providing security and ongoing support for the grounds as its caretaker. While working for the Seattle Parks Department, he apprenticed under a Japanese garden horticulturist who inspired his interest in learning about all aspects of Japanese garden design and care. In his free time, Bob enjoys traveling to spend time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as tending to his vegetable garden at home.
Marcus works with us as an Horticulture Assistant after volunteering here with the Adult Living Program through Bainbridge Island School District.
Lindsey studied Horticulture with a focus in Landscape and Urban horticulture at Oregon State University. During her time at OSU, Lindsey volunteered with the OSU Campus Arboretum and saw first-hand how interacting with the public about plants helps form genuine connections with the community. As an intern at Bloedel, Lindsey hopes to continue learning about landscapes, plants, and how to best serve the community through public gardens. Outside of her time at the Reserve, she enjoys reading, camping, hiking, and hanging out with her cat, Spoons.
Sawyer started at the Reserve in February 2026.
Ken is responsible for maintaining and repairing equipment at Bloedel Reserve and managing trees across the property to ensure health and safety. He brings decades of experience in arboriculture, equipment maintenance, and home remodeling, with skills in carpentry, electrical, and plumbing work. His arborist background was developed in Colorado with Swingle Tree Company, specializing in pruning, removals, and rigging. Outside of work, Ken enjoys staying active outside, working on hands-on projects, and spending time with friends.
Maxine recently graduated with a bachelors in Therapeutic Horticulture at Oregon State University and was drawn to Bloedel because of her love of being outdoors and connecting to the natural world as a way to find peace and healing, along with interest in landscaping and design. She aims to learn how to cultivate beautiful and therapeutic spaces through landscaping and how public gardens can serve and support the public. Outside of the Reserve, Maxine enjoys hiking, live music, and yoga.
Ann’s passion for plants and the natural world shines through her work. She is dedicated to helping visitors build meaningful, positive connections with the outdoors. Outside of the garden, Ann enjoys spending her time creating arts and crafts.
Christine studied Botany at Humboldt State University and worked for many years with the U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service on botany crews. She has always loved the outdoors and plants, making Bloedel Reserve a perfect place to expand her horticulture knowledge and support this beautiful landscape. She enjoys transforming spaces and encouraging others to see nature in new ways. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, birding, foraging, and crafting.
Henry works with us as a Trail Raker.
Andy manages the Gardens East area at Bloedel Reserve, covering everything from the mid-pond bridge to the Residence and through the Rhododendron Glen. His work includes pruning, weeding, mulching, and irrigation, and he teams up with horticulturist Sonja to create the potted displays around the residence. He began gardening professionally in the mid-1980s and joined the Reserve in 2004 after a career change. Outside of work, he enjoys fishing with his grandkids and spending time in his woodshop.Sonja tends to our nursery and cut flower garden operations and is devoted to our plants growth and health. She has a background in nursery operations, organic farming, and creating planted based art decor. In her free time, Sonja enjoys spending time with family and friends, as well as her trustworthy canine companion, Mavis Jean.
Sean has worked at the Reserve since 2011 and manages Gardens North, the Compost Facility, and the Horticulture and Design Internship Program here at Bloedel Reserve. In his tenure, he has a proven track record leading multiyear renovation projects including in the Japanese Garden, Rhododendron Glen and Arrival Garden. Sean completed an associate of science with a focus in horticulture from South Seattle Community College and has drawn additional experience from the Portland Japanese Garden, Center for Urban Horticulture and the University of Washington’s Arboretum.
As an intern at Bloedel, Katie shadows the garden managers, learning from and supporting them in their respective projects and tasks. Katie studied Environmental Studies with a concentration in Biology at Reed College, where she discovered her passion for ecology and plant sciences after studying invasive plant management in Tanzania. While her background is in field research, she has volunteered at botanical gardens and ran science outreach programming in nature spaces. The Horticulture and Design internship is her first foray into horticulture, and she’s excited to learn how to curate spaces that inspire reflection and peace. Outside of the Reserve, Katie enjoys hiking, reading, and drawing botanical illustrations.
Kari studied Environmental Studies and spent several seasons working with the U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service as a wildlife surveyor and a wildland firefighter. After moving to Bainbridge Island in 2023, she began volunteering at Bloedel Reserve, where her time in the bird marsh inspired a deeper curiosity about plants. That curiosity led her to enroll in the Horticulture program at South Seattle College, where she is currently halfway through. Bloedel has become a meaningful place to grow her knowledge and contribute to this incredible landscape. Outside of her time at the Reserve, she enjoys tending her yard and adventuring on bike, skis, foot, and with her dog, Baker.
Darren oversees horticulture in the Moss Garden, Japanese Garden, Camellia Trail, Old Boardwalk Trail, and nearby areas at Bloedel Reserve. The Moss Garden is his favorite space to care for, reflecting his lifelong passion for plants and natural beauty. His love of horticulture began through childhood experiences backpacking and gardening with his family, which eventually led him to this role. Outside of work, Darren enjoys vegetable gardening and growing unique crops like sunchokes and skirret.
Tobin wears many hats including supporting turf care, integrated pest management (IPM), and the broader grounds and horticulture team. From assisting with arborist projects to tending the Arrival Garden, Tobin plays a hands-on role in caring for the landscape. Drawn to the work by a passion for being outdoors and working with his hands, Tobin began his career in conservation through riparian restoration projects with Forterra as part of the Washington Conservation Corps AmeriCorps program. Outside of work, Tobin enjoys camping, walks and hikes in nature with his family and dog, Sully, as well as spending time playing board and card games with friends.
Haley started at the Reserve in January 2019. With a background in botany, ecological restoration, and forest ecology, Haley thoroughly enjoys managing Bloedel’s natural areas, including Gardens South and roughly 80 acres of forest, by building community partnerships and working to improve wildlife habitat quality, ecosystem function, and climate resiliency.
FACILITIES
Ben is the Director of Facilities.
Mel has been part of Bloedel since early 2018 and has truly turned her “dream job” into an art form—transforming clutter into calm with the same creativity she brings to painting, landscaping, and interior décor. A proud mom of four sons and one daughter, Mel finds her sanctuary in the natural world and in the company of her two Shiba Inus and a cat.
Shawn helps care for the landscape through trail building and maintenance, plant care and pruning, irrigation, carpentry, and general grounds upkeep. His background in ecology, wetland science, horticulture, and field survey work informs his approach to stewarding the Reserve. His lifelong interest in the outdoors, mountaineering, wildlife, and botany led him to this role. Outside of Bloedel, Shawn enjoys woodworking, blacksmithing, and creative work in art and music.
Don is responsible for maintaining the trails, roads, waterways, and buildings throughout the Reserve. He also assists with event setup and occasionally supports the Horticulture crew. Don first joined Bloedel as a temporary employee but found a lasting role with the team. Outside of work, he enjoys reading, attending live music shows, biking, playing video games, and spending time hiking and camping.
Nico is the Facilities Custodial Technician. New to Bloedel Reserve in 2026, Nico is happy to work in nature with a community that cares so much for the environment.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Deborah grew up in Kentucky and after graduating from Cornell, she moved to New York City to attend Columbia Law School. She ended up living in New York City for 42 years where she held a chair in tax policy at New York University Law School and was an author of books and articles on taxation. She also served on the boards of several tax organizations and bar associations. While in New York, she served on the board of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden (BBG), whose executive director was a mentor of Ed Moydell. When Deborah retired to Bainbridge Island to be near children and grandchildren, she followed the advice of the BBG’s executive director, who said “one of the first things you need to do is to visit Bloedel Reserve.” Her first visit turned into many visits. Having chaired the Audit Committee at BBG, Deborah was invited to join the Bloedel Board of Trustees to help establish an Audit Committee and has since served as treasurer and now board chair. She has also served as the board president of Island Volunteer Caregivers and as treasurer of Grace Episcopal Church. Deborah and her husband Proctor live on Bainbridge Island but spend most of their summers in a cabin on a lake in rural Pennsylvania. She is an avid gardener in both places. She considers Bainbridge Island paradise and spends spare time kayaking, hiking, cross country skiing and paddle boarding.
Carol is a third-generation Seattleite who lives on Bainbridge Island, where she has maintained a residence since the mid 1990’s. Up until a few years ago, she lived primarily in Tulsa, where she has served on the boards of several notable institutions, including the Tulsa Symphony, the Gilcrease Museum of Art, and University of Tulsa. She has served in various board leadership roles, including as treasurer and chair of the nominating committee. Carol attended Stanford University for undergraduate, the UW for an MBA and went on to obtain her CPA. Carol and her husband David have been members and supporters of Bloedel Reserve for many years.
Todd is a native Bainbridge Islander. After graduating from Bainbridge High School, he headed to Whitman College for a liberal arts degree in Biology. He then taught conversational English in Japan and returned to Seattle and worked in Biotech prior to heading to the University of Washington, School of Dentistry. After completing a post-graduate residency at Harvard in Boston, Todd and his late wife, Yaroslavna, returned to Bainbridge to start their family and he joined the dental practice of his father, Harmon F. Adams, now a legacy practice of 60 years. As longtime sponsors, the Reserve holds a special place in their family, so much so that Todd found it a worthy place for his marriage proposal to Yaroslavna in 1993. Later, when she was in cancer treatment, Yaroslavna participated in the Strolls for Well-Being Program. Todd is humbled that friends and family have helped create and support a memorial for Yaroslavna at the Reserve with a beautiful magnolia in the Rhododendron Glen, a memorial bench at the Reflection Pool and about 1,500 irises in the Buxton Meadow which he and his adult children, Quincy and Nora, helped to plant. Todd has experience managing dental study clubs as well as supporting and serving other Bainbridge community organizations.
Sandra was born and raised in New Orleans, near her grandparents’ home, Longue Vue. She grew up hearing tales of the history of the gardens and their creator, landscape architect Ellen Biddle Shipman. After attending Mills College in California, Sandra purchased land in Sonoma County and planted her first vineyard in 1972. In 1977 she founded Matanzas Creek Winery. To attract more visitors to the winery, she and husband Bill McIver developed an extensive ornamental garden with a field of lavender and produced a line of home and culinary products. Her proudest moment in the industry came when The Wine Spectator magazine included Sandra among the California wine industry’s top twenty leaders “Who Made a Difference”. From 1994-2004, Sandra served as president of the Longue Vue Foundation, where she oversaw development of a master plan, extensive restoration of the gardens and structures at Longue Vue House and Gardens, and designation as a National Historic Landmark. In 2000, she and Bill sold the winery and built their “dream home,” surrounding it with gardens that were featured in Britain’s Gardens Illustrated. Sandra then turned her attention to knitting and began a new career as a knitwear designer, writing and publishing her first book knit, Swirl! In 2018, Sandra and Bill moved to Bainbridge Island and now call Bloedel Reserve their neighbor. Sandra currently serves as president of the Pauline and Edgar Stern Foundation and on the board of directors of the Royal Street Corporation.
Nate is a Pacific Northwest native and lifelong resident. He spent his early years in the woods, hiking through the Olympics and along the Pacific beaches. Nate studied architecture at the University of Washington and spent the first portion of his career focused on large retail projects around the country. In 2000, he started his own practice on Bainbridge Island and worked with many great clients on residential and community-based projects until his retirement in 2016. Nate and his wife Marguerite live in the Lemolo neighborhood near Poulsbo after thirty-one years on Bainbridge Island. They enjoy traveling, gardening, and boating around the Salish Sea. In 1989, Nate organized the group that founded the Bainbridge Island Land Trust, and he served as the first president. He was also a founding member of Grace Episcopal Church on Bainbridge. He has been a member of the Bloedel Facilities Committee since 2012 and was the chairperson for the development of the Environmental Horticulture Center re-development plans designed in 2018/2019. Nate held the Board Chair position from 2024 into 2026.
BOARD MEMBERS
Ted is a fourth-generation Seattleite. He attended the University of Washington and graduated with a degree in English Literature from Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington. A few years later, Ted earned an MBA in Accounting from the University of Puget Sound. Ted’s background includes a range of careers including professional soccer, journalism, advertising sales, tax accounting, computer consulting, and as a venture capitalist. He worked in accounting-related fields for Hertz, Nordstrom, and several other companies. His love for horticulture led him to HerbCo, a struggling and nearly bankrupt organic herb farm in Duvall, Washington. After three challenging years, HerbCo grew from sales of $34,000 to sales of $50 million in 2014. HerbCo now has farms in eight states and customers with national reach. Ted is the son of Alison Andrews, Bloedel Reserve Emeritus Trustee. He and his wife Gretchen live in Seattle with a second residence on Bainbridge Island.
Greg is an accomplished chef, educator, author, and community advocate whose career reflects a deep commitment to the culinary arts and the Pacific Northwest community. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Community Health Education from Western Washington University in 1985 and has since built an impressive career in both fine dining and food education. As Chef Proprietor of Restaurant Marché on Bainbridge Island from 2012 to 2025, Greg established a beloved local institution celebrated for its seasonal, regionally inspired cuisine. His previous roles include Chef Instructor at Seattle Culinary Academy, Executive Chef at IslandWood, and Executive Chef at the iconic Canlis Restaurant in Seattle. Beyond the kitchen, Greg has been a prolific food writer and media personality, contributing to the Seattle Times, Food Arts Magazine, and KUOW, as well as co-hosting KCTS Chefs. He is also the author of several acclaimed cookbooks published by Sasquatch Books, including In Season: Culinary Adventures of a Pacific Northwest Chef, Northwest Essentials Cookbook, and At the Kitchen Table. A dedicated community member, Greg has long nurtured his one-acre garden on Bainbridge Island, cooked for youth programs in Tijuana and supported numerous local causes through fundraising dinners for organizations such as Children’s Hospital, FareStart, Plymouth Housing Group, Helpline House, and Island Volunteer Caregivers. Greg lives on Bainbridge Island with his wife, Betsy, and is the proud father of two sons, Henry and Erich.
Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Erin spent her childhood and young adulthood in Ohio and Michigan. She moved from Cincinnati to Bainbridge Island with her husband, Bob, and two daughters 15 years ago. While her undergraduate education had been based in the physical sciences, she came west for graduate education in the social sciences, naively thinking they’d return to the Midwest upon completion of that program. However, after only six months, it was obvious to all in the family that there was no going back—in more ways than one. After shifting her studies from Counseling Psychology to Education. Erin began her career as a teacher at Madrona School in 2009. Her first introduction to the Reserve was from friends who had suggested the possibility of living on Bainbridge during her graduate studies. Struck by its beauty and singularity, she joined as a member shortly after arriving on the island. For several years, the Reserve was a beautiful, peaceful, enjoyable place to her. However, that changed dramatically in 2016. Erin had planned to take a sabbatical from teaching that instead became a medical leave. It was from a hospital bed that she first read about the Strolls for Well-Being program and promptly enrolled. Those strolls through the Reserve changed her relationship to it. In many ways, the Reserve became such a part of her recovery and healing that she can no longer consider it just another place. She came to know it in a much deeper way, and that’s how she engages time there now—almost as with a friend. This is just a part of the wonderful gift that we all get to experience from Mr. & Mrs. Bloedel, and Erin enjoys inviting others to experience that gift as well. To her, helping to continue the work they began is both a responsibility and an honor after all she has received.
Jim’s over 45 years of strategic communication experience includes advertising, PR, and now education. Jim recently retired from teaching as an adjunct professor with the Communication and Media Department of Seattle University, where he taught a professional experience class for students to gain experience as communication consultants for local Seattle non-profits, which have included the Pike Place Market Foundation and Bloedel Reserve. Prior to Seattle University, Jim was the Communication Director for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation for Western Washington and, prior to that, he served for 14 years as the Chief Communication Officer for the National Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Association. Prior to National CASA, Jim worked for 15 years in advertising management with Evans/Kraft/Publicis in Seattle, Gray Advertising and BBDO in Los Angeles, on accounts that included Bank of America, Pepsi Bottlers and Starbucks Coffee. Jim currently volunteers as a docent at the Reserve and is a member of the Rainier Club Board of Trustees in Seattle. He lives on Bainbridge Island with his partner Christine Burkland.
Bob is an architect with Olson Kundig; he joined the firm in 1992 and was named Director of Architectural Operations in 2020. Bob is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame with a professional degree in architecture. He spent a year studying architecture in Rome; in 2006, he returned to Italy teach as adjunct faculty for the University of Washington. Bob has lectured at the University of Washington and the University of Notre Dame, as well as the University of Guadalajara. Bob has previously served nine years on the Bloedel Reserve Board of Trustees from 2011-2019. During that time, Bob served as chair of the Facilities Committee as well as the Japanese Guest House Renovation & Sheep Sheds Task Forces. He also served on the Executive Committee. He and his wife Sheila live on Bainbridge Island.
Jim was formerly a Senior Manager with KMPG, a global network of professional firms providing audit, tax and advisory services. Previously, he served as Chairman and CEO of Corporate VAT Management (CVM), a financial services company that assists businesses in recovering their Value Added Tax from foreign tax ministries. CVM was sold to KMPG. Jim received an MBA from Seattle University and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Washington. He and his wife Karen reside on Bainbridge Island.
John grew up in Los Angeles County in Southern California. He earned a BA in Mathematics from California State University at Long Beach and an MA in Mathematics from the University of Michigan. In 1970, he enlisted in the US Navy and went through Naval OCS in Newport, Rhode Island. After receiving his commission, John taught mathematics at the Nuclear Power School in Bainbridge, Maryland. In 1975, he returned to California and accepted a position at Pacific Life Insurance Company in Newport Beach. He was there for 32 years and held a variety of actuarial, management and executive roles in the Financial and Investment areas. John met his wife Justine while at Pacific Life, and they married in 1988. John and Justine retired on the same day in 2008 and moved to Bainbridge Island where they developed a love for Pacific Northwest plants and gardens. One of their first walks on the Island was at the Reserve, and their experience that day (and those on many more visits) is why they have been supporters ever since. Prior to his involvement with the Reserve, John was on the board of Friends of the Farms and served as its treasurer for several years.
Becky is an attorney licensed in the State of Texas and has practiced law for nearly 40 years. She received her JD in Law in 1981 from the University of Texas School of Law and immediately joined the firm of Scott Douglass and Keeton (now Scott Douglass and McConnico) in Austin. She has always specialized in oil, gas and energy law, first by representing clients in regulatory hearings before the Railroad Commission of Texas, and then in full-time trial work. Becky has served as an adjunct professor at the University of Texas School of Law, teaching oil and gas law, oil and gas leasing and regulation. She was the first female managing partner of a major Texas law firm and the first female chair of the Oil, Gas and Energy Section of the State Bar of Texas. In 2010, Becky resigned as a partner from Scott Douglass & Mcconnico and became “Of Counsel” to the firm. This allowed her the freedom to help her elderly parents who were living in Santa Fe. Becky now focuses on mentoring young lawyers, assisting partners in analyzing issues, working with experts, and outlining discovery and strategy when they need help. Becky moved to Washington in 2015 to be closer to her daughter, who was living in Seattle. She has since followed her daughter back to Texas.
Andrea is a long-time Bainbridge Island resident with deep community ties. Having first moved to Bainbridge in 1965 and graduated from Bainbridge High School, she returned to the island in 2006 after many years on the East Coast. Andrea and her family have been long-standing members and supporters of the Reserve, and she has had the privilege of spending restorative time walking the grounds. Andrea brings 30 years of executive leadership in the healthcare industry, with a passion to improve patient access and experience, working for Fortune 100 companies and for start-ups. For the past eight years, Andrea was a founding employee of a healthcare technology company focused on driving down the cost of medications and served as Chief Customer Officer to help lead the company to commercial success. She brings significant not-for-profit leadership experience through service on several local boards and organizations focused on community impact, including serving as President of the Board of Directors for the Bainbridge Schools Foundation, helping BSF to exceed $1 million in annual fundraising. She has also held leadership roles in the Bainbridge Football Boosters, and local school PTOs. Her professional background and sustained engagement with the Bainbridge Island community reflect a strong commitment to stewardship and community impact.
Martha grew up in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and graduated in Landscape Architecture from the University of Guelph in 1981. After working as a Landscape Architect for a couple years, she decided to move to the Pacific Northwest in 1984 to attend the Master of Architecture Program at the University of Washington. She stayed in the Puget Sound area and worked as an architect for over 30 years. Martha moved to Bainbridge Island with her husband in 2000 and started volunteering as a docent at the Reserve in 2010. When the pandemic hit and the Residence closed, it was suggested she assist the horticultural staff outside. While assisting the gardeners outside is her favorite volunteer task, Martha has also helped at events including Bard at Bloedel, the West Sound Wildlife Shelter’s Spooky Creatures event, the Garden Party, and Solstice Walks. When not at the Reserve, Martha spends time in her studio painting and drawing. She completed a calendar in 2023 of the horticultural staff at Bloedel and was a 2024 Community Creative. Martha feels the Reserve has become her second home.
Vanathi (Van) grew up in the Los Angeles area, before moving to India to complete her medical degree, followed by a family practice residency in Ohio. She currently practices family medicine at Kaiser Permanente in Silverdale. Van treasures togetherness of family and friends. Coming from a large family, and missing her immediate family who still live in California—meeting friends and neighbors here in the Kitsap area has become a favorite pastime of hers. While juggling work and raising her two children keeps her extremely busy, Van likes to spend any spare time reading. She and her husband Narendra live on Bainbridge Island.
Linda is passionate about non-profit work. A native of New Orleans, Linda volunteered with the NO/AIDS Task Force (now CrescentCare) in the early 1990s. Linda holds a Juris Doctor from the New College of California School of Law in San Francisco and a Bachelor of Arts from Louisiana State University. During law school, she completed internships with the San Francisco Public Defender’s Office and Bay Area Legal Aid. In 2008, Linda and her husband Andrew embarked on a transformative journey, driving from Berkeley, California to Chiapas, Mexico to pursue their dream of working and living abroad. While Andrew worked with a research team at ECOSUR University in San Cristóbal de las Casas, Linda helped launch a non-governmental organization dedicated to supporting and educating women weavers in surrounding mountain villages. After returning to the United States in 2013, Linda and Andrew settled on Bainbridge Island to pursue a new dream, having a family. She and Andrew are the proud parents of their son, Ziggy, who was born in 2017. Since then, Linda remains actively involved in community initiatives having joined the Montessori Country School Board of Trustees in 2020. Linda enjoys baking and sharing her love of Creole cuisine, curating a collection of works by African American women authors, and exploring pottery as a creative outlet.
Rolfe grew up on Seattle’s Capitol Hill, where Volunteer Park was practically his backyard. After comings and goings, he settled in Seattle only a few blocks from his original home. Rolfe feels lucky to have grown up hiking and camping in the Cascades, and to have spent summers at his grandmother’s house on Bainbridge Island. After completing an undergraduate major in botany in 1978 at the University of Washington, Rolfe made several excursions to Alaska for commercial fishing, working with musk ox domestication in an arctic native village, and an recreational exploration of the western Brooks Range. Eventually he returned to Seattle to pursue garden design, where serendipitously his first employer and mentor was former Bloedel Reserve board member Doug Bayley. His curiosity about the garden design process grew, so Rolfe completed a Master of Arts in Landscape Design from the Conway School of Landscape Design in Massachusetts. He then returned to Seattle and went to work for himself, renovating and installing gardens. It was enjoyable work, but he wanted to know more about the structure and the shaping of space. Rolfe entered the graduate program in architecture at the University of Washington. After a few years, he found his interest taken full circle, back to the landscape, but says the addition to his design education was well worth it. Until recently, Rolfe independently practiced residential garden design, collaborating with various landscape contractors. Since then, he has been developing five acres on Whidbey Island, laying the groundwork for his own garden, an eclectic planting within a native woodland setting. As much as a botanical garden, he intends it to be a response to the surrounding landscape.
Bagley Wright is a fourth generation Bloedel family member and the grandson of Virginia Wright. He is a Forester and Manager of Bloedel Timberlands Development Inc., a small regional timber company founded by Prentice Bloedel. His hobbies include cooking and outdoor activities, and he shares them with his wife Merion and their two daughters, Wendy and Virginia.
Robin Wright co-founded RITE Editions in 2007 and has owned and managed the business since 2013, directing the publication of artist books and limited editions by contemporary artists. She has served on the board of San Francisco Museum of Modern Art since 1992 and joined the Walker Art Center board in Minneapolis in 2022. She also serves on the board of the Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture in San Francisco and sits on the Executive Committee of the International Council of MOMA, New York City. Robin is the founder and chair of the board of Further, a new triennial for Northern California which is scheduled to launch from March to June 2027. Robin lives in San Francisco and has a house on Fletcher Bay on Bainbridge Island.
SENIOR ADVISORY COUNCIL
Barbara Anderson
Debbi Brainerd *+
Stacie Crooks
Steve Davis *
Molly Hogger
Judy Karr
Suzanne Kelly *
Paul Kundtz *
Mark Levine
David Lewis
Chuck Little *+
Richard Mahoney
Andy Maron *
Justine Milberg
John Morris
Sue Nevler
Fred Pakis
Cassie Picha
Suzanne Ragen
Alice Shorett *
Robert Skotheim
Hope Stroble
Alice Tawresey
Karen Thomas
Sarah Wallace
Karla Waterman
VOLUNTEER ADVISORY BOARD
Susan Beecham
Wendy Seanor
Tom Strid
Necie Toohey
IN MEMORIAM
Connie Albrecht
Johnna Kleisner
* Former Board Chair
+ Emeritus Trustee
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