paige@gorgefriends.org
Friends’ board of directors brings together a wide range of interests, skills, and knowledge that intersect the mission and vision of our organization. This year, we are excited to welcome the newest members of our board:
John Baugher has been serving as a trustee for our land trust and formerly served as a project manager for Bonneville Power Administration’s fish and wildlife program.
Pleschette Fontenet has been serving on the board’s ad hoc philanthropy committee and brings skills honed as an account executive for Lenovo software, along with experience in philanthropy and communications.
Jen Lovejoy grew up on a 10,000-acre ranch in Eastern Washington and is an associate professor in the Department of Communications at the University of Portland. She has prior board experience in the areas of strategic planning and innovation leadership.
Sarah Quist comes to Friends with a background in individual wealth management, asset management, and financial planning as the director of client relationships principal at Vision Capital Management.
Staff Updates
In November, we welcomed Natasha Stone as Friends’ community engagement specialist. She manages Friends’ outdoor youth education efforts and works to build a diverse and inclusive network of community partners. With a Bachelor of Science in Ethnic Studies, Natasha is passionate about working with underrepresented communities and has seen firsthand how outdoor recreation and education can be empowering tools for communities to strengthen and connect.Coila Ash was welcomed in January as our temporary, part-time hike program associate. Coila will fill in for Kate Lindberg, who will be on family leave until May, and will be working with hike leaders and shepherds to organize spring hikes and outdoor programs. A dedicated Friends supporter and volunteer, in 2019, Coila was honored as one of three Volunteers of the Year. She joins us with skills in organizational development, alliance building, and project and campaign coordination and implementation.
Lastly, we say a fond farewell to Natalie Ferraro, who joined us in February 2019 as our trailhead ambassador coordinator. Natalie guided 112 trained volunteers who interacted with more than 19,000 visitors at 12 different sites over the past year. She has transitioned to a full-time position with Trailkeepers of Oregon, and we wish her well in this new role.
