Salish has a staff of five administrative employees, as well as 10-12 program staff employed during the program seasons.

Executive Director Stephen Streufert
Stephen joined Salish in April of 2005 with a commitment to creating outstanding educational expeditions.  His 20 years of experience in program and instructional leadership fuels his belief in the power of learning through shared adventure.  His professional history includes leadership roles at the North Carolina Outward Bound School, National Outdoor Leadership School and numerous other adventure-based, environmental, and marine education organizations.  Stephen has B.A. in Biology from Luther College in Iowa and an M.S. in Education Leadership from Minnesota State University.  Most recently before joining Salish, Stephen was the Vice President of Sales for Alpine Towers International.  He also served as Board President for a non-profit youth mentoring agency during his tenure at Alpine Towers.
To contact Stephen please email him at stephen@salish.org

                                                   Education Director, Nikken Palesch
As an avid seafaring educator and lover of the marine environment, Nikken brings to Salish a commitment and enthusiasm for creating powerful environmental programming and the advancement of marine literacy and awareness.  She believes that the wellbeing of human communities will ultimately depend on effective education strategies that inspire new ways of thinking about the world around us. Her academic background includes a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Education (Western Washington), a Master’s degree in Marine Affairs (UW), and a Certificate in Environmental Management (UW). As a proponent of science learning in nontraditional environments, her professional pursuits revolve around a passion for inspiring interest and critical thinking through place-based, interdisciplinary, community-oriented education and research.  Prior to working with Salish, Nikken worked as a naturalist guiding sea kayak trips in the San Juan Islands.  In addition, she facilitated educational experiences while working as a marine ecology instructor in SE Alaska, the tropical reefs of Belize, and on board two sailing school vessels that ply the waters of both the Channel Islands and the Puget Sound.  Nikken also directed the piloting of a new environmental education school here in Washington State.
To contact Nikken, please email her at nikken@salish.org                    

Business and Communication Director, Katy Mathias
Katy Mathias joined the Salish staff in January, 2008, having previously served on the Salish Board for four years, most recently as Board President. As Business and Communication Director, Katy oversees all aspects of financial management and manages communication efforts with foundations and the media. Katy has over 15 years of experience in management and finance, most recently as the Business Manager at the Center for Wooden Boats in Seattle. Katy’s B.A. in Political Science is from Tufts University; she also earned a Masters in Public and Private Management from the Yale University School of Management. Katy is an avid baker and enjoys thinking up new ways to cook with chocolate. She also enjoys sailing and hopes some day to master docking.
To contact Katy please email her at katy@salish.org
 

                                                         Program Coordinator, Kristen Washer
Kristen joined the Salish team in 2008. Kristen comes to Salish with a passion for spreading knowledge and stewardship to our region's future adults. Upon graduating with a degree in Biology and Marine Biology from Long Island University in New York she took to the seas, spending years aboard schooners and sloops, first as a student then in the roles of Program Coordinator and Deckhand with Ocean Classroom Foundation, South Street Seaport Museum, and Hudson River Sloop Clearwater Inc. She has also spent time as an adjunct professor for M.A.R.E at Franklin Pierce College in New Hampshire. She believes highly in the value of getting students out into the elements for a lasting education, as they understand and absorb so much more when they are out in the field or on a boat.  When she is off boats she spends her time working as a wildlife rehabilitator, naturalist and educator with The Vermont Institute of Natural Science and most recently West Sound Wildlife Shelter. 
To contact Kristen please email her at kristen@salish.org

Administrative Assistant, Karen Withers
Karen joined the Salish Sea Expeditions’ team in 2007 excited to assist Salish it’s office operations.  With over 14 years of experience with Girl Scouts, Karen brings a wealth of skills to the team.  Her Girl Scout experiences include being a troop leader, outdoor educator, adult trainer, regional camp director, and a variety of other leadership and team member positions.  Karen also has 10 years of experience in the Banking and Trust industries as an Administrative Assistant working for US Bank, Washington Mutual Savings, and Fiduciary Trust Services.  Karen attended undergraduate studies at Whitworth College, Eastern Washington University and Olympic college.
To contact Karen please email her at admin@salish.org