Staff

Joanna Grist, Executive Director
Joanna was hired in July 2000.  Prior to this position she worked on growth management and endangered species issues for King County Executive Ron Sims.  Prior to that she worked for Futurewise where she served as Field Director and founded the Livable Communities Coalition.  Ms. Grist holds a BA in Political Science from the University of Washington.  She currently serves on the King County Chapter Board of Washington Conservation Voters.

Jill Wasberg, Development and Communications Director
Jill has worked in the environmental community for several years in a variety of roles including communications and media relations, event planning, and organizing, for both state and national organizations including American Rivers, Save Our Wild Salmon and Washington Conservation Voters. She holds a BA in English from the University of Washington and a Masters in Environmental Studies from the Evergreen State College. She grew up in South Bend, Washington.

Carrie Bates, Program Director
Carrie has 5 years of non-profit management experience. She has worked in the technology and advertising sectors and specializes in project management including website redesign, newsletter production, media relations and events. She holds a BFA in graphic design from the State University of New York, New Paltz.

Gabe Strand, Office Manager. Gabe has a wealth of experience in non-profit office management, events management and communications. He enjoys backpacking, snowshoeing, whitewater kayaking, building campfires, and cooking dutch oven feasts.

Stephanie Gilfeather, Half-Time Program Assistant

Stephanie has 8 years of experience working with non-profit organizations and with Washington State government agencies. In addition to working with the Coalition, she attends Seattle University School of Law.

Marcia Fromhold, Lobbyist
Marcia has been working as a lobbyist for the Coalition, along with Mike Ryherd, since 2004. After graduating from the UW with a degree in biology she worked for 32 years in K-12 education as a teacher, principal and superintendent including a stint as lobbyist for the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. In addition to her lobbying efforts she currently serves on the Vancouver/Clark Parks Advisory Commission and is active in growth management issues in Clark County.

Mike Ryherd, Lobbyist

Mike has been the lobbyist in Olympia for the Coalition from 1992 to 2004, when he commenced sharing the lobbying duties with Marcia Fromhold.  In his 35 years of lobbying at the state level, Mike has represented a variety of issues and clients including conservation, municipalities, labor, non-profits, corporations and professional trade associations.  Mike is a founding member, and past president, of the Bainbridge Island Land Trust and currently serves on the Advisory Board of the Capitol Land Trust in Olympia.