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. Before that she served as Field and Outreach Director for Futurewise, an organization that works to build healthy communities by stopping sprawl. Ms. Grist holds a BA in Political Science from the University of Washington. She spends her free time chasing her preschool age boys.

Carrie Bates, Development Director
Carrie has seven years of non-profit fundraising and management experience including website design, newsletter production, media relations and events. She previously worked in the advertising industry. She holds a BFA from the State University of New York, New Paltz. She enjoys hiking, backpacking and skiing.

Gwendolyn High, Administrative Director
Gwendolyn has transitioned from a career in high tech, ranging from holography to software development.  She serves on the Renton Planning Commission and founded a neighborhood group that works on land use, transportation and conservation issues.  In 2010 she earned a certificate in non-profit management at the University of Washington.  Gwendolyn loves European travel and lives with her husband on the East Renton Plateau.

Majken Ryherd , Lobbyist
Majken has many years of experience working for and with the Washington state Legislature as well as consulting internationally.  Most recently she was Chief of Staff to the Speaker of the House in the Washington State Legislature.  She has lobbied for a variety of interests in health, housing and human services with expertise in operating and capital budgets, coalition building and advocacy.  Majken's international experience includes consulting on tobacco control in Nigeria, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso and Niger and serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in Senegal.

Jim Richards, Lobbyist

Jim has a unique blend of public affairs, communications, government relations and management experience gained in both the public and private sectors.  He has served as Deputy Chief of Staff to the House of Representatives Democratic Caucus in Olympia, a Governor’s Deputy Press Secretary, as an Assistant Director to a large state agency, and as a lobbyist on behalf of various interests.  In the business world, Jim has worked as a public affairs and communications consultant, a Vice President for Corporate Communications, and a small business partner and owner.

Tom Bugert, Outreach Director

Tom has worked with the Coalition since August of 2010.  After graduating from Whitman College with a degree in Philosophy, Tom spent a year living in southern Japan teaching English and singing karaoke at least once a week.  He has worked for several nonprofits, including a stint as an Outreach Consultant for the Seattle based nonprofit Take Back Your Time, advocating for a paid vacation law.  Tom enjoys hiking, riding his bicycle over mountain passes, and volunteering wherever he can.

Hannah Clark, LWCF Campaign Director

Hannah graduated with a B.A. from the University of Michigan Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, where she focused on environmental policy and sustainable development. She has worked as a policy analyst and advocate for the Michigan Land Use Institute and as an intern for the Ann Arbor Community Action Network, an affordable housing organization. Hannah enjoys hiking, camping, volunteering, and hosting potlucks.

Cameron Deamer-Phillips, Development Associate

Cam graduated from Whitman College in 2011 with a degree in Rhetoric and Film Studies.  An NYC native, Cam returns to sunny Seattle after interning with Outdoor Research's Marketing and Product Development departments in 2010.  Cam enjoys hiking, skiing and being chastised for his "bandwagon" admiration of the Oregon Ducks.

Elspeth Hilton, Outreach and Communications Intern

Elspeth is a first year graduate student at the University of Washington Evans School of Public Affairs, focusing on environmental policy. When she isn't studying or working, Elspeth enjoys cooking, playing tennis and hiking or snowshoeing (depending on the amount of snow available).