Coalition Staff Members
Yvonne Kraus
She/Her
Executive Director
Yvonne joined the Coalition in January 2025, bringing over two decades of experience in green building, sustainability, low-impact development, energy efficiency, and outdoor recreation. With a proven track record of managing and directing programs and operations for three not-for-profit organizations, Yvonne excels in organizational leadership, strategic planning, grant writing, and fundraising.
A resident of Washington since 1998, Yvonne is deeply committed to preserving and protecting the natural beauty of Washington State’s environment, wildlife habitats, and recreation infrastructure. She is passionate about fostering equitable and sustainable outdoor recreation access.
Originally from the Netherlands, Yvonne spent her youth hiking, biking, skiing, and exploring the Bavarian and Tyrolean Alps. This early exposure to the outdoors ignited her love for nature and her dedication to environmental protection and conservation. Her career has seamlessly blended these passions, from initially focusing on sustainability and energy efficiency strategies for Washington cities and organizations, to most recently serving as Executive Director of the Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance. She has found the perfect fit at the Coalition!
An outdoor enthusiast and multi-sport athlete, Yvonne enjoys any adventure on foot, wheels, skis, or hooves. You can find her exploring Washington’s trails with her dog, Ranger, tending to her yard’s native and edible plants (and engaging in audible debates with weeds!), or teaching yoga in her neighborhood studio.
Nathaniel Rees
He/Him
Policy and Communications Manager
Nathaniel joined WWRC in June 2025, bringing experience in policy, advocacy, and strategic communications.
His professional journey has spanned recreation policy, elementary education, and political organizing. While he’s valued each chapter, he feels most at home working at the intersection of conservation and recreation.
He’s passionate about ensuring everyone has access to green spaces and is proud to support WWRC’s mission to fund community-driven conservation and recreation projects.
A resident of Washington since 2018, Nathaniel was initially drawn by the peaks and glaciers but stayed for the local parks. Nathaniel enjoys mountaineering, backcountry skiing, and painting in the wild.
JT Nelson
He/Him
Operations Manager
JT joined the Coalition in April 2026 and brings over two decades of experience in management and operations. The includes non-profit program management with Goodwill of Orange County and large-scale food bank management with Volunteers of America Western Washington and Hopelink. Most recently, JT served as the Director of Development with NAMI Washington, a state organization focused on mental health awareness, advocacy, and programming. He believes that access to the outdoors is a fundamental right and paramount to mental and physical health.
He grew up in Southern California where he was outdoors as much as possible – Camping, off-roading, hiking, fishing, skiing, snowboarding, boating, body boarding, snorkeling, canoeing, skeet shooting, hockey, baseball, basketball, golf, football and more. JT wants to make sure that his son has access to all of that here in Washington State.
His wife Stephanie grew up in here in WA and brought him up here to start their life together in 2013. They live on Whidbey Island with their son and animals where they enjoy all the outdoor access the island has to offer. You will find them overlanding, camping, hiking, fishing, kayaking, mountain biking, or simply sitting on one of the beautiful beaches Washington has to offer.
“Washington’s natural spaces are not just places I visit; they are places that ground me, restore me, and inspire me. That is why the mission of the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition resonates so strongly.” – JT
Catherine Kemp
She/Her
Philanthropy Contractor
Catherine joined the Coalition in April 2026, bringing experience in fundraising, design, communications, and community engagement in outdoor organizations.
Her professional background includes nonprofit development, wilderness medicine, and strategic outreach, with a focus on building meaningful connections between organizations and the communities they serve. She is especially drawn to work that increases equitable access to the outdoors, education, and public resources.
Originally from Vermont, Catherine has worked with community-based organizations across the Northeast and Pacific Northwest. Outside of work, she enjoys making pottery, hiking with her dog, and gardening.