Marnie Jackson (she/her) first started organizing with WEAN in the 1990s, founding South Whidbey High School's first Ecology Club and leading a student effort to stop a proposed McDonalds at Bayview Corner. She has worked in the nonprofit sector since 2007, serving on the Whidbey Institute team for nearly a decade in communications and executive director roles and working more recently with Showing Up for Racial Justice as a senior donor organizer. She has also worked as a teacher, farmer, and journalist. Marnie has a bachelor's degree in English from Suffolk University, volunteers with Solidarity Over Supremacy Whidbey, and serves on the South Whidbey School Board. Marnie loves hiking, motorcycling, gardening, and exploring with her daughters, partner, dogs, and mule.

Amanda Bullis (she/her) is a communicator and storyteller with over a decade of experience working in arts nonprofits, business writing, and digital storytelling. While at Rutgers University, Amanda participated in developing groundbreaking filmmaking pedagogy utilizing narrative storytelling to amplify critical scientific research. Amanda was a member of the documentary team for Atlantic Crossing: A Robot’s Daring Mission, a feature-length science documentary chartering the course of an ocean glider sampling data across the Atlantic Ocean and created her own digital series, Assisted Living, with a team of independent artists in NYC. Amanda is excited to engage and educate the public around key environmental issues that impact the lives of island county residents and their animal, plant, and organism neighbors. In her free time, Amanda likes to write, bake, hike, read, explore (her backyard and beyond) and spend time with friends and family.

Marianne is a restoration ecologist with a deep love for and understanding of native ecological communities. She has been leading WEAN's urgent response activities since before it was founded in 1989, protecting vital habitat from noncompliant development. She's a parent, a skilled spinner and knitter, and a Celtic music enthusiast. She is perhaps best known as a bottomless well of information and expertise on subjects of environmental science and environmental policy advocacy, and frequently jumps to the aid of community members facing challenges to environmental health in their own backyards. 

Steve has been leading WEAN's legal advocacy and litigation efforts since its inception. He is a legal strategist and a systems thinker with a track record of substantial legal wins in and beyond Island County. Steve is also a native plant specialist whose propagation efforts have restored several threatened populations of native plants on Whidbey and around the state. He is a musician, a scientist, and an avid reader who needs a few more hours in every day.  

Andréa Linton grew up in a family that gardened, composted, and made their own bread.  Outings were always visits to Washington’s parks and seashores.  After her parents moved to Whidbey in the mid 1970’s they became involved with South Whidbey Tilth, Friends of the Freeland Library, Earth Day events, Audubon, and Beach Watchers, passing along to Andréa the struggles of a rural island community to retain its character.  Andréa attended Western Washington University and holds a BA in Museum Studies, a Masters in Ancient Greek History, and a post-Master’s degree in Historic Preservation.  She has worked for a national canned seafood company for twenty-three years, initiating and guiding the company’s sustainability program while gaining Non-GMO Project verification for their products.  Andréa is an avid gardener, seamstress, and jam maker.

Linda grew up in Michigan and received a BA from the University of Michigan before migrating to Washington by way of Colorado and California. In California she made her career at Apple, Inc, where she was last Sr. Director of Mac Hardware Programs. Linda’s non profit experience includes research and writing for Food Empowerment Project (a vegan, food justice advocacy group), three years as Board Chair of Pasado’s Safe Haven (a rescue for animals who suffer cruelty and neglect), and most recently Communications Specialist for Mary’s Place in Seattle (serving homeless families). Linda sees WEAN as an organization that promotes values and actions that consider the interdependence of humans, animals, and the environment in a balanced, ethical way. She is committed to representing these values across Island County and Washington State. 

Bob is a small business owner, a systems thinker, and an energy efficiency expert. At home, Bob loves to tinker, create, adventure in the mountains, on the water, or on a bike with his kids. He is an Excel whiz and supports the board and staff to be exceptional stewards of WEAN's financial resources. 

Neil grew up exploring the woodlands of the northern midwest. He is a passionate explorer of nature and advocates for interdependence and intimacy with nature. He is an IT professional and supports WEAN with its systems and technology. Outside of work, he enjoys harvesting and preparing foraged foods, practicing traditional crafts, and exploring Whidbey Island's open spaces with his wife and their two dogs.

Belinda Griswold (she/her) is an attorney, communications strategist, facilitator, mediator, and mom living in Snohomish/Tulalip Tribes lands on South Whidbey. With expertise in communications strategy and a deep commitment to justice-focused sustainability, Belinda has worked in politics and advocacy for 30 years. Belinda graduated from UC Berkeley Summa cum Laude with a degree in Political Economy, and was awarded a JD from Northeastern University. She specializes in racial justice work for historically-white-led conservation organizations and is passionate about building organizational, personal, and community resilience toward a just transition. Belinda and her family adore pit bulls, horses, and taking care of the land they call home. 

Katie Shapiro has deep roots on Whidbey Island. Born and raised on South Whidbey, she is second-generation owner and operator of Island Athletic Club in Freeland.  Katie graduated Magna Cum Laude from Colorado College in 2004, and brings community networking skill and board experience to our team.  Katie has served a variety of nonprofits dedicated to improving circumstances for community, children, and planet, including Whidbey Island Nourishes, the Organic Farm School, the Whidbey Community Foundation, and the South Whidbey School District. She is a strong advocate for making a proactive response to the climate emergency at every level, from personal and local to national and global. As a community leader and as a parent, she gets excited about educational and inspiring programs that help us better protect our children's futures, and about preserving wild spaces for the enjoyment of all.

Nathaniel Talbot grew up in western Oregon’s foothills, later graduating from University of Oregon with a BA in Biology and Music. He spent the next several years working as an educator at various PNW parks and preserves, including Opal Creek Forest Center, Tryon Creek State Park, and Wynn Nature Center, teaching students and visitors about local ecology and environmental issues. He later served three years at Portland’s Columbia Slough Watershed Council as a liaison between the Council and local government to help implement small-scale riparian restoration projects. For the past 12 years he and his partner Annie have grown organic seeds and produce at Deep Harvest Farm on Whidbey Island. He devotes the bulk of his free time toward writing and performing music, birdwatching, hiking, and Ultimate Frisbee.