STAFF & BOARD
ADDIE WRIGHT
Addie joined the Sierra Institute as the Rural Community Development Apprentice in the Summer of 2021. Before arriving in Taylorsville, she graduated from Colorado State University with a B.S. in Humans Dimensions of Natural Resources. Previously, Addie has worked on projects surrounding Colorado wildlife disease transmission, conservation easement management, and the protection of Native sacred sites in Northern California. She is excited to further her work under the inspired mission of Sierra Institute. Outside of work, Addie enjoys reading, cooking, hiking, and petting dogs.
Contact Information: (530) 284-1022 ; Email: awright@sierrainstitute.us
ANDREA WILSON
Andrea joined the Sierra Institute as the Office Manager & Executive Assistant in the Spring of 2021. Andrea is deeply committed to our community and the unique opportunities living in the mountains offer. She has spent most of her life in Plumas County and grew up in the Quincy area. Her work has been community-based, including working as Branch Librarian for the Greenville Library, and General Manager of the local food cooperatives in Quincy and Portola. Andrea enjoys spending her free time with her family and their two dogs, reading a good book, or getting out to enjoy all the beauty of our area.
Contact Information: (530) 284-1022 x 1009; Email: admin@sierrainstitute.us
AMY HAFSRUD
For the past 30 years, Amy has led outdoor education and leadership training trips throughout the U.S., including the Rocky Mountains, Sierra Nevada, Southwest, Pacific Northwest, and Alaska. At the Sierra Institute, she co-coordinates the summer P-CREW internship program and was instrumental in the development of the Greenville Outdoor Adventure Learning and Friday Night for Teens programs. In addition to the diverse experience in outdoor leadership programming Amy brings to our youth programs, she has also served as the financial manager for the organization since 1998. In her spare time, you can find Amy hiking with her dogs, working diligently in her garden, and serving as the community mom to the youth of Indian Valley.
Contact Information: (530) 284-1022 x 1003; Email: ahafsrud@sierrainstitute.us
ASIA PFEIFER
Asia joined the Sierra Institute in the spring of 2021 to support the P-Crew program and pursue her passion for empowering youth through environmental stewardship. Prior to joining the Sierra Institute, Asia led the wilderness monitoring program in San Juan and White River National Forests of Colorado. Additionally, Asia served as a crew leader for Montana Conservation Corps and crew member for Utah Conservation Corps. Somewhere in between, she spent a year traveling through and immersing in Southeast Asian culture. Asia has a B.A. in Anthropology from CSU Chico. She balances her work with backpacking, cooking, and art. No matter where she is, it is her goal to create a space that reflects joy in cultural diversity, passion for environmental justice, and love for the earth and its inhabitants.
Contact Information: (530) 284-1022; Email: apfeifer@sierrainstitute.us
BELLA BLEDSOE
Contact Information: (530) 284-1022 ; Email: ibledsoe@sierrainstitute.us
CORRINNE SCIESZKA
Corrinne joined the Sierra Institute in Fall 2020 as a Rural Community Development Apprentice and now works as a Project Specialist. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a dual B.S. in Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity, as well as Environmental Studies, with a specialization in environmental law and policy. Before coming to the Sierra Institute, she worked on research involving climate change adaptation policy, as well as coastal resiliency, in local-level Michigan communities. She is excited to bring this experience to California, focusing on projects related to climate change vulnerability, disadvantaged community involvement in natural resource decision-making, and sustainable rural community development. Outside of the office, she likes running, reading, or playing tennis.
Contact Information: (530) 284-1022 x 1012; Email: cscieszka@
DANIELLE BERRY
Danielle began working for the Sierra Institute in 2019 as the Stewardship Project Coordinator and is involved in both the collaborative forest stewardship and wood utilization initiatives. Prior to this, she served as the Sierra Institutes' Collaborative Landscape Stewardship Apprentice. She recieved a B.S. in Biology from CSU Bakersfield and an M.S. in Environmental Policy and Management from UC Davis. Born and raised in the southern San Joaquin Valley, she spent her free time in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks where she revered the studies of John Muir and developed a passion for the outdoors. Throughout her time working within private, public, and NGOs sectors, Danielle has acquired a range of experiences and has come to recognize the importance of interdisciplinary communication in the implementation and effectiveness of environmental stewardship. As an advocate for the conservation of natural resources, she is interested in the application of environmental science to real-world environmental policy and management issues. When Danielle is not working you will likely find her partaking in the many adventures the Sierras have to offer.
Contact Information: (530) 284-1022 x 1018; Email: dberry@sierrainstitute.us
JANNIKE ALLEN
Jannike joined the Sierra Institute in June 2021 as a Collaborative Forest Management Apprentice. She graduated with a B.S. in Environmental Science from Portland State University, where she researched wildfire’s effect on Alaska’s boreal forests as a member of the Lucash Lab. She appreciates that forests serve as an important climate solution through carbon sequestration, and is gratified to collaborate on restoration projects that increase California’s resilience, especially to fire. Prior to joining the Sierra Institute, Jannike worked for a nonprofit conducting field operations within Armstrong Redwoods and Austin Creek California State Parks. She strives to live a healthy life with lots of good food, people, nature, and music.
Contact Information: (530) 284-1022 ; Email: jallen@sierrainstitute.us
JONATHAN KUSEL
Jonathan founded the Sierra Institute in 1993 and has directed the organization ever since. He received a Ph.D. in Natural Resource Sociology and Policy from U.C. Berkeley, where he was an instructor before launching Sierra Institute. His dissertation focused on how rural northern Sierra communities changed following the departure of their wood products anchor businesses. This work, at the intersection of community and forest and watershed health formed the basis for the Sierra Institute’s mission and approach. He also holds a Masters in Forest Science from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. Jonathan lives in Indian Valley with his wife, Amy, and two dogs, Dobby and Sadie. In the rare occasion that he’s not working to promote rural well-being or advance opportunities for his organization, you can find him hiking around the valley or coaching the varsity boys basketball team at Greenville High School.
Contact Information: (530) 284-1022 x 1001; Email: jkusel@sierrainstitute.us
KEVIN PRICE
Kevin began working with the Sierra Institute in the summer of 2019 as a seasonal leader for their P-CREW program. He came with a background of working with youth and young adults in outdoor and educational settings as an English teacher abroad, a substitute teacher in his hometown of Palmdale, California and as an outdoor leader in college as well as two seasons with a non-profit out of Bodega, California. After a successful second season with P-CREW, Kevin acquired a full-time AmeriCorps position where he now works to help the Sierra Institute build their capacity to support and develop natural resource programming for the surrounding communities. Kevin holds a B.A. in Psychology from UC Santa Cruz and enjoys spending his free time in the outdoors and developing new skills or sharpening old ones that range from language study to sewing and keeping fresh and saltwater aquariums.
Contact Information: (530) 284-1022 x 1014; Email: kprice@sierrainstitute.us
KRISTIE DAILEY
Kristie joined the Sierra Institute in October 2019 to assist our Financial Manager Amy Hafsrud. Kristie grew up in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in our neighboring town of Quincy, CA. She spent 10 years in upstate New York, in the Adirondack Mountains but returned to the area in 2010. Kristie has a variety of work experience in Billing, State and Federal Program Case Management and Human Services. When not at work she enjoys spending time with her boys and enjoying the abundant outdoor activities provided in Plumas County, including kayaking on the local lakes and rivers.
Contact Information: (530) 284-1022 x 1203; Email: kdailey@sierrainstitute.us
KYLE RODGERS
At Sierra Institute, Kyle manages our work with a growing network of collaborative groups working on forest management issues across California, and rural development efforts focused on rebuilding capacity in forest communities across California. Kyle brings a diverse background to this work that includes surveying hemlock trees and monitoring bog turtles on the Blue Ridge Parkway, studying human dimensions of endangered species conservation planning across the Southeast, and prior work at the Sierra Institute on a range of projects from watershed coordination to youth programming. When he isn’t at the office, you might find him coaching youth soccer or hiking with his wife and dog. Kyle holds a BS in Conservation Biology from Clemson University and a MS in Wildlife and Fisheries Science from the University of Tennessee.
Contact Information: (530) 284-1022 x 1013; Email: krodgers@sierrainstitute.us
LAUREN REDMORE
Lauren joined the Sierra Institute in 2021 where she manages social science work in the rural development and forest products sector. She brings with her 15 years of experience working at the intersection of natural resource management and rural development, including in the context of forestry, freshwater fisheries, and wildlife. Lauren is a conservation social scientist with a Ph.D. from Texas A&M where she studied rural change and human-elephant interactions in the woodlands of northern Botswana. Prior to starting her Ph.D., Lauren spent six years working in Francophone Cameroon, including three years as a Peace Corps agroforestry volunteer and three years managing wildlife conservation projects. Lauren holds her MS in Forest Resources from Oregon State University where she studied women’s experiences in forest ownership and management. In her free time, Lauren loves to explore the outdoors with her dogs and is currently learning various home renovation skills, courtesy of her husband.
Contact Information: (530) 284-1022 x 1019; Email: lredmore@sierrainstitute.us
MOOREA STOUT
Moorea began her non-profit career at age nine stuffing envelopes after school at a nearby university office of advancement. A frequent volunteer at UC California's Scripps Institution of Oceanography during high-school, she has always had a passion for maintaining the well-being of Earth's environment. While completing her BA at Scripps College, she worked in the development and alumni office, taught literature and composition to disadvantaged high-school students, and during her Junior year abroad in France, volunteered at an elder care community. While living in San Clemente, Moorea worked in the development office at Casa Romantica, a community cultural center and children’s education garden. In 2002 she founded a business in kitchen design before moving to Indian Valley, in 2015. Moorea is excited to pursue her passion for holistic approaches to community, economic, and environmental health by joining the team at the Sierra Institute.
Contact Information: (530) 284-1022 x 1004; Email: mstout@sierrainstitute.us
NINA MARTYNN
Nina joined the Sierra Institute in the fall of 2019 as the Communications and Media Coordinator. She graduated from UC Davis with a Bachelor of Science in International Agricultural Development with an emphasis in community development and digital media. Additionally, she has a certificate in Outdoor Recreation and Leadership. Her varied experience working in marketing and media, program planning, and the outdoor industry gives her a well-balanced approach to supporting the goals of Sierra Institute. As a Plumas County local, Nina is happy to be working in what she believes- is one of the most beautiful valleys in the high Sierra and supporting the conservation and preservation of the places she loves. When she’s not in the office you will find her on the river, cruising the valley on a bike, or obsessing over her cat Juniper.
Contact Information: (530) 284-1022 x 1014; Email: nmartynn@sierrainstitute.us
NOAH ABRAMSON
Noah works with Sierra Institute’s team of specialists taking on complex land management issues, focusing his efforts on projects that help protect and improve water resources in forested watersheds. Noah holds a B.S. and a M.S. in Geology where he studied geomorphology and surficial processes and has worked as a wellsite geologist in the geothermal energy industry and as an engineering geologist for the California Department of Water Resources where he focused on sustainable groundwater management and conjunctive water use programs in Northern California. In his free time, Noah enjoys exploring the outdoors by mountain bike or fishing for trout on local rivers.
Contact Information: (530) 284-1022; Email: nabramson@sierrainstitute.us
SOPHIE CASTLETON
Sophie works with Sierra Institute’s team of natural resource specialists to plan forest restoration projects and scale up these efforts within the South Lassen Watershed Group boundaries. Sophie holds a BA from UC Davis in International Relations: Global Health & Environment and minors in Environmental Policy and Spanish. She brings natural resource management and restoration experience to Sierra Institute from her time working for federal agencies, including the Tongass National Forest and the Bureau of Land Management in New Mexico, as well as experience working with an environmental consulting firm performing wetland restoration and invasive cordgrass control. Prior to Sierra Institute, Sophie spent her winters teaching skiing in various parts of the Sierra, Utah, and Japan and loves exploring the local mountains with her dog Lupin.
Contact Information: (530) 284-1022 x 1006; Email: scastleton@sierrainstitute.us
SPENCER LACHMAN
Spencer joined the Sierra Institute in the fall of 2020 and helps coordinate the organization's collaborative forestry efforts at the local and state levels. Spencer received a B.S. in Ecosystem Science and Restoration and a minor in International Development Studies from the University of Montana. He is excited to be working at the intersection of landscape management and community wellness. He worked previously in wilderness and recreation management in northwestern Montana and has studied forest demographics across the varied ecosystems of the southern Sierra Nevada with the USGS Sequoia-Kings Canyon Field Station. Spencer is passionate about big wall rock climbing, trying to learn to kayak, and he loves a good game of cribbage.
Contact Information: (530) 284-1022 x 1020; Email: slachman@sierrainstitute.us
VIRGINIA PRITCHARD
Virginia began working with the Sierra Institute in the fall of 2020. She focuses on projects that protect and improve water resources and forest hydrologic processes including watershed assessment, environmental compliance, and restoration projects. She graduated from Oregon State University in 2016 with a dual B.S. in Environmental Science and Microbiology and began working for the Forest Service in watershed assessment, monitoring, and research. She also volunteered for Salmon Watch conducting outdoor education programs on salmon ecology for K-12 students across Oregon. In her free time, Virginia enjoys backpacking, biking, reading, writing, and being creative in general.
Contact Information: (530) 284-1022 x 1010; Email: vpritchard@sierrainstitute.us
ZOE WATSON
Zoe joined the Sierra Institute in the Spring of 2020 as the Rural Community Development Program Manager. At the Sierra Institute, she works to improve rural water systems, secure rural forestry jobs, and support rural health and well-being. Zoe earned a BA in Political Science at UC Santa Barbara and an MS in Community Health at MSU Bozeman where she investigated the effect of climate change on food systems and women’s health in fishing communities in Arctic Greenland. She is
currently working toward a Ph.D. in Community Health from the OHSU/PSU School of Public Health. Her research has focused on social and environmental drivers of health inequities. This includes research on housing instability, food security, and air quality. Zoe grew up in the southern Cascades and enjoys skiing, mountain biking, rafting, and kayaking throughout the Cascades and the Sierras.
Contact Information: (530) 284-1022 x 1011; Email: zwatson@sierrainstitute.us
Board of Directors
Logan McCoy
PresidentVice President, Sustainability Solutions Product, ISS Corporate Solutions
Rockville, MD
Gerry Gray
Vice PresidentForest Policy Consultant for the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire, & State Lands
Salt Lake City, UT
John Nickerson
SecretaryClimate Action Reserve
Ukiah, California
Robert Doty
Board MemberPartner at Cox, Castle & Nicholson, LLP
San Fransisco, CA
Sheri Elliott
TreasurerRetired Budget Director for the US Forest Service, Washington Office.
Nevada City, CA
Suzanne Plopper
Board MemberPublic Health
Almanor Basin, CA
Terry Collins
Board MemberCollins Pine Company
Chester, CA
Beth Rose Middleton
Board MemberAssociate Professor, University of California, Davis
Davis, CA
Les Hall
Board MemberPublic Administration
Meadow Valley, CA
Jonathan Kusel
Board MemberExecutive Director
Taylorsville, CA