2025 Conference Speakers
Building equitable partnerships between mrcs and tribes
Cecilia Gobin is a Conservation Policy Analyst with the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission and represents Tribes on the Commission. Her work is focused on supporting tribes and the protection of tribal treaty rights and resources, and covers areas such as the Endangered Species Act, Puget Sound salmon recovery and recovery planning, as well as working on various habitat protection issues with particular focus on the nearshore and shoreline environment. Cecilia also brings along a strong understanding and familiarity of the Puget Sound National Estuary Program, as well as various tribal programs and habitat initiatives, and extensive experience and understanding of tribal treaty rights.
Jen Willup has been working at the Swinomish Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) since 2019. As the Environmental Education Specialist and a teacher for the Between Two Worlds Indigenous Science Program, her work at the DEP provides the opportunity for stewardship, increasing Indigenous scientific literacy, and strengthening community relationships. She is a graduate of Northwest Indian College, with a BA in Native Studies Leadership and a focus on plants and traditional education. In addition to working for Swinomish, Jen also enjoys taking her son on nature adventures, making art, and gardening.
Patti Gobin has over 25 years of Community Development experience with the Tulalip Tribes. Presently, Ms. Gobin is with the Natural Resource Treaty Rights office working with state, local and federal agencies regarding those issues that impact the life ways of the Tulalip Tribes. In addition to her years of experience, Ms. Gobin is a member of the Tulalip Tribes and is well versed in the culture and history of her people. Her personal goal is to invest in the future of the Coast Salish community, helping to affect a sustainable future for the next generations to come.
Neil Harrington is an Environmental Biologist with the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe. In his twelve years with the Tribe his work has focused on harmful algal blooms, shellfish safety, native Olympia oyster restoration, invasive European green crabs, and outreach and education. Previous to working for Jamestown, he worked as a shellfish biologist for the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe and as the Water Quality Manager for Jefferson County. He earned a BA in Biology and a Master of Science in Biological Oceanography from the University of California, Santa Cruz.
Creating Messages that Drive Behavior change
Justine Asohmbom is a Strategic Communications and Education Specialist with the Department of Ecology, where she provides leadership in cross-program and cross-agency coordination on Puget Sound education and outreach priorities. She designs programs that motivate behavior change to reduce pollution entering Puget Sound.
With over 20 years of experience, Justine is a seasoned practitioner in social marketing. She has developed and implemented award-winning campaigns such as Don’t Drip and Drive – Fix That Leak. Her recent work includes leading the Pump Out, Don’t Dump Out program, which educates and inspires boaters to properly manage vessel sewage.
resilient ecosystems: linking land and sea and mrcs
Dr. Caitlin Magel is a coastal ecologist at University of Washington's Puget Sound Institute in Tacoma. She primarily studies habitats at the land-sea interface through field studies and modeling to understand how to better manage stressors originating from human activities and climate change. With training in inter- and trans-disciplinary research, Caitlin collaborates with a wide array of natural and social scientists, managers, and stakeholders through her work. She holds a BA in Biology and Environmental Science from Lawrence University in Wisconsin, MS in Marine Science from University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, and PhD in Integrative Biology from Oregon State University.
Erik Kingfisher works as the Director of Stewardship and Resilience at Jefferson Land Trust, leading strategic initiatives related to climate and community resilience, and helping with permanent protection and stewardship of conservation properties across Jefferson County on the Olympic Peninsula. Erik grew up outside Seattle (Woodinville), and on SW Whidbey Island, spending a lot of time in the mountains, forests, creeks, and tidepools. He focused on natural history when studying for his B.A. in Environmental Education at Western WA Univ. in Bellingham (he also holds an M.A. in Environmental Politics from Keele University in the UK). He’s worked as a guide and naturalist in Olympic N.P., SE Alaska, Yosemite N.P., and north coast California, and has been working primarily in private forestland conservation since 2004.
Andi Kopit, M.S. (she/her) is the Education Coordinator Whidbey Camano Land Trust and holds a master’s degree in pollination biology from Utah State University, where she studied pesticide exposure in native bees. She has worked in outdoor environmental education with local school programs and serves on the Island County Marine Resources Committee, focusing on marine conservation and community engagement. Passionate about invertebrates and environmental stewardship, Andi loves connecting young people with their environment, and participating in community science and environmental restoration. In her spare time, you may find Andi wandering around in nature, identifying the living organisms around her or putting up produce from her garden.
Erika Harris is a Senior Planner in the Growth Management group at Puget Sound Regional Council. She has over 15 years of experience in environmental, urban, and regional planning. At PSRC, Erika works on Puget Sound recovery, open space planning, comprehensive plan review, advancing racial equity, and other issues at the intersection of planning and sustainability. She holds master’s degrees in urban planning and public policy and governance from the University of Washington and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Pacific Lutheran University.
Roger Fuller coordinates the Natural Resources Stewardship program at Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, one of 30 Estuarine Reserves across the country. He focuses on habitat restoration, invasive species management, and related monitoring and research. His background as an ecosystem ecologist includes research and restoration work in estuaries, rivers, forests, and grasslands. Roger is also a member of the Skagit Climate Science Consortium.