Y.E.T.I. Team
Staff
David Dunphy, Executive Director
After studying environmental studies and business administration David set out on a journey to explore and connect people to the natural world. He Spent several years as a field instructor with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), the REI Outdoor School, The YMCA Bold & GOLD program and others; leading backpacking, kayaking and rock climbing programs. A Issaquah native, most recently served as the Director of the Sammamish YMCA’s Teen and Outdoor program. David Is always looking for new ways to collaborate with schools and community organizations and find ways to break down barriers of accessing our public lands. He is excited to engage more young people in transformative outdoor experiences that help them develop grit, leadership skills and inform their environmental ethic. David lives in Preston with his partner Shawna, when he is not out on personal trips you might find him volunteering with the Issaquah alps trails club, a local conservation group, supporting Seattle Mountain Rescue as a field member or playing in the woods with his niece and nephew.
Sean McNally, Program Director
Sean McNally comes to Y.E.T.I. with over a decade in the Outdoor Education Industry. Sean is extremely passionate about getting youth outside and sharing his life long love of the outdoors. He has led trips all over the U.S. and worked for organizations such as Explore Austin, Mountain Madness, Naturalists at Large, R.E.I. Outdoor Programs and Outpost Wilderness Adventure. Sean will be supporting the expansion of our school-based outdoor clubs and volunteer development to help Y.E.T.I. provide more opportunities to explore our public lands.
Amber Curtis, Development Manager
During college, Amber discovered her knack for fundraising while running from San Francisco to Boston with a team, raising money for young adults affected by cancer. After getting her degree in Marketing and General Management, she moved to Washington. She decided to pursue her passion by volunteering with the YMCA Earth Service Corps for a year, working on environmental projects with young people instead of immediately starting her career. Later, using her college experiences, she got a job in the fundraising realm at the University of Washington Bothell. Now, as part of the Y.E.T.I. team, she’s excited to combine her marketing and fundraising skills with her love for the outdoors, making sure every young person has access to transformative outdoor experiences. Outside of work, she finds joy in exploring the Pacific Northwest with her husband and dog, going camping, hiking, snowshoeing, trail running, and bouldering.
Cat Leonowicz, Program Coordinator
Cat is an East Coast native who developed a deep-rooted love for exploring the outdoors while growing up in New England. From glacial-capped peaks to the waters of the Salish Sea, and even underground mud caves, there is no outdoor sport they are not willing to try. Cat’s deep passion for teaching and guiding emerged through running their college’s outdoor program, the UMass Outing Club. Similar to Y.E.T.I.’s mission, the club aimed to teach and train college students with little to no outdoor experience at no cost. Cat played a foundational role in starting the club’s first Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion program and fundamentally believes the outdoors are for everyone. After college, Cat traveled extensively, completing various thru-hikes and working for different guiding companies. Once they arrived in Washington, Cat never seemed to want to leave and is now proud to call Seattle home. Cat believes that working in outdoor education truly combines work and pleasure and is grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the Y.E.T.I. community.
Renee Torrie, Program Coordinator
Renee has spent four years teaching environmental education in all kinds of outdoor settings like Nature’s Classroom, the High Mountain Institute, Adventure Treks, and Islandwood. She has a Masters in Teaching from the University of Washington, with a certificate in Education for Environment and Community. Before joining Y.E.T.I., she taught elementary school in Seattle for two years. Renee’s current outdoor focus is on sailing—she recently raced from San Francisco to Hawaii and is now adjusting to life on a small sailboat. She’s excited about Y.E.T.I. because it combines her love of teaching, working with students outdoors, and playing logistical tetris. When she’s not working or on the water, you’ll probably find her slacklining, reading, or enjoying some cheez-its.
Sam Sauerbrei, Program Coordinator
Sam transitioned from engineering to outdoor education after becoming a white water raft guide, where a passion for sharing outdoor experiences with youth developed. She began volunteering weekly with Y.E.T.I. for the “Learn How to Ride a Bike” program, and later joined the team. Favorite outdoor activities include hiking, beach time, and any water-related adventures. Sam is a certified white-water instructor and aims to take high school students down the Deschutes River during spring break. Outside of work, Sam enjoys playing music, biking, boating, canyoneering, and going on outdoor trips with friends to recharge and bring that excitement to students.
Alex Whitney, Field Instructor
Alex brings extensive experience in leading youth outdoor programs to Y.E.T.I., having led summer backpacking trips on Bainbridge Island and guided hiking, snowshoeing, and mountaineering trips during his time at the University of Washington. His additional roles include teaching climbing at the UW climbing gym, working part-time as a ski instructor, and volunteering as a mountaineering leader for a high school youth-driven organization in North Seattle. With a degree in Environmental Science focusing on recreation and the nature-health connection, Alex holds certifications as a Wilderness First Responder and AIARE Level 1 and is working toward a PSIA Ski Instructor certification. His passion for helping young people experience the outdoors aligns with Y.E.T.I.’s mission of making outdoor recreation accessible to all. Outside of work, Alex enjoys spending time with his spouse and cats, cooking, cycling, and playing board and video games.
Claudia Yaw, Field Instructor
Claudia has a background in journalism, covering diverse topics around Puget Sound, including environmental issues. In 2022, she transitioned to the WA Conservation Corps, serving on restoration and trail crews before leading youth crews with NW Youth Corps in similar work. A passionate birder, Claudia sees birds as storytellers of the natural world, fostering a connection to nature wherever her travels may lead. She is also deeply interested in native plants and their uses. Drawn to Y.E.T.I. for its mission to create inclusive outdoor spaces, Claudia is passionate about showing young people that there’s room for everyone in nature. Outside of work, she enjoys honing her woodworking skills, crafting stained glass, reading poetry, and following indie wrestling.
Dandy Thornman, Field Instructor
Dandy spent seven years leading youth science programs with Nature Vision, a nonprofit where the highlight was always getting kids outside, active, and curious about the natural world. Passionate about kayaking and hiking, Dandy has a particular interest in wildlife and plant identification and has led nature walks, aquatic insect dips, and restoration projects. Driven by a strong belief in Y.E.T.I.’s mission to provide youth with resources to engage with nature and foster healthier individuals, communities, and a thriving planet, Dandy is excited to contribute to this work. Outside of work, favorite activities include board games, D&D, crafting, and dabbling in improv comedy.
Eric Aker, Field Instructor
Eric is an East Coast transplant that has been living and playing in the PNW outdoors for the past 20+ years. His favorite season of the year might be spring, where new growth begins and all activities are possible. He brings a multi-disciplinarian background in coaching technology professionals to learn new ways of working together and empowering people of all ages to experience outdoor adventures for the first time. His recent experience as a climbing & wilderness instructor through the YMCA Bold & Gold and professional development from AMGA & AIARE will help to unlock the Y.E.T.I. potential.
Jenna Phillips, Field Instructor
Jenna graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in Informatics and was a member of the rowing team, which sparked her love for the outdoors. While her background has been primarily recreational, Jenna has led rock climbing, skiing, and hiking trips for friends and volunteered at kids’ camps. She is excited to step into her first official role as an educator and instructor, driven by a passion for introducing others to the outdoors and helping them connect with nature. Her interests include mountaineering, skiing, and rock climbing, especially when these activities are combined for the ultimate outdoor adventure. Jenna holds certifications in AIARE 2, WFR/CPR, and as a ski technician, thriving on the challenges of the mountains. Outside of work, she enjoys baking bread and running her photography business.
Katie Smith, Field Instructor
Katie brings a strong nonprofit background to Y.E.T.I., with a focus on outdoor programs and education. Experience includes working as a snowboard instructor and coordinating youth programs for several Seattle-area nonprofits. Passionate about outdoor recreation, Katie enjoys splitboarding for its connection to the mountains through backcountry travel, as well as backpacking and thru-hiking in warmer months. These experiences have been life-changing and inspire a commitment to helping all youth access the outdoors. Excitement for introducing young people to nature and new activities drives this work. Outside of work, Katie spends time reading, crocheting, and training for races and triathlons.
Maddie Price, Field Instructor
Maddie grew up hiking, birdwatching, kayaking, and reading about animals, which led to studying environmental science in college. Since then, Maddie has been a summer camp counselor on both coasts, leading youth in outdoor activities, and has worked with small environmental nonprofits to support school field trips and coordinate teen and adult volunteers in ecological monitoring and stewardship. In Seattle, Maddie has led plant walks for Queer the Land and serves as a kayak guide with the River Access Paddle Program. Favorite activities include hiking, birdwatching, bird banding, kayaking, and foraging, with a particular passion for identifying plants and mushrooms. Maddie is drawn to Y.E.T.I. for efforts to reduce barriers to outdoor recreation for youth and enjoys sharing enthusiasm for nature with others. Outside of work, hobbies include crocheting, embroidery, gardening, photography, playing board games, and volunteering.
Wesley Wakai, Field Instructor
Hailing from Wisconsin, Wesley is a Midwest transplant who was gifted early exposure to outdoor adventure by his family’s extensive cross-country road trips. Through his university’s outing club he discovered a love for sharing adventure with new friends and community, and a summer working as a trail guide for YMCA camp Menogyn crystalized a passion to provide experiences for others that instill the same childish imagination and awe. He’s been seeking training and opportunity to stoke this flame ever since and is looking forward to sharing his enthusiasm and the gift of outdoor adventure once again through YETI.
Board of Directors
Noah Harper, Board President
A relatively recent addition to the state of Washington’s population, Noah called Georgia his home until employment catapulted him across the country. Armed with a degree in computer science from Georgia Tech and a good attitude, Noah spends his working days with the U.S. Geological Survey’s Cascade Volcano Observatory – building systems that enable scientists to better monitor and understand our region’s sleeping giants. Noah‘s passion for the outdoors was stoked by a beloved summer camp in the Appalachian Mountains called Camp Mikell. There he would return throughout his life, first, as a camper, and later as a counselor and staff member – coordinating the fun and activity of hundreds of children outdoors each summer. Soon after landing in Washington, Noah found Y.E.T.I – another organization that stokes passion for the outdoors in young people! These days you can find Noah backpacking in the mighty Olympics, skiing around misty Ranier, and biking soggy Seattle!
Claire Hefin, Vice President
Claire grew up in the Pacific Northwest, spending winter weekends in the mountains and long summer days in the Puget Sound! Claire found Y.E.T.I. through a family connection and was deeply moved by the
mission of expanding the opportunity for young people to learn and grow in the outdoors. Motivated to listen and empower folks to reach their fullest potential, Claire is passionate about bringing her HR skills and experience to Y.E.T.I. Outside of Y.E.T.I., you can find Claire & her golden retriever, Baker, making new friends on their weekly hiking adventures!
Maxi Polihronakis, Secretary
Isaac Prieto, Treasure
Isaac moved to the Northwest from Long Beach California where he works at at Clark Nuber as an Account manager . When he isn’t helping Y.E.T.I. manage its resources to maximizing our impacts for young people in our community he is spends his time with his wife and son enjoying all the Nature in our backyard. Isaac is passionate that young people will have the opportunity to enjoy their public lands the same way he is introducing his son to outdoor adventure.
John Nelson, Founder & Director
John founded Y.E.T.I. to insure his own children and their peers participated in rich outdoor experiences. As a professional guide (mountains, rivers, sea) for over 30 years, he has experienced the magic that outdoor adventures can play on empowering adults; helping them discover a new version of themselves. He now enjoys leveraging what he’s learned into empowering the next generation. When he’s not engaged on wild adventures, he works as a Research Engineer for Adobe.
Chris Lowe, Director
Chris is a PNW native with a passion for the Outdoors. He has built a career in the Outdoor Industry with stops at REI, Outward Bound and currently Grayl. Experiences are central to his ethos as a person and a parent. “The outdoors is the perfect classroom to teach the lessons of life.” A big fan of Y.E.T.I over the years he is now on the board of directors looking to give back and to the next generation of conservationists, enthusiasts and advocates for wild places.
Claire Symons, Director
Connor McCune, Director
Connor McCune lives for the endless pursuit of that perfect turn, be that in early morning dawn patrols arcing through snow and air at Snoqualmie pass, or dropping his heels while accelerating through wet roots and rocks in the amazing mountain bike trails of WA and BC. Connor always knew his calling was in the outdoors, and is excited to become part of the YETI Board to help share that stoke with others and help them to find that endless source of energy that will enable them to accomplish their dreams. Connor brings legal knowledge and expertise to YETI, to help guide the organization in this next stage of growth. While he normal occupies his time trying to understand inventions in the electrical and software arts, he is excited to apply his problem solving skills to the new and interesting challenges presented to YETI.
John Millick, Director
John Olivera, Director
Jon works to support underrepresented, first generation, low-income college students as the Assistant Director of the Educational Opportunity Program at the University of Washington. He developed his work ethic, communication skills, and love for helping others while guiding river trips in the Grand Canyon. His passion for the outdoors is matched by his desire to always be connected to youth. Jon’s goal is to connect diverse undergraduates at UW to amazing opportunities that Y.E.T.I. provides in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
Kim Nguyen, Director
Kim Nguyen, who hails from Vietnam, found herself captivated by the natural wonders of the Pacific Northwest and decided to make Seattle her second home. Recognizing the significance and allure of outdoor experiences, she embraced Y.E.T.I and its mission to expand opportunities for youth beyond traditional classroom settings. When not tethered to her computer as a Software Engineer, she delights in aquatic adventures, performing wheelies on her paddleboard, roller skating, and honing her skills in Vovinam (Vietnamese martial arts).
Meera Rajagopalan, Director
Hailing from Texas, Meera moved to Washington state three years ago and now calls it home. After graduating from Georgia Tech, she moved to the Pacific Northwest to work in marketing at Microsoft and has since been involved in various disability advocacy efforts at the company and at the University of Washington. A big part of the move was gaining an appreciation for easy access to outdoor adventure and noticing how it expanded her worldview for what she could accomplish. Y.E.T.I.’s mission of lowering the barrier of entry into the outdoors and developing grit in kids resonates because she’s seen in herself how challenging herself in the wilderness has increased her own potential energy. Outside of the Y.E.T.I. board, you can find Meera photographing concerts, mountaineering, and going for long runs around the city.
Sara Morales, Director
Sara had her first opportunity to experience outdoor programming during a college freshman orientation trip. She knows first-hand how time outdoors can build interpersonal connections and uncover individual strengths. This experience motivated her to work in the non-profit and outdoor education sector, specifically with a focus on increasing access and creating culturally responsive programming. She is excited to continue reducing barriers through Y.E.T.I. to foster more connections in nature amongst youth in Seattle! In her personal life, she embraces her Southern California roots and you can usually find Sara in and around bodies of water – swimming, playing water polo, surfing, or kayaking.
Tonya Seaberry, Director
Tonya is a Community Service Officer for the Des Moines Police Department. Her job involves community outreach, crime prevention and problem solving, and she has been at it for over 25 years! She is also active in many other safety and crime prevention endeavors in South King County. A lifelong Western Washingtonian, she is mom to a wonderful son, and is very excited to make a difference in the lives of our youth through Y.E.T.I. programs. They just need to be shown the way!
Betsy Boyer, Director Emeritus
Betsy is a Tennessee hillbilly who after over a decade career in the maritime industry, came to roost as a video producer in the Pacific Northwest. Growing up in a hiking family, she learned the power of natural settings as a youngster and still craves them today. She is the owner of True Bearing Productions, a full service video production business in Seattle. Her interest in Y.E.T.I . was ignited as she watched her son grow up experiencing Y.E.T.I. programs. She is proud to be a part of this magnetic organization!
