Heather King

Heather joined the Council as Executive Director in March 2022. She has more than 15 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, most recently as Deputy Director of Willamette Riverkeeper, where she was responsible for fundraising, staff development, and supervision, and with 350PDX, where she helped rebuild the organization’s fundraising program. Heather has founded two nonprofits: Pride Zone, a center for LGBTQA+ young people in Northampton, MA, and Brandywine Roller Derby, in Downingtown, PA. A lifelong social justice advocate, educator and leader, Heather has a strong commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI).

Heather holds a Master’s in Social Justice Education from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and an MBA in Nonprofit Management and Social Policy from the Heller School at Brandeis University in Waltham, MA. An east coast native with a lifelong interest in the outdoors and exploring the world, Heather quickly developed a love of the Pacific Northwest. She is passionate about connecting volunteers, partners, and donors to the outdoors and the importance, vitality, and joy of Oregon’s natural resources, especially her waterways.

A nomad at heart, Heather enjoys spending free time exploring the PNW and beyond, camping and/or canoeing. She loves getting to know new cultures and meeting people, as well as cooking, baking, Legos, Dungeons and Dragons, and reading a good book.

Most want to see at the Slough: Raptors and other birds—I enjoy learning about their migration and seasonal patterns.

Favorite thing about the Slough: Right now, I’m most excited about the potential the Slough has for introducing and engaging people in the outdoors through direct participation. 

Valeria Villanueva

Born in Mexico and raised in Oregon, Valeria Villanueva brings a dedicated mindset and diverse professional background. Valeria has several years of experience in the non-profit industry and as an active member in her community, she is passionate about advancing equity, diversity and inclusion across all professional sectors in Oregon. 

She plans to strengthen community relationships at the Slough, increase volunteer participation, and continue empowering underserved communities to enjoy the natural areas in the Pacific Northwest. 

Valeria graduated from Western Oregon University with a B.A in Communication Studies and Spanish. When she is not at the office, Valeria enjoys reading, being in nature, live music and spending time with friends and family.

Most excited to learn about in the Slough: Native plants and learning how different communities enjoy the slough!

If not by the Slough, you’ll find me: At a concert or exploring new trails!

Lashay Gates

Lashay (she/her) is 21 years old and was born and raised in Portland, Oregon. She attended Cesar Chavez K-8 where she became fluent in Spanish. She then went on to Roosevelt High School, graduating in 2021. She was introduced to The Blueprint Foundation during her freshman year of high school. Since then, she has fallen in love with new outdoor experiences and nature, things she had never experienced before. She has also had many opportunities to make money and made many social connections that she didn't think would happen. 

She has a clothing brand that promotes self-love and acceptance. The brand's message is to embrace your uniqueness and love yourself for who you are because there is only one of you, which makes you special. Stand out and be proud of being one of a kind. Being one of a kind and there is only one of you so always stand out. She have owned this clothing brand since November 2021.

I am looking forward to learning more about all the different species and their habitats so that I can engagingly describe them.

My preferred method of exploring the Slough is by participating in cleanups because it helps maintain a clean environment for the animals living there.

Max Samuelson

Max began working for the Council as the Stewardship Assistant in Fall 2018. In January 2020 he stepped into the role of Stewardship Director. Max spends most of his time with the Council restoring native habitats to create a more healthy watershed for the plants, wildlife and people of the Slough. He enjoys being out in field working with partners and volunteers to enhance the Slough, and loves the sense of community that accompanies a flat of sword ferns, a pot of coffee, a slight drizzle and a group of volunteers at a Stewardship Saturday. Over the years he has worked to restore and monitor landscapes in the Willamette Valley, Sagebrush Steppe and Great Plains.  When not at the Slough (which is rare!) Max enjoys going wherever his bike will take him.

Favorite Slough phrase - Sloughper hero! Which I use as a catch all term for our amazing volunteers and partners who help make all our work possible.

Three objects to bring on a Slough adventure - Henrietta, a copy of Hitchcock and Cronquist, and a kayak.

Thomas Meinzen

Thomas joined the CSWC team in 2020 and is happy to be helping support the Council's events, website, and communications. He has worked previously across the U.S. and Costa Rica as a field biologist and bird and bee conservation advocate, and he enjoys any opportunity to help people find wonder in the growing world around them. In addition to his work for the Council, Thomas writes music, serves as operations director for the Vanport Placemarking Project and as Board Treasurer for Project 1100, and is completing a Master’s in Ecology focused on pollinator conservation. 

Favorite Slough creature - Green Heron

Favorite way to explore the Slough - Early in the morning, with binoculars!

Elliot McManus

Bob Gergen

I'm very excited to work on the slough to learn new skills and help the community. I have always loved the outdoors and being on the water and I love helping the wildlife live in a better environment. I hate seeing animals in pain from things humans do, such as throwing trash in the water. It seems like such a small thing to most people, but they aren't the ones living in a trash-polluted environment.

Kevin Lopez

Kevin started working as an intern for the Columbia Slough Watershed Council in June 2022. He helps enhance wildlife habitat in the Slough, removing unnecessary plants, mulching and planting native plants. He also participates in paddling events in which he is a paddle team captain and leads groups of youth on the water. As a captain his job is to keep everyone safe and to have fun while exploring the new nature around them. And of course to also enjoy the moment with his youth team on board.

Through this internship Kevin most enjoys meeting and working with the diverse group of volunteers, paddlers and partners that he meets. Kevin also enjoys being outside. He likes to go out camping with his family and being connected to mother nature when outside of work. On weekends he usually plays drums, or cuts hair as a hobby with his friends around him. Kevin is born and raised in Portland metro his whole life, and yet still discovers new places to explore around the city.

Chin Amadi

Chin worked with the Columbia Slough Watershed Council in 2021 as an intern employed by PGE’s Project Zero Works program. He enjoys working with kids and encouraging them to be the best they can be. He’s currently looking for ways to make his mark on the world in a positive way. He hopes to one day be a pillar in his community and be able to help those needing help find it.

Favorite Slough creature - Dragonfly!

Happy Place on the Slough - Whitaker Ponds Observation Dock