Page updated August 10th, 2007



The Washington Toxics Coalition staff and board of directors in June 2007. Front (kneeling) left to right: Ken Steffenson, Gregg Small, David Stitzhal, Philip Dickey, Lori Mudge, Erika Schreder. Back (standing) left to right: Laurie Valeriano, Jan Hasselman, Ivy Sager-Rosenthal, Tiffiny Suitts, Jim Dawson, Steve Gilbert, Richard Smith, Jennifer Dold, Karen McDonell, Robert Pregulman, Maria Mergel, Jon Stier, and Don Bollinger. Not pictured: Eddy Cates, Sharon Chen, Gylan Green, Chris Luboff, and Wood Turner.

Washington Toxics Coalition Staff

Jim Dawson, Field Coordinator, joined the staff of WTC in 2006. Jim most recently came from People For Puget Sound, where he spent four years coordinating their field program and doing local organizing and education in the South Sound area. He has worked as a organizer for the past eight years for a variety of local, state, and national environmental organizations. In 2001 he graduated from Green Corps, an environmental, leadership, training program. He holds a B.A. from The Evergreen State College in environmental policy and social change movements. Jim is responsible for creating and implementing our grassroots organizing strategy for our state toxics campaigns. Contact: jdawson@watoxics.org or ext. 120

Philip Dickey, Staff Scientist, is internationally known as an expert on household chemicals. He has worked for WTC since 1989 and holds a Ph.D. in nuclear physics from the University of Illinois. Philip focuses on education and outreach, and on promoting green gardening and alternatives to household toxics. He has been an invited speaker at conferences throughout the United States, as well as in Canada and Europe. Contact: pdickey@watoxics.org or ext. 116

Gylan Green, Finance and Administration Director, joined the WTC staff in 2007. Gylan has nearly 20 years experience in nonprofit leadership, fund development and marketing. His past service includes director of In Touch, a community-based AIDS service organization; executive director of Lambert House, Seattle’s sexual minority youth center; director of stewardship and development for St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral; and director of stewardship and communications for the Center for Ethical Leadership. Gylan holds a B.A. in theater from the University of Washington with a focus in directing and technical theater. He brings his talent for organizing many moving parts to managing WTC’s finances and operations. Contact: ggreen@watoxics.org or ext. 110.

Michael Grenetz, Advocate, joined the staff of WTC in 2007. Before taking this position, he spent the past three years organizing wilderness campaigns in Southern California for the California Wild Heritage Campaign. Previously, Michael was an organizer for the New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG) and Director of the Recycling Department at Wooster College. He holds a B.A. in religion from Vassar College where he founded their environmental sustainability programs and first got involved in toxics in the effort to remove PCBs from the Hudson River. Michael is responsible for creating and implementing our strategies on pesticide reform and supporting the burgeoning sustainable farming community. Contact: mgrenetz@watoxics.org or ext. 117.

Darrin Gunkel, Membership and Event Manager
Darrin considers commitment to healthy societies and ecosystems the common thread of his eclectic experience.  He managed and directed Greenpeace field canvasses in Ann Arbor, Michigan and Seattle; covered City Hall for Seattle’s NPR affiliate, KUOW and produced stories for Washington News Service, a radio news agency reporting on environmental and social issues; and worked in development and public relations for Crisis Clinic.  Darrin is also a freelance writer and recently edited the Greenhaven Press anthology, Alternative Energy Sources.  He has a degree in Comparative History of Ideas from the University of Washington and spends much of his spare time reading about, photographing and climbing volcanoes. Contact: dgunkel@watoxics.org or ext. 113.

Maria Mergel, Research and Education Associate, joined the staff in February 2004. Maria assists with our research and Pesticide Free Zone projects, develops educational materials, and coordinates our Toxics Hotline. She worked for three years as an environmental education specialist for King County's Household Hazardous Wastemobile and has served as Guest Editor of Sound Consumer, the monthly publication of PCC Natural Markets. Maria was born and raised in Tokyo, Japan and holds a B.A. in environmental studies from Oberlin College. Contact: mmergel@watoxics.org or ext. 112

Lori Mudge, Development Director, joined WTC in November 2000. Lori has a strong background in fundraising, community organizing, and grassroots activism. She graduated with a B.A. in Theatre Arts in 1992. Prior to joining the environmental movement, she was artistic director of an educational, improvisational theatre company in Rochester, New York. Lori worked for Greenpeace from 1994 to 1997 as a manager of their field canvass and as a staff liaison for their local and national toxics campaign work. Most recently she was the marketing and development manager for Aradia Women's Health Center, where she developed and organized several premier educational and fundraising events. Contact: lmudge@watoxics.org or ext. 115

Ivy Sager-Rosenthal, Environmental Health Advocate, joined the WTC staff in March 2005. Previously, she developed and ran campaigns to eliminate persistent toxic chemicals for the Washington Public Interest Research Group and People For Puget Sound. Ivy has also worked as a legislative attorney for the Wisconsin Legislature. She has a law degree from The American University's Washington College of Law and a B.A. in International Relations and a Certificate in Environmental Studies from the University of Wisconsin. Ivy works on the campaign to eliminate persistent toxic pollution. Contact: isager-rosenthal@watoxics.org or ext. 122

Josh Schramm, Publications and Website Manger, joined the WTC staff in November 2007. Josh comes to us from another Seattle based non-profit, People For Puget Sound, where he worked as a graphic and web designer. Josh brings his various talents as an artist, writer, musician, and designer to WTC, where he is responsible for creating and designing newsletters, postcards, websites, and many other communications pieces. Josh holds a B.A. in Theater Arts from the University of California, Santa Cruz and a certificate in Audio Production from the University of Washington, Seattle. Contact: jschramm@watoxics.org or ext. 125.

Erika Schreder, Staff Scientist, has worked on the Washington Toxics Coalition staff since 1997. Currently, she is leading the Coalition’s research on toxic chemicals in children’s products. In 2005 and 2006, she led the research for the Toxic-Free Legacy Coalition’s Pollution in People study. In the past, she has led WTC’s efforts to secure protections for salmon from pesticides and to advocate for greater support for organic and sustainable agriculture. She obtained a Masters in Resource Ecology and Management from the University of Michigan and a B.S. in molecular biology from MIT. Prior to joining the Toxics Coalition staff, she worked as a stream and wetland ecologist. Contact: eschreder@watoxics.org or ext. 119

Gregg Small, Executive Director, joined the WTC staff in 2001. Prior to that, he served for four years as executive director of Pesticide Watch, a non-profit group dedicated to eliminating the use of hazardous pesticides in California. He serves on the board of directors of Beyond Pesticides and King County Conservation Voters, and on the advisory board of Green Corps. Gregg has been an organizer and organizing director of Green Corps. He holds a B.A. in political science and environmental studies from Dickinson College. Contact: gsmall@watoxics.org or ext. 113

Laurie Valeriano, Policy Director, joined the WTC staff in 1995 and became a full-time organizer in July 1996. Prior to coming to the Toxics Coalition she worked for Washington Citizens for Resource Conservation and for the New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG). Laurie directs WTC's numerous policy campaigns and serves as media coordinator for the organization. Laurie engages in organizing and advocacy on persistent pollution, pulp mills, incinerators, and toxic waste in fertilizer issues. Contact: lvaleriano@watoxics.org or ext. 114

Jeannie Wells, Development Assistant
Jeannie Wells, a former Development Associate for Ryther Child Center, recently  joined WTC as our new Development Assistant.  At the Ryther, she managed the donor database, was responsible for donor stewardship, assisted in the annual fundraiser luncheon, and supported the Development Director in public relations and marketing endeavors.  She has a strong interest in environmental advocacy and children’s welfare.   Jeannie earned a BA in Spanish and French at Northeast Louisiana University in Monroe, Louisiana.  She currently volunteers at her daughter’s elementary school and at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church. Contact: jwells@watoxics.org or ext. 121.

Washington Toxics Coalition Board of Directors

Don Bollinger is an energy consultant at Braco Energy services, and has worked as a chemist for 12 years, including two years working on environmental mutagens with Barry Commoner. He is the past board president of the Coalition for the Environment (St. Louis), and has four years experience as an anti-nuclear activist. Don joined the board in 1994 and serves on our Finance Committee.

Sharon Chen, Vice President, was a group program manager in the Financial Product Group of the Microsoft Corporation, and is currently focusing on raising her two beautiful kids. A graduate of the United Way's Project Lead program, she has been active in the Seattle non-profit community since 1998. Prior to that she served as the chairman of Hoppers, a Microsoft group dedicated to retention and promotion of women in technology. Sharon holds a B.S.E in Computer Engineering from Princeton University. She joined the board in 2003, chairs our Personnel Committee, and serves on our Finance Committee.

Jennifer Dold, President, is an environmental attorney with Bricklin Newman Dold LLC, an environmental law firm in Seattle. She brings to the Toxics Coalition legal expertise complemented by many years of experience as an activist. Jennifer joined the board in 1996. Jennifer is the former chair of our Legal Affairs Committee, and serves on our Event Committee and Personnel Committee.

Steven G. Gilbert is director and founder of the non-profit Institute of Neurotoxicology and Neurological Disorders (INND), and is an affiliate
associate professor in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington. He has a Ph.D. in Toxicology, and is a Diplomate of American Board of Toxicology (D.A.B.T.). His primary research interests are in the effects of lead and mercury on the developing nervous system. His current work is focused on how knowledge is used to address urgent policy issues.  Steve recently authored a book entitled "A Small Dose of Toxicology" and manages a wiki based website Toxipedia  designed to connect science and people around the health effects of people.  He recently started a new effort Healthy World Theater to couple the arts and sciences to forage a more healthy and peaceful world.  Steven joined the board in 2002, served on our Finance Committee until 2007, and is now serving on the Development Committee.

Jan E. Hasselman is an environmental attorney with the non-profit law firm Earthjustice. Since 1998, Jan has litigated salmon, forestry, pesticide, and clean water protection lawsuits, including several on behalf of Washington Toxics Coalition. He joined the WTC board in 2004 and chairs our Board Development Committee, also serving on the Legal Committee.

Chris Luboff is currently strategic planning supervisor of the Seattle Solid Waste Utility, developing recycling and waste prevention strategies. She is a founding board member, and worked on the WTC staff for three years, in addition to serving as board president for four. Chris joined the board in 1985 and serves on our Board Development Committee.

Karen McDonell has been on the WTC Board since 1992. She is a long-time advocate for the chemically injured and for people suffering from Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. Taking on issues like Tobacco Sampling and Pesticides in Schools, Karen is a community organizer and activist who likes to push environmental health issues under the eyes of our State's legislature.

Robert Pregulman, Treasurer, worked for PIRGs for 13 years, including 4 years as Southern Field Director for U.S. PIRG organizing in the Southeast and creating new state PIRGs in Georgia and North Carolina. Most recently, he was Executive Director of WashPIRG from October 2000 - September 2005 where he worked closely with WTC on a number of toxics issues. Robert and his wife own Stray Dog Designs, which designs home furnishings and produces them in parts of the world that need sustainable, family wage jobs. Robert joined the board in 2005. Robert chairs our Messaging and Marketing Committee and our Finance Committee.

Janna Rolland is an organizational consultant to nonprofits and philanthropies with 20 years of experience in the sector. After serving as executive director of two environmental health nonprofits (and
becoming a Master Home Environmentalist), Janna earned a mid-career MPA at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government in 2003. Janna has lived in Seattle since 1996 and is the proud parent of an active toddler. She joined the board in 2007 and is a member of the Personnel Committee.

Jon Stier is a lawyer and mediator. He is currently a Senior Deputy Ombudsman for King County, Wash. Previously, Jon litigated with the National Environmental Law Center , served as an environmental and consumer rights lobbyist for WashPIRG, practiced indigent criminal appellate defense, and helped litigate nuclear whistleblower cases. In addition to his service on the WTC board, Jon mediates for the Dispute Resolution Center of King County and the Inter-Local Conflict Resolution Group. Jon joined the WTC board in 1999, and served as Board President.  He currently chairs our Legal Committee and is a member of the Strategic Planning, Development, and Board Development committees.

David Stitzhal, Secretary, is President of Full Circle Environmental Inc., which specializes in recycling, waste prevention, and producer responsibility. He has served as co-chair of the mayor-appointed Seattle Solid Waste Advisory Committee, and was the former project director for waste reduction and recycling programs at Washington Citizens for Recycling. He has author numerous articles and speaks nationally on waste-policy issues. David joined the board in 1993, and serves on our Messaging and Marketing Committee, Development Committee, and Personnel Committee.

Kay Treakle is the Executive Director of The Harder Foundation, a private family foundation in Tacoma, WA, that supports advocacy aimed at conserving and protecting public lands and waters in Alaska, the Pacific Northwest and the Northern Rockies.  Before that Kay served as a Program Officer in the Environment Program at the C.S. Mott Foundation.  Kay has also been the Executive Director of the DC-based watchdog group, the Bank Information Center for 10 years, advocating for environmental policies and public accountability at the World Bank and other international financial institutions; and worked for Greenpeace for 15 years in various capacities as a senior manager, campaigner, and board member.  She has served on a number of boards and advisory groups, including the Pesticide Action Network North America, and the Amazon Coalition.  Kay received her Bachelor of Arts degree from The Evergreen State College, Olympia, WA, in 1987. Kay joined the WTC board in 2007.

Wood Turner is trained as an urban and environmental planner but for much of his career has developed strategic communications strategy for socially responsible businesses, public agencies, and nonprofits, particularly in helping those organizations reach mainstream audiences. He is currently the director of Climate Counts, a nonprofit initiative launched by Stonyfield Farm and focused on engaging consumers and the business community in a constructive effort to fight climate change. He has a Master's Degree in Urban Planning from the University of Washington and a B.A. from Duke University. Wood joined the board in 2006 and serves on our Messaging and Marketing Committee.